Curriculum
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Period: 1st May 2013 – 30st April 2014
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, research grant founded by Emilia Romagna region, Italy (competitive call).
Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: New strategies for the identification in the coagulation field of biomarkers related to rehabilitative therapies.
Supervisor: Prof. Mirko Pinotti.
Period: 1st May 2012 – 30st April 2013
Position: Postdoctoral fellow, research grant founded by Telethon Foundation, Research and Cure for Inherited Genetic Diseases, Italy (competitive call).
Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: New therapeutic strategies for human inherited genetic diseases caused by splicing mutations.
Supervisor: Prof. Mirko Pinotti.
Period: 1st January 2009 – 31st December 2011
Position: PhD student, Research doctorate in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, founded by Ministerial grant for Doctorates (Italy), competitive call.
Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: -Molecular characterization of splicing mutations occurring in genes for coagulation factors.
-Development of engineered small RNAs (U1snRNA) as innovative therapeutic tool for inherited diseases caused by splicing mutations
Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Bernardi.
Award: Award as Best PhD Thesis of Research doctorate in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies
Period: 28th October 2010 – 22nd March 2011
Position: Research Scholar, founded by Institute for Higher Studies (IUSS Ferrara) of University of Ferrara, Italy, competitive call.
Institution: The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Research field: In vivo evaluation of efficacy of the engineered small RNA (U1snRNA) in the treatment of coagulation FVII deficiency associated to the splicing mutation FVII-9726+5g/a mutation.
Supervisor: Prof. Valder R. Arruda.
Period: 4th October 2009 – 6th February 2010
Position: Research Technician.
Institution: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: assistant technician for the laboratories held during the course of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Bernardi.
Period: 23th February 2009 – 22nd May 2009
Position: Research Technician.
Institution: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: assistant technician for the laboratories held during the course of Recombinant Technologies, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Supervisor: Prof. Mirko Pinotti.
Period: 3th December 2007 – 3th December 2008
Position: Research Fellow, founded by University of Ferrara, Italy.
Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy
Research field: Approaches to correction of splicing mutation in the gene of coagulation factor VII
Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Bernardi
EDUCATION
Period: 1st January 2009 – 31st December 2011
Description: PhD. Research doctorate in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, founded by Ministerial grant for Doctorates (Italy), competitive call.
Institution: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy.
Research field: -Molecular characterization of splicing mutations occurring in genes for coagulation factors.
-Development of engineered small RNAs (U1snRNA) as innovative therapeutic tool for inherited diseases caused by splicing mutations
Supervisor: Prof. Francesco Bernardi.
Award: Award as Best PhD Thesis of Research doctorate in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies
Period: 27th September 2005 – 11th July 2007
Description: Master Degree in Biomolecular and Cellular Sciences
Training: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy
Research field: Coagulation Factor VII deficiency: splicing mutations characterization and rescue by modified U1snRNA
Diploma thesis: U1snRNP-mediated rescue of mRNA in severe factor VII deficiency
Final degree mark: 110/110 magna cum laude.
Average score of
the University studies: 29.4 / 30
Weighted average of
the University studies: 29.45 / 30
Period: 9th September 2002 - 19th October 2005
Description: Bachelor Degree in Biomolecular and Cellular Sciences
Training: Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Hemostasis, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy
Research field: Creation of minigenes to study
Diploma thesis: Construction of Coagulation Factor VII minigenes to study intronic mutations
Final degree mark: 110/110 magna cum laude.
Average score of
the University studies: 28.91 / 30
Weighted average of
the University studies: 29.05 / 30
AWARDS
- Calogero Vullo Award during the 57th National Meeting of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB), September 18th-20th 2013, Ferrara (ITA).
- Young Invertigator Award during the XXIV Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Amsterdam (NL). June 29th – July 4th 2013
- “Best PhD thesis 2012 in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies” award by IUSS-Ferrara 1391 (The University Institute for Higher Studies), University of Ferrara.
- “Best of the Best oral comunication” award during the XXII National SISET Congress (Italian Society of Trombosis and Hemostasis). Vicenza (ITA) , 4th – 6th October 2012.
PARTICIPATIONS IN CONFERENCES
LVII National Meeting of the Italian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (SIB). Ferrara (ITA). September 18th-20th 2013
Aberrant mRNA splicing in coagulation factor deficiencies: from molecular mechanisms to RNA-based therapeutic approaches.
