Roberta Piva
University of Ferrara – Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation
PERSONAL DATA
- Birth date: January 16th, 1961 - Birth place: Rovigo (Italy)
- Married, one daughter
EDUCATION
- Diploma di Maturità Classica (Classical High School Degree), July 1980, Liceo Ginnasio Statale "Celio", Rovigo
- Degree in Biological Sciences, July 1984, University of Ferrara, Italy. Final score: 110/110, cum laude
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, 1991
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- Tenured professor of Chemical, Physical and Natural Sciences in the Middle School (1985-1986)
- Laboratory technician, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Ferrara (1990-1993)
- University Researcher, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara (1994-2005)
- Associate Professor of Biochemistry, University of Ferrara (2005- 2021)
PRESENT POSITION: Full Professor of Biochemistry (BIO-10) University of Ferrara; Faculty appointment: Medicine.
SCIENTIFIC ASSIGNMENTS
- Member of PhD in “Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology” (2000-present)
- Member of the evaluation group of the Degree Course in Biotechnologies (2004-2012)
- Member of VQR evaluation group (VQR 2004-2010, VQR 2011-2014 and VQR 2015-2019 Valutazione della Qualità della Ricerca)
- Coordinator of a Research Unit of CIB (Consorzio Italiano di Biotecnologie) (1995-present)
- Referee for numerous international journals including Oncotarget, Bone, Cell. Mol. Life
Sciences, J. Periodontal Res., PlosOne, Biomaterials, Oral Diseases, Stem Cell and Dev., J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med., Acta Biomaterialia, Cell Cycle, Tissue Eng., Apoptosis, Life Sciences, DNA and Cell Biology, Journal of Molecular Histology, Cell Biochemistry & Function, Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, Stem Cells, Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Acta Biomaterialia, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, FEBS Letters, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, J. of Cell. Physiology).
Registered in the ministerial database REPRISE.
Participant in Evaluation Committees for research funds including: Progetto di Ricerca Ministeriale: “IDEA Giovani Ricercatori”; Research Grant Council (Ref. No.479810), General Research Fund 2010/2011, the Chinese University of Hong Kong; National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia, Programme: NZZ Installation Grants (02.05.) (Project 02.05./37); Committee on Research Grants - University of Milan (2014); Advisory Board for H2020-REP-EAT-GA-713714 (2016); Israel Science Foundation: evaluation Research Grant, proposal number 370/17-18.4 (2017).
- Member of scientific committees for the organization of various National Congresses
- Member of Italian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society
- Vice President of SCR-Italy, Stem Cell Research Society
- Member of INNATA “Italian Network of Perinatal Stem Cells”
- Member of the board of StemNet - Federation of Associations on Stem Cell Research
- Member of the board of Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara.
AWARDS
- Soroptimist Award for scientific research (1988)
- AICC prize (Associazione Italiana Colture Cellulari) (1990)
- Best Publication award 13th World Congress of the International Cartilage Repair Society, (2016) - Tutor of the best Ph.D. Thesis UniFE (2017 and 2018)
TEACHING
- Courses of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biochemistry and Regenerative Medicine -Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Sciences - Supervisor of over 100 Thesis
- Participation in numerous events for the dissemination of science: “European Researchers' Night”, “UNI Festival”, “Unistem Day”
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
ORCID ID 0000-0003-2663-6210
Scopus ID 57188651022
H-index = 35 (Google Scholar) – 28 (SCOPUS)
- Author of 166 papers in international peer-reviewed journals
- Author of 3 chapters in international books
- Speaker and participation in numerous National and International conferences and meetings
- Patent: “Double strand synthetic oligonucleotides for the treatment of osteopenic diseases” R. Gambari, L. Penolazzi, R. Piva (N°PCT/IB2006000741, 30-03-06 (Priorità N°TO2005A000212, 31-03-2005).
- Grants as principal investigator: University of Ferrara (BANDO Grandi Attrezzature: 2008, € 20.000,00 for “Synthecon Rotary Cell Culture System”; 2015, € 118.000,00 for “X3 HYPOXIA HOOD AND CULTURE COMBO” hystological equipment. "Fondo per l'Incentivazione alla Ricerca" (2017, 2019). Ministero della Ricerca Scientifica (MURST), Local fundations (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento (1997-2010), Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara (2004-2012), Emilia Romagna found (2012, Progettazione e sviluppo di dispositivi innovativi per la rigenerazione ossea” (prot. n. 018/12-dott.); CIB (2002-2016, 2022).
