StaffMorena Gabriele


Informations



E-mail
gabriele@ibba.cnr.it

Phone
+39 0506212752

Office
Pisa

Research area
BIOTEC, QUALY


ORCID: 0000-0002-9456-6755
Google Scholar: Profile
Research Gate: Morena Gabriele
Scopus Author ID: 56386992900
WoS Researcher ID: L-1631-2018
Linkedin: Morena Gabriele

Gabriele Morena

Researcher

Education

2012-2016: PhD degree in Clinical Physiopathology, University of Pisa, Italy.

2011: Admitted to the profession of Biologist, University of Pisa, Italy.

2008-2011: Master’s degree in General Physiopathology, University of Pisa, Italy, 110/110 cum laude.

2005-2008: Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, University of Pisa, Italy, 110/110 cum laude

Professional experience

2019-Now: Permanent researcher at National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Biology and Agricultural Biotechnology (IBBA), Pisa, Italy.

2018-2021: Qualification an expert on Applied Nutraceuticals (BIO/14) for Human Nutrition Sciences degree, Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa. Resolution n. 862 of 18/07/2018.

2012-2019: Research Fellow at IBBA-CNR, Pisa, Italy.

2012: Internship post-graduation at IBBA-CNR, Pisa, Italy.

2011: Internship post-graduation at Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Metabolic Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy.

2010-2011: Internship master’s degree at Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Metabolic Unit, Pisa University Hospital, Italy.

2008: Internship bachelor’s degree at Department of Cellular Biology, University of Pisa, Italy.

Research interests

  • Analysis of bioactive compounds and evaluation of the antioxidant power of nutraceuticals, functional and fermented foods, in vitro and ex vivo on human erythrocytes, by spectrophotometric, fluorimetric and HPLC analysis.
  • Bio-functional analysis and identification of natural extracts/compounds with inhibitory activity on enzymes involved in diabetes and hypertension.
  • Evaluation of in vitro digestion effects on the phytochemical profile and the biological activity of fermented foods (sourdough fermentation) by comparative pre and post-treatment analyses.
  • Study of the nutraceutical properties of natural compounds, before and after gastrointestinal digestion, in mammalian cell systems under physiological conditions and oxidative stress, inflammation, or stress of the endoplasmic reticulum experimentally induced.
  • Analysis of the gene and protein expression profile of target factors and study of the intracellular pathways involved by means of molecular biology, biochemistry, optical and fluorescence microscopy techniques.

Projects in progress

PRIMA-Functionalized Tomato Products (FunTomP)
Start date: 01/05/2021   End date: 30/04/2025

European Union

Pisa   Website

Laura Pucci

Project duration:
01/05/2021 - 30/04/2025
Financing body:
European Union
Project research leader:
Laura Pucci
Headquarters:
Pisa
Project website:
Website

PRIMA-Functionalized Tomato Products (FunTomP)


FunTomP aims to formulate new functional foods based on Mediterranean tomato added with proteins extracted from sugar beet leaves, a waste product, and olive powder. Environmentally friendly processing technologies will be applied; they will have a minimal impact on nutrients evaluated in terms of effects on microbial load and nutritional quality than conventional methods. Green technologies such as supercritical fluid extraction, ultrasound techniques and high voltage electrical discharges will be used for the extraction of bioactive compounds from tomato and beet waste. Advanced techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance, will be employed for the quality control of the developed products. Thanks to an in vitro and in vivo study it will be verify the health effect of the products obtained, paying particular attention to the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor outcomes. FunTomP will make it possible to produce juices, sauces, bars and powder blends with potential health benefits. By involving consumer policy makers, the agricultural industry, producers, consumers and nutritionists in the discussion of the project results, it will be possible to obtain adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and a correct lifestyle at a European level.

Projects completed

Study of drug metabolism enzymes
Start date: 01/01/2015   End date: 31/03/2020

Chiesi Farmaceutici Spa

Pisa
Vincenzo Longo

Project duration:
01/01/2015 - 31/03/2020
Financing body:
Chiesi Farmaceutici Spa
Project research leader:
Vincenzo Longo
Headquarters:
Pisa

Study of drug metabolism enzymes


In the cellular fractions (cytosol and microsomes) of the human lung, the carboxyesterase enzymes 1 and 2 (CES1 and CES2) were studied using p-nitrophenylacetate (substrate for CES1> CES2), 4-methylumbelliferylacetate (substrate with prevalence for CES2) ) and fluorescein diacetate (substrate for CES2). In addition to catalytic activity, gene expression has been studied. Furthermore, arylacetamide deethylase was studied in terms of transcript, protein and enzymatic activity evaluated as hydrolysis activity of phenacetin. All the enzymes studied show a variability between individuals. The results obtained by us add important information on lung enzymes and it could be interesting to study their modulation by substances of plant. The study will continue on other drug metabolism enzymes and their modulation.

Nutraceutical evaluations of Kavolì subjected to a freeze-drying process
Start date: 01/03/2015   End date: 28/02/2016

Consorzio Freschissimi

Pisa
Laura Pucci

Project duration:
01/03/2015 - 28/02/2016
Financing body:
Consorzio Freschissimi
Project research leader:
Laura Pucci
Headquarters:
Pisa

Nutraceutical evaluations of Kavolì subjected to a freeze-drying process


The aim of the project was to evaluate the nutraceutical properties of a new brassicacea, called Kavolì, produced by the Freschissimi consortium through in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo The freeze-dried Kavolì showed a good content of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity in vitro and ex vivo. Indeed, appreciable amounts of glucosinolates and an excellent phenolic content, characterized by high levels of chlorogenic acid, were found in the aqueous extract; a good antioxidant and antihemolytic activity was observed on human erythrocytes exposed to oxidative insult.

