Dipartimento di Biologia

The main objective of the Department of Biology is to develop scientific activities aimed both at deepening the basic biological knowledge and at applicative research in the fields of human health, environment and biotechnology. This mission is achieved by integrating numerous research topics that range, in a complementary way, in different disciplines. The main purpose of the Department of Biology is to study living organisms in their complexity and diversity, embracing vast scientific areas ranging from macromolecular chemistry, molecular biology, cytology and cell physiology, to studying entire ecosystems and to apply biotechnological skills to solve health and environmental problems. The quality and variety of skills of the researchers and the professors at the Department of Biology ensure an excellent quality of high education in biology, biotechnology and natural science. For more information please visit our website and for specific research projects.

More details at: http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it

The Biology Department is organizing a PhD program for higher education in Biology that aims to prepare young researchers on various aspects of basic and applied research, using a multidisciplinary approach with the latest technology (http://www.dipartimentodibiologia.unina.it/dottorato).

Research output (2011-2013)

Data on the research output of the Department are extracted from the 2011-2013 Research activities Review (SUA-RD)

Staff

Data on the Department Staff is taken from the institutional website of the Italian Ministry of University and Research

Progetti di ricerca

PRIN

  • Identificazione e caratterizzazione del network di geni responsabili dello sviluppo delle displasie ectodermiche dipendenti da p63. (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)
  • Molecular genetics and new directions for clinical management of growth disorders associated with genomic imprinting. (STRUTTURA E FUNZIONE DI PEPTIDI E PROTEINE)

POR

  • Modelli in vivo di patologie umane – MOVIE. (ANATOMIA COMPARATA E CITOLOGIA e GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)
  • Open innovation. (ANATOMIA COMPARATA E CITOLOGIA)
  • Modelli in vivo di patologie umane. (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E CELLULARE)
  • Campania Research in Experimental Medicine (CREME). (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)

PON

  • CoOltivazione COntrOllata e Monitorata di Biofilm Algali Fondo Europeo Sviluppo Regionale FESR. In collaborazione con: M2M Engineering sas. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • Assimilazione dei nutrienti minerali nelle microalghe. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • Biosistemi di cattura e utilizzazione della CO2 per il Dipartimento di Biologia-2015-ricerca e competitività. (FISIOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA MOLECOLARE)
  • Industria 2015 Nuove Tecnologie per il Made in Italy. Microwave Electronic Imaging Security and Safety Access (MELISSA). (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)

FIRB

  • L'avvento dei non-coding RNA: nuove implicazioni nella biologia delle Neurotrofine. (FISIOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA MOLECOLARE)

Other Projects

  • ABBACO. Restauro Ambientale e balneability del SIN Bagnoli-Coroglio. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • AEDES. Studi di dinamica di popolazione di Aedes albopictus di procida. (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)
  • AIRC. Dissecting the function of the transcription factor Foxe1 in non-melanoma skin cancers. In convenzione con CEINGE. (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E CELLULARE)
  • AIRC. DNA oxidation mediated by Myc. (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)
  • ASI. RASC: Dalla Ricerca alle Applicazioni Spaziali e Cliniche. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • CNR-DSB Progetto Bandiera "InterOmics". Characterization of gene networks connecting pancreas organogenesis and onset of pancreatic tumor development (ProPaGa). (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E CELLULARE)
  • Convenzione Paco Nazionale Cilento. Conservazione Lontra - Lepre Italica - Impatto degli ungulati sulla biodiversità dei parchi italiani - Convivere con il lupo, conoscere per preservare. (ZOOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA COMPARATA)
  • Convenzione Paco Nazionale Vesuvio. Rete euromediterranea per il monitoraggio, la conservazione e la fruizione dell’avifauna migratrice e dei luoghi essenziali alla migrazione - Studio e Monitoraggio della mesofauna nelle aree protette. (ZOOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA COMPARATA)
  • Convenzione Regione Campania. Diffusione delle conoscenze sullo stato di conservazione del sic it8050002 “alta valle del fiume Calore Lucano”. (ZOOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA COMPARATA)
  • Convenzione Vesuvio. Individuazione di set di indicatori per la definizione della qualità di suoli con impatto da traffico veicolare - Impatto antropico da pressione turistica nelle aree protette monitoraggio degli ecosistemi e valorizzazione ambientale. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • DELTA srl. Sperimentazione e ricerca di metodi analitici alternativi per la determinazione di Cd, Pb, Cu e Zn in campioni ematici. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • ENTER. The transfer of engineered nanomaterials from wastewater treatment & stormwater to rivers. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • FEPS. Effetti dei metaboliti secondari di specie invasive sulle popolazioni mediterranee di saraghi e polpi. (ZOOLOGIA E PATOLOGIA COMPARATA)
  • FFC. Pre-clinical effectiveness of three human cryptic anti-biofilm peptides (GVF27, HVA36 and IMY47): efficacy against lung pathogens and studies in animals. (STRUTTURA E FUNZIONE DI PEPTIDI E PROTEINE)
  • Fondation Dind-Cottier. Research on diseases of the skin (CH). Dissecting molecular mechanisms at the basis of skin inflammation in AEC syndrome. (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E CELLULARE)
  • NEREUS. Action New and emerging challenges and opportunities in wastewater reuse. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • OCEAN. MARIABOX - MARINE environmental in situ Assessment and monitoriring tool BOX (Grant agreement no 614088). (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • ROME.cRoss sea Mesoscale Experiment, Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide: Ecologia del Plancton. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • STAR. The genetic bases of plant adaptation to pollinators. (BIOLOGIA DELLE PIANTE ED ECOLOGIA)
  • STAR. Comparative Population Transcriptomics To Uncover Sex Determination of Aedes albopictus and Phlebotomus perniciosus, Two Emerging Haematophagous Insect Species. (GENETICA MOLECOLARE E DELLO SVILUPPO)
  • STAR. SporDel: development the proof of concept of using spores as nonrecombinant system to deliver BioDrugs to gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • STAR. Development of new Bio-Sensor for pollutants monitoring in water. (MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE, BIOTECNOLOGIE E IGIENE)
  • STAR. Thermostable virion. (STRUTTURA E FUNZIONE DI PEPTIDI E PROTEINE)
  • Telethon Project. Designing therapeutic strategies to rescue epidermal defects in AEC syndrome. In convenzione con CEINGE. (BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE E CELLULARE)

