Francesco Salvatore
e-mail: salvator AT unina.it
affiliation: Università di Napoli Federico II
research area(s): Genetics And Genomics, Molecular Biology
Course:
Genetics and Molecular Medicine
University/Istitution: Università di Napoli Federico II
University/Istitution: Università di Napoli Federico II
Francesco Salvatore, born in Naples, Italy, graduated (M.D.) from the University of Naples Federico II in Medicine and Surgery in 1956 and obtained his PhD in Biochemistry in 1960. He was appointed Full Professor in 1967 and held the Chair of Human Biochemistry at the School of Medicine of the University of Naples Federico II. He served as Director of the Institute of Biochemistry (University of Naples Federico II) from 1972 to 1982.
He served, from 2005 to 2007, as President of the Faculty of the Degree Programme in Human Nutrition (Faculty of Biotechnological Sciences, and Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II); from 2005 to 2009, President of the Faculty of the Degree Programme in Health Biotechnology (Faculty of Biotechnological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II).
Since 1984, he is President and Scientific Director of CEINGE, which is a biotechnology research consortium that covers an area of 8,500 m2, with over 200 researchers and core facilities for post-genomic research applied to biomedicine.
He is also Professor and Member of the Academic Council of the European School of Molecular Medicine [SEMM] (President: Prof. U. Veronesi), instituted by the Ministries of Health and of the University and Research, at Milan and Naples; he chairs the Naples Branch of SEMM (2003-2008).
He was visiting scientist or visiting professor at the Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA (Prof. Fritz Schlenk), Laboratoire de Biochimie Générale et Compareé, France (Prof. Jean Roche), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany (Profs. John Kendrew and Lenn Philippson), Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill., USA (Prof. Stanley K. Shapiro), Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, USA (Prof. Bruce Ames), and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK (Prof. Sidney Brenner) for a total of 4-5 years.
He is author of over 400 publications, including more than 200 original papers most of which appeared in international peer-reviewed journals. He was an Editor of Gene until 2008, and is a member of the Editorial Board of various international scientific journals. He is a reviewer for numerous international journals. He has also served as an expert on various national and international committees concerning scientific research and policy.
He is involved as expert advisor, member, President or Coordinator in numerous National and International Commissions on scientific research and policies concerning Biomedicine and Life Sciences.
He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences in Rome, Italy (known as Academy of the XL). He received many prestigious awards including the title of Professor Emeritus by the Ministry of Public Education, University and Research; The Gold Medal by the Ministry of University and Scientific Research; The Gold Medal by National Academy of Sciences (known as Academy of the XL) and The Dorso prize for Scientific Research.
He served, from 2005 to 2007, as President of the Faculty of the Degree Programme in Human Nutrition (Faculty of Biotechnological Sciences, and Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II); from 2005 to 2009, President of the Faculty of the Degree Programme in Health Biotechnology (Faculty of Biotechnological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II).
Since 1984, he is President and Scientific Director of CEINGE, which is a biotechnology research consortium that covers an area of 8,500 m2, with over 200 researchers and core facilities for post-genomic research applied to biomedicine.
He is also Professor and Member of the Academic Council of the European School of Molecular Medicine [SEMM] (President: Prof. U. Veronesi), instituted by the Ministries of Health and of the University and Research, at Milan and Naples; he chairs the Naples Branch of SEMM (2003-2008).
He was visiting scientist or visiting professor at the Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA (Prof. Fritz Schlenk), Laboratoire de Biochimie Générale et Compareé, France (Prof. Jean Roche), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg, Germany (Profs. John Kendrew and Lenn Philippson), Department of Biological Science, University of Illinois, Chicago, Ill., USA (Prof. Stanley K. Shapiro), Department of Biochemistry, University of California, Berkeley, USA (Prof. Bruce Ames), and Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK (Prof. Sidney Brenner) for a total of 4-5 years.
He is author of over 400 publications, including more than 200 original papers most of which appeared in international peer-reviewed journals. He was an Editor of Gene until 2008, and is a member of the Editorial Board of various international scientific journals. He is a reviewer for numerous international journals. He has also served as an expert on various national and international committees concerning scientific research and policy.
He is involved as expert advisor, member, President or Coordinator in numerous National and International Commissions on scientific research and policies concerning Biomedicine and Life Sciences.
He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences in Rome, Italy (known as Academy of the XL). He received many prestigious awards including the title of Professor Emeritus by the Ministry of Public Education, University and Research; The Gold Medal by the Ministry of University and Scientific Research; The Gold Medal by National Academy of Sciences (known as Academy of the XL) and The Dorso prize for Scientific Research.
