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 Alessandro Porchetta – Assistant professor
Email: alessandro.porchetta@uniroma2.it
I am studying switching based DNA biomolecules (molecular beacons, aptamers) for biosensing and drug release applications. I have recreated in-vitro nature’s tricks to both narrow and broaden the dynamic range of biological receptors that can undergo binding-induced conformational changes employing allosteric control.
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 Andrea Idili – post-doc researcher – IF-MSCA fellow
Email: andrea.idili@uniroma2.it
I am working on the rational design of DNA-based nanodevices and nanoswitches controlled by entropy. I am currently a MSCA fellow with a project entitled “Entropic DNA Sensors” (2021-2023). After a two-year period at UCSB and 2 years at ICN2 (Spain) I am now based in the Ricci lab. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement n. 101025241.
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 Simona Ranallo – post-doc researcher – IF-MSCA fellow
Email: simona.ranallo@uniroma2.it
My research objective is to develop novel DNA-based nanoswitches regulated by antibodies and to control the assembly and disassembly of DNA nanostructures employing these molecular cues. Papers about these projects have been published in Nature Communications (Nat Comm 2017 and here Nat Comm 2019). I am also studying the possibility to develop electrochemical DNA-based nanodevices for orthogonal multiplex detection of clinically-relevant antibodies. I am currently a MSCA Global fellow. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement n. 843179.
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 Tania Patino – post-doc researcher – IF-MSCA fellow
Email: tania.patino@uniroma2.eu
The objective of my MSCA-IF project “DNA-bots” is to combine both enzyme-propulsion and DNA nanotechnology to create a new class of biocompatible and biodegradable nanorobotic devices with advanced functions including motion, sensing and smart cargo loading and release. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement n. 843998.
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 Erica Del Grosso – post-doc researcher – IF-MSCA fellow
Email: delgrosso.erica@gmail.com
My research objective is to study novel strategies to kinetically control DNA-based nanomachines and nanostructures. Currently I am also trying to adapt naturally occurring mechanisms to control and modulate the affinity of aptamers and DNA-based sensors. I am a MSCA Global fellow. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement n. 896962.
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 Davide Mariottini – post-doc researcher
Email: mariottinidavide@gmail.com
I am working on recreating in the laboratory different nature-inspired strategies to control the load and release of a cargo from a synthetic receptor. I recently recreated a cooperative strategy in a hemoglobin-mimicking DNA nanodevice and I am currently working on using disorder to control my nanodevices.
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 Daniela Sorrentino– PhD student
Email: daniela.sorrentino.2@uniroma2.it
My PhD project is aimed at developing novel ways to control DNA-based reactions (such as strand displacement) and nanoswitches with different biological inputs (see here Nat. Comm., 2019 and ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2021). I’m also studying new strategies to finely modulate DNA-based systems and nanostructures exploiting the advantages of cell-free genetic circuits.
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 Sara Bracaglia – PhD student
Email: sara.bracaglia@uniroma2.it
The objective of my PhD project is to develop novel DNA-based electrochemical nanoswitches for biomarkers detection and the control of cell-free systems.
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 Serena Gentile – PhD student
Email: serena.gentile13@uniroma2.it
My PhD project is aimed at developing novel strategies to control the reconfiguration of self-assembled DNA-based polymers.
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 Juliette Bucci – PhD student
Email: juliette.bucci@uniroma2.it
My PhD project is focused on the development of strategies for the control of cell-free systems with different biological inputs.
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 Nada Farag – PhD student
Email: nada-farag@hotmail.com
I am studying DNA repair enzymes (Methyltransferases, Uracil DNA Glycosylase, Oxoguanine Glycosylase, etc.) as tools to modulate the configuration and the structural organization of DNA-based nanostructures.
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| ALUMNI – PAST MEMBERS |
 Alessandro Bertucci – Now Assitant professor at University of Parma
Alessandro was an IF-MSCA global fellow with a project entitled “Multifunctional miRNA-targeting nanodevices for pluripotent cancer theranostics” (2017-2020).
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 Alessia Amodio – Now Project Adviser at the EU Commission
Alessia was an IF-MSCA global fellow with a project entitled “Intelligent Nano-encapsuled siRNA for Restoring Immune Cell Response to Cancer” (2017-2020).
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Francesco Ricci –
Marianna Rossetti – post-doc researcher
