Massimo GULISANO

Full Professor of Experimental biology [BIO/13]

Born in 1967, I am a Scientist, Entrepreneur and Advisor in the field of Health Biotechnology and Sustainable Innovation, with strong experience in Research Management, Fund Raising and Technology Transfer. 

I was educated as Medical Doctor (1991) at University of Catania and I received a PhD in Embryology (1994). I was Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology (1998-2017) and since January 2018 I am Full Professor of Applied Biology at the Department of Drug Sciences of the University of Catania, Italy.

Trained first in Developmental Immunology (1986-88) at Guy’s Hospital, London (M Adinolfi); and then in Developmental Biology (1989-91) at the International Institute for Genetics and Biophysics, CNR, Naples (E Boncinelli) and (1991) at MRC National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, London (R Krumlauf); (1992-96) at Dibit, H San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan (E Boncinelli), and (1996-98) at MRC Centre for Developmental Neurobiology, KCL, London (A Lumsden), I have acquired a strong expertise in the characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying events during cell determination, differentiation and migration, both in vitro and in vivo, that I have applied in researches in the field on Experimental Neurobiology and Experimental Oncology, as documented by more than 70 articles published on leading international scientific journals, such as Nature, Science, Nature Genetics, EMBO, PNAS, Genomics, Eur J Neuroscience, PLOS, Scientific Reports (Scopus March 2018 h-index 27; Citazioni 3722) and by a successful history in fundraising with more than 20mln€ raised in the last ten years from National and International public and private funding bodies. I was appointed (2000-05) Honorary Lecturer in Developmental Neurobiology at Guy’s Campus, KCL, London (UK) and (2002-07) Coordinator of Animal Houses at the University of Catania (I). During recent years my research was mainly in the field of Systems and Synthetic Biology, with three specific research focuses: (1) experimental models for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders (2) stem cells and osteochondral regenerative medicine (3) Epithelial Mesenchimal Transition (EMT) molecular mechanism in embryo development and cancer, using xenotransplant approaches in vertebrate embryos.

I have taught molecular biology, bioinformatics, molecular diagnostics, biology and genetics of development, experimental molecular neurobiology, systems and synthetic biology in different degree courses, including Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (CTF), Molecular and Cellular Biology, Health Biology and School of Medicine, and in several Masters, PhD and medical specialization courses. Supervised over 50 under graduate students for their degree thesis in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (CTF) and Biology and tutored more than 10 graduated students pursuing PhD in neurobiology, medical embryology, pathology and experimental haematology.

Member of the board of International PhD Course in Neurobiology at University of Catania (1999-present); Coordinator (2015-16) of the Post-graduated course in “Forensic Biology and Criminal Sciences” and coDirector of the 3th (SSBSS 2016, Volterra, I), 4th (SSBSS 2017, Robinson College, Cambridge, UK) 5th (SSBSS 2018, Certosa di Puntignano, I) International Synthetic and Systems Biology Summer School.

I was awarded fellowships from CNR (1989-1990), EMBO (1991), University of Catania (1991-1994), Royal Society (1997), EU BIOTECH (1997-1998) and the Prize for Biomedical Sciences of the Accademia Gioenia of Catania (1992). Member of the Editorial Board of the science journals Scientifica (Molecular Biology Section), International Journal of Advanced Biological and Biomedical Research, and MedCrave Online Journal of Proteomics & Bioinformatics (MOJPB).

Member of commissions and committees for the granting and monitoring of research projects on behalf of Public and/or Private Institutions (eg. Cofin (MURST - I); EU Commission; BioPMed cluster, Piedmont (I); PRIN (MIUR – I); SIR (MIUR-I); ...)

Member of the Organizing Committee of the 7th Congresso Nazionale Biotecnologie (CNB7) of Consorzio Interuniversitario di Biotecnologie (CIB) (Catania, I,  2004), of the Organizing Committee of the National Congress of the 67th Congress of the Italian Physiological Society (SIF) (Catania, I, 2016), and organizer of the 2016 and 2017 editions of both the BioInItaly Investment Forum National Roadshow (Catania) and the Workshop SMARTSCIENCES.

