Contacts:
doralice.giorgini@phd.unipi.it
Supervisor(s):
Prof Sabrina Taliani
PhD project Title:
Mitochondrial targeting approaches for therapeutic and diagnostic applications
Abstract of the PhD project:
Mitochondria are key regulators of cellular homeostasis, acting not only as the primary site of ATP production, but also as hubs for calcium storage, metabolic signaling, apoptosis, and biosynthesis of essential biomolecules1. Consequently, mitochondrial dysfunctions are related with the pathogenesis of a wide range of human diseases, including neurological, cardiovascular, liver and metabolic disorders, renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, and malignancies1. The present PhD project aims to investigate mitochondrial molecular targets involved in the dysregulation of mitochondrial homeostasis under pathological conditions. A primary objective will be the rational design, synthesis, and optimization of small molecules capable of selectively interacting with mitochondrial targets. These compounds will be evaluated as potential therapeutic agents as well as diagnostic probes for monitoring disease progression. Emphasis will be placed on structure-activity relationships, mitochondrial targeting efficiency, and chemical stability. In more advanced stages, the project will explore the development of theranostic small molecules integrating both therapeutic and diagnostic functionalities.
Publications link:
IT_IT 
EN