Editorial Board

Ernesto Carafoli, MD, Lincei Academy & University of Padua, Italy
Ernesto Carafoli is Professor Emeritus at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, having formerly served as a Full Professor of Biological Chemistry at the University of Padua. He is a distinguished member of the Accademia dei Lincei. His pioneering research has focused on the signaling role of calcium and its control. He identified the mitochondrial calcium uptake carrier and discovered its absence in yeast. He demonstrated mitochondrial calcium transport in vivo and uncovered its release pathway via a sodium/calcium exchanger. His pioneering work on the plasma membrane calcium ATPase includes its purification, cloning, and identification of splicing isoforms. His group also linked its genetic dysfunctions to various nervous system disorders. Throughout his illustrious career, he has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including multiple honorary doctorates and memberships in prestigious scientific organizations.

Paolo Constantino, PhD, Lincei Academy & Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
Paolo Costantino is Professor Emeritus of Molecular Biology at the University of Rome La Sapienza. He is an esteemed member of the Accademia dei Lincei and the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) as well as a gold medalist of the National Academy of Sciences. His work has made significant contributions to the fields of plant molecular biology, plant genetics, and plant biotechnology. His research has focused on the genetics and molecular biology of plant development, plant genomics, and plant oncogenes, driving forward understanding in these areas.

Editorial Board

Jean Calleja Agius, MD, PhD, University of Malta, Malta
Professor Jean Calleja-Agius is an obstetrician and gynaecologist by profession, and she has also served as Head of Department of Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. She has read for her MSc in clinical embryology at the University of Leeds and successfully obtained her PhD at University College London. She has successfully chaired the GYNOCARE COST Action CA18117, which is a European collaboration forming an international network for Gynaecological Rare Cancer research: From Concept to Cure. She has published extensively in the field of rare gynaecological cancer, infertility, menopause as well as all other aspects of women’s health. Keywords: infertility, menopause, embryology

Roberto Bassi, PhD, Lincei Academy & University of Padua, Italy
Roberto Bassi was born in Vicenza, Italy in 1955. He graduated in Biology at Padua University (1977), after which, he worked as microbiologist and botanist in the same University till 1983, when he won an assistant professorship in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. He specialized in genetics in Copenhagen, Biophysics in Paris and Molecular Biology in Geneva. He has been teaching Plant Biochemistry, Physiology and Synthetic Biology in Padua, Urbino, Marseille, Lausanne and Verona.  His research focuses on the structure and function of the photosynthetic systems of plants and algae and the environmental stress physiology with the aim of optimizing the light to biomass conversion efficiency and devise biotechnological solutions for environmental sustainability, with special reference to the management of carbon cycle. He has published more than 300 articles in international journals with an HF of 102 and 28.000 citations. He is a member of the National Academy of Lincei, National Academy of Technology, the EMBO, the European Academy and others. He was awarded theBaccarini-Melandri prize, the Herlitzka prize, for Physiology, the von Humboldt Award, the Chinese Academy of Sciences Award and the Miller Research professorship in Berkeley. He is the P.I of the ERC advanced grant GrInSun (2022-2027). He has been serving as the chair of the scientific advisory board of  the Stazione Anton Dorhn in Naples of which Istitution he is now the President. Key words: Photosynthesis, chloroplast, light harvesting, plants, unicellular green algae, higher plants, bioenergetics, cryo-EM, spectroscopy

Tito Cali, PhD, University of Padova, Italy
Tito Calì is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Italy. His research focuses on the development and optimization of split-Fluorescent Protein (FP)-based genetically encoded reporters to study membrane proximity (SPLICS) and protein translocation within subcellular compartments, enabling their characterization and high-throughput screenings. His laboratory explores the role and dynamics of both established and emerging organelle contact sites—key hubs for the bidirectional exchange of metabolites, lipids, ions, and proteins—essential for maintaining cellular fitness. His work also delves into calcium signaling, mitochondrial metabolism, and the function of plasma membrane calcium ATPases (PMCAs) in regulating cellular homeostasis. Dysregulation of these processes is strongly linked to diseases such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and diabetes. To tackle these challenges, his team integrates biochemical and molecular cell biology approaches with advanced imaging techniques and customized animal models, enabling comprehensive studies both in vitro and in vivo. Key words: Organelle contacts, genetically encoded reporters of proximity, SPLICS, mitochondria, calcium, neurodegeneration, PMCA.

