Section of Pharmacology and Biosciences "S. Nicosia"

Modern Pharmacology requires interdisciplinary competences, ranging from the study of comparative and human physiopathology to the discover of new disease markers for diagnostics and pharmacological interventions, as well as from the design and synthesis of pharmacologically active molecules and macromolecules to the characterization of their activity, together with the implementation of model systems where to carry out all preclinical ADMET analyses. In line with this need, the Section of Pharmacology and Biosciences complements the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of diseases to the identification and validation of possible disease biomarkers and drug targets, as well as to the personalized delivery and biomolecular characterization of the action of drugs, by innovative biotechnological approaches, for a real and rapid transfer of basic discoveries made in the laboratory to the society.
Several research groups work within the Section, whose research covers the above-mentioned aspects. In particular, the researchers of the section have accumulated significant experience in the study of the involvement of the immune system in the etiopathogenesis of metabolic, cardio- and cerebro-vascular, pulmonary and central nervous system diseases, as well as in the study of biosynthesis and mechanism of action of mediators involved in the inflammatory response and its resolution. In addition, the section studies age-related issues, with particular emphasis on gender aging, and the role of environmental, genetic and epigenetic factors in diseases of the central nervous system. This research is also addressed with the development of innovative cellular and animal models that involve the use of the most modern technologies of molecular analysis and imaging. The ultimate aim of the Section's research is the development of innovative approaches for the study and characterization of new molecules useful in the prevention and treatment of human diseases, including macromolecules such as nucleic acids. To this end, the section supported the entry of Loris Rizzello, winner of an ERC grant, with his ability to develop innovative delivery systems and study the most appropriate drugs to combat infections and the phenomenon of drug resistance.