Since January 2016 I am Scientific Coordinator of the “Fondazione de Beaumont Bonelli per le ricerche sul cancro ONLUS” in Sicily and Coordinator of the Science Programme for “Polo Catania-Messina”– Accademia dei Lincei – Fondazione ”I Lincei per la scuola”. Foreign member of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), USA and Member of the Italian Society of Physiology (SIF) and of the Italian Association of Cell Biology and Differentiation (ABCD), where I am vice-chair of the group ABCD: “Stem cells, development and rigenerative medicine”, and member of the ABCD Board (2019-21).

In July 2019 I have been elected Director of the 

Centro di ricerca per l'Imaging Molecolare Preclinico e Traslazionale - Molecular Preclinical and Translational Research Centre - IMPRonTE of the University of Catania

My academic research activity has been strongly complemented by industrial research and consultancy activity in the field of biotechnology and convergent technologies. I have received a Mini-MBA™: Global BioPharma Entrepreneurship in May 2010 from Rutgers University, NJ (USA). I developed a solid network in European and International Life Science research and business sectors. I served (2007-09) as a member of the Technology Transfer Committee of the Department of Life Sciences of CNR (Italian National Research Centre). As an expert in biotech technology transfer and in planning, research laboratory and animal house infrastructure, I consulted for several private companies and public bodies in Italy and abroad interested in developing innovative and informed solutions in their decision making process, including, among others, Quantica SGR, CNR - Italy, Italian Ministry of Health, Sviluppo Italia SpA, Lay Line Genomics SpA, Leica-Mycrosystems Srl, AHSI SpA, and several Science Parks. Since 2017 I am Scientific Advisor for Life Sciences Investment of Piemonte Agency.

Member of the “Comitato promotore Nazionale per la revisione della Legge 116/92 sulla sperimentazione animale”, at the Italian Camera dei Deputati (House of Parliament), in order to write the law proposal for animal experimentation (pdl 5442 – “Norme per la protezione degli animali utilizzati per fini scientifici o tecnologici”), Member of the Board of Directors of Consorzio PROGEN (2004-2011) that associated more than 30 Italian Institutions among which Universities, Research Institutions (eg. Telethon, I) and BioPharma and Biotechnology companies, and Member of the Board of Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie (CIB) since 2018.

Co-founder (2000) and Scientific Director (2000-03) of the R&D Biotech company Bio3 Research srl; co-founder (2002) and President (since 2004) of Economisti Research srl (EResearch) a Research, Development and Consultancy Company for sustainability and innovation in the field of Biotechnology, Renewable and Alternative Energy and Convergent Technologies, located in Sicily and Piedmont (I); co-founder and CEO (since 2006) of  ALMA srl  a Research, Development and Consultancy Company for sustainability and innovation in the field of Sustainable Construction, Environmental Resources, Architecture, Tourism and Territorial systems, located in Sicily (I).

I was (2002-12) Scientific Advisor of Istituto Oncologico del Mediterraneo (IOM), a private Clinical and Research Institute for Oncology located in Sicily, Italy and (2003-13) Director of Research and Business Development of IOM Ricerca srl, the R&D Oncology Biotech Company of IOM. As Scientific Director I have conceived and implemented an integrated plan in order to establish a Translational Medicine and Biotechnology Campus (ViBiotech), whose activities cover all the steps from basic research to the patient and vice versa, with strong interaction with startup and companies. I run the ViBiotech Campus since its opening in 2010 until early 2013.

I was a member (2004-07 e 2007-10) of the Board of Directors of Consorzio PROGEN, member (2010-2013) of the National Board of Assobiotec, the Italian Industrial Association for Biotechnology (Federchimica), member (2012-2015) of the Assobiotec Working Group “Finance & Business Development", member (2012-2015) of the Confindustria Research & Innovation Working Group “Italy as a leader in R&I in Europe” and since 2018 I am memebr of the Doard of Directors of CIB - Consorzio Interuniversitario Biotecnologie. I am also a serial entrepreneur mainly in Biotech and I was member of Italian Business Angel Network (IBAN) (2010-15), of the national board of Italian Crowdfunding Network (ICN) (2014-15), and since 2018 I am member of Italian Angels for Biotech (iAB).

