Cycle / Years
41th cycle [2025-2028]
Contacts
Supervisor(s)
Dott. Lorenzo Biancalana, Prof.ssa Ilaria Degano
Title of the PhD project
Study of the mechanism of action of diiron(I) bis-cyclopentadienyl complexes as anticancer agents
Abstract of the PhD project
Cationic diiron(I) bis-cyclopentadienyl complexes, readily available from [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄], represent a promising family of compounds for antitumoral applications. The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the mechanisms governing the cytotoxic activity of these compounds. In particular, the project involves synthetic work aimed at designing a fluorescent derivative, which will be used in cell-imaging studies to gain insight into intracellular localization and preferential interactions. In addition, biological studies will be carried out to understand the uptake processes responsible for the absorption of these compounds by cells. Finally, mass spectrometry techniques will be employed for kinetic studies aimed at clarifying the degradation mechanisms of the complexes in a biological environment and their role in apoptosis.
Academic Fields and Disciplines (SSD), main and secondary
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Educational and third mission activities
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International
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Publications
• J. La Nasa, C. Blaensdorf, E. Dolcher, S. Del Seppia, A. Micheluz, F. Modugno, M. Pamplona, I. Bonaduce, “Historical aircraft paints: Analytical pyrolysis for the identification of paint binders used on two Messerschmitt Bf 109 planes” Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 2022, 163, 105468
Oral communications at conferences
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Poster communications at conferences
• “Diiron(l) Complexes for Biological Applications: Novel Structures and Behaviour in Aqueous Solution”, E. Dolcher, L. Biancalana, S. Zacchini, F. Marchetti, Chemistry for the Future 2025, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa
Other achievements
• Teaching support to the course of “Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemistry”, University of Pisa, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, 2026 January 12th – February 19th (Disp. n. 699/2025)
• Open days activity for High School students, Dept. of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Pisa, January 9th 2026
Funding
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