Antonino Cattaneo, MD, Lincei Academy & University of Pisa, Italy
Antonino Cattaneo is a Professor of Physiology, and Director of Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale  Superiore (Pisa).He is a member of the Academia Lincei as well the President of the European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) in Rome, an institute founded by Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini. His scientific interest focuses on neurobiology, particularly the role of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the central nervous system and its implications for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Indeed, he has pioneered the use of recombinant antibodies to study NGF's functions and developed innovative therapeutic approaches, such as "painless NGF," which minimizes side effects while treating neurodegeneration. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of Alzheimer's disease mechanisms and potential treatments. Keywords: Neurodegeneration, molecular neurobiology, recombinant antibodies, intrabodies, NGF, Alzheimer's disease

Lucia Colombo, PhD, Lincei Academy & University of Milan, Italy
Lucia Colombo is a Professor of Botany at the Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, where she served as Director from 2014 to 2019. An esteemed member of the Accademia dei Lincei, she has been coordinating CusMiBio, the University of Milan's Center for the Dissemination of Biological Sciences, since 2019. After earning her degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Milan in 1989, she completed her Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology in 1993. Her post-doctoral work then took her to Wageningen, Netherlands, where she explored the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying flower development. Colombo's major work research primarily focuses on the molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying the development of reproductive structures in plants. She has coordinated numerous national and international research networks and has published approximately 100 articles, boasting an h-index of 50 on Scopus. Her outstanding contributions to the fields of Developmental Biology and Plant Biotechnology have been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the “Le Scienze” prize and a medal from the President of the Republic of Italy.

 Frank Eisenhaber, MD, PhD, Bioinformatic Institute, Singapore
Frank Eisenhaber's research is focused on the discovery of new biomolecular mechanisms mainly with theoretical approaches and the functional characterization of yet uncharacterized genes and pathways. As mechanistic insight is the driver for biotechnology and medical applications, this data analysis has catalysed various lines of applied research. Frank Eisenhaber is one of the scientists credited with the discovery of the SET domain methyltransferases, ATGL, kleisins, many new protein domain functions (for example in the GPI lipid anchor biosynthesis pathway) and with the development of accurate prediction tools for posttranslational modifications and subcellular localizations. Currently, he is affiliated with the Bioinformatics Institute Singapore (he was its executive director 2007-2020), NTU Singapore and with LASA – Lausitz Advanced Scientific Applications in Germany. Key words: bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, biomolecular sequence analysis

Elena Enzo, PhD, University of Modena, Italy
Elena Enzo is Assistant Professor in Biochemistry at the Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy. Her research endeavors are primarily centered around elucidating the biochemical signals governing cell proliferation and self-renewal in epidermis. Notably, she has made significant contributions to understanding the interplay between the YAP/TAZ signaling pathway and glycolysis, unveiling their pivotal role as drivers of cancers. Leveraging state-of-the-art single-cell transcriptomic approaches, she identified FOXM1 as a master regulator of self-renewal in epidermal stem cells. She is now focusing on unraveling the intricate connections between DNA repair, metabolic state, epigenetics, and self-renewal downstream of FOXM1 activity. Key words: DNA repair, self-renewal, metabolism, skin biology

Pier Paolo Di Fiore, MD, PhD, Lincei Academy & European Institute of Oncology, Italy
Pier Paolo Di Fiore is a renowned expert in oncology and molecular biology. He heads the Molecular Carcinogenesis and Stem Cell Biology Research Unit at the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia (IEO) in Milan. As a professor at the Università degli Studi di Milano Statale, he teaches courses on genomics, epigenomics, and general pathology. Di Fiore is also an esteemed member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Di Fiore's research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer, particularly breast cancer. He has published numerous scientific papers on topics such as endocytosis, signaling, and the role of stem cells in cancer. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of cancer biology and the development of new therapeutic strategies. The ultimate goal of his research is to identify novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for cancer.

