CURRICULUM VITAE PROF. LUCA MARIA NERI
CURRENT POSITION: Full Professor, academic discipline BIOS-12/A, Human Anatomy, at the Department of Translational Medicine of the University of Ferrara.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 1987: Degree in Medicine and Surgery (110/110 cum laude), University of Bologna
- 1990: Residency in Hematology (110/110 cum laude), University of Bologna
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Professor of Human Anatomy for the following degree courses:
- Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine
- Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Residency Medical School
- Sport Medicine, Residency Medical School
Member of the PhD faculty board in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
- 2018-Present: Director of the Interdepartmental Center for Electron Microscopy of the Industrial Research and Technology Transfer Laboratory accredited by the Emilia-Romagna Region (DGR 1213/2007) of the Technopole of the University of Ferrara. (Renewed appointment until June 2027).
- 2016-Present: Department representative in the University Center for International Development Cooperation
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Scientific profile codes
ORCID: 0000-0002-7924-1477
Scopus ID: 7005413542
Researcher ID: J-2462-2017
Scientific Production and Bibliometric Indicators (calculated as of 01/31/2025, source Scopus)
Number of scientific papers published in extenso in international journals with board of referees: 143
Hirsch/H-index: 46
Total number of citations: 11930
Journals and Scientific Societies
- Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal Biology (MDPI)
- Member of the Società Italiana di Anatomia ed Istologia (SIAI)
- Member of the Società Italiana di Istochimica (SII)
Main research themes
Prof. Luca Maria Neri's research activity has mainly focused on the following areas of interest:
(i) analysis and development of models of hematopoietic differentiation in vitro, with the aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms and regulatory systems that lead to the high levels of morphological and functional specialization characteristic of blood cells;
(ii) study of basic biological mechanisms and new molecular targets involved in pathogenesis processes in oncohematologic patients, through the development of advanced experimental protocols and models based on the use of primary normal and leukemic cells. These researches were further aimed at the preclinical evaluation of new molecules or drug combinations that are also potentially effective in cases of onset of drug resistance to conventional therapies on in vitro models of oncohematologic malignancies (particularly LAL) and solid tumors (breast and prostate cancer);
(iii) study of the metabolism of nuclear polyphosphoinositides in cells derived from hemolymphopoietic organs, liver, 'bone, and connective tissues.
(iv) studies on epigenetics and the role of miRNAs in oncohematologic neoplasms (especially LAL) and solid tumors on in vitro models (breast cancer, prostate) and on ex vivo samples from patients (breast), with emphasis on tertiary prevention in long-surviving patients.
(v) In vitro studies on the influence of metabolic and hormonal alterations on breast cancer cells. Analysis of the role of microalgae-derived nutraceuticals in counteracting pro-oncogenic effects of dysmetabolism and hyperinsulinemia.
Main Research Projects (since 2007)
- 2007-2008: Role Of The PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Leukemia Development and Progression.” (MIUR/CRUI-DAAD - Italian-German Scientific Cooperation Vigoni Program 2007-2008, with the University of Rostock. Scientific Responsible for the Research Project)
- 2008-2010: Pre-clinical study of the efficacy on the PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway of new drugs for the treatment of acute leukemia and development of predictive diagnostic tests (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara (CARIFE). Scientific Responsible for the Research Project).
- 2008-2010: Identification Of Novel Diagnostic And Therapeutic Targets Involved In The PI3k/Akt Signaling In Hepatocellular Carcinoma. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - Italy-Turkey Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation - Scientific leader of the research project).
- 2009-2010: ONCOPHARMA project (European Social Fund, Ministry of Labor, Health, Social Policies, Emilia Romagna Region Spinner RER. Scientific head of the research project).
- 2011-2017: Multipotent stem cells and their differentiation: pre-clinical studies and potential clinical applications. (MIUR-FIRB 2011-2017, prot. RBAP10Z7FS_002. Collaborator in the Research Unit of the University of Ferrara).
- 2016-2017: Analysis of immunomodulatory or antineoplastic activity of phytotherapeutics in normal and leukemic lymphocytes (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture of the Province of Ferrara and 'University of Ferrara. Scientific Responsible for the Research Project)
- 2017-2018: New therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of response to naturally occurring drugs and miRNA profiles in biological fluids for diagnostic evaluation, response to therapy and prognosis. (Research Incentive Fund (FIR) of the University of Ferrara. Scientific project leader).
- 2018-2025: New screening for cancer prevention in long-term survivors (In collaboration with Oncona Association. Scientific head of the project).
- 2018-2019: Sweeki and Peritalia fruit excellences from Ferrara: study of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and influences on the microbiome. (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture of the Province of Ferrara and the University of Ferrara. scientific project leader).
