Personale docente

NAME:                                  Monia Savi

NATIONALITY:                   Italian

WORK ADDRESS:              Dept. of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability                                                      (SCVSA), University of Parma. Parco Area  delle Scienze n. 11/A,                                                        43124 Parma (PR), Italy

Lab Phone: 0039 0521905627   Lab Fax: 0039 0521905673

E-MAIL:    monia.savi@unipr.it

-2017:     NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC QUALIFICATION AS ASSOCIATE PRFESSOR     academic recruitment field 05/D1- PHYSIOLOGY.

-2009:    PhD IN SYSTEMIC PHYSIOPATHOLOGY (XX cycle), at University of Parma, Parma, Italy. Thesis title:  “Cardiac electromechanical performance following stem cell based regenerative therapies in  infarcted rat heart”.

-2005-2008:  PhD position in Systemic Physiopathology (XX cycle), at University of Parma, Parma, Italy

-2005: QUALIFICATION FOR BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGIST (144/150).

-2004:  MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES (Physio-Pathologic academic specialty) at University of Parma, Parma, Italy, with final grade of 110/110 with honor (top grade). Thesis title: “Effects of the alpha2-adrenergic/DA2-dopaminergic agonist CHF-1024 in preventing ventricular arrhythmogenesis and myocyte electrical remodeling, in a rat model of pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy”.

-1994:  High school exit exam in scientific studies, Liceo Scientifico G. Marconi, Parma , Italy (46/60).

-12/2018-present:           Fixed-term research assistant (RTDa), full time, at the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Academic Recruitment Field 05/D1 - PHYSIOLOGY, Academic Discipline BIO/09 – PHYSIOLOGY.

- 04/2018-11/2018:       Postdoctoral research fellow  at the Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma. Project Title: “In-vitro/ex-vivo study on the effects of phenolics administration on cardiomyocyte mechanical properties and calcium dynamics in the diabetic heart.      

-01/2015-01/2018:           Research Associate at the Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma. Project title: Biological activity of polyphenol metabolites of nutritional interest. Objectives: The evaluation of the biological activity of the most relevant phenolics of plant food origin, with particular reference to their mechanisms of action in the framework of cardiovascular complications and diabetes onset.

-11/2013-11/2014:    Postdoctoral research fellow funded by INAIL (ex ISPESL) at CERT (Center of Excellence for Toxicological Research), University of Parma. Project title: Arrhythmogenicity of Diesel Exhaust Nanoparticles in Healthy and Failing Hearts: Focus on Mechanisms.

-11/2011-10/2013:   Research Associate in Oncology Medicine at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Parma. Project title: Functional studies of normal and cancer stem cells.

-02/2011-07/2011:     Postdoctoral research fellow funded by Italian National Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology (Physiology Section), University of Parma. Project title: Cardiac electromechanical performance following pharmacologically active microcarriers releasing growth factors (HGF e IGF-1) and/or transporting adipose derived stem cell (hADSCs) therapies, in infarcted rat heart.

-10/2010-01/2011:       Postdoctoral research fellow  funded by Interdepartmental Center  for   the   Study    of Biology and Clinical Application of Cardiac Stem Cell, University of Parma. Project title: Electrophysiological properties of the myocardium regenerated by resident cardiac stem cells mobilized/pre-treated with growth factors, in a rat model of chronic myocardial infarction.

-03/2009-08/2010:     Postdoctoral research fellow funded by Italian National Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology (Physiology Section), University of Parma. Project title: Electromechanical competence of the heart regenerated by biopolymers engineered with autologous stem cells, in rat models of chronic myocardial infarction. 

-2005-2008:  PhD student in “Systemic Physiopathology”, University of Parma.

-2002-2004: Internship for thesis preparation at the Department of Evolutionary and Functional  Biology (Physiology section), University of Parma.

- 2012:    Italian Ministry of Health, Young Research Project 2012, PMS 53/09.

   Title: Arrhythmogenicity of Diesel Exhaust Nanoparticles in Healthy and Failing Hearts:     Focus on Mechanisms”.  

   Period: 36 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2011:    Research Project funded by Italian National Cardiovascular Research Institute.

Title: Cardiac electromechanical performance following pharmacologically active microcarriers releasing growth factors (HGF e IGF-1) and/or transporting adipose derived stem cell therapies, in infarcted rat heart.

Period: 6 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2010:      Research Project funded by Interdepartmental Center for the Study of Biology and                             Clinical  Application of Cardiac Stem Cell, University of Parma (2010).