Stefano Gianni, PhD, Sapienza Universita di Roma, Italy
Stefano Gianni is Full Professor of Molecular Biology at Sapienza, University of Rome, where he established is independent group since 2012. He is Member of the Academia Europeae and former member (Alumnus) of the International Global Young Academy. He obtained his PhD in Biochemistry in Sapienza University of Rome and has spent several years in Cambridge, first as a post-doctoral scientist in the Centre for Protein Engineering of the Medical Research Council of Cambridge and, subsequently, as a Visiting Scientist of the Department of Chemistry. He is author of over 160 scientific publications. His research interests are mainly focussed on establishing the general rules between the structure and the function of proteins. Furthermore, he has contributed key insights in the field of protein folding, where he contributed to develop a unifying mechanism for the description of such a complex reaction. More recently, he has undertaken the ambitious goal to describe the structural and functional behaviour of intrinsically disordered proteins, a very challenging to investigate class of proteins, which lack a well-defined three-dimensional structure while displaying important physiological roles. Furthermore, he has offered several perspectives in the study of cancer related protein systems. His research has been extensively supported by prestigious funding sources, such as AIRC, European Union, MIUR and the Pasteur Institute. Key words: Protein Engineering; chemical kinetics; protein folding; protein stability; allostery

Giuseppe Ippolito, MD, University Unicamillus Roma, Italy
Giuseppe Ippolito MD, MSc (HCMO), FRCPE is Full professor of Infectious Diseases (SSD MED/17) at the Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences in Rome. He was the director general for research and health innovation at the Italian Ministry of Health and for more than 20 years Scientific Director of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" in Rome, and for 12 years Director of the WHO-CC for highly infectious diseases (IDs). He graduated in Medicine, and he obtained his specialty degree in IDs and in Dermatology; and Masters Degree in Organization and Management of Health Institutions. He served as member of several National and international bodies on IDs, coordinated several EU-funded projects and activities funded by the Italian Cooperation in Africa. The President of the Italian Republic awarded him as “Cavaliere di Gran Croce al Merito della Repubblica Italiana” In 2021, and received the special Linceo Prize and the Irti Foundation prize. Key words: infectious diseases, health care systems, new technologies

Gelina Kopeina, PhD, Russian Academy of Sciences, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
Kopeina Gelina received a PhD (2010) and Dr. Sci (2023) in molecular biology at MV Lomonosov Moscow State University. At present, she is the Senior Scientist at the Faculty of Medicine, MV Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the head of the Laboratory of programmed cell death at the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, RAS. Her scientific interest is focusing on the investigation of a link between different types of programmed cell death and its role in response of cancer cells to treatment, especially upon genotoxic stress. In addition, she is interested in the development of a new methodology for the detection of cancer drug resistance and its overcoming. Key words: programmed cell death, caspase, apoptosis, necroptosis, mitotic catastrophe, autophagy, cancer, drug resistance.

Letizia Lanzetti, MSc,  University of Turin, Italy
Letizia Lanzetti is Assistant Professor in Biochemistry at the University of Turin, Italy, and Group Leader of the Membrane Trafficking Laboratory at the Candiolo Cancer Institute. Her long-term research interest is the crosstalk between endocytosis and signaling in cancer cells. Her major contributions have been the identification of molecular mechanisms linking endocytosis and cell motility, and the role of endocytic molecules in mitosis. Her most recent work focuses on the impact of membrane trafficking, regulated by RAB proteins, on the metabolic plasticity of breast cancers. This is pursued using orthogonal approaches involving metabolic screenings, gene expression analyses, correlation with relevant clinical-pathological features in breast cancer patients, and high resolution studies to define the underlying molecular mechanisms. Keywords: Membrane Trafficking, receptor endocytosis, mitosis, breast cancer metabolism, metabolites

Daniele Marcoccia, PhD, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana, Italy
Daniele Marcoccia is a biologist with a PhD in applied biology for human health obtained at the University of “Roma Tre”. The experimental activities of his PhD were conducted at the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS), investigating the anti-inflammatory and anti-androgenic effects of natural compounds, plasticisers and pesticides which impact both the male reproductive system and prostate cancer. Currently, he is a researcher at the ‘Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana’ whose work is mainly focused on the development of in vitro experimental techniques, alternatives to animal experimentation, according to the “principle of 3 R”: Replace, Reduce, Refine. Additionally, he is involved as responsible of Operating Unit (OU) for the cell/molecular biology activities in two PNRR projects, which aim to investigate the possible beneficial effects of natural substances reflected on colon cancer and endometriosis. Keywords: Molecular Cell Biology, Endocrine Disruption, Reproductive Toxicology, Cancer Research