His early research focused on the nitrogen metabolism of amino acids, the ureogenetic cycle, the mechanism of ammonia detoxification, methyltransferases also at nucleic acid level, and adenosylmethionine metabolism. He subsequently studied the molecular biology of tRNAs, and the structure and expression of human protein genes, namely the aldolase isoenzyme system and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase. These studies resulted in the elucidation of complete cDNA sequences and of the sequences linked to the gene promoter region. He also published data on the use of laboratory indicators to differentiate among clinically confounding human disorders, including neoplasias, with particular reference to hepatobiliary diseases.
His work on disease-causing genes led to the identification and diagnosis of new mutations and to the molecular diagnosis of hereditary and acquired genetic disorders. He devised an mRNA assay for the diagnosis and monitoring of acquired genetic diseases (leukaemias and tumours) that has a sensitivity of attomoles. This assay diagnoses sensitivity or resistance to interferon-alpha treatment within 48 hours. He identified new disease-causing genes, which in one case led to a nosographic classification of chronic myeloid leukaemias based on molecular data. His studies on the BCR/ABL fusion protein contributed to the concept of disease severity caused by a lack of protein domains.
A series of studies conducted by F. Salvatore led to the identification of disease-causing mutations in many hereditary diseases, namely cystic fibrosis, hereditary fructose intolerance, muscular dystrophy, choroideremia, malignant hyperthermia, congenital ichthyosis, etc. He also elucidated the functional role of many of these alterations and gave contribution to the biochemical pathogenesis of the diseases.
His work on disease-causing genes led to the identification and diagnosis of new mutations and to the molecular diagnosis of hereditary and acquired genetic disorders. He devised an mRNA assay for the diagnosis and monitoring of acquired genetic diseases (leukaemias and tumours) that has a sensitivity of attomoles. This assay diagnoses sensitivity or resistance to interferon-alpha treatment within 48 hours. He identified new disease-causing genes, which in one case led to a nosographic classification of chronic myeloid leukaemias based on molecular data. His studies on the BCR/ABL fusion protein contributed to the concept of disease severity caused by a lack of protein domains.
A series of studies conducted by F. Salvatore led to the identification of disease-causing mutations in many hereditary diseases, namely cystic fibrosis, hereditary fructose intolerance, muscular dystrophy, choroideremia, malignant hyperthermia, congenital ichthyosis, etc. He also elucidated the functional role of many of these alterations and gave contribution to the biochemical pathogenesis of the diseases.
Esposito G, Cevenini A, Cuomo A, De Falco F, Sabbatino D, Pane F, Ruoppolo M, Salvatore F (2011) Protein network study of human AF4 reveals its central role in the RNA Pol II-mediated transcription and in phosphorylation-dependent regulatory mechanisms. Biochem J. 2011 May 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Pirone A, Schredelseker J, Tuluc P, Gravino E, Fortunato G, Flucher BE, Carsana A, Salvatore F, Grabner M. (2010) Identification and functional characterization of malignant hyperthermia mutation T1354S in the outer pore of the Cavalpha1S-subunit. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 299_6:C1345-54.
Esposito G, Imperato MR, Ieno L, Sorvillo R, Benigno V, Parenti G, Parini R, Vitagliano L, Zagari A, Salvatore F. (2010) Hereditary fructose intolerance: functional study of two novel ALDOB natural variants and characterization of a partial gene deletion. Hum Mutat. 12:1294-303.
Scudiero O, Galdiero O, Cantisani M, Di Noto R, Vitiello MT, Galdiero M, Naclerio G, Cassiman JJ, Pedone C, Castaldo G, Salvatore F (2010) Novel Synthetic, Salt.Resistant Analogs of Human Beta-Defensins 1 and 3 Endowed with Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 54_6:2312-22.
Balestrieri ML, Lu SJ, de Nigris F, Giovane A, Williams-Ignarro S, D'Armiento FP, Feng Q, Fiorito C, Testa G, Pastore L, Cacciatore F, Mancini FP, Servillo L, De Rosa G, Pagliarulo C, Rienzo M, Minucci PB, Farzati B, Salvatore F, Rengo F, Ignarro LJ, Giordano A, Baker A, Lanza R, Napoli C. (2009). Therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice using bone marrow cells, functional hemangioblasts and metabolic intervention. Atherosclerosis. 209:403-414
Zullo A, Klingler W, De Sarno C, Ferrara M, Fortunato G, Perrotta G, Gravino E, Di Noto R, Lehmann-Horn F, Melzer W, Salvatore F, Carsana A. (2009). Functional characterization of ryanodine receptor (RYR1) sequence variants using a metabolic assay in immortalized B-lymphocytes. Hum Mutat 30:E575-90.
