Dott.ssa Maria Cristina Onorati
Ph.D, Ecosistemi Service sas

NGS: lo stato dell’arte
09/07/2025 – ore 10:30

Abstract:
Possibili approcci di ricerca attraverso la Next Generation Sequencing (NGS): parleremo dello sviluppo delle tecnologie di sequenziamento genetico in questi anni, partendo dal Sequenziamento capillare Sanger, passando per l’NGS o sequenziamento di seconda generazione, per arrivare alla terza generazione dei sequenziatori basati su nanopori.

Per ulteriori informazioni scrivere a seminari.irib@irib.cnr.it

Dott.ssa Giorgia Pallafacchina
Ricercatore CNR-IN, Padova

SIGMAR1 and Motor Neuropathy: From Gene Identification to Cellular Homeostasis Disruption in dHMN Patients
18/06/2025 – ore 14:00

Abstract:
Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (dHMN) are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders marked by selective motor neuron degeneration. Recent studies have identified loss-of-function mutations in SIGMAR1 as a genetic cause of a recessive form of dHMN. The presentation will outline the scientific journey of Dr. Pallafacchina’s group from the genetic identification of SIGMAR1 as a disease gene to the molecular dissection of the Sigma-1R protein role in ER-mitochondria tethering, Ca2+ signaling and proteostasis, and the consequences of its dysfunction on global cellular homeostasis in human cells from dHMN patients.

Per ulteriori informazioni scrivere a seminari.irib@irib.cnr.it

Dott.ssa Mariarosaria Perri
Ricercatore CNR-ISAFoM

Phytochemical characterization and potential biological activities of extracts produced by Hypericum perforatum and Gentiana lutea, two native plants from Pollino National Park
03/03/2025 – ore 14:00

Abstract:
Plants have always represented a rich source of phytochemical compounds able to exert a wide range of biological activities. Within the ONFOODS project, two native plants from Pollino National Park, a well-known hotspot of biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin, were investigated. Hypericum perforatum and Gentiana lutea leaves, flowers and fruits, collected at different altitudes, were left to dry in controlled conditions, then pulverized and extracted through hydroalcoholic maceration (EtOH 80%, 24h). The phytochemical profile was investigated through TLC, HPLC and Folin-Ciocalteau method, while the antioxidant potential was determined through ABTS assay and TLC-bioautography DPPH. Then, the most promising extracts were investigated for their anti-adipogenic properties through Red Oil O assay in 3T3-L1 cell model.
The phytochemical pattern, investigated through chromatographic methods, highlighted some qualitative and quantitative differences in H. perforatum and G. lutea tissue extracts. H. perforatum leaves showed the highest amount of phenolic compounds and the best antioxidant potential, followed by flowers and fruits; on the other hand, G. lutea tissues showed a flat trend. In order to evaluate the anti-obesity potential of the plants, hydroalcoholic extracts were previously screened at MTT assay, so extracts, at the highest sub-cytotoxic concentrations, were investigated by means of Red Oil O assay. H. perforatum 40 µg/mL, in particular, was able to reduce lipid droplets formation up to 25%.
In conclusion, the different growth and adaptation strategies implemented by plants under study, suggest that H. perforatum could be considered a valid candidate as ecological bioindicator, a useful tool for monitoring health ecosystem, and a potential anti-obesity agent, which application needs further investigations. On the other hand, the different phytochemical pattern identified in G. lutea species paved the way for future studies.

Per ulteriori informazioni scrivere a seminari.irib@irib.cnr.it