The section is divided into three laboratories:
1. Cellular Oncology Laboratory. Molecular and cellular biology of cartilage and bone; tissue engineering and cell therapy; osteobiology in microgravity; investigation of neoplastic transformation in preclinical models of neuroblastoma.
Study on the effectiveness of innovative pharmacological approaches in combination with gamma delta T cells to enhance antitumor cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma.
The 500 m² laboratory, operating under agreement with the Regional Health Service (SSR), is located at Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi no. 10. In addition to hospital staff, it hosts three faculty members from the scientific disciplinary sector BIO/13 and one technician: Profs. R. Quarto, A. Pagano, S. Tavella, and Mr. E. Zeraschi.
The laboratory spaces are dedicated to the following activities:
- cell cultures;
- molecular biology;
- histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence;
- light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy;
- preclinical experimentation in mouse models.
Available equipment:
- complete equipment for cell cultures, including hypoxic conditions;
- Cellink 3D Bioprinter and several types of bioreactors for cell culture;
- complete equipment for molecular biology and for protein and nucleic acid analysis;
- complete equipment for light microscopy and fluorescence microscopy with structured illumination epifluorescence system with apotome and image analysis;
- complete equipment for embedding and histological analysis of frozen and paraffin-embedded biological samples, as well as hard tissues and biomaterial tissues embedded in resin.
The laboratory also makes use of the Institute’s Core Facilities (Flow Cytometry; Advanced Microscopy; Animal Facility), which provide advanced technologies and highly specialized personnel for analyses that cannot be performed directly within internal facilities.
2. Stem cell and regenerative medicine laboratory.
-Study of stem cells and their interaction with biomaterials and nanostructured surfaces for the regeneration of bone and cartilage tissues in response to chemical and mechanical stimuli.
- Analysis of mechanotransduction mechanisms, gene expression, and the main signaling pathways involved in the physiology and pathology of human articular chondrocytes.
- Study of the paracrine activity and secretome of stem and progenitor cells in the tumor microenvironment, with particular focus on hematological and solid malignancies.
- Evaluation of the regenerative potential of the secretome and extracellular vesicles derived from human perinatal progenitor cells in preclinical models of cardiovascular, ischemic, and inflammatory diseases.
- Analysis of the anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects of extracellular vesicles in models of cardiac fibrosis, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders.
- Development and optimization of three-dimensional culture systems and advanced models (spheroids, organoids, 3D bioprinting) for the study of the tumor microenvironment and mechanisms of disease progression.
- Investigation of interactions among cells, secretome, and extracellular matrix in irreversible fibrotic progression of the pulmonary epithelium and in bone remodeling associated with oncological diseases.
- Development and application of natural and electromagnetic nanoparticles for theranostic and selective targeting strategies in oncology and regenerative medicine.
- Study of extracellular vesicles as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic tools in various pathological conditions, with particular relevance to oncology and regenerative medicine.
The 200 m² laboratory is located at Corso Europa 30. It hosts four faculty members from the scientific disciplinary sector BIO/13 and one technician: Prof. P. Giannoni, S. Bollini, C. Gentili, R. Tasso, and Dr. P. Luzzi.
The laboratory spaces are dedicated to the following activities:
- cell cultures (under normoxic and hypoxic conditions);
- molecular biology;
- design and production of biomaterials based on polymeric matrices;
- histology: preparation and analysis of paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues;
- cytology and immunohistochemistry;
- fluorescence microscopy and image analysis;
- generation of low-intensity magnetic fields for nanoparticle activation.
Available equipment:
- complete equipment for cell cultures, including hypoxic conditions;
- complete equipment for protein analysis and molecular biology;
- complete equipment for light microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and image analysis;
- complete equipment for embedding and histological analysis of frozen and paraffin-embedded biological samples;
- complete equipment for the generation of magnetic fields and treatment of cells exposed to electromagnetic nanoparticles;
- system for Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements and Zeta Potential evaluation.
3. Neuro-oncology laboratory. Research in molecular oncology.
The laboratory, approximately 250 m² in size and operating under agreement with the Regional Health Service (SSR), is located in Tower A, second floor, at Pavilion 90 (CBA) of Policlinico San Martino, Largo R. Benzi no. 10. In addition to hospital staff, it hosts three faculty members from the scientific disciplinary sector BIOS-08/A and one technician: Profs. P. Malatesta, I. Appolloni, D. Ceresa, and Dr. D. Marubbi.
The laboratory spaces are dedicated to the following activities:
1) cell culture with BL2 containment level;
2) molecular biology;
3) histology: preparation and analysis of paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues;
4) cytology and immunohistochemistry;
5) fluorescence microscopy and image analysis.
Available equipment:
- complete equipment for cell cultures;
- complete equipment for molecular biology;
- complete equipment for protein and nucleic acid analysis;
- complete equipment for light microscopy and fluorescence stereomicroscopy with structured illumination epifluorescence system with apotome and image analysis;
- complete equipment for embedding and histological analysis of frozen and paraffin-embedded biological samples.