  1. Adinolfi M. & Gulisano M., Gonadal Differentiation: the role of the testicular differentiation gene and of H-Y diffusible factor. Pediatric Reviews & Communications (Great Britain, 1989) 3, 171-191.
  2. Geremia E., Baratta D., Gulisano M., Giordano R., Pinizzotto M.R., La Rosa M.G. & Garozzo A., ODC and TGase activities in developing rat brain: consideration for ODCase/TGase ratio as more sensitive marker for cellular proliferation. Medical Science Research (Great Britain, August 1990), 18 (15): 617-618
  3. Boncinelli E., Pannese M., Faiella A., Mallamaci A.,Balsofiore S., Rambaldi M., & Gulisano M., The human HOX gene family in development in: DNA Analysis of genetic diseases: state-of-the-art in ITALY.-III (Camaschella, C., Furbetta, M., Merlin, P.& Pirastu, M. eds) Amity, Milano, pp 86-91 (1991)
  4. Hunt P., Gulisano M., Cook M., Sham M.-H., Faiella A., Wilkinson D., Boncinelli E. & Krumlauf R., A distinct Hox code for the branchial region of the vertebrate head. Nature (London, U.K., 31 Ottobre 1991), 353 (6347): 861-864
  5. Hunt P., Whiting J., Nonchev S., Sham M.-H., Marshall H., Graham A., Cook M., Allemann R., Rigby P. W. J., Gulisano M., Faiella A., Boncinelli E. & Krumlauf R., The branchial Hox code and its implications for gene regulation, patterning of the nervous system and head evolution. Development (Cambridge, U.K., 1991), Supplement 2 (Developmental Nerve Cell Biology), 63-78
  6. Faiella A., D'Esposito M., Rambaldi M., Acampora D., Balsofiore S., Stornaiuolo A., Mallamaci A., Migliaccio E., Gulisano M., Simeone A. & Boncinelli E., Isolation and mapping of EVX1, a human homeobox gene homologous to even-skipped, localized at the 5' end of HOX1 locus on chromosome 7. Nucleic Acid Research (Oxford, U.K.,1991), 19 (23): 6541-6545
  7. Alberghina M., Lupo G., La Spina G., Mangiameli A., Gulisano M., Sciotto D. & Rizzarelli E., Cytoprotective effecyt of Copper(II) complexes against ethanol-induced damage to rat gastric mucosa. J of Inorganic Biochemistry (New York, USA, Marzo 1992), 45 (4): 245-259
  8. Simeone A., Gulisano M., Acampora D., Stornaiuolo A., Rambaldi M. & Boncinelli E., Two vertebrate homeobox genes related to the Drosophila empty spiracles gene are expressed in the embryonic cerebral cortex. EMBO J. (Oxford, U.K., Luglio 1992), 11 (7): 2541-2550
  9. Simeone A., Acampora D., Gulisano M., Stornaiuolo A. & Boncinelli E., Nested expression domains of four homeobox genes in the developing rostral brain. Nature (London, U.K., 20 Agosto 1992), 358 (6388): 687-690
  10. Boncinelli E., Mallamaci A., Faiella A., Pannese M. & Gulisano M., Homeobox genes and the genetic control of developing CNS. Acta Medica Auxologica (1992), 24 (2): 107-118
  11. Boncinelli E., Mallamaci A., Faiella A., Pannese M. & Gulisano M., Homeobox containing genes in the developing Central Nervous System in: Neuroradiologia 1992 (G. Scotti ed.), Ed del Centauro, Milano pp 33-40 (1992)
  12. Boncinelli E., Simeone A., Acampora D. & Gulisano M., Homeobox containing genes in the developing C. N. S. Annales des Genetique (Paris, France, 30 Marzo 1993), 36 (1): 30-37
  13. Boncinelli E., Gulisano M. & Broccoli V., Emx and Otx Homeobox genes in the developing mouse brain. J. of Neurobiology (New York, USA, Ottobre 1993), 24 (10): 1356-66
  14. Boncinelli E., Gulisano M. & Pannese M., Conserved Homeobox genes in the developing brain. Comptes Rendus de l'Academie des Sciences (Paris, France, Settembre 1993), 316 (9): 979-984
  15. Simeone A., Acampora D., Pannese M., D'Esposito M., Stornaiuolo A., Gulisano M., Mallamaci A., Kastury K., Druck T., Huebner K. & Boncinelli E., Cloning and characterization of two new members of the vertebrate Dlx gene family. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (Washington, USA, 15 Marzo 1994), 91 (6): 2250-2254
