PM is a researcher specializing in the field of molecular biology, with a particular focus on tuberculosis (TB). He obtained his MSc in Molecular Biology of the Cell from the University of Milan in 2006, where his thesis concentrated on the rapid molecular detection of drug resistance in M. tuberculosis (TB). Subsequently, he pursued his PhD in Medical Biotechnology at the University of Siena, delving deeper into TB pathogenesis and drug resistance mechanisms.

PM interest in drug resistance genetics in M. tuberculosis led to study novel mechanisms underlying resistance to anti-tubercular drugs, as well as at developing standard methods to correlate genotype and phenotype. With a keen emphasis on translation, his work aims to enhance TB diagnostics and surveillance, particularly in resource-limited settings. Currently, PM's research considers the characterization of small RNAs in M. tuberculosis to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying the development of drug-resistant phenotypes and host-pathogen interactions. As part of the team at the WHO Supranational Reference Laboratory for TB Control, PM is engaged in training and technical support to TB laboratories in high burden countries. PM's contributions to the field have been recognized with the ESCMID Young Investigator Award in 2020 and the Gertrud Meissner Award from the European Society for Mycobacteriology in 2014.

Brief Introduction

PM research focuses on the elucidation of mutations associated with drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis to support the development of assays that could offer quick identification of resistant cases while being user-friendly. Pursuing to explore the multifaceted landscape of TB, the investigation of novel bacterial- and host-based biomarkers to enhance diagnostic accuracy and personalized medicine in the TB field are part of the research activities. Beyond diagnosis, PM research’s interests concern the characterization of host-pathogen interactions.

Research activity

• Investigation of the determinants of drug resistance at genomic level and the correlation between specific SNPs in relevant genes and an increase in the phenotypic resistance by quantitative methods
• Investigation of novel bacterial- and host-based biomarkers for diagnosis
• Investigation of the pathogen’s associated determinants of drug resistance and pathogenicity with a focus on the role of non-coding genomic regions
• Investigation of host-pathogen interactions in in vitro/ex vivo models (human macrophages) considering lineage-specific features of M. tuberculosis

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