- 2018-2020: Somatostatin in nanoemulsion: analysis of bioavailability and biological and molecular effects on neoplastic cells (in collaboration with Fondazione Di Bella onlus. Scientific leader of the project).
- 2019-2022: New Technologies for macro and Microplastic Detection and Analysis in the Adriatic Basin (NET4mPLASTIC) (Interreg V-A Italy - Croatia CBC Programme 2014 - 2020. Scientific officer of operational unit
- 2019-2022: BiophotOmics: Development and pilot validation of portable biophotonic imaging medical device integrated with lipidomic testing methodology (European Regional Development Fund, POR FESR 2014-2020 Axis 1- Research and Innovation. Scientific project leader).
- 2020-2022: Analysis of bioavailability and molecular biological effects of somatostatin and analogues in nanoemulsion for biomarker detection (in collaboration with Fondazione Di Bella onlus. Scientific leader of the project).
- 2023-2024: Artificial Intelligence and Biophotonic Microscopy for rapid and early tests in Leukemia cells (AI&BM4Leukemia) (IFAB. Co-PI scientific lead of the Project)
- 2024-2026: Diabetes-associated systemic inflammation and Alzheimer disease progression from preclinical to clinical stage: from complex models to single cell level. (PRIN: Research Projects of Significant National Interest - Call 2022. Head of Operational Research Unit - RU)
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
The technology transfer incentive activity originates from Prof. Neri's involvement in the Service of the Center for Electron Microscopy of the “Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies” (LTTA), an Industrial Research and Technology Transfer Laboratory accredited by the Emilia Romagna Region. Since June 14, 2018, Prof. Neri has held the position of Director of the Center.
The activity in this area is mainly oriented to the development and fine-tuning of advanced preclinical study protocols and models based on the use of primary cells isolated from patient tissue biopsy samples. Such models are a fundamental tool for the study, with microscopic methods of investigation, down to the molecular level, of problems of clinical interest capable of identifying and analyzing individual diversities and for the study of basic biological mechanisms involved in the processes of pathogenesis as well as for the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic protocols, in close collaboration and synergy with the specific clinical teams inherent to the pathology under diagnosis/study.
Prof. Neri is actively involved in projects conducted in collaboration with Hospital Operating Units and university research centers and in projects for companies operating in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors.
CURRENT POSITION: Full Professor, academic discipline BIOS-12/A, Human Anatomy, at the Department of Translational Medicine of the University of Ferrara.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 1987: Degree in Medicine and Surgery (110/110 cum laude), University of Bologna
- 1990: Residency in Hematology (110/110 cum laude), University of Bologna
TEACHING ACTIVITY
Professor of Human Anatomy for the following degree courses:
- Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine
- Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Residency Medical School
- Sport Medicine, Residency Medical School
Member of the PhD faculty board in Advanced Therapies and Experimental Pharmacology, University of Ferrara.
MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
- 2018-Present: Director of the Interdepartmental Center for Electron Microscopy of the Industrial Research and Technology Transfer Laboratory accredited by the Emilia-Romagna Region (DGR 1213/2007) of the Technopole of the University of Ferrara. (Renewed appointment until June 2027).
- 2016-Present: Department representative in the University Center for International Development Cooperation
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Scientific profile codes
ORCID: 0000-0002-7924-1477
Scopus ID: 7005413542
Researcher ID: J-2462-2017
Scientific Production and Bibliometric Indicators (calculated as of 01/31/2025, source Scopus)
Number of scientific papers published in extenso in international journals with board of referees: 143
Hirsch/H-index: 46
Total number of citations: 11930
Journals and Scientific Societies
- Member of the Editorial Board of the Journal Biology (MDPI)
- Member of the Società Italiana di Anatomia ed Istologia (SIAI)
- Member of the Società Italiana di Istochimica (SII)
Main research themes
Prof. Luca Maria Neri's research activity has mainly focused on the following areas of interest:
(i) analysis and development of models of hematopoietic differentiation in vitro, with the aim of understanding the molecular mechanisms and regulatory systems that lead to the high levels of morphological and functional specialization characteristic of blood cells;
(ii) study of basic biological mechanisms and new molecular targets involved in pathogenesis processes in oncohematologic patients, through the development of advanced experimental protocols and models based on the use of primary normal and leukemic cells. These researches were further aimed at the preclinical evaluation of new molecules or drug combinations that are also potentially effective in cases of onset of drug resistance to conventional therapies on in vitro models of oncohematologic malignancies (particularly LAL) and solid tumors (breast and prostate cancer);
(iii) study of the metabolism of nuclear polyphosphoinositides in cells derived from hemolymphopoietic organs, liver, 'bone, and connective tissues.
