Francesco Ricci lab

Francesco Ricci – Principal Investigator
Email: francesco.ricci@uniroma2.it
Short CV: Francesco Ricci is a professor at the Chemistry Department of the University of Rome, Tor Vergata. His research interests lie in the fields of DNA functional nanotechnology, DNA-based sensors, synthetic biology and supramolecular chemistry. After the PhD in Chemistry earned in 2005 at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata, Francesco Ricci spent 2 years as a visiting post-doc researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Francesco Ricci has been awarded an International Marie Curie Outgoing Fellowship (2010), an ERC Starting Grant (2013) and an ERC Consolidator Grant (2019). He is also the recipient of the inaugural 2017 ACS “Advances in Measurement Science Lectureship” Award and the 2017 “Heinrich Emanuel Merck Award on Analytical Science”.
Link to the complete Curriculum Vitae
Francesco Ricci’s publications
Google Scholar profile

Current members of the lab

Dalila Cafagno – post-doc researcher
My research project focuses on developing Ab-mimic systems exploiting DNA nanotechnologies for the bivalent detection of specific target.

Romain Amador – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow – DNA-Pro-Nano
Email: rom.amador@sfr.fr
My project focuses on developing DNA-based nanodevices for the detection of clinically-relevant proteins. Additionally, I am working on novel DNA-based binders

Simone Brannetti – PhD Student
Email: simone.brannetti@uniroma2.it
My PhD project aimed at developing novel strategies for the control of complex DNA-based molecular networks. I am also investigating functional DNA-based nanostructures for biosensing and drug release.

Sara Scalia – PhD student
Email: sara.scalia@uniroma2.it
My PhD research is focused on the development of synthetic DNA condensates that can replicate the functions of living cells. These nanodevices can serve as innovative platforms for biosensing and therapeutic applications.

Francesca Miceli – PhD student
Email: francesca.cosimina.miceli@uniroma2.it
My PhD project is focused on the development of cell-free transcription-translation systems and CRISPR/Cas-based biosensing platforms for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of antibodies and protein biomarkers.

Miriam Quattrociocchi – PhD student
Email: miriam.quattrociocchi@uniroma2.it
My PhD work is focused on the development of novel strategies to control DNA-based nanostructures and networks to use in cell-free systems.

Laura Hohenstein
Email: laura.hohenstein09@gmail.com
The research of my post graduate fellowship aims on developing synthetic protein–DNA hybrid condensates that can assemble and disassemble in response to different stimuli. These systems could later be adapted for therapeutic applications.

João Aguiar
Email: aguiar@scienze.uniroma2.it
My PhD project, conducted within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) project SYNSENSO aims to develop new combinatorial biosensors for Transcription factor and DNA Repair enzymes detection, leveraging cell-free synthetic biology systems like In vitro Transcription and In vitro Translation.

Jordy Alexis Lerma Escalera – PhD student
Email: jordyalexis.lermaescalera@students.uniroma2.eu
My PhD project, conducted within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) project SYNSENSO, focuses on exploring novel DNA/RNA responsive elements with programmable and controllable input/output behavior. The objective is to achieve precise temporal control, enabling digital-like responses in DNA/RNA circuits through transient and reversible activation of these responsive elements.

Ana Urošević – PhD student
Email: ana.urosevic@u niroma2.it
I am currently working on using DNA as a tool to rationally design target-responsive switches to control and finely tune biological processes in cell-free systems. My work is also focused on creating novel DNA-based binders for potential therapeutic applications.