- Grants as Operative Unit or aggregate unit: MIUR-Cofin, Fondazione CaRiPaRo, ER-Gen Tech, Telethon (GGP10214), AIRC 2003 and 2004, Ricerca Finalizzata, Ministero della Salute 2012 (Novel Approach For Bone Regeneration And Repair Using Sulfur Donor-Based Therapy Project Code: RF-2010-2321176); Programma di Ricerca Regione Universita’ 2010-2012. AREA 1 – “Ricerca Innovativa”: “Regenerative Medicine of Cartilage and Bone”; “THALAssaemia MOdular Stratification System for personalized therapy of beta-thalassemia” Project ID: 306201, FP7-HEALTH.
Short overview of the research activity and field of interest:
- Study of erythroid differentiation in stem cells and different cell lines
- Study of DNA methylation with regard to expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation (globin genes, oncogenes, receptors and growth factors genes)
- Analysis of expression, transcriptional regulation and structure of human estrogen receptor alpha gene in normal target tissues (breast and bone), neoplastic tissues and cell lines (endometrial and breast carcinomas and osteosarcoma)
- Study of plant extracts as antioxidant and differentiating agents
- Analysis of expression, transcriptional regulation and structure of human Slug gene osteoblasts, chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells
- Study of Wnt signaling, estrogen signaling, NFATc1 mediated pathway, and hydrogen sulfide role in osteoclastogenesis, osteogenesis and chondrogenic differentiation
- Employment of nucleic acid based drugs (decoy strategy with specific ODN, gene silencing antagomiR) as modifiers of biological response; in particular, evaluation of Slug, TRPS1 and microRNA-221 silencing effect on osteogenesis and chondrogenesis
- The hypoxic, estrogenic and dynamic microgravity growth pre-conditioning on the potency of mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and on the activity of osteoclasts
- Development of 3D systems based on "smart" biomaterial / osteochondroprogenitor / biomolecule combinations aimed at the engineering of bone, cartilage and intervertebral disc tissues
- Bone and cartilage tissue regeneration: analysis of interaction between human primary osteoblasts, chondrocytes or MSCs and biomaterials; investigation of extracellular matrix components such as Collagen type XV
- Evaluation of decellularized extracellular matrix as scaffold for tissue engineering approaches
- Study of the formation of specific complexes between nucleic acids, transcription factors and "scaffold" proteins for understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the onset of degenerative pathologies affecting bone and cartilage tissues, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration
- The signaling mediated by P2X7 receptor in bone and cartilage
University of Ferrara – Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation
PERSONAL DATA
- Birth date: January 16th, 1961 - Birth place: Rovigo (Italy)
- Married, one daughter
EDUCATION
- Diploma di Maturità Classica (Classical High School Degree), July 1980, Liceo Ginnasio Statale "Celio", Rovigo
- Degree in Biological Sciences, July 1984, University of Ferrara, Italy. Final score: 110/110, cum laude
- Ph.D. in Biochemistry, 1991
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- Tenured professor of Chemical, Physical and Natural Sciences in the Middle School (1985-1986)
- Laboratory technician, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Ferrara (1990-1993)
- University Researcher, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara (1994-2005)
- Associate Professor of Biochemistry, University of Ferrara (2005- 2021)
PRESENT POSITION: Full Professor of Biochemistry (BIO-10) University of Ferrara; Faculty appointment: Medicine.
SCIENTIFIC ASSIGNMENTS
- Member of PhD in “Molecular Medicine and Pharmacology” (2000-present)
- Member of the evaluation group of the Degree Course in Biotechnologies (2004-2012)
- Member of VQR evaluation group (VQR 2004-2010, VQR 2011-2014 and VQR 2015-2019 Valutazione della Qualità della Ricerca)
- Coordinator of a Research Unit of CIB (Consorzio Italiano di Biotecnologie) (1995-present)
- Referee for numerous international journals including Oncotarget, Bone, Cell. Mol. Life
Sciences, J. Periodontal Res., PlosOne, Biomaterials, Oral Diseases, Stem Cell and Dev., J. Tissue Eng. Regen. Med., Acta Biomaterialia, Cell Cycle, Tissue Eng., Apoptosis, Life Sciences, DNA and Cell Biology, Journal of Molecular Histology, Cell Biochemistry & Function, Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, Stem Cells, Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Acta Biomaterialia, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, FEBS Letters, Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, J. of Cell. Physiology).
Registered in the ministerial database REPRISE.
Participant in Evaluation Committees for research funds including: Progetto di Ricerca Ministeriale: “IDEA Giovani Ricercatori”; Research Grant Council (Ref. No.479810), General Research Fund 2010/2011, the Chinese University of Hong Kong; National Foundation for Science, Higher Education and Technological Development of the Republic of Croatia, Programme: NZZ Installation Grants (02.05.) (Project 02.05./37); Committee on Research Grants - University of Milan (2014); Advisory Board for H2020-REP-EAT-GA-713714 (2016); Israel Science Foundation: evaluation Research Grant, proposal number 370/17-18.4 (2017).