   Title: Electrophysiological properties of the myocardium regenerated by resident cardiac       stem   cells mobilized/pre-treated with growth factors, in a rat model of chronic                      myocardial   infarction.

   Period: 4 months.   Role: Participant.

- 2009:    Research Project funded by Italian National Cardiovascular Research Institute (2009).

  Title: Electromechanical competence of the heart regenerated by biopolymers engineered with autologous stem cells, in rat models of chronic myocardial infarction.

   Period: 18 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2008: European Project N° 214539 FP7-NMP-2007

Title: BIOactive highly porous and injectable Scaffolds controlling stem cell recruitment, proliferation and differentiation and enabling angiogenesis for Cardiovascular ENgineered Tissues (BIOSCENT).

Period: 48 mesi.    Role: Participant.

- 2007:      Italian National Research Project PRIN MIUR 2007 (Protocol number                                                 2007AL2YNC_005-Area 05).  

Title: Cardiac stem cells as a cellular basis for cardiotoxicity induced by antineoplastic treatment.  

                    Period: 24 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2007:         Research Project  FIL 2007, University of Parma.

                   Title: Meccanismi cellulari e molecolari responsabili del mantenimento della normale                          funzione cardiaca nelle fasi precoci del diabete.   

                   Period: 12 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2006:      Research Project FIL 2006, University of Parma.

                   Title: Rimodellamento morfo-funzionale del tessuto miocardico ventricolare ed                                   efficienza elettro-meccanica del cuore diabetico

                   Period: 12 mesi.   Role: Participant. 

- 2005:      Italian National Research Project PRIN MIUR 2005 (Protocol number                                                  2005062944_003- Area 06). 

Title: A study of mechanical and electrical competence of the heart regenerated by          means of cardiac stem cells, in experimental models of rat myocardial infarction.  

                   Period: 24 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2005:     Research Project FIL 2005, Università degli Studi di Parma.

   Title: Rimodellamento morfo-funzionale del tessuto miocardico ventricolare ed efficienza     elettro-  meccanica del cuore diabetico. 

                 Period: 12 months.    Role: Participant.

- 2004:     Research Project funded by Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A.

   Title: Anti-arrhythmic characterization of CHF1024 in the hypertrophic heart. 

   Period: 24 months.   Role: Participant.

1. Protective effects of natural polyphenolic compounds and synthetic chemicals on prevention and treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular diseases – studying their mechanisms of action.
2. Morpho-functional remodeling and regenerative processes of ventricular myocardium, in myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiomyopathy and cardiomyopathy induced by anticancer drugs.
3. Cardiac effects of acute and chronic exposure to different nanoparticles: electromechanical and cytotoxic characterization.
4. Tissue, cellular and molecular mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmogenesis.
5. Cellular and molecular effects of antiarrhythmic drugs.

- From 2009:  Expert in the field of Physiology (SSD-BIO 09).

- From 2009: Member of the examining board for bachelor/master degrees in Biology, and Biology and Biomedical Applications (Biologia,  Biologia e Applicazioni Biomediche) - University of Parma.

- From 2009: Thesis supervisor of:  i) 19 students of bachelor degree in Biology and

                                                           ii) 4 students of master degree in Biology and Biomedical                                                                         Applications -   University of Parma.

- From 2009: Exam Assistant in General Physiology.

- From 2009 to 2010: Scientific seminars at the Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology (Physiology Section), University of Parma:

i)          08-01-2009: Stem cell plasticity: the growing potential of cellular therapy.

ii)         21-01-2009: Stem cell therapy for cardiac repair.

iii)      19-02-2009: Cardiac stem cells and mechanisms of myocardial regeneration.

iv)        09-03-2009: Cardiac electromechanical performance following stem cell based regenerative therapies in infarcted rat heart.

v)         26-08-2010: Cardiotoxicity of targeted cancer therapeuthics: underlying   mechanisms.

vi)           14-09-2010: Cardiotoxicity of targeted cancer therapeuthics: a cardiac stem cell disease?

• Prof. Daniele Del Rio, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
• Prof. Federico Quaini, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
• Dott. Michele Miragoli, Researcher at University of Parma and Group Leader in Cardiac Nanophysiology, Laboratory of inflammation and immunology in cardiovascular pathologies, Humanitas Research Center, Milan, Italy.
• Prof. Franco Rustichelli and Prof. Alessandra Giuliani, Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
• Dott. Konrad Urbanek, Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology. University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy.
• Prof. Giulio Gabbiani and Prof. Christine Chaponnier, Department of Pathology and Immunology, University of Geneva, CMU, Switzerland.
• Dott. Christian Zuppinger, Cardiology Department, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland.

