Piccialli Gennaro

Biography

1982 (November) Winner of a biennial scholarship banned from the IEN with research activity in the Department of Organic and Biological Chemistry (University of Naples) on the synthesis of oligonucleotides. 1988 (February) PhD in Chemistry 1990 University Researcher 1993 University Researcher Confirmed. Professor of Organic Chemistry in Chemical Engineering (University of Salerno), 1993-94; 1994 Lecturer in Organic Chemistry Laboratory III Course (degree in Chemistry, University of Naples Federico II), 1994-95; 1995-1998 Professor of Organic Chemistry (University of Molise), 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98; 1998 Winner of a 2nd place professor in Organic Chemistry, CHIM / 06; 1998-2001 Professor of the fascia at the University of Molise Faculty of Science, Organic Chemistry Teaching in the Degree Course in Environmental Science; 2001. Professor of Role II Phase (CHIM06) at the University of Naples, Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences, Chemistry II (Organic Chemistry) in Biotechnology for Health; 2002 Teacher of Design Teaching and synthesis of biomolecules. Specialization Degree in Biotechnology of the Pharmacy, Faculty of Biotechnology (University of Naples Federico II). 2003 Appropriate for a Ph.D. Professor Competition (CHIM / 06) 2006 to present Professor of Organic Chemistry (CHIM / 06) at the Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy

Research Interest

Helix Quad-Core Structures (G-Quadruplex): Possible candidates for basic structure drugs for supramolecular constructions. G-quadruplex complexes such as specific protein ligands (aptamers) Rich guanine-rich oligonucleotides, capable of forming quadruplex helix DNA structures (G-quadruplex), are a class of molecules with increasing pharmacological interest in their involvement in regulating gene expression for their presence in regions promoters of numerous oncogenes and modulating the activity of numerous proteins. In relation to this last aspect, it has been found that some G-quadruplex structures, defined as aptamers, have a high recognition and binding capacity with some biologically important proteins (eg thrombin, integrase and gp-120 protein of the HIV virus -1 and others). In particular, research in this field is geared towards the structural design and synthesis of modified G-quadruplex optimum forming oligonucleotides for recognition and "binding" with viral protein (HIV) gp-120 Research is aimed at producing new molecules G-quadruplex structure capable of modulating protecting cells from viral infection by HIV viruses. In this area, the research of the group of prof. Piccialli has already produced new G-quadruplex structures with high antiviral activity. G-guadruplex complexes as a structural unit for supramolecular constructions: A further interest in the G-quadruplex DNA structures is that they can be used as a basic unit for the construction of supramolecular structures of various uses in nanotechnologies. A G-quadruplex structure, which can be formed by one, two or four "G-rich oligonucleotides" according to precise and defined assembly rules. A G-quadruplex complex can then multiply by 5 'or 3'-stacking by producing highly ordered supramolecular structures formed by multiple G-quadruplex units. In this field the research of the group of prof. Piccialli is aimed at the definition of oligonucleotides that form the G-quadruplex structures with better capacity for controlled mutation. Synthesis of peptidone-like peptide-like peptide (PNA) oligonucleotides for the control of gene expression Peptide-Nucleic Acids (PNAs) are DNA mimetics that have important applications as exogenous gene expression regulators. In the PNA, the sugar-phosphate skeleton is replaced by a pseudo-peptide structure formed by units of N- (2-aminoethyl) glycine. These molecules have greater affinity for complementary sequences of DNA or RNA. A lot of work has indicated PNAs as efficient and selective inhibitors of gene expression by various mechanisms: antigen (genomic DNA target), antisense (mRNA target) and anti miRNA and others. The research of the group of Prof Piccialli is aimed at the design and synthesis of appropriate PNA sequences containing structural modifications and conjugations aimed at improving cell penetration and target nucleic acid recognition Synthesis of new antiviral and antineoplastic molecules having nucleic and nucleotide structure. Many nucleosides and similar nucleotides show a broad spectrum of biological activity such as antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, and antiparasitic essentially due to interaction with specific enzymes. Many of these molecules are currently valid drugs in anticancer and antiviral therapies. For example, arabinosilcitidine and 5-azacytidine are used for the treatment of leukemia and 5-ioduridine is used for Herpes Simplex virus infections. We also recall acyclovir an antiviral drug belonging to the class of acyclonucleosides and 3'-thiocytidine (3TC), which inhibits transcriptional viral transcriptase and is used against hepatitis B infections. The aim of this research line is the production of new nucleoside or nucleotide-based molecules linked to the implementation of targeted biological assays that allow to select the most promising molecules for antitumor or antiviral activity. The synthetic methods used can be both "in solution" and "solid phase" type. Specifically, the latter will facilitate the production of libraries-collections of new molecules containing point-shaped structural variations around a nucleoside-nucleotide structure "central" more easily and quickly. The research group directed by prof. Piccialli has a multi-year experience in the field of synthesis of new nucleoside derivatives both in solution and in solid phase, as proved by numerous publications in the field.