My lab studies calcium homeostasis and mitochondria involvement in different physio-pathological processes. The main research lines are:
i) Mitochondrial dysfunctions and diseases.
ii) Onco-regulators at the mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs)
iii) Molecular identity of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore

We study adhesion-generated signaling pathways and their impact on the pathophysiology of higher order processes such as cell proliferation, migration and survival. Signals originating from adhesive interactions act as a "sense of touch" in metazoans. As such, these signals are variably de-regulated human disorders including chronic inflammatory diseases and the early stages of cancer.

1. Molecular mechanisms of cellular transformation, with particular emphasis to signal transduction and signal attenuation by growth factor receptors under normal and neoplastic conditions, and in stem cells.
2. Translating the knowledge in basic molecular oncology into clinical tools for the amelioration of cancer patient management.

Signal transduction in cell-matrix interaction in the control of cell proliferation and survival and, more recently, in the control of heart hypertrophy.

For the last 25 years his main scientific interest has been the control of Ca2+ and other second messenger homeostasis in living cells. In this field he has contributed a few important methodological improvements, from the intracellularly trappable fluorescent Ca2+ indicators to the recombinant targeted aequorins to the genetically encoded cAMP probes.

The research activity of the group is focused on the development of skeletal muscles, the cell populations that contribute to muscle histogenesis and regeneration and on the use a class of muscle progenitors, the mesoangioblasts for cell therapy protocols for muscular dystrophies.

Biosynthesis and assembly in the ER of transmembrane proteins, post-translational modifications of proteins along the secretory pathway, protein trafficking between ER and Golgi complex. Currently his work is focused on the molecular mechanisms that determine protein localization and the homeostasis of the compartments along the secretory pathway.

Prof. Guidotti’s main research interests are: hormonal and adaptive regulation of transmembrane transport of amino acids in eukaryotes; mechanisms and regulation of protein synthesis in cell-free ribosomal systems; mechanisms and control of apoptosis in tumor cells.

Professor Cancedda has spent most of his professional career in studying and developing methods of tissue reconstruction using stem cells, biomaterials and active biomolecules such as growth factors and angiogenic molecules and is considered in academic circles as one of the forefathers of tissue engineering.

Giovanni Giudice pioneered the field of developmental biology using the Sea Urchin as a model organism. His landmark contributions include the discovery of long term storage of mRNA in eukaryotic cells, the biogenesis and processing of rRNA and tRNA and early studies on the determinants of cellular aggregation during embryogenesis.

Pharmacology and cell biology of the neuron. Prof. Clementi's most important researches are focused on the function of the voltage-gated calcium channels and their role in autoimmune diseases and lung cancer. Forerunner of modern regenerative medicine, Prof. Clementi studied the ganglion and muscle reinnervation emphasizing the clinical applications and their morphological and functional plasticity.