Cycle / Years
40th cycle [2024-2027]
Contacts
Supervisor(s)
Prof. Alessandro Pratesi and Prof. Chiara Gabbiani
Title of the PhD project
Unveiling the potential of metal-based complexes: from synthesis to mechanistic exploration and theranostic breakthroughs in cancer therapy
Abstract of the PhD project
Platinum complexes have been used as anticancer drugs since the discovery of cisplatin’s activity back in the 1960s. Despite their effectiveness in damaging the nuclear DNA double-strand, by promoting the irreversible apoptotic process, one of the main drawbacks associated with platinum-based chemotherapeutic agents is their low selectivity towards cancer cells. These challenges have driven the scientific community to search for new cytotoxic compounds with enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced side effects. In this regard, my PhD project aims to design, synthesize, characterize and evaluate the biological activity of a series of next-generation Pt complexes capable of combining therapeutic action with real-time imaging potential. This theranostic approach would allow monitoring of drug distribution and tumor response during treatments but, also, a better understanding of the mechanism of action. New administration routes could be investigated to enable a targeted release of the anticancer agents and increase their bioavailability.
Academic Fields and Disciplines (SSD), main and secondary
General and Inorganic Chemistry- CHEM-03/A, Bioinorganic Chemistry
Educational and third mission activities
• Member of Examination Committee – General and Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Agricultural, Food and Agri-Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, January 2025 – Present.
• Tutor – General and Inorganic Chemistry, Food Science Program, Department of Agricultural, Food and Agri-Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, September 2025 – February 2026.
• Public Outreach Volunteer – BRIGHT, European Researchers’ Night, University of Pisa, September 2025.
• Transversal Skills and Career Orientation Program (PCTO) Volunteer, Synthesis and characterization of inorganic complexes for High School Students, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, June – July 2025.
• Welcome Days Volunteer, Orientation activities for High School Students – SummerCamp@Unipi, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, June 2025.
• Laboratory Support – Organic Chemistry I, Chemistry for Industry and the Environment Program, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, April – May 2025.
• Guest Lecturer – Metals in Medicine, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, April 2025.
• Tutor – General and Inorganic Chemistry, Agricultural Science Program, Department of Agricultural, Food and Agri-Environmental Sciences, University of Pisa, September 2024 – March 2025.
International
Erasmus Traineeship, CNRS, BioCIS, CY Cergy Paris Université, September – December 2023.
Publications
• G.Bresciani, M.Bortoluzzi, C.Ghelarducci, F.Marchetti, G.Pampaloni, Synthesis of α alkylidene cyclic carbonates via CO2 fixation under ambient conditions promoted by an easily available silver carbamate, New J. Chem., 2021, 45, 4340-4346.
• E. Giorgi, F. Binacchi, M. Boldrini, C. Marotta, M. Mannelli, C. Ghelarducci, D. Cirri, D. Corvaglia, A. Cesari, F. Bellina, T. Gamberi, A. Pratesi, C. Gabbiani, Trans-Pd(II) complexes: A different approach for the development of promising anticancer drugs, Inorg. Chim. Acta, 2025, 581, 122645.
Oral communications at conferences
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Poster communications at conferences
• C. Ghelarducci, M. Mannelli, O. Monasson, E. Peroni, G. Sabatino, T. Gamberi, C. Gabbiani, A. Pratesi, Next-Generation Anticancer Agents: Synthesis, Characterization and Bioactivity of Platinum(II)-Peptide Conjugates, Emerging Voices in Cancer Research: A Multidisciplinary Symposium, University of Pisa, November 2025.
• C. Ghelarducci, M. Mannelli, O. Monasson, E. Peroni, G. Sabatino, T. Gamberi, C. Gabbiani, A. Pratesi, Innovative platinum(II)-peptide conjugates: synthesis, characterization and bioactivity for next generation anticancer therapies, 50th Conference of the Italian chemical Society’s Inorganic Chemistry, Naples, September 2025.
• C. Ghelarducci, E. Giorgi, F. Binacchi, M. Mannelli, A. Cesari, T. Gamberi, C. Gabbiani, A. Pratesi, Combined Spectroscopic Approach for Studying Protein Recognition by trans-Pd(II)-based Complexes, XV Edition of International School of Organometallic Chemistry, University of Camerino, September 2025. Poster and Flash Presentation.
• C. Ghelarducci, E. Giorgi, F. Binacchi, M. Mannelli, A. Cesari, T. Gamberi, C. Gabbiani, A. Pratesi, Protein Recognition by Cytotoxic trans-Pd(II) Complexes: A Ligand-Based NMR and UV–Vis Spectroscopy Approach, Chemistry for the Future, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, July 2025. Poster and Flash Presentation.
• C. Ghelarducci, F. Binacchi, O. Monasson, E. Peroni, A. Pratesi, C. Gabbiani, Synthesis and characterization of new Pt(II) complexes linked with peptide sequences with the aim of using the bioconjugates in targeted anticancer therapies, Chemistry for the Future, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, July 2024.
Other achievements
• Subject Matter Expert in General and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Pisa, December 2024 – December 2027.
• TOEFL Internet-Based Test – C1 Level (CEFR), November 2025.
• Professional License as Chemist – State Examination, University of Pisa, November 2024.
Funding
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