Immunology and General Pathology

Research conducted in the Laboratory of Immunology and General Pathology is focused on the following areas:

  • Biology of Natural Killer (NK) cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in solid tumours (prostate, pancreas, colorectal, lung, kidney, breast).
  • Study of tumour microenvironment and tumour angiogenesis as targets of (immuno)therapy and prevention.
  • Role of Natural Killer cells, neutrophils and T cells in autoimmune diseases (Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease).
  • Role of immunomodulatory activity of RNASET2 molecule in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
  • Role of innate immunity (monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils) and inflammation in cancer and cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis, diabetes).
  • Study of immune response in cancer patients, post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.
  • Cancer stem cells (CSCs).

Experimental activities involve the use of cell biology (cell lines and primary cultures), biochemistry, and molecular biology approaches. The research group has developed significant experience in ‘multiparametric flow cytometry (up to 18 markers simultaneously) applied to immunology.

In addition, the group has a well-established experience in using murine models in biomedical research.

Staff and contacts

Find us: Campus Bizzozero; Via Monte Generoso, 71; 21100 Varese; Palazzina rossa ex colonia

Website

Keywords: Tumor microenvironment, Natural Killer cells, Innate Lymphoid Cells, Neutrophils, Monocytes/Macrophages, Inflammation, Angiogenesis, Immunotherapy.
ERC sectors:LS6_1 Immunità innata; LS4_6 cancro e sue basi biologiche; LS6_12 Basi biologiche dei disturbi legati all’immunità.

Collaborations: 
Dr. Matteo Gallazzi, Innate Immunity Laboratory, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano.
Dr. Angelo Naselli, Urology Unit, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano.
Dr. Riccardo Ricotta, Division of Medical Oncology, IRCCS MultiMedica, Milano.
Prof. Francesco Bertolini, Laboratory of Hematoncology, European Institute of Oncology (IEO), Milano.
Prof. Antonio Inforzato, Humanitas Clinical Institute, Rozzano.
Dr. Santiago Gonzales, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Università della Svizzera Italiana, Bellinzona, Svizzera.
Prof.ssa Valeria Poli, Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Università di Torino, Torino.
Dr. Alsessandro Poggi, SSD Molecular Oncology and Angiogenesis, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova.
Dott.ssa Giovanna Chiorino, Tempia Foundation, Biella.