Dario Balestra, Nicola Cavallari, Elena Barbon, Daniela Scalet, Eugenio Fernandez Alanis, Andrea Dal Mas, Malgorzata E. Rogalska, Franco Pagani, Francesco Bernardi and Mirko Pinotti
Lecture and Calogero Vullo Award
XXIV Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Amsterdam (NL). June 29th – July 4th 2013
A very rare simultaneous presence of a ring chromosome 13 and a splicing site mutation on Factor X gene .
M. Menegatti, D. Balestra, B. Fabrizzi, R. Asselta, M. Pinotti, F. Peyvandi.
Abstract
XXIV Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Amsterdam (NL). June 29th – July 4th 2013
Delivery of a modified U1 small nuclear RNA alleviates splicing-defective coagulation Factor VII expression in mouse models.
D. Balestra, A. Faella, N. Cavallari, P. Margaritis, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi, V. R. Arruda and M. Pinotti.
Lecture (Young Invertigator award)
XXIV Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). Amsterdam (NL). June 29th – July 4th 2013
Restoration of coagulation factor IX function impaired by different splicing mutations by a unique exon-specific U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA).
D. Balestra, N. Cavallari, E. F. Alanis, A. Dal Mas, E. Rogalska Malgorzata, F. Bernardi, F. Pagani and M. Pinotti.
E-Poster
18th Congress of the European Hematology Association. Stockholm (SVE), 13th-16th June 2013
A very rare simultaneous presence of a ring chromosome 13 and a splicing site mutation on factor X gene.
M. Menegatti , D. Balestra, B. Fabbrizi , R. Asselta , M. Pinotti , F. Peyvandi , A. Bianchi Bonomi
Abstract
54th ASH (American Society of Hematology ) Annual Meeting and Exposition. Atlanta (USA), 8th – 11th December 2012.
Delivery of a modified U1 small nuclear RNA alleviates splicing-defective coagulation factor VII expression in mouse models
D. Balestra, A. Faella, N. Cavallari, P. Margaritis, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi, V. R. Arruda and M. Pinotti
Lecture
XXII National SISET Congress (Italian Society of Trombosis and Hemostasis). Vicenza (ITA) , 4th – 6th October 2012.
An exon-specific U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) strategy to correct splicing mutations associated to hemophilia B.
D. Balestra, N. Cavallari, E. Fernandez Alanis, A. Dal Mas, M. E. Rogalska, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi and M. Pinotti.
Lecture ( “Best of the Best oral comunication” award)
36th FEBS Congress. Torino (ITA), 25th – 30th June 2011
Aberrant splicing reverts a potentially lethal coagulation deficiency caused by a +1g/t splicing mutation.
N. Cavallari, D. Balestra, L. Rizzotto, I. Maestri, A. Chamsunri, F. Bernardi and M. Pinotti
Abstract
XVI Telethon congress. Riva del Garda. Trento (ITA), 7th - 9th March 2011.
Rna−based therapeutic approaches for blood coagulation factor deficiencies caused by splicing mutations.
D. Balestra, M. Baroni, E. Bussani, A. Canella, N. Cavallari, A. Dal Mas, E. Fernandez, P. Ferraresi, C. Mattioli, F. Pagani and M. Pinotti.
Poster
XXI National SISET Congress (Italian Society of Trombosis and Hemostasis). Bologna (ITA) , 28th - 31st October 2010.
Rescue of coagulation factor VII mRNA processing and protein function by engineered U1+5A snRNA.
D. Balestra , N. Cavallari , I. Maestri , R. Mari , L. Rizzotto, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi, M. Pinotti
Lecture
XXI National SISET Congress (Italian Society of Trombosis and Hemostasis). Bologna (ITA) , 28th - 31st October 2010.
The complete impairment of factor VII gene expression by the IVS6+1g/t mutation is compatible with a severe but not lethal bleeding disorder.
N. Cavallari, D. Balestra, L. Rizzotto, A. Chuamsunrit, G. Mariani, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi and M. Pinotti.
Abstract
XX National SISET Congress (Italian Society of Trombosis and Hemostasis). Firenze (ITA) , 25th -28th September 2008.
U1-snRNA-mediated rescue of mRNA processing in severe factor VII deficiency.
M. Pinotti, D. Balestra, L. Rizzotto, N. Cavallari, F. Pagani, F. Bernardi.
Abstract
8th International Winter Meeting on Coagulation. Bormio (ITA) , 6th -12th April 2008
Molecular genetics and biology of congenital hemorrhagic diseases.
F. Bernardi, M. Pinotti, D. Balestra, P. Caruso , G. Marchetti.
Abstract
