Our Collaborators
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Prof. Giovanni Camussi MD PhD
Prof. Camussi, Emeritus Professor at the University of Turin, has held prestigious positions, including Full Professor of Nephrology at the Universities of Turin, Pavia, and Naples and Adjunct Professor of Medicine at Brown University.
He has led multiple research laboratories focused on stem cells, renal immunopathology, and vascular biology, with a research focus on inflammation, organ injury, angiogenesis, and extracellular vesicles for therapeutic applications. As Principal Investigator, he has directed major national and international research programs funded by MIUR, CNR, AIRC, the European Commission, and NIH. He has served as a referee for top research agencies and as an editorial board member and reviewer for leading journals, including Nature Medicine, Blood, and the Journal of Immunology. With over 500 publications, his work has significantly advanced nephrology, immunology, and regenerative medicine.
He is also co-founder and scientific advisor of EvoBiotech, developing plant-derived extracellular vesicle-based therapies to improve treatment accessibility for patients and caregivers.
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Dr. Valentina Fonsato PhD
Dr. Valentina Fonsato obtained her degree in Biological Sciences in 2003. In the same year, she began her scientific career in the research laboratory directed by Prof. Camussi, focusing on basic and translational research in the field of oncology. In 2006, she earned her PhD and, during the same period, began working on stem cells, with a particular interest in Human Liver Stem Cells (HLSCs). Her involvement in translational scientific research in liver stem cells has continued in both regenerative medicine and oncology, leading to several scientific publications and four patents.
In 2012, Dr. Fonsato obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pathology, supported by a thesis demonstrating the anti-tumor potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from HLSCs. In 2014, she joined the Cell Factory at "Università degli Studi di Torino" as Production Director. Under her leadership, the facility obtained AIFA approval in 2017 for the production of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), specifically for liver stem cell production for clinical trials.
In 2018, she became a Qualified Person and took on Quality Assurance responsibilities within the facility, working to expand the portfolio of clinical trials utilizing stem cells and EVs as novel ATMPs. In 2022, she completed a Level II Master’s Program in “Tecnologie Farmaceutiche e Attività Regolatorie.” In 2024, she achieved approval for Gene Therapy ATMPs manufacturing and release for the facility.
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Prof. Maria Felice Brizzi MD PhD
Maria Felice Brizzi, MD, PhD, is a Full Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Turin, with extensive expertise in angiogenesis, diabetes, oncology, and extracellular vesicles. She has led research on inflammatory and tumor angiogenesis, stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles, and their therapeutic applications. Her work has contributed to identifying novel targets for metabolic, hematologic, and neoplastic diseases.
Prof. Brizzi has been Principal Investigator for several prestigious research programs funded by AIRC, NIH, and the European Commission. She has collaborated internationally, served as a referee for top research agencies, and held leadership roles in medical education and scientific committees. With over 55 publications and a strong record in translational medicine, her contributions have significantly advanced regenerative and vascular biology.
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Prof. Romagnoli
Dr. Renato Romagnoli is a distinguished Italian surgeon specializing in general surgery, with a particular focus on hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, as well as liver transplantation. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing surgical techniques and improving patient outcomes in these complex fields.
As Director of General Surgery and Regional Programs for Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Dr. Romagnoli has overseen more than 5,000 surgical procedures, primarily involving high- and medium-high complexity digestive and transplant surgeries. His experience includes over 1,500 organ transplants in both adult and pediatric patients, 36 split-liver procedures, and more than 300 esophageal resections.
His research focuses on Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion to reduce tumor recurrence in liver transplant patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, developing innovative allocation strategies to optimize liver transplant outcomes, and studying intrinsic protective mechanisms in both steatotic and non-steatotic livers. Additionally, he served as a co-investigator in a Phase I clinical trial exploring the use of human liver stem cells in neonates with hyperammonemia and encephalopathy caused by genetic metabolic disorders.
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Prof. Marco Spada MD PhD
Dr. Marco Spada is an Italian pediatrician and academic with extensive expertise in pediatric care and research. He is the Director of the Pediatric Unit at Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, based at Ospedale Infantile Regina Margherita in Turin, Italy. In addition to his clinical leadership, he serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health and Pediatrics at the University of Turin, where he plays a key role in educating and training future medical professionals.
