
Prof. Dal Piaz research is focused on four main research topics:
-: Study on the interaction between bioactive small molecules (drugs) and target proteins. This investigation is aimed on the identification of the molecular targets and off-targets of pharmacologically active compounds, and is generally performed by compound-centered proteomics approaches. Moreover, the obtained drug-protein (covalent or non-covalent) complexes are investigated in terms of their stoichiometry, thermodynamic stability, interaction regions and conformational changes induced on protein three-dimensional structure by drug binding.
-: Identification and structural analysis of proteins involved in pathological processes. These studies are realized both on purified proteins, by biochemical approaches coupled with mass spectrometry analytical techniques, or on complex samples (cell or tissue lysates), by proteomic investigation methods.
-: Structural and chemical characterization of microbial and vegetal nano vescichel through the use of mass spectrometry-based ‘omics’ approaches, combined with physical methods.
-: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of bioactive small molecules and their metabolites in biological fluids and tissues by chromatographic and mass spectrometrry approaches.
Prof. Dal Piaz boasts a remarkable expertise in mass spectrometry techniques for small molecules, protein and protein complexes analyses. He is also skilled of proteomic investigation strategy. He has a good know how about spectrometric methods aimed to the investigation of molecular interactions (surface plasmon resonance and circular dicroism) and about classical biochemical methods for protein analysis.
GRANTED PROJECTS:
Princiapl Inestigator of the project
Princiapl Investigator of the project “Translational pharmacology against rare tumors: 14-3-3 protein interaction network modulators as novel class of anti-cancer drugs” granted by the Italian Ministry for the Research
Scientific manager of the project “AVENA for food” granted by Regione Campania, aimed at recovering oats as a source of fiber and nutrients
Scientific manager of the project granted by Regione Campania, named NutriFruitIce, for the development of a new functional food, consisting of ice cream implemented by algal extracts.
Scientific manager of the project “Development of analytical methods aimed at predictivity immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics for new biotechnological products” funded by Merk Serono.
BIBLIOMETRIC PARAMETERS:
Number of papers on international peer-reviewed journals: 194
H index: 41
Total number of citations: 5200