Centro di Eccellenza per lo studio dei Meccanismi Molecolari di

Comunicazione tra Cellule: dalla biologia alla clinica (CEBR)Direttore

Prof. Alessandro Moretta, Università degli studi di Genova, alemoret@unige.it

Sistema di gestione per la qualità conforme alla norma ISO 9001:2008Certificato N 225503

Autore del poster Prof. Francesco Indiveri in collaborazione con lo staff amministrativo del CEBR

Logo

Abstract: Objectives of the Center is to identify and characterize novel cell receptors

and their ligands and to exploit these new molecules for diagnostic and/or therapeutic

purposes. In addition, the functional role of these molecules, used in soluble form, will

be evaluated as a possible tool to regulate patterns and mechanisms of cell-to-cell

communication both in physiological and pathological conditions.

Keyword: cell receptors; ligands; cell-

to-cell interacions; biomolecular drug;

immunosuppression

Since January 2010 The Center of Excellence for Biomedical Research has

become independent with financial and administrative autonomy.

The human resources of the center are represented by 45 members belonging to

different departments.

AimsMultidisciplinary researches on new cellular receptors and they ligands aimed to use

such bio-molecules for diagnosis and therapy:

Regulation of the calcium homeostasis through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms;

Studies on the new human abscissic acid hormon;

Methylpentoses’ metabolism;

Synthesis and analysis of molecules mimetic peptide and nucleotides;

The physiologic and pathologic role of the calpain-calpastatin system;

HMGB1’s extracellular functions;

NK cells activating or inhibitory receptors and their natural ligands;

NK cells in viral and neoplastic diseases;

Role of NK cells in the innate immunity;

T-reg lymphocytes subpopulations in neoplastic patients;

Antigen-specific T lymphocytes in allergy;

Mesenchymal stem cells in models of cell therapy of neuropathies;

New therapeutic strategies for hereditary peripheral neuropathy;

The IGF system;

Somatostatin and its analogues;

Animal models of human genetic diseases;

Physiological and molecular bases of channelopathies;

Interactions between receptors in axon terminals neuronal;

Interactions between neurons and transmitters in glia;

Mechanisms of Neurotoxicity.

From 2004 to the 2009 have been published 596 scientific papers on international

journals (I.F medium 4,58) and have been taken 8 patents and licenses.

Involved researchersImmuneregulation

Lorenzo Moretta, Maria Cristina

Mingari, Claudia Cantoni, Andrea De

Maria;

Molecular immunology

Alessandro Moretta, Roberta, Castriconi,

Simona Sivori, Emanuela Marcenaro;

Clinical Immunology

Francesco Indiveri, GilbertoFilaci,

Daniela Fenoglio, Paola Contini;

Biochemistry 1

Antonio De Flora, Umberto Benatti,

Marco Giovine, Michela Tonetti, Elena

Zocchi, Santina Bruzzone, Gianluca

Damonte, Enrico Millo, Laura Sturla,

Lucrezia Guida;

Biochemistry 2

Edon Melloni, Franca Salamino,

Bianca Sparatore, Roberta De Tullio.

Neurosciences

Gianluigi Mancardi, Angelo Schenone,

Antonio Uccelli;

Endocrinology

Francesco Maria Minuto, Diego Ferone;

Molecular genetics

Roberto Ravazzolo, Aldamaria Puliti;

Farmacology

Maurizio Raiteri, Mario Marchi, Guido

Maura, Giambattista Bonanno, Ernesto

Fedele, Anna Pittaluga, Luca Raiteri,

Manuela Marcoli;

Structural biology

Martino Bolognesi, Marco Nardini,

Alessandra Pesce;

Amministration

Daniela Gatti.

Collaborators

40 staff to research among graduate

students, postdocs / Fellows and

contractors

High formation activitiesThe research that has been carried out at the CEBR constitute the base for the progressively increasing cultural and professional

training provided to fellows, and PhD students involved. Furthermore, the CEBR is, since 2006, home of the post-graduate

School of Biomedical Sciences and Technologies and since 2003 of the PhD program in clinical and basic immunology

Projects funded

1. Europe: BIO-lith "EU Project No. STRP 031541

2. In collaboration with other research centers: CIPE Project of the CBA Genova

(MUDS) Giovine.

Co-financing with the University: Ph.D., University research projects, PRIN, FIRB.

Committed

1. Public / Private: ISS, FIRB, PRIN, Foundation CARIGE, IMF, AIRC, Berna,

Almirall, Gilead, CARIPLO, SANDOZ, Compagnia di San Paolo.

2. Industrial: Ipsen, Sanofi Aventis, Glaxo Smith Kline, Actelion Indiveri, COSMO,

Androclus Therapeutics, Lofarma, Italfarmaco, GENOVAX s.r.l.