His clinical focus spans a broad range of pediatric conditions, including acute and chronic illnesses in infants and young children, lipid disorders, and cardiovascular prevention. He is also recognized as a leading expert in congenital portosystemic shunts. Notably, he coordinated the first human pivotal Phase I clinical trial (HLSC 01–11, EudraCT-No. 2012–002120-33) investigating the use of heterologous Human Liver Stem Cells (HLSCs) in newborns and infants with inherited urea cycle disorders and other metabolic diseases with acute neonatal onset.
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Prof. Jameel Inal PhD
Professor Inal holds a BSc in Microbiology from King's College London and an MPhil in Virology. He earned his PhD at Porton Down (now part of Public Health England), specializing in vaccine research and gaining expertise in public health microbiology and genetic manipulation.
He conducted postdoctoral research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the MRC Immunochemistry Unit at Oxford, and later became a Senior Research Fellow at the University Hospital Basel. From 2007 to 2017, he was a Professor of Immunology at London Metropolitan University, where he founded the Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research Centre. He then served as Professor of Biomedical Science and Associate Dean of Research at the University of Hertfordshire before returning to London Met in 2020 as Professor of Immunobiology.
His research explores extracellular vesicles and intercellular communication in disease mechanisms, aiming to develop translational solutions for infectious diseases and cancer. His lab includes six PhD students and a postdoctoral researcher.
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Prof. Sigrun Lange PhD
As Professor of Molecular Pathobiology, Prof. Sigrun Lange, PhD leads a cross-disciplinary research program in Experimental Pathology and Pathobiology, focusing on Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs). Her research explores novel mechanisms driving immune system evolution and fundamental physiological and pathobiological processes.
Utilizing in vitro human models, in silico analysis, and in vivo comparative animal models across the phylogenetic tree, her work investigates species with unique immune and metabolic traits, such as cancer resistance, aging, and hypoxia tolerance. Her research also extends to neurodegenerative diseases, tissue regeneration, host-pathogen interactions, zoonotic diseases, and COVID-19. These studies aim to uncover key aspects of immune system evolution, inform human pathologies, guide therapeutic strategies, and advance biomarker discovery in human and animal health.
She collaborates closely with academic, clinical, and industry partners across the UK, USA, Canada, South America, and Europe.
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Dr Cinzia Chinnici
Dr. Cinzia began her scientific career with a Ph.D. in Animal Biology from the University of Palermo in 2003. She then spent three years as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Pennsylvania before returning to Italy in 2006 as an Associate Researcher at IRCCS ISMETT. She joined Fondazione Ri.MED in 2008, progressing from Associate Researcher to Senior Scientist. Her work initially focused on cellular therapies for organ function restoration, including human fetal liver cell transplantation for cirrhotic patients. More recently, she has shifted towards developing cell-free therapies using secretome and extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stromal cells. Since 2022, she has led the Cell Therapy group as Principal Investigator.
Her research focuses on optimizing cell-free therapy using polymer-based delivery systems. She has developed a hydrogel sponge integrated with mesenchymal stromal cell secretome for chronic skin wound treatment, showing promising results in a diabetic foot ulcer model. Additionally, she is working on extracellular vesicle/microRNA-based treatments for chronic liver diseases like NASH (HALIFIB project).
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Prof. Elena Grossini
Prof. Elena Grossini is an Associate Professor of Physiology at the University of East Piedmont "A. Avogadro," where she has been actively engaged in teaching and research. She holds a degree in Medicine (magna cum laude) from the University of Turin and a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine. Her research focuses on cardiovascular physiology, ischemic tissue protection, and the role of hormones in vascular function.
She has led numerous studies investigating endothelial function, nitric oxide pathways, and the effects of various hormones on cardiac and vascular health. Prof. Grossini has received multiple research grants, including funding from Regione Piemonte and international pharmaceutical companies. She has published over 100 scientific papers and serves as a reviewer and editorial board member for several prestigious journals.
Her recent work explores oxidative stress, endothelial protection, and translational approaches for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. She also collaborates extensively with academic and clinical institutions in Europe and beyond.