- From 2016 - present: Working Group on Cellular Biology Of The Heart of the European Society of                                       Cardiology

- From 2013 - present: Working Group on Cardiac Cellular Electrophysiology of the European                                               Society of Cardiology.

- From 2013 - present: European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

- From 2008 to 2010: Italian Cardiovascular Research Society (SIRC).

JOURNAL REFEREE

- Microsurgery on small animals (ECG transmitter implant, right jugular vein cannula implant for blood sampling, abdominal aortic coarctation, myocardial infarction induction, intramyocardial injections, invasive hemodynamics).

- Recording and analyses of ECG signal.

- Cardiomyocyte (neonatal and adult) and cardiac progenitor cells isolation.

- Cardiomyocyte mechanics and contractility systems (IonOptix system).

- Cell culture techniques.

- Cardiac morphometric techniques.

- Western Blot.

- Immunohistochemistry techniques.

- Patch clamp technique.

- In-vivo and in-vitro operation with micro electrodes array system (MEA).

- Programmed stimulation technique and electrophysiological tissue measurements.

Operating Systems: MS-Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Vista/7, MAC OSx, Linux.

Data Analysis: Excel, SPSS, X-Win32 5.3, Chart5, Acknowledge 3.9.1, IonWizard-Core and Analysis, Clampex 10.2, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Image Pro Plus.

Word Processing Software: Office Word, PowerPoint, Acrobat Reader.

Networks and Internet: Internet Explorer, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox.

PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS:

1. Bocchi L^, Savi M^, Naponelli V, Vilella R, Sgarbi G, Baracca A, Solaini G, Bettuzzi S, Rizzi F, Stilli D. Long-Term Oral Administration of Theaphenon-E Improves Cardiomyocyte Mechanics and Calcium Dynamics by Affecting Phospholamban Phosphorylation and ATP Production. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2018;47:1230-1243. doi: 10.1159/000490219. ^contributed equally to the work. (IF 2016: 5.104; IF 5 years: 4.050)

2. Savi M, Bocchi L, Bresciani L, Falco A, Quaini F, Mena P, Brighenti F, Crozier A, Stilli D, Del Rio D.  Trimethylamine-N-Oxide (TMAO)-Induced Impairment of Cardiomyocyte Function and the Protective Role of Urolithin B-Glucuronide. Molecules. 2018;23. pii: E549. doi: 10.3390/molecules23030549. (IF 2016: 2.861; IF 5 years: 2.988)

3. Meraviglia V, Bocchi L, Sacchetto R, Florio MC, Motta BM, Corti C, Weichenberger CX, Savi M, D'Elia Y, Rosato-Siri MD, Suffredini S, Piubelli C, Pompilio G, Pramstaller PP, Domingues FS, Stilli D, Rossini A. HDAC Inhibition Improves the Sarcoendoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Activity in Cardiac Myocytes. Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19. pii: E419. doi: 10.3390/ijms19020419. (IF 2016: 3.226; IF 5 years: 3.482)

4. Giuliani A, Mencarelli M, Frati C, Savi M, Lagrasta C, Pompilio G, Rossini A, Quaini F. Phase-contrast microtomography: are the tracers necessary for stem cell tracking in infarcted hearts? Biomedical Physics and Engineering Express. 2018; 4,055008. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/aad570.

5. Savi M, Frati C, Cavalli S, Graiani G, Galati S, Buschini A, Madeddu D, Falco A, Prezioso L, Mazzaschi G, Galaverna F, Lagrasta CAM, Corradini E, De Angelis A, Cappetta D, Berrino L, Aversa F, Quaini F, Urbanek K. Imatinib mesylate-induced cardiomyopathy involves resident cardiac progenitors. Pharmacol Res. 2017; pii: S1043-6618(17)30799-5. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.09.020. (IF 2016: 4.480; IF 5 years: 4.497)

6. Savi M, Bocchi L, Mena P, Dall’Asta M, Crozier A, Brighenti F, Stilli D, Del Rio D. In vivo administration of urolithin A and B prevents the occurrence of cardiac dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2017; 16:80. doi: 10.1186/s12933-017-0561-3. (IF 2016: 4.752; IF 5 years: 4.000)

