Curriculum
ELISABETTA D’AVERSA
CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Professor (RTD-A), Scientific Disciplinary Sector BIOS-09/A, Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
EDUCATION
12/03/2013 - Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, University of Ferrara
15/07/2015 - Master’s Degree in Biomolecular and Cellular Sciences, University of Ferrara
15/02/2019 - PhD in Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Ferrara
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
01/03/2019-28/02/2021 - Research Fellowship “Theranostics of rare diseases”, University of Ferrara
10/05/2021-31/05/2021 - Research Contract with the Rare Partners S.r.l. for the Phase II Clinical Trial: “A personalized medicine approach for beta-thalassemia transfusion dependent patients: testing SIROLIMUS in a first pilot clinical trial”, University of Ferrara
01/06/2021-31/12/2022 - Research Fellowship “Theranostics and prognostics of rare diseases”, University of Ferrara
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Assistant Professor in:
- Genomic and Molecular Bases in Biomedicine, Master of Science in Biotechnology for Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
- Applied and Translational Pharmacology, Master of Science in Biotechnology for Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
- Clinical Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology for Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara
Teaching Assistant in Molecular Biology and Environmental Biochemistry
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Scientific Production:
- Publications: 28 research papers (source Scopus, January 15, 2025)
- Citations: 405 (source Scopus, January 15, 2025)
- H-index: 13 (source Scopus, January 15, 2025)
About 30 Scientific Contributions presented as posters or oral communications in International and National Congresses
Main Research Projects:
- 2015-2020: Characterization of murine models for thalassemia. Funder: Ministry of Health
- 2017-2018: Non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of point mutations causing rare genetic diseases by droplet digital PCR. Funder: University of Ferrara - FIR Grant
- 2017-2019: Further insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the Shwachman-Diamond syndrome: towards new therapeutic approaches. Funder: Ministry of Health - Young Investigators Grant
- 2018-2020: Treatment of beta-thalassemia patients with rapamycin (Sirolimus): from pre-clinical research to a clinical trial. Funder: AIFA
- 2019-2020: A personalized medicine approach for beta-thalassemia patients: testing sirolimus in a first pilot clinical trial (Sirthalaclin). Funder: Wellcome Trust
- 2019-2020: Targeting the signalling network controlling proteostasis and inflammation to rescue F508del-CFTR. Funder: FFC Ricerca
- 2022-2023: Role of TNPO3 in the pathogenetic mechanism of LGMD D2: comparison between disease models (TNPO3_LGMDD2_Diseasemodels). Funder: AFM-Telethon
- 2023-2024: Insights from the developing world: “thrifty” hypothesis for a genetic architecture of COVID-19. Funder: University of Ferrara - FAR Grant
- 2024-2025: Exploring circularRNA landscape in Multiple Sclerosis. Funder: University of Ferrara - FAR Grant
Main Research Topics:
- Non-invasive prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of point mutations causing rare genetic diseases such as beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia using advanced technologies (SPR biosensors, droplet digital PCR)
- Study of the mechanisms of action and molecular interactions of new anti-inflammatory agents in cystic fibrosis
- Identification of novel fetal haemoglobin inducers for beta-thalassemia and sickle cell anemia from the screening of chemical libraries
- Development of Danio Rerio and Mus Musculus animal models for haemoglobinopathies
- Identification and modulation of non-coding RNAs (microRNAs, lncRNAs and circRNAs) as novel therapeutic targets in complex diseases
- Study of signalling pathways and secretomics in Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome to identify new prognostic and therapeutic targets
- Development of predictive models based on the interaction between host genetic and environment for COVID-19 severity and progression
- Evaluation of the effects of infections on global DNA methylation and telomere length as biomarkers of aging
- Study of the genetic, epigenetic and biochemical role in male fertility maintenance in oncology
- Profiling of genetic and epigenetic bases, combined with biochemical markers, for the diagnosis and treatment of patients affected by autism spectrum disorder
- Development and characterization of 3D fibrin scaffolds in pregnancy maintenance: genetic, epigenetic and biochemical approaches
