Research and training activities

The Ph.D. offers the opportunity to conduct scientific research on multiple topics within Immunology and related disciplines. Here are the main research interests:

  • Differentiation and characterization of "Innate Lymphoid Cells" (ILCs)
  • Analysis of cellular and molecular interactions between NK cells, tumor cells and components of the tumor microenvironment
  • Tumor markers and tumor 'escape' mechanisms to NK-mediated immunosurveillance
  • NK cells as effectors in anticancer therapy toward hematopoietic and solid tumors
  • Immune checkpoints in human NK cells and other subpopulations of ILCs and their role in cancer immunotherapies
  • Regulation of miRNA-mediated NK receptor expression, miRNA expression profiles, and proteomics in NK cell subpopulations
  • Role of cytomegalic infection in NK cell differentiation and induction of adaptive features
  • Small molecules derived from marine organisms to modulate immune responses
  • Analysis of mechanisms underlying immune dysregulation in diseases
  • Identification and molecular/functional analysis of immunomodulatory agents
  • Functional characterization of novel regulatory cell subtypes and analysis of their pathogenetic role in autoimmune, neoplastic, and infectious diseases
  • Mechanisms of NK cell dysregulation during acute and chronic viral infection and immunotherapy
  • Characterization of common inflammatory lymphocyte precursors and their lymphoid progenies during infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases
  • Analysis of tumor-associated antigen-specific immune responses in subjects with neoplasms
  • Evaluation of ImmunoEndocrinological Networks in Rheumatologic Autoimmune Diseases
  • Analysis and modulation of macrophage polarization (M1/M2) in autoimmune connective tissues
  • Epigenetic mechanisms of immunomodulation of pregnancy in rheumatologic connectivitis
  • Generation of therapeutic vaccines and biological agents for the treatment of neoplastic or autoimmune diseases
  • Analysis of gene polymorphisms potentially involved in the genesis of autoimmune or neoplastic diseases