- Member of scientific committees for the organization of various National Congresses
- Member of Italian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society
- Vice President of SCR-Italy, Stem Cell Research Society
- Member of INNATA “Italian Network of Perinatal Stem Cells”
- Member of the board of StemNet - Federation of Associations on Stem Cell Research
- Member of the board of Center for Studies on Gender Medicine, University of Ferrara.
AWARDS
- Soroptimist Award for scientific research (1988)
- AICC prize (Associazione Italiana Colture Cellulari) (1990)
- Best Publication award 13th World Congress of the International Cartilage Repair Society, (2016) - Tutor of the best Ph.D. Thesis UniFE (2017 and 2018)
TEACHING
- Courses of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Cellular Biochemistry and Regenerative Medicine -Faculty of Medicine, and Faculty of Sciences - Supervisor of over 100 Thesis
- Participation in numerous events for the dissemination of science: “European Researchers' Night”, “UNI Festival”, “Unistem Day”
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
ORCID ID 0000-0003-2663-6210
Scopus ID 57188651022
H-index = 35 (Google Scholar) – 28 (SCOPUS)
- Author of 166 papers in international peer-reviewed journals
- Author of 3 chapters in international books
- Speaker and participation in numerous National and International conferences and meetings
- Patent: “Double strand synthetic oligonucleotides for the treatment of osteopenic diseases” R. Gambari, L. Penolazzi, R. Piva (N°PCT/IB2006000741, 30-03-06 (Priorità N°TO2005A000212, 31-03-2005).
- Grants as principal investigator: University of Ferrara (BANDO Grandi Attrezzature: 2008, € 20.000,00 for “Synthecon Rotary Cell Culture System”; 2015, € 118.000,00 for “X3 HYPOXIA HOOD AND CULTURE COMBO” hystological equipment. "Fondo per l'Incentivazione alla Ricerca" (2017, 2019). Ministero della Ricerca Scientifica (MURST), Local fundations (Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cento (1997-2010), Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Ferrara (2004-2012), Emilia Romagna found (2012, Progettazione e sviluppo di dispositivi innovativi per la rigenerazione ossea” (prot. n. 018/12-dott.); CIB (2002-2016, 2022).
- Grants as Operative Unit or aggregate unit: MIUR-Cofin, Fondazione CaRiPaRo, ER-Gen Tech, Telethon (GGP10214), AIRC 2003 and 2004, Ricerca Finalizzata, Ministero della Salute 2012 (Novel Approach For Bone Regeneration And Repair Using Sulfur Donor-Based Therapy Project Code: RF-2010-2321176); Programma di Ricerca Regione Universita’ 2010-2012. AREA 1 – “Ricerca Innovativa”: “Regenerative Medicine of Cartilage and Bone”; “THALAssaemia MOdular Stratification System for personalized therapy of beta-thalassemia” Project ID: 306201, FP7-HEALTH.
Short overview of the research activity and field of interest:
- Study of erythroid differentiation in stem cells and different cell lines
- Study of DNA methylation with regard to expression of genes involved in cellular differentiation and proliferation (globin genes, oncogenes, receptors and growth factors genes)
- Analysis of expression, transcriptional regulation and structure of human estrogen receptor alpha gene in normal target tissues (breast and bone), neoplastic tissues and cell lines (endometrial and breast carcinomas and osteosarcoma)
- Study of plant extracts as antioxidant and differentiating agents
- Analysis of expression, transcriptional regulation and structure of human Slug gene osteoblasts, chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells
- Study of Wnt signaling, estrogen signaling, NFATc1 mediated pathway, and hydrogen sulfide role in osteoclastogenesis, osteogenesis and chondrogenic differentiation
- Employment of nucleic acid based drugs (decoy strategy with specific ODN, gene silencing antagomiR) as modifiers of biological response; in particular, evaluation of Slug, TRPS1 and microRNA-221 silencing effect on osteogenesis and chondrogenesis
- The hypoxic, estrogenic and dynamic microgravity growth pre-conditioning on the potency of mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, chondrocytes and on the activity of osteoclasts
- Development of 3D systems based on "smart" biomaterial / osteochondroprogenitor / biomolecule combinations aimed at the engineering of bone, cartilage and intervertebral disc tissues
- Bone and cartilage tissue regeneration: analysis of interaction between human primary osteoblasts, chondrocytes or MSCs and biomaterials; investigation of extracellular matrix components such as Collagen type XV
- Evaluation of decellularized extracellular matrix as scaffold for tissue engineering approaches
- Study of the formation of specific complexes between nucleic acids, transcription factors and "scaffold" proteins for understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern the onset of degenerative pathologies affecting bone and cartilage tissues, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and intervertebral disc degeneration
- The signaling mediated by P2X7 receptor in bone and cartilage