  16. Stayton C.L., Dabovic B, Gulisano M., Gecz M., Broccoli V., Giovanazzi S., Bossolasco M., Monaco L., Rastan S., Boncinelli E., Bianchi M.E. & Consalez G.G., Cloning and characterization of a new human Xq13 gene, encoding a putative helicase. Hum. Mol. Gen. (Oxford, U.K., November 1994), 3 (11): 1957-1964
  17. Bally-Cuif L., Gulisano M., Broccoli V. & Boncinelli E., c-otx2 is expressed in two different phases of gastrulation and is sensitive to retinoic acid treatment in chick embryo. Mech. of Dev. (United Kingdom, January 1995), 49 (1-2): 49-63
  18. Gulisano M., Broccoli V., Spada F. & Boncinelli E., Potential role of homeobox genes in neural cell differentiation in: Neural Cell Specification: Molecular Mechanisms and Neurotherapeutic Implications, 3rd Altschul Symposium, University of Saskatchawan, Canada Plenum Press (New York, U.S.A., August 1995); p 69-84
  19. Boncinelli E., Gulisano M., Pannese M. & Giribaldi M.G., Homeobox genes in the developing head of vertebrates in: Organization of the early vertebrate embryo (Zagris N., Duprat A.M. and Durtson A.J. Eds) Plenum Press (London, U.K., 1995)
  20. Boncinelli M., Gulisano M., Spada F. & Broccoli V., Emx and Otx gene expression in the developing mouse brain in: Development of the cerebral cortex. CIBA Foundation Symposium (Wiley, Chichester, 1995), 193: 100-116; discussion 117-26
  21. Boncinelli M., Gulisano M., Pannese M. & Stornaiuolo A., Expression of the homeobox gene Otx2 in the developing vertebrate brainin: Body cavities: function and phylogeny. G. Lanzavecchia, R.Valvassori & M.D. Candia Carnevali (eds). Selected Symposia and Monographs U.Z.I., 8, Mucchi, Modena (1995), pp.233-242
  22. Maestrini E., Tamagnone L., Longati P., Cremona O., Gulisano M., Bione S., Tamanini F., Neel B.G., Toniolo D. & Comoglio P., A family of transmembrane proteins with homology to the Met/Hepatocyte Growth Factor receptor. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (Washington, USA, 23 January 1996), 93 (2): 674-678
  23. Gulisano M., Broccoli V., Pardini C. & Boncinelli E., Emx1 and Emx2 show different patterns of expression during proliferation and differentiation of the developing cerebral cortex in the mouse. Eur. J. Neurosci. (Oxford, U.K.,1996), 8 (5): 1037-1050
  24. Boncinelli E., Gulisano M., Broccoli V. & Mallamaci A., Homeobox genes in the developing vertebrate brain in: Mammalian development (P. Lonai, ed) Harwood Academic Publishers (Amsterdam, NL).(1996); pp 55-69
  25. Briata P., Di Blas E., Gulisano M., Mallamaci A., Iannone R., Boncinelli E. & Corte G., EMX1 homeoprotein is expressed in cell nuclei of the developing cerebral cortex and in the axons of the olfactory sensory neurons. Mechanisms of Development (United Kingdom, 1996), 57 (2): 169-180
  26. Corradi A., Croci L., Stayton C.L., Gulisano M., Boncinelli E. & Consalez G.G., cDNA sequence, map and expression of the murine homolog of GTBP, a DNA mismatch repair gene. Genomics (USA, Settembre 1996), 36 (2): 288-295
  27. Doldi N., Bassan M., Gulisano M., Broccoli V., Boncinelli E. & Ferrari A., Vascular endothelial growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in human ovarian and endometrial cancer. Gynecol. Endocrinol. (USA, Dicembre 1996), 10 (6): 375-382
  28. Vieille-Grosjean I., Hunt P., Gulisano M., Boncinelli E. & Thorogood P. Branchial HOX gene expression and human craniofacial development. Developmental Biology (USA, Marzo 1997), 183 (1): 49-60
