BASINI Giuseppina, GRASSELLI Francesca
- Ovarian angiogenic mechanisms in pigs: The sequence of events that culminates in the formation of new vascular structures from pre-existing capillaries appears to be crucial in ovarian physiology; in addition, the ovary represents an interesting model of physiological angiogenesis.
- Swine ovarian follicle as a model for endocrine disruption: Endocrine disrupters are a large, heterogeneous and still not fully-known group of substances, both synthetic and natural. They all alter the endocrine system by displaying multiple and not yet fully understood mechanism of action. Their effects on reproductive function are particularly insidious.
BERTINI Simone, MENOZZI Alessandro
Past research
- Clinical efficacy of rifaximin and new therapeutic approaches in chronic enteropathies of small animals
- Effects of drugs (NSAIDs, opioid analgesics, alpha-2 agonists, muscarinic antagonists) on bronchial and intestinal motility “in vitro” in horses
- Detection of contaminants (lead and copper derived from hunting ammunitions) in game meat
- HPLC analysis of antibiotic and antiparasitic drugs in plasma and tissues
Ongoing research
- HPLC and LC/MS/MS analysis of fecal, farm and environmental samples for detection of drug contaminants (ivermectin in swine farms in particular)
- Micro and nanoplastics pollutants in waterbodies and wildlife, focus on Procambarus clarkia
- Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in sentinel species
- Monitoring of antimicrobial and antibiotic use in small animal clinical practices and veterinary teaching hospitals
- Valorization of biodiversity of local breeds
BOTTI Maddalena
- The study of different tissues (in particular bone, muscular and nervous tissues) and of organs of digestive and uro-genital apparatuses.
- The applied techniques used are histological and histomorphometric (by means of routine staining to define the qualitative and quantitative aspects of tissues), histochemical (by means of procedures that highlight the enzymatic activity of the tissues), immunofluorescent and immunohistochemical (by means of direct or indirect techniques to highlight the expression of specific molecules or structures within different tissues) and SEM and TEM ultrastructural investigations.
CACCHIOLI Antonio
- Study of in vivo and in vitro experimental models for the evaluation of osteogenesis and osteointegration, cellular and tissue interaction with new generation of bioactive surfaces and nanomaterials.
- The applied techniques are morphometric analysis, morpho-structural histology and dynamic histomorphometry, SEM and TEM ultrastructural analysis, cytologic assays, cyto- and histo-chemistry, immunofluorescence.
GAZZA Ferdinando
- Macro- and microscopic morpho-structural characterization of different porcine muscles, by means of histological, histochemical, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy investigations, also in relation to the quality of the meat of different pig hybrids.
- By means of neuronal tracers, the localization of afferent and efferent neurons in viscera and muscles associated with the genital organs of mammals, such as the retractor muscle of the penis and clitoris, bulbospongiosus, ischiocavernosus and cremaster, is studied. The neurons involved in the innervation of these structures are typed with immunofluorescent methods.
GROLLI Stefano
- Development of laboratory as well as clinical protocols aimed to the application of regenerative therapies in veterinary medicine. The research is focussed on new approaches for the preparation and administration of mesenchymal stem cells, stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue and platelet concentrates to be used in dog, cat and horse clinical cases, with particular interest in diseases of the musculoskeletal system, wound healing and chronic ulcers treatments.
- Structure-function relation of bovine, porcine and human Odorant Binding Proteins: the aim is to achieve the structural and functional characterization of the native isoforms and in-vitro produced mutants of vertebrate OBPs. The research is also aimed to develop biotechnological application of the proteins, studying their interaction with molecules of physiological, biomedical and environmental interest.
OSSIPRANDI Maria Cristina
I have published papers concerning epidemiologic studies of potentially zoonotic bacteria in swine (Salmonella spp., Helicobacter spp. and Bacillus cereus), bovine (Staphylococcus aureus) and equine (Clostridium difficile) populations, as well as in pets which were monitored for the presence of Enterococcus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas and Proteus, Clostridiumdifficile and perfringens. I conducted research on molecular profile of Clostridium difficile and perfringens strains in major livestock species in order to define their toxic profile. I carried out specific studies to assess the effectiveness of biomaterials employed in orthopedics and currently the topic corresponds to biodiversity related to gut microbiota in different animal species and possible interactions on human microbiota (bifidobacter population). These searches are performed using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches. Analytical screenings are carried out aimed at evaluating and quantifying the biocidal and bacteriostatic activity of nanoparticles and bioactive scaffolds obtained with 3D printers. From a perspective of protecting ecosystem biodiversity, 3D printed scaffolds with chitosan/Ag/TiO2 (promising polymeric nanocomposites) were analyzed to examine their possible photocatalytic degradation under UV irradiation of residues of antibiotic molecules.
RAMONI Roberto
Investigation of the structural and functional properties of native and mutated forms of mammalian odorant binding protein (OBP). This is a soluble polypeptide secreted in the mucus layering the epithelia of the respiratory apparatus, where it exerts the role of scavenger for odorous molecules and other toxic compounds therein produced in consequence of the oxidative stress (for instance 4-hydroxi-2-noenal). Due to is broad ligand binding specificity, OBP has been employed as a protein retention element of a filter for the removal of traces of triazine herbicides from water. This finding represents the base for its biotechnological application in the field of ultrapure water production.
RAGIONIERI Luisa
- Analysis of macro and microscopic morpho-structural modifications of different tracts of the digestive apparatus of ruminants and broilers in response to different types of diet.
- Localization (using retrograde neuronal tracers) and immuno-histochemical characterization of the motor and sensory neurons innervating the smooth and striated muscles associated with the uro-genital organs of domestic animals.
- Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence investigation of the presence and localization of hormones, chemokines and their receptors in the porcine ovary.
- The applied techniques are morphometric analysis, morpho-structural histology and histomorphometry, SEM and TEM ultrastructural analysis, histochemistry, immunofluorescence.
RAVANETTI Francesca
- Single cell spatial profiling to evaluate the molecular context of tissues applied to lung pre-clinical research.
- Morphostructural histology of the lung for the the setting up and validation of new animal models.
- Evaluation of osteogenesis, osteointegration, osteochondrogenesis cellular and tissue interaction with new generation of bioactive surfaces and nanomaterials.
- The applied techniques are immunofluorescence, Deep Learning based morphostructural histology and dynamic histomorphometry, SEM and TEM ultrastructural analysis, cell culture and cytologic assays.
SALERI Roberta
- In vitro approach using the IPEC-J2 cell line to investigate some aspects of a complex structure such as the intestinal barrier. IPEC-J2, originated from the epithelium of a pre-colostral pig, is an untransformed permanent intestinal cell line. These cells are morphologically and functionally similar to primary intestinal epithelial cells. All of these characteristics make this line a suitable model for assessing and studying the direct effects of different stimuli connected to the regulation of intestinal cells’ functions (collaborative research with Prof. Paolo Borghetti’s group)
- Bioactive peptide in bovine milk: bovine milk is a source of natural bioactive molecules. The health promoting effects attributed to milk‐derived bioactive peptides make them potential ingredients of functional food.
