Regulation of iron metabolism
Antonella Nai

Email: nai.antonella@hsr.it
Location: DIBIT1 A3, Floor 4, Room 83
Group Leader, Regulation of iron metabolism
I am group leader of the “Regulation of Iron Metabolism Unit” within the Division of Genetics and Cell Biology in IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele since 2020. I had my degree with laude in Molecular Biotechnology in 2007 and my PhD in Medicine and Experimental Therapy in 2013 from the University of Turin (Italy). I have been trained by Clara Camaschella for several years, acquiring a strong expertise in genetics and biology of iron homeostasis, with a special focus on the iron-erythropoiesis crosstalk and its targeting for therapeutic purposes.
Among my achievements, especially relevant are the demonstration that the deletion of the serine protease Tmprss6, increasing hepcidin levels and limiting iron absorption, significantly improves anemia and erythropoiesis in β-thalassemia mice, and the characterization of the erythroid function of Transferrin Receptor 2 as a negative regulator of erythropoiesis and a promising therapeutic target for anemia of genetic and acquired etiology.
Over the years, I received financial support for my research from several national and international granting agency: the European Hematology Association, the US Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, the US National Blood Foundation, the American Society of Hematology, the Cariplo Foundation, the Italian Ministry of Health (including a PNNR grant) and the Telethon Foundation. I have also been awarded an industrial research grant from Celgene (a Bristol-Myers Squibb company).
2013 PhD in Medicine and Experimental Therapy, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
2007 MSc in Molecular Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
2005 BSc in Biotechnology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
2020-present Group Leader, Regulation of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
2015-present Tutor of the course “Tecniche Sperimentali Molecolari – 1 parte” – Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology Research in Medicine, Faculty of Medicine - Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (Milan, Italy)
2013-2020 post-doc, Regulation of Iron Metabolism Unit, Division of Genetics and Cell Biology, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
2007-2013 PhD student, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
Member of the Italian Society of Hematology, the European Hematology Association, the American Society of Hematology, the European Iron Club, the BioIron Society and the New York Academy of Sciences
YoungEHA Best Abstract Award, European Hematology Association Congress 2018
ASH-SIE abstract achievement award, American Society of Hematology Meeting 2017
Best Oral Presentation Award, BioIron Meeting 2017
“Under40 in Hematology” Award 2013
Best Oral Presentation Award, European Iron Club Meeting 2011
Best Poster Award, European Iron Club Meeting 2008
“Premio Optime 2008” of the Industrial Association of Turin for the best graduate students of 2006/2007 academic year