  29. Conti L., De Fraja C., Gulisano M., Migliaccio E., Govoni S., Cattaneo E., Expression and activation of SH2/PTB-containing ShCA adaptor protein reflects the pattern of neurogenesis in the mammalian brain. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (Washington, USA, Luglio 1997) 94 (15): 8185-8190
  30. Lumsden A. & Gulisano M. Neocortical Development: Where do the neurons come from?. Science (Stanford, USA, 17 ottobre 1997), 278 (5337): 402-403
  31. D’Adamo P, Menegon A, LoNigro C, Grasso M, Gulisano M, Tamanini F, Bienvenu T, Gedeon AK, Oostra B, Wu SK, Tandon A, Valtorta F, Balch WE, Chelly J & Toniolo D, Mutations in GDI1 are responsible for X-linked non-specific mental retardation. Nature Genetics (United Kingdom, 19 giugno 1998) 19 (2): 134-139
  32. Acampora D, Gulisano M & Simeone A, Otx genes and the genetic control of brain morphogenesis. Mol and Cell Neurosci (USA, January 1999) 13: 1-8
  33. Cattaneo E & Gulisano M, Signalling from Tyrosine Kinases in the Developing Neurons and Glia of the Mammalian Brain In: Results and Problems in Cell Differentiation, Vol. 30, Goffinet and Rakic (Eds) The Mouse Brain Development. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2000, pp 217-240
  34. Acampora D, Gulisano M & Simeone A, Genetic and molecular roles of Otx homeodomain proteins in head development. Gene (Amsterdam, Olanda 10 Aprile 2000) 246 (1-2) 23-35
  35. Parenti R, Gulisano M, Zappala’ A & Cicirata F, Expression of Connexin36 mRNA in adult rodent brain. Neuroreport (London, UK,15 Maggio 2000) 11 (7) 1497-1502
  36. Cicirata F, Parenti R, Spinella F, Giglio S, Tuorto F, Zuffardi O & Gulisano M, Genomic organization and chromosomal localization of the mouse Connexin36 (mCx36) gene Gene (Amsterdam, Olanda 27 Giugno 2000) 251(2):123-130.
  37. Gulisano M., Parenti R., Spinella F. & Cicirata F. (2000), Cx36 is dynamically expressed during early development of mouse brain and nervous system. Neuroreport (London, UK, Novembre 2000) 11 (17), 3823-3828
  38. Acampora D., Gulisano M., Broccoli V. & Simeone A. (2001), Otx genes in brain morphogenesis. Progress in Neurobiology (New York, USA, Gennaio 2001), 64: 69-95
  39. Bell E., Ensini M, Gulisano M. & Lumsden A., Dynamic domains of gene expression in the early avian forebrain. Developmental Biology (1 Agosto 2001) ;236(1):76-88
  40. Chan C.-H., Godinho L.N., Thomaidou D., Tan S.-S., Gulisano M. & Parnavelas J.G. Emx1 is expressed in pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex. Cerebral Cortex (New York, USA, Dicembre 2001); 11(12):1191-98
  41. Tuorto F., Alifragis P., Failla V., Parnavelas J.G. and Gulisano M. (2003) Tangential migration of cells from the basal to the dorsal telencephalic regions in the chick. European Journal of Neuroscience (Oxford, Dicembre 2003) ;18 (12): 3388-93
  42. Perrone L, Paladino S, Mazzone M, Nitsch L, Gulisano M and Zurzolo C (2004-2005) Functional interaction between p75 and TrkA: the endocytic trafficking of p75 is driven by TrkA and regulates TrkA-mediated signaling. Biochemical Journal (Pubblicazione elettronica online 27 Agosto 2004) Biochem Journal (Great Britain Gennaio 2005) 1;385(Pt 1):233-41.
  43. Pines A, Perrone L, Bivi N, Romanello M, Damante G, Gulisano M, Kelley MR, Quadrifoglio F, Tell G. (2005) Activation of APE1/Ref-1 is dependent on reactive oxygen species generated after purinergic receptor stimulation by ATP. Nucleic Acids Res. 2005 Aug 2;33(14):4379-94. Print 2005.
  44. Freschi G, Taddei A, Bechi P, Faiella A, Gulisano M, Cillo C, Bucciarelli G, Boncinelli E. (2005) Expression of HOX homeobox genes in the adult human colonic mucosa (and colorectal cancer?). Int J Mol Med. 2005 Oct;16(4):581-7.
  45. Musumeci T, Vicari L, Ventura CA, Gulisano M, Pignatello R, Puglisi G. (2006) Lyoprotected nanosphere formulations for paclitaxel controlled delivery. J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2006 Sep-Oct;6(9-10):3118-25
