Francesca Romana Pellegrini

Biography

CURRICULUM VITAE
Francesca Romana Pellegrini

Education
- 2021 - Present: PhD in Life Sciences (37° cycle) at "La Sapienza" University of Rome, under the supervision of Dr. Daniela Trisciuoglio. Research focus: Study of the role of the enzyme ATAT1 (α-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1) in lung cancer.
- Master's Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Italian curriculum (LM-06), Faculty of Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Sciences at "La Sapienza" University of Rome. Awarded on 20.10.2021 with a grade of 110/110 cum laude. Dissertation title: "Characterization of a molecule with antitumor activity: cellular mechanisms promoting autophagy and their role in cell death." Supervisor: Dr. Francesca Degrassi.
- Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from "La Sapienza" University of Rome. Awarded on 21.03.2019 with a grade of 95/110. Dissertation title: "Cryopreservation Techniques for Oocytes and Embryos: Implications in Assisted Reproductive Techniques." External Supervisor: Veronica Corsetti; Internal Supervisor: Prof. Ada Maria Tata.
- Classical High School Diploma from "Dante Alighieri" Classical Lyceum, Rome (RM), obtained in 2015.

Training Courses
June 2021 - July 2021: Online training course "Vedere per credere: scuola di microscopia – Edizione per ricercatori" (Seeing is believing microscopy school - Researchers' edition) organized by Fondazione Golinelli.

Language Skills
Native Language: Italian
Other Languages:
English CAE (grade C1)
Spanish DELE (grade A2)

Acquired Research Methodologies
Cell Culture
• Mammalian cell culture (transformed cells)
• Construction of stable cell lines for overexpression and downregulation of genes of interest
• Treatment with chemical compounds in Biochemical plate assays
• Protein extraction from mammalian cells
• Protein quantification by spectrophotometry
• Protein electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels (SDS-PAGE) and immunodetection by Western blot
• Protein purification starting from bacterial cultures
Molecular Biology
• Extraction of nucleic acids
• Electrophoresis of nucleic acids on agarose gels
Microscopy
• Preparation of samples for immunofluorescence to study protein localization
• Time-lapse microscopy studies
Flow Cytometry
• Preparation of samples for cell cycle analysis (using Propidium Iodide as a DNA stain), apoptosis analysis (using Annexin-V assay), analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (using the DHE assay)
• Cell sorting
• Analysis of results using specialized software (Flowing Software, BD CellQuest Software)
Computer Skills
• Proficient in the use of PCs. Familiarity with Windows and Mac operating systems
• Good knowledge and proficiency in using search engines such as PubMed, Medline, Scopus
• Excellent knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software (particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) and graphic design programs (Adobe Photoshop)
• Good knowledge of 3D graphics software for the representation of biomolecules (PyMOL)
• Good knowledge and proficiency in computer software for data acquisition and processing generated from Western blot experiments (Image Lab, Image J), immunofluorescence

Abstracts and Conference Participations as a presenter
● Pellegrini FR, Iuzzolino A, Paone A, Rinaldo S, Crutruzzolà F, Degrassi F, Stagni V, Trisciuoglio D. ATAT1, α-Tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1, promotes autophagy and oxidative stress in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. CFATG11, 11th SCIENTIFIC DAYS ON AUTOPHAGY congress, Lyon, November 08-10, 2023. Poster presentation.
● Pellegrini FR, Iuzzolino A, Ambrosio F, Pierrettori M, Paone A, Rinaldo S, Crutruzzolà F, Degrassi F, Stagni V, Trisciuoglio D. ATAT1, α-Tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1, promotes autophagy and oxidative stress in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The Biennial Congress of the Italian Association of Cell Biology and Differentiation, ABCD, Paestum September 20-23, 2023. Poster presentation.
● Pellegrini FR, Fianco G, De Martino S, Ventura I, Valente D, Fiore M, Trisciuoglio D, Degrassi F. Blockage of autophagosome-lysosome fusion through SNAP29 inhibition promotes apoptosis in cancer cells. 62nd Annual Meeting of the Italian Cancer Society Venice, November 16-18, 2022. Poster presentation.
● Pellegrini FR, De Martino S, Ventura I, Fiore M, Trisciuoglio D, Degrassi F. Blockage of autophagosome-lysosome fusion through SNAP29 inhibition promotes apoptosis via ROS production. 2021 CNR-DSB Conference on "Target discovery for unmet medical needs and precision/personalized medicine" in the session "Targets identification in oncology." Poster presentation.

Awards
● Travel Fellowship from the ABCD, for the attendance of the “2023 Paestum National Meeting” at the Ariston Hotel in Paestum (Naples, Italy) from September 20th to 23rd, 2023.

Other products of the research
- Online published CellProfiler pipeline (https://cellprofiler.org/published-pipelines#:~:text=CellProfiler%20enables%20reproducible%20research%20because,CellProfiler%20used%20to%20create%20them.)