Libraries, labs and facilities

Laboratories

  • BGSA - General, systematic and environmental Botany Laboratory
  • FV - Plant Physiology Laboratory
  • ZEF - Evolutionary and functional zoology laboratory
  • ACC - Comparative Anatomy and Cytology Laboratory
  • ECO - Ecology Laboratory
  • FISIOL - Physiology Laboratory
  • CSFP - Laboratory of structural and functional characterization of proteins and peptides
  • PENzA - Laboratory of Processes and enzymes for basic and applied research.
  • BM - Molecular Biology Laboratory
  • GGMPM - Laboratory of General and Molecular Genetics and Molecular Pathology
  • MGBM - Laboratory of General Microbiology and microbial biotechnology
  • IRM - Hygiene and risk management laboratory
  • PaVET - Laboratory of General Pathology and Pathological Anatomy

Major equipment

  • DNA sequencer
  • Laser dissecting microscope
  • Flow cytometer
  • Atomic absorption spectrometer
  • Ultracentrifuge
  • Protein chromatography system
  • Animal housing systems
  • RealTime PCR system
  • Chemidoc
  • Planar Bilayer Lipid Workstation
  • Microporator
  • Nanodrop system
  • Sperm Class Analyzer
  • Spectrophotometer and Diagnostic Reader
  • Automatic Processor for animal tissues
  • Star weld laser system
  • Filament Winding machine
  • G6520AA LC / MS Q-TOF ACCURATE-MASS SYSTEM
  • NANOWIZARD II ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE BASIC UNIT
  • MICRO AND NANO-FIBER ELECTRO-FILMING MACHINE
  • TEM PHILIPS EM208 microscope
  • SCOPE
  • Gammacell 1000 Elite MDS Nordion.
  • Cell Analyzer 2200 (GE Healthcare)
  • Freedom EVO 150 (Tecan)
  • BIACORE X100 (GE Healthcare)
  • Synergy HT multi-mode micro plate reader (Bioteck)
  • UHPLC NEXERA X2 (Shimadzu)
  • Real Time One Step (Applied Biosystems)
  • BioRuptor Sonicator (Diagenode)
  • LSM700 Confocal Microscope (ZEISS)

Third mission

  • COMPARATIVE ANATOMY AND CYTOLOGY: The group actively collaborates with pharmaceutical companies interested in the development and / or improvement of assisted reproduction techniques.
  • BIOLOGY OF PLANTS AND ECOLOGY: Collaborations with small / medium enterprises are active (project Malgic-Oil SEM srl, Tecno-Bios company).
  • MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY: Collaborations are ongoing with the CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Scarl, BIOGEM Scarl and Futuro Remoto
  • PHYSIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY: Collaborations with Bioindustry Park, O.PRE srl, MECOSER and Certitec srl are active.
  • MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL GENETICS: Collaborations are ongoing with Oxitec (Oxford University, UK), FAO / IAEA Pest Control Unit (Seiberdorf, Wien), BioUniversa srl; Tecno-Bio srl; Arterra Bioscience srl; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies Scarl, orientation activity at the High School and the Futuro Remoto.
  • GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HYGIENE: There are active collaborations with WildeType, Fonti del Vulture, San Benedetto, Veimar, Selex-es, Marnavi, BASF, ISS Biosense, GenProbio, NEILOS, SporeGen (UK), CyRIC (Cyprus), Prodigest (Belgium).
  • STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF PEPTIDES AND PROTEIN: Collaborations are active with the Regional Competence Center in Industrial Biotechnology, Bioteknet Scpa. The research group is also the owner of two relevant patents concerning microorganisms for bioremediation (MI2008A1407 & WO2010012418 A1).
  • ZOOLOGY AND COMPARATIVE ETHOLOGY: Collaborations are active with the Cilento National Park, the Marine Protected Areas of the Campi Flegrei, Punta Campanella, Gaiola and the Regno of Nettuno.