CellPath Discovery Lab
The Laboratory of General Pathology conducts research activities in the biomedical field, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases. In particular, the laboratory carries out studies on in vitro cellular models with the following purposes:
- analyzing the processes that regulate neoplastic transformation and identifying new anti-neoplastic therapeutic strategies;
- evaluating the therapeutic effects of drugs already in clinical use and natural compounds, in order to repurpose them as supportive or synergistic drugs to the preferred chemotherapy (drug repurposing);
- studying the interactions between microorganisms and the host, to develop new strategies against infections and inflammatory processes;
- exploring the role of oxidative stress and cellular responses in pathological processes, with the aim of identifying new biomarkers and molecular targets.
Research activities are complemented by educational activities, providing students with theoretical and practical tools aimed at deepening the study of general pathology and developing new skills useful for experimental research in biomedical fields.
RESEARCH TEAM
Gabriella Mincione is an Associate Professor of General Pathology at the Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry at the "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara. Her research activity is documented by numerous publications in international scientific journals with peer review.
The main areas of her research activity include:
- the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development and progression of human tumors, with particular attention to signaling pathways mediated by growth factor receptors and their implications in defining targeted therapies for cancer;
- the analysis of the effects of oxidative stress in gastric carcinoma cell lines and in human thyroid epithelium, with particular focus on the activation of ErbB receptors and DNA repair mechanisms through the BER (Base Excision Repair) system;
- the study of the main antioxidant molecules and of the damage induced by doxorubicin;
- the study of the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in determining the natural history of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with particular reference to the intricate cross talk between tumor cells and the cellular populations present in the TME, and the role of these cellular populations in determining chemoresistance. Development of 2D co-cultures and 3D hybrid spheroids of human PDAC cells and tumor-associated fibroblasts derived from patients.
She also performs review activities for numerous scientific journals and has participated to international research projects as a project reviewer. She is an active member of the European Association for Cancer Research (EACR) and the Italian Society of Pathology and Translational Medicine (SIPMeT).
In the context of institutional activities, she currently holds the position of a member of the Board of the Teaching and Learning Center Ud’A.
- Academic Position: Associate Professor.
- Scientific and disciplinary sector: code GSD 06/MEDS-02 (formerly SC 06/A2) – code SSD MEDS-02/B (formerly SSDMED/04).
- ERC Sectors:
- LS3: Cellular and Developmental Biology: cell biology, cell physiology, signal transduction, organogenesis, developmental genetics, pattern formation in plants and animals, stem cell biology
- LS4: Physiology, Pathophysiology and Endocrinology: Organ physiology, pathophysiology, endocrinology, metabolism, aging, tumorigenesis, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome
- Network resources:
- Contacts:
- Tel.: +39 0871 3554117
- e-mail: gabriella.mincione@unich.it
Reception hours: to be agreed upon appointment
- Academic Position: Laboratory Technician
- Network Resources:
- Contacts:
- Tel.: +39 0871 3554111
- Academic Position: Research Fellow for the project entitled “Analysis of molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance induced by CAFs in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma”.
- Network Resources:
- Contacts:
- Tel.: +39 0871 3554111
- e-mail: maria.sindaco@studenti.unich.it