PhD in Innovative Biotechnologies in Sensory Organs Diseases

  • What it is

    Mobility experience with a research focus

  • Who it’s for

    PhD sandwich

Department

Department of Sense Organs 

Main research activities/topics/projects

The aim of the Research Doctorate is to provide theoretical and practical knowledge of innovative technologies and their application through a translational approach. Specifically, in the field of eye diseases, the recent introduction of innovative therapies such as the use of nerve growth factor for the treatment of challenging diseases lacking effective treatment. 

The research conduct in Ophthalmology the following topics:
- Application of angio-OCT and new ocular biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases
- Identification of new potential biomarkers in retinopathy of prematurity
- Study of anatomical and functional alterations in patients who underwent surgery for retinal detachment
- Characterization of the expression of interleukin 8 and its receptor CXCR-1 on the ocular surface of glaucoma patients undergoing filtration surgery, as a possible predictive biomarker of surgical outcome
- Review of the literature on the use of neurotrophins in the treatment of glaucoma and development of a research protocol for the intravitreal administration of NGF in an animal model
- Collection of data on 3223 patients from 7 regions of Italy to develop a descriptive epidemiological study on glaucoma, maculopathy, and diabetic retinopathy in the population over 40 years old (project "Vista in salute 2022", promoted by IAPB Italia onlus)
- Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of topical eye drops obtained with the Hy-tissue PRP system in the treatment of dry eye secondary to graft versus host disease (GVHD)
- Assessment of the mucosal immune response after vaccination for SARS-Cov2 by sampling tears, saliva, and serum in subjects who underwent primary vaccination and booster for SARS-Cov2 or had a previous SARS-Cov2 infection.
- Evaluation of ocular surface disease and identification of biomarkers of ocular fibrosis in patients with atopic dermatitis and nasal polyposis treated with Dupilumab
- Study of the efficacy and safety of Cenegermin (Oxervate®) 20 mcg/mL ophthalmic solution in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and severe dry eye, with and without concomitant intake of Cyclosporine A in eye drops (PROTEGO-2 and PROTEGO-1 studies )
- Development of new imaging methods for the objective evaluation of intraocular inflammation

Working language

Italian and English

Duration in months (min-max)

PhD sandwich: 6-12

Contacts

Main scientific contact person

Director: Alessandro Lambiase

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Main scientific contact person

Alice Bruscolini - supervisor

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Main scientific contact person

Marco Marenco

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Main scientific contact person

Magda Gharbiya

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Other scientific contact persons of the same group

Fabiana Mallone

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Other scientific contact persons of the same group

Giuseppe Albanese

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