Team-Sarno-F

Personal statement
My research interests concern the discovery and development of new molecules able to selectively modify epigenetic mechanisms that are responsible for the development of cancerous states.
My academic studies and research experience have given me an excellent background in pharmaceutical chemistry, molecular biology and pathology.
During my university training at the University of Salerno in the department of pharmaceutical chemistry, my education is focused on knowledge of the small-molecules synthesis, on their chemistry and on the mechanisms underlying their development that lead to the formation of a drug ready for trade.
During my 2-year thesis internship, with prof. Gianluca Sbardella, my knowledge has focused on the chemical synthesis of new molecules for epigenetic targets and on the use of analytical techniques for a molecular qualitative analysis, as GAS / LIQUID chromatography, ICP-OES / ICP-MS / FT-IR / UV-VIS spectroscopy, HPLC. After graduation I started to work in the of Prof. Lucia Altucci’s laboratory, at the University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, expanding my knowledge from the chemistry to the biology.
During my doctoral course I focused the studies on the research, characterization and development of new molecules able to selectively inhibit the lysine demethylase 4A, KDM4A, one of the major epigenetic targets. These three years have given me the opportunity to grow from a conceptual and technical point of view, leading to the publication of different articles. During these last two years of post-doc, in the same working group, my main project line is focused on KDM4A inhibitors, but I have also shifted my attention to other numerous targets, responsible for the development of tumor states.