7. Savi M, Bocchi L, Sala R, Frati C, Lagrasta C, Madeddu D, Falco A, Pollino S, Bresciani L, Miragoli M, Zaniboni M, Quaini F, Del Rio D, Stilli D. Parenchymal and Stromal Cells Contribute to Pro-Inflammatory Myocardial Environment at Early Stages of Diabetes: Protective Role of Resveratrol. NUTRIENTS. 2016, vol. 8:729-750. doi: 10.3390/nu8110729. (IF 2016: 3.550; IF 5 years: 4.187)

8. Savi M, Bocchi L, Rossi S, Frati C, Graiani G, Lagrasta C, Miragoli M, Di Pasquale E, Stirparo GG, Mastrototaro G, Urbanek K, De Angelis A, Macchi E, Stilli D, Quaini F, Musso E. Anti-arrhythmic effect of growth factors supplemented cardiac progenitor cells in chronic infarcted heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2016; 310:H1622-1648. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00035.2015. (IF 2016: 3.348; IF 5 years: 3.567)

9. Savi M, Bocchi L, Fiumana E, Karam JP, Frati C, Bonafé F, Cavalli S, Morselli PG, Guarnieri C, Caldarera CM, Muscari C, Montero-Menei CN, Stilli D, Quaini F, Musso E. Enhanced engraftment and repairing ability of human adipose-derived stem cells, conveyed by pharmacologically active microcarriers continuously releasing HGF and IGF-1, in healing myocardial infarction in rats. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2015; 103:3012-3025. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.35442. (IF 2016: 3.076; IF 5 years: 3.076)

10. Sala R^, Mena P^, Savi M^, Brighenti F, Crozier A, Miragoli M, Stilli D, Del Rio D. Urolithins at physiological concentrations affect the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factor in cultured cardiac cells in hyperglucidic conditions. Journal of Functional Foods. 2015; 15:97-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2015.03.019. (IF 2016: 3.144; IF 5 years: 3.460) ^contributed equally to the work.

11. Urbanek K, Frati C, Graiani G, Madeddu D, Falco A, Cavalli S, Lorusso B, Gervasi A, Prezioso L, Savi M, Ferraro F, Galaverna F, Rossetti P, Lagrasta CA, Fancesca RE, Quaini E, Rossi F, Angelis A, Quaini F. Cardioprotection by Targeting the Pool of Resident and Extracardiac Progenitors. Curr Drug Targets. 2015; 16:884-894. Review. Doi: 10.2174/1389450116666150126105002 (IF 2016: 3.236; IF 5 years: 3.344)

12. Savi M, Rossi S, Bocchi L, Gennaccaro L, Cacciani F, Perotti A, Amidani D, Alinovi R, Goldoni M, Pinelli S, Petyx M, Frati C, Gervasi A, Quaini F, Buschini A, Stilli D, Rivetti C, Macchi E, Mutti A, Miragoli M, Zaniboni M. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles promote arrhythmia via a direct interaction with rat cardiac tissue. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2014; 11:63. doi:10.1186/s12989-014-0063-3. (IF 2016: 8.577; IF 5 years: 9.628)

13. Savi M, Bocchi L, Fiumana E, Frati C, Bonafé F, Cavalli S, Morselli PG, Karam J-P, Montero-Menei C, Caldarera CM, Guarnieri C, Muscari C, Stilli D, Quaini F, Musso E. Cardiac regeneration by pharmacologically active microcarriers releasing growth factors and/or transporting adipose-derived stem cells. Journal of Biological Research (Italy).  2014; 87:2141. doi: 10.4081/jbr.2014.2141.

14. Bresciani L, Calani L, Bocchi L, Delucchi F, Savi M, Ray S, Brighenti F, Stilli D,  Del Rio D. Bioaccumulation of Resveratrol Metabolites in Myocardial Tissue is Dose-Time Dependent and Related to Cardiac Hemodynamics in Diabetic Rats. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014; 24:408-415. doi: 10.1016/j.numecd.2013.09.008.  (IF 2016: 3.679; IF 5 years:3.402)

15. Bianchi F, Caffarri E, Cavalli S, Lagrasta C, Musci M, Quaini F, Savi M. Development and validation of an high performance liquid chromatography–tandem  mass spectrometry method for the determination of imatinib in rat tissues.  J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2013; 73:103-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2012.05.034. (IF 2016: 3.255; IF 5 years:2.953)

16. Frati C, Savi M, Graiani G, Lagrasta C, Cavalli S, Prezioso L, Rossetti P, Mangiaracina C, Ferraro F, Madeddu D, Musso E, Stilli D, Rossini A, Falco A, Angelis AD, Rossi F, Urbanek K, Leri A, Kajstura J, Anversa P, Quaini E, Quaini F. Resident cardiac stem cell. Curr Pharm Des. 2011; 17:3252-3257. doi:10.2174/138161211797904181. Review. (IF 2016: 2.611; IF 5 years:3.000)

