Renato Fani

Biography

He is Associate Professor of Genetics (since 2002) (SSD Bio / 18 Genetics) at the Department of Biology at the University of Florence. He graduated in Biological Sciences on April 23, 1979 at the University of Florence with a vote of 110 and praised by discussing an experimental thesis titled "Isolation and characterization of mutated Bacillus subtilis mutants in the process of competence", carried out at l 'Institute of Genetics (Rapporteur Prof. M. Polsinelli). In the same year he won a scholarship in Molecular Geneticsof the National Academy of Agriculture and researching as a fellow at the Genetics, Biochemistry and Evolutionary Laboratory of the University of Pavia (January to December 1980). In 1988 he received the Ph.D. in Genetics (Genetics and Molecular Biology) by discussing a final dissertation titled " Azospirillum brasilense nitrogenous bacterium genetics studies"Summary of the research activity carried out during the three-year period 1983-1986 at the aforementioned Genetics Laboratory. From 1986 to 1990 he was Professor of Role of Mathematical, Chemical, Physical and Natural Sciences at the Lower Secondary School. the group of disciplines n.75 of the Faculty of MFN Sciences of the University of Florence. Since 2002 he is Associate Professor of Genetics (SSD Bio / 18) at the same University.

Research Interest

He directs the Microbial and Molecular Evolution Laboratory at the Department of Biology at the University of Florence, whose main research lines are: 1) Molecular Evolution . The research deals with the analysis of molecular mechanisms responsible for the evolution of genes and genomes, with particular attention to the origin and evolution of metabolic pathways using experimental and bioinformatic approaches (genomics, comparative genomics, etc.). 2) Analysis of microbial populations isolated from natural environments.Research in this area concerns the analysis of genetic variability and the mechanisms responsible for microbial communities isolated from natural environments (extremes-Antarctica-and not), but with particular attention to microbial communities producing antibiotics, antivirals, anticancer agents and those capable of degrading xenobiotic substances. 3) Isolation of new natural antibiotics . The research deals with the identification and isolation of new natural antibiotics from bacteria isolated from extreme environments (Antarctica, Artide etc) and officinal plants. 4) Analysis of microbial communities producing electricity.The research in this context focuses on the genetic, phenotypic and genomic characterization of bacteria capable of producing electricity and isolated from natural environments (Ecuadoran Amazon forest etc).