Personale docente

Roberto Ramoni graduated in Biological Sciences (110/110 cum laude) at the University of Parma in 1983.
He received his PhD in Molecular Biology and Pathology at the University of Parma in 1991.
From 1991 to 2005, he was a Researcher in Biochemistry at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Parma.
Since 2005, he has been an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Parma.
He obtained the National Scientific Qualification for the position of Full Professor in the Sector 05/E1 - GENERAL BIOCHEMISTRY.
He carries out research at the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Parma.
Since 1985, he has been studying the structure-function relationship of vertebrate odorant binding proteins. Specifically, he collaborated on the resolution of the three-dimensional structure of the native isoforms of bovine and porcine OBP and contributed to the study of the mechanisms responsible for domain swapping in bovine OBP.
He also worked on the characterization of OBP as a carrier/scavenger of cytotoxic molecules produced by lipid peroxidation, with particular reference to the alkenaldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (a compound involved in the pathogenesis of numerous acute and chronic diseases and cancer), as well as on the OBP antimicrobial properties.

In recent years, he has also focused on the following scientific issues:
A - Preparation and characterization of platelet gel and stem cells for use in tissue regenerative therapy in veterinary medicine.
Related to this topic, the following points have been developed:
Characterization and preparation of platelet gel for tissue regenerative therapies in several animal species (equine, dog, cat, turtle).
Isolation and characterization of adult stem cells from equine and canine adipose tissue

B - Structural and functional characterization of proteins involved in phage-host interaction in Lactococcus lactis, a bacterium widely used as a microbial starter in numerous dairy products.

C - Toxicological studies on the effects of various micro- and nano-particulates on in vitro and in vivo cellular models.

He coordinated a research group that served as a subcontractor for the European Union project named OPTIM (BIO4-98-0420), focusing on the characterization of odorant-transporting proteins in mammals and insects (Coordinator: Dr. Cristian Cambillau, AFMB-CNRS, Marseille, France).
He was the scientific director of a FIRB project (2001 call) entitled "Investigation of the involvement of the human odorant binding protein in cellular mechanisms counteracting oxidative stress."
In 2002, he was a member and subsequently coordinator of the Parma Unit of the PRIN 2002 interuniversity project "Products of Lipid Oxidation and Their Toxicological effects in Dairy Products."
In 2008, he received funding from the Cariparma Foundation for a project entitled "Preparation of Protein-Based Filters for the Removal of Atrazine, Phthalates, and Other Toxic Organic Contaminants from Water."
Also in 2008, he received funding under the Galileo call (bilateral Italy-France projects) for a project entitled "Structural and Functional Characterization of Binding Complexes between Human Odorant Binding Protein and Cytotoxic Compounds Produced as a Result of Oxidative Stress."
He has bee the Scientific Director of the three-year bilateral Italy-Mexico project (2013-2013) entitled "Resistance to oxidative stress in cells with mitochondria functionalized with a protein scavenger for the removal of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal" (in collaboration with Dr. Diego Gonzalez Halphen – UNAM, Mexico City).

Other Research Experiences:
1988 Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene - Professor Sidney Bernhard

Scientific Collaborations:
Dr. Christian Cambillau and Dr. Mariella Tegoni, AFMB-CNRS, Marseille (France) - Characterization of the structure-function relationship of native and mutant forms of Odorant Binding Protein. Characterization of the phage-host interaction in Lactococcus lactis.
Dr. Diego Gonzalez Halphen, Institute of Cellular Physiology, Univrsidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico City (MEX): Targeting OBPs to Mitochondria
Dr. Giorgio Giraffa and Dr. Domenico Carminati, CRA-FLC of Lodi: Study of the Phage-Host Interaction in Lactobacillus Helveticus
Prof. Claudio Rivetti, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Parma: Characterization, by Atomic Force Spectroscopy, of DNA-binding proteins from Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus Helveticus phages