Jacopo Meldolesi, MD, Lincei Academy & University of Milan, Italy
Jacopo Maldolesi is Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology at the University of Milan and the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan. He is a member of the Academia Lincei. One of Mandolesi's main areas of research concerns neurobiology, where he has investigated the molecular mechanisms that enable communication between neurons. He studied how synaptic vesicles, small sacs full of neurotransmitters, fuse with the cell membrane to release their contents, a process known as exocytosis. He discovered that this process can also occur independently of the presence of Ca++ ions. Another area of Meldolesi's research is cell biology, where he analysed intracellular Ca++ stores and their role in cellular signalling. These studies contributed to a better understanding of how cells communicate with each other and regulate their own functions. While in the field of pharmacology, Meldolesi worked on molecular and cellular pharmacology, exploring how drugs interact with cellular receptors and influence cellular functions. This work has had important implications for the development of new drugs and therapies. He was and is Editor of several international scientific journals including J. Cell Biology, EMBO J. and Trends in Pharmacol. Sci. He has been President of the Italian Society of Neuroscience and of the Life Sciences Federation. For his scientific activity he has received numerous awards including election to the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), Accademia dei Lincei and Accademia Europaea; the Feltrinelli Prize of the Accademia dei Lincei, the Golgi Prize in Washington and the Gold Medal of the President of the Republic. He has published over 300 articles, mainly in prestigious international journals.

Cesare Montecucco, MD, Lincei Academy & University of Padua, Italy
Cesare Montecucco is professor emeritus of pathology at the CNR Institute of Neuroscience and University of Padua, where he works in the Laboratory of Neuroparalysis and Neuroregeneration. He is a member of European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), the Instituto Veneto di Scienze Lettere ed Arti, the Academia Europaea, the Deutsche Akademie di Scienze, the Accademia dei Lincei, the American Academy of Microbiology and the European Academy of Microbiology. Montecucco's research delves into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria, as well as other pathogens, including those from spiders and snakes. These studies have yielded significant scientific and practical advancements in understanding and addressing human diseases such as anthrax, botulism, tetanus, gastrointestinal diseases linked to Helicobacter pylori, and conditions characterized by the hyperfunction of cholinergic nerve terminals. Additionally, he has actively collaborated with Novartis-Vaccines of Siena in developing an anti-H. pylori vaccine. He has authored over 350 scientific articles, including experimental studies, reviews, and opinion papers, all published in international journals.

Flavia Novelli, PhD, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, USA
Flavia Novelli, PhD, is Senior Scientist in the Department of Cancer Biology at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, USA. Her research focused on cancer research, particularly on the study of the molecular mechanisms implicated in the development of Malignant Mesothelioma. Notably she has made significant contributions to elucidating the molecular mechanism for the observed Gene x Environment (GXE) interaction in Mesothelioma that occurs in carriers of germline BAP1 mutations exposed to asbestos. She discovered that BAP1 and HMGB1, two major players in Mesothelioma pathogenesis, binds to each other forming a trimer with the enzyme HDAC1 that lessens the risk of developing Mesothelioma. She is now focusing in the identification of new genetic mutations and relative molecular mechanisms potentially involved in the pathogenesis of Malignant Mesothelioma. Key words: Mesothelioma, Gene X Environment Interaction, Cancer Biology

Lucia Novelli, MD, PhD, MSc, Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
Lucia Novelli is a Medical Doctor specialized in Allergology and Clinical Immunology, with a PhD in Rheumatological Sciences obtained from Sapienza University of Rome. She has a deep expertise in the clinical management of autoimmune diseases and her main research interests are Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Spondyloarthritis. She worked as research fellow at BIDMC, Harvard Medical School focusing on the understanding the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of SLE, in particular the T cell receptor (TCR) intracellular signaling. She has also a MSc in Clinical Research and Open Innovation in the biopharmaceutical sector. Key words: autoimmunity-systemic lupus erythematosus- spondyloarthritis