  46. Vicari L, Eramo A, Manzella L, Malaguarnera L, Iannolo G, Gulisano M, De Maria R, Messina A, Vigneri P. (2006) The PU.1 transcription factor induces cyclin D2 expression in U937 cells. Leukemia. 2006 Dicembre ;20(12):2208-10. Pubblicazione elettronica online 19 Ottobre 2006
  47. Conticello C, Adamo L, Giuffrida R, Vicari L, Zeuner A, Eramo A, Anastasi G, Memeo L, Giuffrida D, Iannolo G, Gulisano M, De Maria R. (2007) Proteasome inhibitors synergize with tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand to induce anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cell death. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Maggio; 92(5):1938-42. Epub 2007 Feb 27. PubMed PMID: 17327374
  48. Vicari L, Musumeci T, Giannone I., Adamo L., Conticello C., De Maria R., Pignatello R., Puglisi G. & Gulisano M (2008) Paclitaxel loading in PLGA nanospheres affected the in vitro drug cell accumulation and antiproliferative activity BMC Cancer 2008, Jul 25;8:212.
  49. Conticello C, Adamo L, Vicari L, Giuffrida R, Iannolo G, Anastasi G., Palumbo G.A, Caruso L., Moschetti G., Cupri A., Gulisano M., De Maria R., Giustolisi R. & Di Raimondo F. (2008) Antitumor activity of Bortezomib alone and in combination with TRAIL in human acute myeloid leukemia. Acta Haematologica, 2008 Aug 21;120(1):19-30
  50. Bonci D., Musumeci M., Coppola V., Addario A., Conticello C., Hahne M., Gulisano M., Grignani F. & De Maria R. (2008) Blocking the APRIL circuit enhances acute myeloid leukemia cell chemosensitivity. Haematologica/The Hematology Journal, 2008, Dec 93(12):1899-902. Epub 2008 Oct 6
  51. Gulino R, Perciavalle V & Gulisano M. (2010) Expression of cell fate determinants and plastic changes after neurotoxic lesion of adult mice spinal cord by cholera Toxin-B Saporin. European Journal Neuroscience 2010, Apr;31(8):1423-34. Epub 2010 Apr 9.
  52. Pignatello R, Vicari L, Pistarà V, Musumeci T, Gulisano M, & Puglisi G. (2010) Synthesis and in vitro cytotoxic activity on human anaplastic thyroid cancer cells of lipoamino acids conjugates of gemcitabine. Drug Dev Res 71(5) 294–302, August 2010 Epub 2010 June 30; DOI: 10.1002/ddr.20374
  53. Conticello C, Giuffrida R, Adamo L, Anastasi G, Martinetti D, Salomone E, Colarossi C, Amato G, Gorgone A, Romano A, Iannolo G, De Maria R, Giustolisi R, Gulisano M & Di Raimondo F. (2011) NF-kappaB localization in multiple myeloma plasma cells and mesenchymal cells. Leuk Res. 2011 Jan;35(1):52-60. Epub 2010 Jul 31. PubMed PMID: 20674018.
  54. Conticello C, Martinetti D, Adamo L, Buccheri S, Giuffrida R, Parrinello N, Lombardo L, Anastasi G, Amato G, Cavalli M, Chiarenza A, De Maria R, Giustolisi R, Gulisano M, Di Raimondo F. (2012) Disulfiram, an old drug with new potential therapeutic uses for human haematological malignancies. Int J Cancer. Nov 1;131(9):2197-203. Epub 2012 Mar 27
  55. Gulino R & Gulisano M (2012) Involvement of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Sonic Hedgehog in the spinal cord plasticity after neurotoxic partial removal of lumbar motoneurons. Neuroscience Research, Jul;73(3):238-47. Epub 2012 May 2.
  56. Vicari L, Martinetti D, Buccheri S, Colarossi C, Aiello E, Stagno F, Villari L, Cavalli M, Di Raimondo F, Gulisano M, De Maria R, & Vigneri P (2012) Increased phospho-mTOR expression in megakaryocitic cells derived from CD34+ cells of patients diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia and myelofibrosis. British Journal Hematology Oct; 159(2):237-40. Epub 2012 Aug 24.
  57. Gulino R & Gulisano M (2013) Noggin and Sonic Hedgehog are involved in compensatory changes within the motoneuron-depleted mouse spinal cord. J Neurol Sci., Sep; 332(1-2):102-109. Epub 2013 July 13
