Riccardo Percudani – Curriculum Vitae
Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability
University of Parma
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8452-1062
EDUCATION
1999 – PhD in Molecular Biology and Pathology
Thesis: Identification of non-coding RNAs in genomic sequences
1994 – MSc in Biology (summa cum laude)
Thesis: A novel algorithm for the identification of tRNA genes in DNA sequences
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
December 2018 – present – Full Professor of Biochemistry
University of Parma
Research focus: gene function identification through bioinformatics and biochemistry; protein evolution; genetic diseases; genetic code; purine metabolism.
May 2013 – September 2013 – Visiting Scientist
Institut Pasteur, Paris (host: Dr. Hilde De Reuse). Host–pathogen interaction.
September 2012 – Visiting Professor
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University (host: Prof. Sangkee Rhee). Structure and function in purine metabolism.
June 2011 – August 2011 – Visiting Scientist
Laboratoire de Génomique Analytique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris (host: Prof. Frédéric Devaux). Bioinformatic analysis of metabolic pathways.
July 2009 – Visiting Scientist
Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University (host: Prof. Sangkee Rhee). Structure and function in purine metabolism.
September 2006 – December 2018 – Associate Professor of Biochemistry
University of Parma.
September 2001 – August 2006 – Assistant Professor (Researcher)
University of Parma.
BIBLIOMETRIC INDICES
Scopus (validated profile):
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=6603060595
Citations: 3,393 – h-index: 27
Google Scholar (validated profile):
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pc5yTuQAAAAJ
Citations: 4,847 – h-index: 31 – i10-index: 52
TEACHING
Biochemistry (BIO/10, 9 ECTS), BSc in Biology (2018–present)
Bioinformatics (8 ECTS), MSc in Molecular Biology (2010–present)
Laboratory of Computer Science and Bioinformatics (6 ECTS), BSc in Biology (2011–present)
Computational Biochemistry (5 ECTS), BSc in Biology (2006–2009)
Bioinformatics Laboratory (3 ECTS), BSc in Biology (2006–2011)
Fundamentals of Biology (6 ECTS), BSc in Physics and Computer Science (2006–2011)
PHD PROGRAM COMMITTEES
Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Parma (2014–present)
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Parma (2013)
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Parma (2003–2009; 2011–2012)
EDITORIAL BOARD
Since 2017 – Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports (Springer Nature), Genetics and Genomics panel
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Chair, Area 05 Committee (Biology), University of Parma
University Delegate to the ELIXIR-IT General Assembly
Departmental Delegate to the University Committee for Scientific Computing
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
First inventor:
Methods for the rapid and efficient conversion of uric acid into allantoin and related enzymes
USA: US8309078 B2 (2012)
Europe: EP1948793 B1 (2012)
RESEARCH FUNDING
2025 – Fondazione Cariplo–Telethon, GJC25F018 – Principal Investigator
Budget: €240,000
Illuminating dark gene targets through coevolution
2022 – Italian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (FFC #14/2022) – Principal Investigator
Budget: €80,000
2018 – Italian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (FFC #9/2018) – Co-Principal Investigator
Total budget: €40,000 – Unit share: €18,000
Therapeutic potential of a long-acting lung-specific DNase (DNase2b) for cystic fibrosis treatment
2017 – PRIN, 2017483NH8_003 – Unit Leader
Total budget: €549,200 – Unit share: €84,000
Protein Bioinformatics for Human Health
2013 – Telethon, GGP1349 – Coordinator
Total budget: €340,000 – Unit share: €140,000
Development of an uricolytic treatment for HPRT deficiency in animal models
2010–2011 – PRIN, 2010P3S8BR_004 – Unit Leader
Total budget: €580,000 – Unit share: €70,000
Unravelling structural and functional determinants behind Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis and persistence
SCIENTIFIC RECOGNITIONS
PNAS Commentary (2025): Galperin MY. Using bioinformatics for identifying and plugging metabolic pathway holes
PNAS Commentary (2023): Moi D., Dessimoz C. Phylogenetic profiling in eukaryotes comes of age
Science Editor’s Choice (2010): Recovering Carbon and Nitrogen, Science
Nature Chemical Biology – News & Views (2006): Urate to allantoin, specifically (S)-allantoin
Faculty of 1000 Recommendation, DOI: 10.3410/f.11495.468975
