Research Area

Active Research fields

Embryonic development, morphogenesis and epigenetics of aquatic models;

Gene expression and regulation;

Modelling of Gene Regulatory Networks;

Genome-wide studies (ChIP-seq, RNA-seq, ecc.);

Epigenetic and transcriptional alterations induced by chemicals;

Embryo micromanipulation and imaging in vivo;

Chromatin insulators and domains of gene expression;

Improvement of lentiviral vectors for gene therapy.

Research projects of the last 5 years

PON R&C 2007/2013 ASSE I – progetti di Potenziamento Strutturale – PONa3_0273 “Mediterranean Center of Human Health Advanced Biotechnologies”;

PO FESR 2007/2013  4.1.2.A-a “Piattaforma regionale di ricerca traslazionale per la salute”;

POR FESR 2007-2013 obiettivo 4.1.1.1 “Rete Regionale Integrata Clinico-Biologica per Medicina Rigenerativa”.

Collaborations

Cologne Biocenter, Institute for Genetics, University of Cologne (Germany);

Campus of Haematology Franco e Piera Cutino, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, Palermo;

Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, CNR, Segrate (MI);

Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, CNR, Palermo.

Active research

Main equipment:

Inverted Microscope equipped with a Microinjector

Fluorescent Stereomicroscope equipped with Micromanipulators and digital camera

FRET-grade fluorescent inverted microscope equipped with digital camera

Fluorescent Polarized Microscope equipped with digital camera

Routine Stereomicroscopes

Real-Time PCR System

Automated liquid handling system

System for the behavioural analysis of zebrafish

Climatic chambers with photoperiod control

Automated zebrafish housing system

Services delivered under the right of third parties

to be defined