  58. Conticello C, Giuffrida R, Parrinello N, Buccheri N, Adamo L, Sciuto MR, Colarossi C, Aiello E, Chiarenza A, Romano A, Salomone E, Gulisano M, Giustolisi R & Di Raimondo F (2013) CD200 expression in patients with multiple myeloma: Another piece of the puzzle. Leuk Res.  Dec;37(12):1616-21. Epub 2013 Sep 23
  59. Forte S, Pagliuca A, Maniscalchi E T, Gulino R, Calabrese G, Ricci-Vitiani L, Pallini R, Signore M, Parenti R, De Maria R, Gulisano M (2013) Gene expression analysis of PTEN positive glioblastoma stem cells identifies DUB3 and Wee1 modulation in a cell differentiation model. PLOS ONE Dec 12;8(12). Epub 2013 Dec 12
  60. Gulino R, Forte S, Parenti P & Gulisano M. (2015) TDP-43 as a modulator of synaptic plasticity in a mouse model of spinal motoneuron degeneration, CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets, 14(1):55-60, Epub ahead of print 2015 Jan 15
  61. Gulino R, Parenti R & Gulisano M (2015) Novel mechanisms of spinal cord plasticity in a mouse model of motoneuron disease, BioMed Research International (Special Issue: Animal Models of Human Pathology 2014), Article ID 654637, 10 pages, 2015 (doi: 10.1155/2015/654637). Epub 2015 May 3.
  62. Gulino R, Forte S, Parenti R, Memeo L & Gulisano M. (2015) MicroRNAs and pediatric tumors: future perspectives, Acta Histochemica, May-Jun;117(4-5):339-354, Epub ahead of print  2015 Mar 09
  63. Giuffrida R, Adamo L, Iannolo G, Vicari L, Giuffrida D, Eramo A, Gulisano M, Memeo L, Conticello C; Chemotherapy Resistance of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Stem Cells. (2016) Oncology Letters, Jul;12(1):687-691. Epub 2016 Jun 1 (doi: 10.3892/ol.2016.4666)
  64. Calabrese G, Giuffrida R, Forte S, Fabbi C, Figallo E, Gulisano M, Parenti R, Colarossi R, Memeo L & Gulino R. (2016) Induction of bone formation by implantation of a collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold without exogenous living cells. Scientific Reports, 6:36399 (doi:10.1038/srep36399)
  65. Calabrese G, Forte S, Gulino R., Cefalì F, Figallo E, Salvatorelli L, Maniscalchi TE, Angelico G, Parenti R, Gulisano M, Memeo L & Giuffrida R (2017) Combination of Collagen-Based Scaffold and Bioactive Factors Induces Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Chondrogenic Differentiation In Vitro.  Frontiers in Physiology, 8: 50 (doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00050)
  66. Gulino R, Parenti R & Gulisano M (2017) Sonic Hedgehog and TDP-43 Participate in the Spontaneous Locomotor Recovery in a Mouse Model of Spinal Motoneuron Disease J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol.2, 11 (doi:10.3390/jfmk2020011)
  67. Calabrese G, Giuffrida R, Forte R, Fabbi C, Figallo E, Salvatorelli L, Memeo L, Parenti R, Gulisano M, and Gulino R (2017) Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded into a collagen-hydroxyapatite scaffold promote bone augmentation after implantation in the mouse. Scientific Reports Aug 2;7(1):7110. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-07672-0)
  68. Calabrese G, Gulino R, Giuffrida R, Forte S, Figallo E, Fabbi C, Salvatorelli L, Memeo L, Gulisano M, Parenti R (2017) In Vivo Evaluation of Biocompatibility and Chondrogenic Potential of a Cell-Free Collagen-Based Scaffold. Frontiers in Physiology, 9: 984 (doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00984)
  69. Vicario N, Zappalà A, Calabrese G, Gulino R, Parenti C, Gulisano M and Parenti R (2017) Connexins in the central nervous system: physiological traits and neuroprotective targets. Frontiers in Physiology, 8: 1060 (doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.01060)