Nash Rochman, PhD, City University of New York, USA
Nash Rochman is an Assistant Professor in the CUNY SPH Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics; an Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health Investigator; and an NIH Special Volunteer. His research employs diverse computational approaches to uncover and explain deeply conserved mechanisms of pathogen host adaptation focusing on three areas: the construction of novel bioinformatic methods to reveal prior, and predict future, evolutionary trajectories for viral and bacterial pathogens; assessing the impact of environmental factors on viral ecology and evolution; and the development of epidemiological models to assess optimal strategies for pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical intervention. Key words: mathematical biology, virology, epidemiology, climate impacts, bioengineering

Yu-Yun Shao, MD, PhD, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan
Dr. Yu-Yun Shao graduated as MD from School of Medicine, National Taiwan University and obtained a PhD degree at Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine. He received medical oncology training at Department of Oncology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, where he currently works as an attending physician. He has also served as an associate professor at the Graduate Institute of Oncology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. His clinical work mostly focuses on hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal cancers. His research interest focuses on novel treatment and prognostic markers for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and cancer supportive care. He also actively participated in clinical trials of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: hepatocellular carcinoma; clinical trials; immunotherapy; targeted therapy

Yufang Shi, PhD, Soochow University, China
Yufang Shi, Ph.D., a member of Academia Europaea, currently holds the positions of Director and Distinguished Professor at the Soochow University Institutes for Translational Medicine. Additionally, he serves as a Vice President at the First Affiliated Hospitals of Soochow University and is a Distinguished Professor at the University of Rome Tor Vergata. He is an immunologist and stem cell biologist who has made noticeable contributions. Notably, he discovered the crucial role and mechanisms of activation-induced cell death in T cells. By integrating his expertise in immunology and stem cell biology, he has pioneered the convergence of these disciplines, leading to groundbreaking advancements in understanding immune homeostasis maintenance and the molecular processes governing inflammation-controlled tissue regeneration. Yufang Shi's research has highlighted the importance of the immune function and regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in preserving tissue and organ functionality. He introduced the concept of "stem cell empowerment" for tissue repair, laying a solid scientific groundwork for the clinical application of stem cells. His scholarly endeavors have expanded the horizons of immunology and stem cell biology, enriching our understanding of organism function. Keywords: mesenchymal stem cells, wound healing, thymus

Michele Vendruscolo, PhD, University of Cambridge, UK
Michele Vendruscolo is Professor of Biophysics, Director of the Chemistry of Health Laboratory and Co-Director of the Centre for Misfolding Diseases at the Department of Chemistry of the University of Cambridge, where he moved over 20 years ago. His work is aimed at establishing the fundamental principles of protein homeostasis and protein aggregation, and at exploiting these principles to develop methods for drug discovery in neurodegenerative diseases. He has published over 500 scientific papers and 20 patents, and given over 500 invited lectures at international meetings. He has been founder and chief scientific officer of Wren Therapeutics (now WaveBreak Therapeutics). Key words: Biophysics, molecular biology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, drug discovery

Boris Zhivotovsky, PhD, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
Boris Zhivotovsky is a professor of toxicology at the Institute of the Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet. He is a member of the European Academy. For the past 14 years, he has been a professor and head of the Laboratory of investigation of apoptosis mechanisms at the Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University. His research interests focus on investigation of the mechanisms of various types of cell death and their interaction due to the importance of this interaction in overcoming the resistance of tumor cells to therapy. Key words: cell death, tumor resistance, lung adenocarcinoma, ovarian carcinoma

Robert Zorec, PhD, DSc, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Robert Zorec is Professor of Pathophysiology at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, a Member of Academia Europaea (London), Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (est. 1693 as Academia Operosorum), The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and has been a Member of the Committee for Advanced Therapies at the European Medicine’s Agency (London), 2009-2013. His primary research focuses on the mechanisms of vesicle trafficking in pituitary cells, plant cells, hepatocytes, adipocytes, taste cells, neurons, and glia. His work has unveiled the nature of these universal mechanisms, which are fundamental to the evolutionary development of eukaryotic cells. In 2000 established the Cell Engineering Lab at Celica BIOMEDICAL (becoming Director in 2006), a concessionaire for research funded by the government of Slovenia. Based on membrane fusion experiments, his lab has developed autologous advanced cell-based medicines (electrofused autologous dendritic and tumor cells, i.e.HybriCure® technology for immunohybridoma-based immunotherapy), clinically tested (EudraCT # 2012-005498-29) in castration resistant prostate cancer patients with encouraging results.