Kelly Bugatti

Contacts

About

A naturally curious scientist, I enjoy exploring the chemical profile of everyday experiences—from cooking to walking—always seeking connections between daily life and molecular science. 

I am a chemist specialized in the synthesis and characterization of peptides across diverse applications, ranging from drug development to food science. My expertise includes conjugated peptides for drug targeting and molecular imaging, with a particular focus on tumor and fibrosis detection. I also investigate potentially allergenic epitopes derived from novel foods and design small molecules that interact with taste receptors, bridging pharmaceutical innovation, food safety, and sensory science. 

At the heart of my work lies a passion for basic research, exploring the molecular foundations of peptides to reveal how chemistry shapes both health and daily experiences.

Teaching

Research

Research areas

Peptides and peptidomimetics — design, synthesis, and characterization of peptides and peptidomimetics for biomedical and food‑related applications, with particular focus on molecular stability, selectivity, and conformational behavior.

Integrin‑mediated drug targeting — development of ligands and conjugates targeting integrins (αvβ6, αvβ3, α4β1) for early diagnosis and treatment of oncological and fibrotic diseases.

Peptide–drug conjugates (PDCs) — design of peptide‑based conjugates incorporating antifibrotic and antitumor agents, aimed at precision therapies and improved biodistribution.

Molecular imaging — synthesis of fluorescent probes and dual probes for the visualization of pathological tissues, with applications in oncology and pulmonary fibrosis.

Allergenic epitopes and novel foods — identification, synthesis, and conformational analysis of digestion‑resistant epitopes derived from plant proteins and alternative protein sources.

Taste receptors (TAS2Rs) — synthesis of small molecules and peptides to investigate interactions with bitter taste receptors, with implications for food science and sensory perception.

Publications

Public Engagement Initiatives

European Researchers’ Night — ongoing participation since 2017, involving the organization, planning, and delivery of scientific outreach activities for the general public.

UNISTEMDAY — invited speaker at the 2025 edition, presenting a seminar on the molecular “freedom” of drugs and the fundamental principles of biomedical research.

Aperitivi della Conoscenza — public seminar on the early diagnosis of cancer and fibrosis, addressed to the local community and young audiences.

Activities with the Italian Chemical Society — institutional role as Treasurer of the Tematic Group for the Diffusion of Chemical Culture (2025–2027), contributing to national initiatives promoting chemical education and outreach.

Science communication — participation in contest and workshops and masterclasses (e.g., FameLab Masterclass), with training and outreach activities focused on effective scientific communication.

Outreach in schools — contributions to educational initiatives for high‑school students, focusing on chemistry, biology, and biomedical applications.

National and local events — involvement in thematic days, workshops, and public events dedicated to scientific dissemination and raising awareness on topics related to health, research, and innovation.