  70. Gulino R, Vicario N, Giunta MAS, Spoto G, Calabrese G, Vecchio M, Gulisano M, Leanza G & Parenti R (2019) Neuromuscular Plasticity in a Mouse Neurotoxic Model of Spinal Motoneuronal Loss Int. J. Mol. Sci., 20, 1500 (doi:10.3390/ijms20061500)
  71. Vicario N, Bernstock JD, Spitale FM, Giallongo C, Giunta M.A.S., Li Volti G., Gulisano M, Leanza G., Tibullo D., Parenti R & Gulino R (2019) Clobetasol Modulates Adult Neural Stem Cell Growth via Canonical Hedgehog Pathway Activation" Int. J. Mol. Sci., 20(8), 1991 (doi.org/10.3390/ijms20081991)
  72. Giusto, E; Codrich, M; de Leo, G; Francardo, V; Coradazzi, M; Parenti, R; Gulisano, M; Vicario, N; Gulino, R & Leanza, G (2019) Compensatory changes in degenerating spinal motoneurons sustain functional sparing in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Comp Neurol, 2019 Jul 31(doi: 10.1002/cne.24751) 
  73. Pisciotta, P; Costantino, A; Cammarata, FP; Torrisi, F; Calabrese, G; Marchese, V; Cirrone, GAP; Petringa, G; Forte, GI; Minafra, L; Bravat√†, V; Gulisano, M; Scopelliti, F; Tommasino, F; Scifoni, E; Cuttone, G; Ippolito, M; Parenti, R & Russo, G (2020) "Evaluation of proton beam radiation-induced skin injury in a murine model using a clinical SOBP", PLoS ONE 15(5): e0233258. (doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233258). Epub 2020 May 22
  74. Caruso, G, Musso N, Grasso M, Costantino A, Lazzarino G, Tascedda F, Gulisano M, Lunte SM & Caraci F (2020) "Microfluidics as a novel tool for biological and toxicological assays in drug discovery processes: focus on microchip electrophoresis", Micromachines (Special Issue "Lab-on-a-Chip Systems for Toxicology") 2020, 11(6), 593 (doi.org/10.3390/mi11060593 (registering DOI)) Epub 2020 June 15
  75. Caruso G,. Fresta CG, Costantino A, Lazzarino G, Amorini AM, Lazzarino G, Tavazzi B, Lunte SM, Dhar P, Gulisano M & Caraci F. (2021) Lung surfactant decreases biochemical alterations and oxidative stress induced by a sub-toxic concentration of carbon nanoparticles in alveolar epithelial and microglial cells. Int. J. Mol. Sci. (Special Issue "Mechanisms of Cell Response to Stress and Oncogenic Insults: Role of Signalling, Trafficking and Organelles") 22(5), 2694; (doi.org/10.3390/ijms22052694) Epub 2021 Mar 07
  76. Vicario, N., Spitale, F.M., Tibullo, D. Giallongo C, Amorini AM, Scandura G, Spoto G, Saab MW, D'Aprile S, Alberghina C, Mangione R, Bernstock JD, Botta C, Gulisano M, Buratti E, Leanza G, Zorec R, Vecchio M, Di Rosa M, Li Volti G, Lazzarino G, Parenti R & Gulino R. (2021) Clobetasol promotes neuromuscular plasticity in mice after motoneuronal loss via sonic hedgehog signaling, immunomodulation and metabolic rebalancing. Cell Death Dis 12, 625; (doi.org/10.1038/s41419-021-03907-1) Epub 2021 Jun 16
  77. Amaradio MN, Ojha V, Jansen G, Gulisano M, Costanza J & Nicosia G (2022) “Pareto Optimal Metabolic Engineering for the Growth-coupled Overproduction of Sustainable Chemicals” Biotechnology & Bioengineering (doi.org/10.1002/bit.28103) Epub 2022 April 14
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Academic Year 2015/2016

During recent years my research was mainly in the field of Synthetic and Systems Biology, within specific research focuses: (1) in vitro (2D and 3D) and in vivo experimental models for neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders (2) osteochondral stem cells and regenerative medicine using collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds (3) Epithelial Mesenchimal Transition (EMT) molecular mechanism in embryo development, neurobiology and cancer; (4) nutraceutical and drug screening strategies optimization in patient-derived organoid 3D models.