Extracellular Microenvironment

Extracellular Microenvironment

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Group leader

Massimo Alfano

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The focus of the research team is on the role that the extracellular microenvironments play on the onset and progression of urological diseases, such as bladder cancer and male infertility.

 

Research activity

From a perspective point of view, the identification of changes that occur in the biochemical, physical and 3D ultrastructural characteristics of the extracellular matrix associated with diseased tissues will support the identification of new extracellular targets for the delivery of more targeted interventions, as well as the identification of upstream paths to design innovative therapeutic strategies.

In the same way, the characterization of the microbiome associated with the tissues represents the second microenvironment studied, which will allow to identify therapeutic strategies for the engagement of prebiotic and / or probiotic therapies in pathological conditions.

The group has a strong translational focus and collaborates with several national and international researchers with different scientific skills to achieve an integrated vision of the disease. The scientific research of the group is supported by peer-reviewed competitive grants and industrial sponsors: