STAFF

Dr. Angela Messina

EDUCATION:

• Ph.D. Research post degree at the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Polymers (ICTP) in Catania with Dott. D. Garozzo group.
• 1992
  Master’s degree in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Catania/ Italy

CURRENT POSITION:

• 2012 - today
  Researcher at National Research Council (CNR)/ Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials (IPCB)/ Italy

SKILLS:

Referee of several international scientific journals.
Author of publications and book chapters .
Research activity based on:

• characterization of natural and synthetic macromolecules;
• supramolecular chemistry;
• proteomics, protein identification, biomarker discovery.

• structural characterization of biomacromolecules through the development and set up of analytical methods based on MALDI-TOF (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight) and ESI (Electrospray) mass spectrometry.
• Characterization of proteins, glycoproteins and glycans of biological matrices (lacrimal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, serum) to understand the functional role of these biomolecules in cellular biological mechanisms and to identify possible alterations, possibly linked to different pathological processes.
• Study of the N-glycans of the lacrimal fluid of healthy subjects and subjects suffering from particular pathologies such as VKC (Vernal Keratoconjunctivitis) and AKC (Atopic Keratoconjunctivitis), in order to identify possible diagnostic biomarkers.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) study to compare the N-glycan profiles of subjects suffering from neurodegenerative diseases (AD Alzheimer's disease, MCI Mild Cognitive Impairment, PD Parkinson's Disease etc.) and control samples.
• Detailed characterization of the glycomic profile of the total serum and of the individual serum glycoproteins of subjects affected by Congenital Disorders of the Glycosylation (CDG).