Development and Optimization of a Luminescence-Based Assay to Evaluate Serum Bactericidal Activity Against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Human neural stem cell drug product, culturing and characterization of cell lines for treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

For several years, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) have been a focus of research, with recent attention to their potential as a cellular treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. The works of Weiss and Reynolds in the 1990s established methods for in vitro cultivation of hNSCs from neural tissue biopsies taken from the subventricular zone (SVZ). Subsequent characterization and development of appropriate potency and safety tests have paved the way for clinical trials exploring the use of thes...

Validation of an mRNA vaccine platform expressing eGFP and development of a recombinant Streptococcus gordonii as live vaccine vector

Thesis project involved the development of an mRNA and a recombinant Streptococcus gordonii vaccine model. The mRNA vaccine was produced starting from the design of a DNA plasmid template encoding for the enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (eGFP) (Chapter 2). The mRNA was transcribed, modified and complexed with a delivery system. The vaccine complex obtained was evaluated for the transfection efficiency and the protein expression in two mammalian cell lines: HeLa cells and C2C12 cells. The e...

Impact of Streptococcus pyogenes prophage Φ1207.3 on bacterial host response to stress conditions

The SOS response is an inducible system activated by some bacterial species in the presence of stressful conditions and extensive DNA damage. Streptococci lack a canonical SOS response, but an SOS-like response was reported in some species. The mef(A)-msr(D)-carrying prophage Ф1207.3 of Streptococcus pyogenes contains a DNA region, spanning from orf6 to orf11, showing homology to characterized streptococcal SOS-like cassettes. In the present thesis, the impact of prophage Φ1207.3 SOS-like cas...

Detection of natural and synthetic anthropogenic fibers, plastics, and phthalates in Mediterranean marine organisms and environment

This PhD project aimed to investigate different types of anthropogenic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea, specifically focusing on anthropogenic particles (APs) and Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs). The study included both plastic (PL) and non-plastic (N-PL) particles, with a particular focus on a category of particles that are still understudied: fibers. Fibers are indeed the most common category of APs found in the environment and marine organisms, but they are difficult to sample and analyze. ...

Development and validation of an mRNA vaccine platform expressing the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein or the enhanced green fluorescent protein.

In this thesis the development of an mRNA vaccine platform and its validation are described. The possibilities offered by mRNA vaccines platform are promising, due to their versatility, efficacy and rapid production. In Chapter 3 the production of an mRNA vaccine encoding as an antigen the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of the spike protein is described. mRNA was in vitro transcribed from a DNA template containing all the essential elements for the production of synthetic mRNA, and ...

Audiological characterization of X-linked mouse model

Alport Syndrome (AS) is a group of hereditary diseases caused by mutations in COL4A3, COL4A4, COL4A5 genes, these codify for polypeptidic chains of collagen type IV (respectively alpha3. alpha 4. alpha 5- a345), this network results the major collagenous constituent of the mature mammalian basement membrane (BM) of kidney (renal glomerulus), inner ear and eye. The molecular defect includes the synthesis, assembly, deposition, or function of the alpha3. alpha 4. alpha 5. The diagnosis of AS ...

Impact of digital dentistry in daily prosthodontics

The goal of this Ph D thesis was to evaluate the impact of new digital technologies in the field of prosthodontics and to assess the advantages and disadvantages of them through in vivo and in vitro studies to implement their use in everyday practice. Firstly, in vitro studies for fixed and removable prosthodontics were conducted to test the devices and materials in laboratory without variables and potential confounding factors present in whole organisms and to evaluate parameters before tes...

Drought and the olive tree in a changing climate: a multi-level response characterisation to explore and valorise Italian cultivars

The Mediterranean climate faces significant warming and reduced rainfall due to climate change. This will make droughts more frequent and severe, affecting agriculture. Higher temperatures can damage crops while lower rainfall increases the need for irrigation. Despite that irrigation has sustained agriculture in arid regions, competition for water is increasing. To adapt to current challenges, improvements in irrigation practices, adoption of agro-ecological techniques and use of drought-tol...