17. Bocchi L^, Savi M^, Graiani G, Rossi S, Agnetti A, Stillitano F, Lagrasta C, Baruffi S, Berni R, Frati C, Vassalle M, Squarcia U, Cerbai E, Macchi E, Stilli D, Quaini F, Musso E. Growth factor-induced mobilization of cardiac progenitor cells reduces the risk of arrhythmias, in a rat model of chronic myocardial infarction. PLoS One. 2011; 6:e17750. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017750. (IF 2016: 2.806; IF 5 years:3.394) ^contributed equally to the work.

18. Giuliani A, Frati C, Rossini A, Komlev VS, Lagrasta C, Savi M, Cavalli S, Gaetano C, Quaini F, Manescu A, Rustichelli F. High-resolution X-ray microtomography for three-dimensional imaging of cardiac progenitor cell homing in infarcted rat hearts. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2011; 5:e168-178. doi: 10.1002/term.409. doi: 10.1002/term.409. (IF 2016: 3.989; IF 5 years: 3.852)

19. Colussi C, Berni R, Rosati J, Straino S, Vitale S, Spallotta F, Baruffi S, Bocchi L, Delucchi F, Rossi S, Savi M, Rotili D, Quaini F, Macchi E, Stilli D, Musso E, Mai A, Gaetano C, Capogrossi MC. The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid Reduces Cardiac Arrhythmias In Dystrophic Mice. Cardiovasc  Res. 2010; 87:73-82. doi: 10.1093/cvr/cvq035. (IF 2016: 5.878; IF 5 years: 5.833)

20. Prezioso L, Tanzi S, Galaverna F, Frati C, Testa B, Savi M, Graiani G, Lagrasta C, Cavalli S, Galati S, Madeddu D, Lodi Rizzini E, Ferraro F, Musso E, Stilli D, Urbanek K, Piegari E, De Angelis A, Maseri A, Rossi F, Quaini E, Quaini F. Cancer Treatment-Induced Cardiotoxicity: a Cardiac Stem Cell Disease? Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem (Formerly Current Medicinal Chemistry - Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents). 2010; 8:55-75. doi: 10.2174/187152510790796165. Review. (IF 2010: 3.69)

21. Berni R, Savi M, Bocchi L,  Delucchi F, Musso E, Chaponnier C, Gabbiani G, Clement S, Stilli D. Modulation of actin isoform expression before the transition from experimental compensated pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy to decompensation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2009; 296:H1625-1632. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.01057.2008. (IF 2016: 3.348; IF 5 years: 3.567)

22. Stilli D, Lagrasta C, Berni R, Bocchi L, Savi M, Delucchi F, Graiani G, Monica M, Maestri R, Baruffi S, Rossi S, Macchi E, Musso E, Quaini F. Preservation of ventricular performance at early stages of diabetic cardiomyopathy involves changes in myocyte size, number and intercellular coupling. Basic Res Cardiol. 2007; 102:488-499. doi: 10.1007/s00395-007-0665-0. (IF 2016: 5.306; IF 5 years: 4.965)

23. Berni R, Cacciani F, Zaniboni M, Savi M, Bocchi L, Lapucci S, Razzetti R, Pastore F, Musso E, Stilli D. Effects of the alpha2-adrenergic/DA2-dopaminergic agonist CHF-1024 in preventing ventricular arrhythmogenesis and myocyte electrical remodeling, in a rat model of pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2006; 47:295-302. doi: 10.1097/01.fjc.0000203974.31675.f6. (IF 2016: 2.247; IF 5 years: 2.246)

CONFERENCE PAPER

1. Miragoli M,  Rossi S,  Savi M,  Goldoni M,  Pinelli S,  Alinovi R,  Galetti M,  Stilli D,  Macchi E,  Zaniboni M,  Mutti A. Nanoparticles exposure: In-vitro and in-vivo investigation to evaluate cardiovascu1ar risk factors in normal and failing cardiac tissue. Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia. Volume 38, Issue 3, July-September 2016, Pages 146-150. 79° CONGRESSO NAZIONALE SIMLII. Roma, 21-23 settembre 2016.

MONOGRAPH:

1. Monia Savi. Stem cell based regenerative therapies in healed myocardial infarction: Cardiac   electromechanical performance of the mended heart. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. August 3, 2010. ISBN-10: 3838385225. ISBN-13: 978-3838385228.

52 ABSTRACTS