(iv) studies on epigenetics and the role of miRNAs in oncohematologic neoplasms (especially LAL) and solid tumors on in vitro models (breast cancer, prostate) and on ex vivo samples from patients (breast), with emphasis on tertiary prevention in long-surviving patients.
(v) In vitro studies on the influence of metabolic and hormonal alterations on breast cancer cells. Analysis of the role of microalgae-derived nutraceuticals in counteracting pro-oncogenic effects of dysmetabolism and hyperinsulinemia.
Main Research Projects (since 2007)
- 2007-2008: Role Of The PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in Leukemia Development and Progression.” (MIUR/CRUI-DAAD - Italian-German Scientific Cooperation Vigoni Program 2007-2008, with the University of Rostock. Scientific Responsible for the Research Project)
- 2008-2010: Pre-clinical study of the efficacy on the PI3K/Akt signal transduction pathway of new drugs for the treatment of acute leukemia and development of predictive diagnostic tests (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara (CARIFE). Scientific Responsible for the Research Project).
- 2008-2010: Identification Of Novel Diagnostic And Therapeutic Targets Involved In The PI3k/Akt Signaling In Hepatocellular Carcinoma. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - Italy-Turkey Bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation - Scientific leader of the research project).
- 2009-2010: ONCOPHARMA project (European Social Fund, Ministry of Labor, Health, Social Policies, Emilia Romagna Region Spinner RER. Scientific head of the research project).
- 2011-2017: Multipotent stem cells and their differentiation: pre-clinical studies and potential clinical applications. (MIUR-FIRB 2011-2017, prot. RBAP10Z7FS_002. Collaborator in the Research Unit of the University of Ferrara).
- 2016-2017: Analysis of immunomodulatory or antineoplastic activity of phytotherapeutics in normal and leukemic lymphocytes (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture of the Province of Ferrara and 'University of Ferrara. Scientific Responsible for the Research Project)
- 2017-2018: New therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of response to naturally occurring drugs and miRNA profiles in biological fluids for diagnostic evaluation, response to therapy and prognosis. (Research Incentive Fund (FIR) of the University of Ferrara. Scientific project leader).
- 2018-2025: New screening for cancer prevention in long-term survivors (In collaboration with Oncona Association. Scientific head of the project).
- 2018-2019: Sweeki and Peritalia fruit excellences from Ferrara: study of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and influences on the microbiome. (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Handicrafts and Agriculture of the Province of Ferrara and the University of Ferrara. scientific project leader).
- 2018-2020: Somatostatin in nanoemulsion: analysis of bioavailability and biological and molecular effects on neoplastic cells (in collaboration with Fondazione Di Bella onlus. Scientific leader of the project).
- 2019-2022: New Technologies for macro and Microplastic Detection and Analysis in the Adriatic Basin (NET4mPLASTIC) (Interreg V-A Italy - Croatia CBC Programme 2014 - 2020. Scientific officer of operational unit
- 2019-2022: BiophotOmics: Development and pilot validation of portable biophotonic imaging medical device integrated with lipidomic testing methodology (European Regional Development Fund, POR FESR 2014-2020 Axis 1- Research and Innovation. Scientific project leader).
- 2020-2022: Analysis of bioavailability and molecular biological effects of somatostatin and analogues in nanoemulsion for biomarker detection (in collaboration with Fondazione Di Bella onlus. Scientific leader of the project).
- 2023-2024: Artificial Intelligence and Biophotonic Microscopy for rapid and early tests in Leukemia cells (AI&BM4Leukemia) (IFAB. Co-PI scientific lead of the Project)
- 2024-2026: Diabetes-associated systemic inflammation and Alzheimer disease progression from preclinical to clinical stage: from complex models to single cell level. (PRIN: Research Projects of Significant National Interest - Call 2022. Head of Operational Research Unit - RU)
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES
The technology transfer incentive activity originates from Prof. Neri's involvement in the Service of the Center for Electron Microscopy of the “Laboratory for Advanced Therapy Technologies” (LTTA), an Industrial Research and Technology Transfer Laboratory accredited by the Emilia Romagna Region. Since June 14, 2018, Prof. Neri has held the position of Director of the Center.
The activity in this area is mainly oriented to the development and fine-tuning of advanced preclinical study protocols and models based on the use of primary cells isolated from patient tissue biopsy samples. Such models are a fundamental tool for the study, with microscopic methods of investigation, down to the molecular level, of problems of clinical interest capable of identifying and analyzing individual diversities and for the study of basic biological mechanisms involved in the processes of pathogenesis as well as for the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic protocols, in close collaboration and synergy with the specific clinical teams inherent to the pathology under diagnosis/study.
Prof. Neri is actively involved in projects conducted in collaboration with Hospital Operating Units and university research centers and in projects for companies operating in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors.
