Co-Investigators
Contacts: agnesechiara.pippione@unito.it
+39 011 6707104
Synopsis. Dr. Agnese Chiara Pippione has a background in medicinal chemistry and has training and experience in the discovery of new small molecules as potential drugs. Her research deals with the design, synthesis, characterization and biological applications of new molecules, in particular the study of acidic hydroxylated pentatomic heterocyclic systems and their bioisosteric properties associated with carboxylic and other acidic functions. This approach has been applied to modulate and optimize several lead molecules, in particular it has been used to discover new anticancer and antimalarial compounds.
Current position. Tenure track Researcher at Department (03/D1 - Chimica e Tecnologie Farmaceutiche, Tossicologiche e Nutraceutico-Alimentari), Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy)
Research interests: Cancer (prostate cancer, osteosarcoma, acute myeloid leukemia, drug resistance), malaria.
Education and positions. Dr Agnese Chiara Pippione obtained her Master degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at University of Torino in 2009.
After some months she started the PhD course in Neurobiology at University of Insubria, Varese (3 years). She was involved in a project aimed at biomarker discovery on lymphocyte proteins whose levels correlated with clinical parameters of Parkinson disease.
In 2012 she started working as a Post Doc in MedSynth group.
Coordination of projects. Dr Agnese Chiara Pippione is Coordinator of the following funded projects:
1. “PRIN-UNO - Prolyl isomerase PIN1 inhibitors: a drug design strategy against aggressive tumors” funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, program “Projects of relevant national interest (PRIN)”, call 2022 PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan). The fund is active rom 12/1/2023 to 11/30/2025.
2. "Design of new dUal inhibitors against prostate cancer: joint Italian-Polish project (DUAL)" funded by the University of Turin inside the call "GRANT for INTERNATIONALIZATION - GFI 2022" to sponsor collaborative research projects with international partners. The fund was active from 07/28/2022 to 12/22/2023.
3. "DHODH enzyme inhibitors as new antifungals against the rice pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae (RICE)" funded by the Cassa di Risparmio di Torino Foundation (CTR). From 8/7/2020 to 8/1/2023.
Spin-off:
Since 2020, Dr Agnese Chiara Pippione is member of the start-up Drug Discovery and Clinic (DDC). DDC is a UniTo spin-off with the mission of developing new inhibitors of DHODH through the preclinical studies until the clinical trial for acute mieloid leukemia. DDC s.r.l. own the properties of two patents associated to the use of DHODH inhibitors as antitumoral and antiviral agents.
Teaching:
Dr Agnese Pippione Laboratory instructor for the courses: “Laboratory of Synthesis of Drugs” (Degree Course in Drug Chemistry and Technology), and “Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Chemical Analysis of the active ingredients from plants”, three-year Degree Course in Herbal Products, University of Torino.
Dr Agnese Chiara Pippione tutored twenty (20) master students during their training period for preparation of Master Degree thesis in Medicinal Chemistry and is co-relator of nine (9) Master Degree thesis in Medicinal Chemistry (five-year Degree Course in Drug Chemistry and Technology).
Visiting Professor @ Universidad de Sevilla (Spain), Facultad de Farmacia.
Responsible for Erasmus agreements: University of Ankara, Turkey.
Department roles:
- Member of Orientation and Tutoring Commission @ DSTF.
Bibliometric indicators (July 2024)
Publication in peer-reviewed journals: 29
Papers as first author: 8
Papers as last author:1
Citations: 807
H-index: 17
Oral presentation: 11
Invited oral presentation:3
Meeting communication: 27
Contacts: stefano.sainas@unito.it
+39 011 6707181
Synopsis. Dr. Stefano Sainas has a background in medicinal chemistry specializing in the discovery and development of new small molecules with potential therapeutic applications. His extensive research includes the design, synthesis, characterization and identification of biological applications as well as the pharmacokinetic and toxicological evaluation of new compounds. One focus of his work is the investigation of acidic hydroxylated pentatomic heterocyclic systems and the exploration of their bioisosteric properties in relation to carboxylic and other acidic functions. This innovative approach has been pivotal in the modulation and optimization of several lead compounds and, in particular, has contributed to the discovery of new anticancer and antiviral agents. Dr. Sainas’ work not only advances the understanding of chemical biology, but also paves the way for the development of more effective and safer therapeutic agents.
Current position. Tenure track Researcher at Department (03/D1 - Medicinal, Toxicological and Nutritional Chemistry and Applied Technologies. (Academic Recruitment Field 03/D -Medicinal and Food Chemistry and Applied Technologies, according to the national classification), Department of Science and Drug Technology, University of Torino (Italy)
Research interests: Cancer (acute myeloid leukaemia, prostate cancer, glioblastoma, drug resistance), antiviral.
Education and positions. Dr. Stefano Sainas obtained his Master's degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at University of Turin in 2013. After 6 months, he started the PhD program in Pharmaceutical and Biomolecular Sciences at University of Turin (3 years). He was involved in a project to develop potent human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors. In 2017 he started working as a post-doc in the MedSynth group.
Spin-off: Since 2020, Dr Stefano Sainas is member of the start-up Drug Discovery and Clinic (DDC). DDC is a UniTo spin-off with the mission of developing new inhibitors of DHODH through the preclinical studies until the clinical trial for acute myeloid leukemia. DDC s.r.l. own the properties of two patents associated to the use of DHODH inhibitors as antitumoral and antiviral agents.
Teaching:
· AA 2022/2023 to present: Teaching in the Course “Preparation of products of vegetal origin”, in the Bachelor’s Degree in Herbal Products Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin. (78 hours, 5 CFU).
· AA 2022/2023 to present: Teaching in the Course “Health and safety at work (12 hours)”, in the Bachelor’s Degree in Herbal Products Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin. (8 hours, 1 CFU).
· Dr Stefano Sainas tutored twenty (25) master students during their training period for preparation of Master Degree thesis in Medicinal Chemistry and is co-relator of nine (16) Master Degree thesis in Medicinal Chemistry (five-year Degree Course in Drug Chemistry and Technology) and Chemistry.
Visiting Professor at the Institute of Pharmacy of the Nirma University (Ahmedabad, India).
Department roles:
2022 – ongoing: Member of Public Engagement Commission of the Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin
2023 – ongoing: delegate for the Department of Drug Science and Technology in the MINDtheGEPs project, which addresses gender inequalities in academia and research.
Bibliometric indicators (July 2024)
Publication in peer-reviewed journals: 29
Papers as first author: 10
Citations: 568
H-index: 15
Oral presentation: 13
Invited oral presentation:3
Meeting communication: 46