About us - Partner 1: Brescia Site
At Brescia site, we perform the extraction of nucleic acids from patients’ blood for omics analyses. In Phase 1, our team is involved in the extension of genomic analyses, through the further genotyping of a panel of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics-related genes, on a well-characterized cohort of MDDpatients (150 TRD and 150 responders), already recruited. In Project Phase 2, we will perform a complete genomic profiling, both through GWAS arrays and the above-mentioned genotyping of pharmacokinetics/dynamics genes on a newly recruited cohort.
PROMPT OFFICIAL TEAM DESCRIPTION
Prof. Massimo Gennarelli is Full Professor in Medical Genetics at the University of Brescia and head of Genetic Unit of IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli in Brescia. His recent research activity has been dedicated to the fields of genetics, biochemistry and pharmacogenetics of psychiatric disorders. In recent years, he and his research group have conducted numerous studies on the identification of molecular (genetic and biochemical) markers associated with disorders diagnosis and treatment response. Specific areas of investigation have been: the role of immune system modulators and neurotrophic factors in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, major depression, and dementia; and action mechanisms involved in pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapy for these disorders. Moreover, he has conducted several case-control association studies on candidate genes for susceptibility to Major Psychoses, in the endeavour to clarify the role of the genes linked to some neurotransmitter systems (glutamate, serotonin, and dopamine), cytokines, and neurotrophic factors.
Dr. Alessandra Minelli is Associate Professor in Psychobiology at the University of Brescia in Italy and researcher at the Genetic Unit in the IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli in Brescia. The overall goal of Dr. Minelli is the identification of clinical and biological predictors associated with the development of major depressive disorders (MDD) and to the efficacy of relative treatments, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Her research has strongly contributed to define clinical outcomes in pharmacogenomics and transcriptomics studies on antidepressant treatment, clinical and genetic markers related to unfavorable treatment outcome focusing on treatment resistant depression (TRD), biological dysregulation associated to childhood trauma as well as clinical and biological markers associated to electroconvulsive therapy in TRD patients.
Dr. Valentina Menesello is PhD Student in Molecular Genetics, Biotechnologies and Experimental Medicine at the University of Brescia, in collaboration with the Genetic Unit of the IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli of Brescia in Italy. Her research activity is mainly focused on clinical phenotype characterization of depressed patients enrolled in Phase 1 of PROMPT project. She is involved in the Survey Committee and in the Dissemination and Communication Committee for PROMPT.
PROMPT COLLABORATORS DESCRIPTION
Dr. Paolo Martini is an Assistant Professor in Genetics of the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine at the University of Brescia in Italy.
His research activity focuses mainly on the understanding of transcriptomic and transcriptional regulation, both at genetic and epigenetic levels. Hence, a substantial proportion of Dr. Martini’s work consists in the development of bioinformatic tools for the analysis of omics data (methylation, gene expression, somatic mutations etc.) and especially for pathway analysis. Recently, his research interest has expanded also in the transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Dr. Giulia Perusi is Assistant Research at the University of Brescia in Italy. Her research activity is mainly focused on clinical phenotype characterization of depressed patients enrolled in Phase 1 of PROMPT project. She is involved in the Clinical Committee for PROMPT.
Dr. Lisa Buson is a Molecular Biologist at the Genetic Unit of IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli of Brescia, Italy. She is currently involved in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 sample processing and data management of the PROMPT project.
Dr. Federico Bernoni d’Aversa is a PhD Biotechnologist at the Genetic Unit of IRCCS Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli of Brescia in Italy. He is involved in pharmacogenetic analysis of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of PROMPT project.