Furthermore, the protective action against hepatic steatosis was evident in rats fed a hyperlipidic diet associated with a streptozotocin injection. The rats treated with the aqueous Kavolì extract showed a lower hepatic lipid content than the control, the group of hyperlipidemic rats.

Nutratoscafrica
Start date: 22/05/2015   End date: 21/12/2017

Regione Toscana

Pisa
Vincenzo Longo

Project duration:
22/05/2015 - 21/12/2017
Financing body:
Regione Toscana
Project research leader:
Vincenzo Longo
Headquarters:
Pisa

Nutratoscafrica


The project had as its objective the development and characterization of the foods from vegetable origin with high nutraceutical properties starting from agri-food products of the Tuscan and Sub-Saharan African tradition. Food fermentation is the oldest method of preserving food which improves palatability, digestibility and nutrition value. Starting from the experience acquired with Lisosan G, a biological wheat produced in Maremma obtained by a particular  lysis and fermentation process with microorganisms of bran and wheat germ, new fermented foods have been developed with high nutraceutical value and with potential prebiotic effect.
NUTR-AGE: Nutrition, Diet and Active Aging
Start date: 01/01/2019   End date: 31/12/2021

MUR

Milano, Pisa, Roma   Website

Laura Pucci

Project duration:
01/01/2019 - 31/12/2021
Financing body:
MUR
Project research leader:
Laura Pucci
Headquarters:
Milano, Pisa, Roma
Project website:
Website

NUTR-AGE: Nutrition, Diet and Active Aging


The aim of the project is to evaluate the impact of new functional foods and bioactive compounds on human health, with particular interest in the prevention of the main neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases linked to population aging. Thanks to the integrated approach of different scientific skills it was possible:

1. to select the bioactive compounds present in the different food matrices (including the by-products of the agri-food industry);

2. to identify the richer fractions in the greatest interest products to obtain bio-fortified, functional and pre-pro-post-biotic foods;

3. to study their protective effects through in vitro studies and on animal models;

4. to preserve the biological activities during the processing phases and cooking;

5. to verify their bioavailability and regulation role on the intestinal microbiota.

Identification and characterization of paraoxonases in ten human lung samples and analysis of the modulation of enzymes involved in drug metabolism in A549 cells exposed to inflammatory insults
Start date: 29/05/2020   End date: 30/09/2022

Chiesi Farmaceutici Spa

Pisa
Morena Gabriele, Vincenzo Longo

Project duration:
29/05/2020 - 30/09/2022
Financing body:
Chiesi Farmaceutici Spa
Project research leader:
Morena Gabriele, Vincenzo Longo
Headquarters:
Pisa

Identification and characterization of paraoxonases in ten human lung samples and analysis of the modulation of enzymes involved in drug metabolism in A549 cells exposed to inflammatory insults


The human paraoxonase family includes three enzymes (PON1, PON2, and PON3) Ca2+ -dependent with lactonase activity capable of hydrolyzing and inactivating the quorum-sensing microbial factors (N-acyl-homoserine-lactones) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All three enzymes modulate and are differently regulated under oxidative stress and inflammation conditions. Furthermore, paraoxonases are modulated by diet and lifestyle.

This project aims to characterize the expression levels, enzymatic activity, and modulation of paraoxonases (PON1, PON2, and PON3) in human lung tissues and the A549 cell line. A better understanding of lung metabolic activity is useful for studying toxicity induced by xenobiotics, allergens, and/or inhaled or dietary food compounds. At the same time, the expression and modulation (induction and inhibition) of genes involved in drug metabolism in A549 cells, both at the basal condition and after exposure to inflammatory insult, underlying many chronic lung diseases, will be evaluated.

BILATERAL EGYPT - Screening, purification and identification of trypsin inhibitors from some legume seeds and evaluation of their biological activities
Start date: 17/01/2022   End date: 31/12/2023

CNR

Pisa
Morena Gabriele

Project duration:
17/01/2022 - 31/12/2023
Financing body:
CNR
Project research leader:
Morena Gabriele
Headquarters:
Pisa

BILATERAL EGYPT - Screening, purification and identification of trypsin inhibitors from some legume seeds and evaluation of their biological activities


The project is part of a bilateral CNR/ASRT agreement and aims to isolate and characterize peptides or proteins as proteases inhibitors (IPs) from seeds of different leguminous plants and evaluate their biological effects on different cell systems. In recent years, new biological activities of plant IPs have been reported, including antimicrobial, anticoagulant, antioxidant and antitumor effects, suggesting possible applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. In particular, trypsin inhibitors from different legumes will be purified, characterized, and tested for their cytotoxic activity on different tumor cell lines and their antimicrobial properties on different bacterial strains. The proposals involve an in-depth investigation at the molecular and proteomic levels that may provide useful information for future investment in the use of these proteins, which could have therapeutic applications in both bacterial infections and cancer.

Istituto

Search website