Caterino M, Ruoppolo M, Fulcoli G, Huynth T, Orru S, Baldini A, Salvatore F. (2009). Transcription factor TBX1 overexpression induces downregulation of proteins involved in retinoic acid metabolism: a comparative proteomic analysis. J Proteome Res 8:1515-26.
Bartlett JR, Friedman KJ, Ling SC, Pace RG, Bell SC, Bourke B, Castaldo G, Castellani C, Cipolli M, Colombo C, Colombo JL, Debray D, Fernandez A, Lacaille F, Macek M, Jr., Rowland M, Salvatore F, Taylor CJ, Wainwright C, Wilschanski M, Zemkova D, Hannah WB, Phillips MJ, Corey M, Zielenski J, Dorfman R, Wang Y, Zou F, Silverman LM, Drumm ML, Wright FA, Lange EM, Durie PR, Knowles MR. (2009). Genetic modifiers of liver disease in cystic fibrosis. JAMA 302:1076-83.
Pirone A, Schredelseker J, Tuluc P, Gravino E, Fortunato G, Flucher BE, Carsana A, Salvatore F, Grabner M. (2010) Identification and functional characterization of malignant hyperthermia mutation T1354S in the outer pore of the Cavalpha1S-subunit. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 299_6:C1345-54.
Esposito G, Imperato MR, Ieno L, Sorvillo R, Benigno V, Parenti G, Parini R, Vitagliano L, Zagari A, Salvatore F. (2010) Hereditary fructose intolerance: functional study of two novel ALDOB natural variants and characterization of a partial gene deletion. Hum Mutat. 12:1294-303.
Scudiero O, Galdiero O, Cantisani M, Di Noto R, Vitiello MT, Galdiero M, Naclerio G, Cassiman JJ, Pedone C, Castaldo G, Salvatore F (2010) Novel Synthetic, Salt.Resistant Analogs of Human Beta-Defensins 1 and 3 Endowed with Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 54_6:2312-22.
Balestrieri ML, Lu SJ, de Nigris F, Giovane A, Williams-Ignarro S, D'Armiento FP, Feng Q, Fiorito C, Testa G, Pastore L, Cacciatore F, Mancini FP, Servillo L, De Rosa G, Pagliarulo C, Rienzo M, Minucci PB, Farzati B, Salvatore F, Rengo F, Ignarro LJ, Giordano A, Baker A, Lanza R, Napoli C. (2009). Therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice using bone marrow cells, functional hemangioblasts and metabolic intervention. Atherosclerosis. 209:403-414
Zullo A, Klingler W, De Sarno C, Ferrara M, Fortunato G, Perrotta G, Gravino E, Di Noto R, Lehmann-Horn F, Melzer W, Salvatore F, Carsana A. (2009). Functional characterization of ryanodine receptor (RYR1) sequence variants using a metabolic assay in immortalized B-lymphocytes. Hum Mutat 30:E575-90.
Caterino M, Ruoppolo M, Fulcoli G, Huynth T, Orru S, Baldini A, Salvatore F. (2009). Transcription factor TBX1 overexpression induces downregulation of proteins involved in retinoic acid metabolism: a comparative proteomic analysis. J Proteome Res 8:1515-26.
Bartlett JR, Friedman KJ, Ling SC, Pace RG, Bell SC, Bourke B, Castaldo G, Castellani C, Cipolli M, Colombo C, Colombo JL, Debray D, Fernandez A, Lacaille F, Macek M, Jr., Rowland M, Salvatore F, Taylor CJ, Wainwright C, Wilschanski M, Zemkova D, Hannah WB, Phillips MJ, Corey M, Zielenski J, Dorfman R, Wang Y, Zou F, Silverman LM, Drumm ML, Wright FA, Lange EM, Durie PR, Knowles MR. (2009). Genetic modifiers of liver disease in cystic fibrosis. JAMA 302:1076-83.
Project Title:
Project Title:
Integrated studies on the molecular basis of inherited and acquired (leukaemia) genetic diseases.
Project Title:
Cancer stem cells: early markers for diagnosis.