Research Area
Active Research fields
- Role of the tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (TD-SEVs) in modulation of pre-metastatic niche.
- Proteomics Investigations focused on (i) characterization of the molecular signature of specific phenotypes and its modulation induced by drugs, elements of tissue microenvironment, etc. (discovery proteomics); (ii) identification of prognostic/diagnostic markers in different pathological conditions by using clinical specimens such as cells, biopsies and body fluids (targeted proteomics).
Research projects of the last 5 years
-2022–2024: Head of the Local Unit at the University of Palermo, Department of Bi.N.D., within the PRIN 2022 project entitled: “Tackling Liver Metastasis: Dissecting the Mechanistic Role of Small Extracellular Vesicles (sEVs) and Exploiting Their Engineering for Novel Therapeutic Approaches” – Coordinator: Prof. Marco Tripodi, Sapienza University of Rome.
- 2018/2022: "START: Molecular stratification of patients with giant cell arteritis to tailor glucocorticoid therapy" finanziato da FOREUM Foundation for Research in Rheumatology, Foreum: "Stratified Medicine in Rheumatology" (3-year project). PI: Dr Nicolò Pipitone, Unit of Rheumatology, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia; Scientific Responsible of the Unit at the University of Palermo, (Departiment Bi.N.D.): Prof. Riccardo Alessandro/Prof Simona Fontana.
- 2021/2022: Proof of Concept project (PoC): “JUMP - Joint Universities’ prograM for PoC (Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico) intitolato: “Oligonucleotidi complementari a ddhd1 e loro uso per la prevenzione e il trattamento dei tumori”, for the development of the patent: "Oligonucleotidi complementari a DDH1 e loro uso per la prevenzione e il trattamento dei tumori". Patent N. 102017000060905.
-2018/2020: Project of the Specialization Area “Grenn Chemistry” entitled “PROGEMA - Processi Green per l'Estrazione di principi attivi e la depurazione di MAtrici di scarto e non”
- 2014/2020: Horizon 2020 Project – PON-MISE 2014/2020 “Salute in tazza: innovative soluzioni per l’isolamento e l’applicazione industriale, anche in capsule, di composti biofunzionali ottenuti da agrumi di Sicilia”.
Collaborations
• Since 2024: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the group of Prof. La Carrubba (Associate Professor of Materials Science and Technology at the University of Palermo) within a project aimed at the development of innovative “Organ-on-Chip” systems. The results obtained so far have led to a peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is the corresponding author (DOI: 10.1039/d5lc00353a).
• 2021–2023: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the group of Prof. Olofsson Bagge (Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden) within a project focused on the characterization of the functional role of colorectal cancer-derived extracellular vesicles as regulators of pre-metastatic liver niche induction. The results obtained have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific article for which Prof. Fontana is the last author (DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02916-8).
• Since 2019: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with Prof. Lorico (Touro University College of Medicine, Henderson, NV, USA) within a project focused on the characterization of the functional role of colorectal cancer-derived extracellular vesicles as regulators of pre-metastatic liver niche induction. The results obtained have led to a peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is the last author (DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-02916-8), as well as to a manuscript submitted for publication in Cancer Immunology Research.
• 2017–2022: Head of the research activities carried out by the University of Palermo Unit within the Horizon 2020 – PON 2014/2020 project entitled “Health in a Cup: Innovative Solutions for the Isolation and Industrial Application, Including Capsule Formulations, of Biofunctional Compounds Obtained from Sicilian Citrus Fruits”, in collaboration with Azienda Agrumaria Corleone. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is the last author (DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.16461) and two publications for which she is the corresponding author (DOI: 10.3390/biology12121535; DOI: 10.3390/foods9091290).
• Since 2018: Head of proteomic analysis activities within the research project entitled “START: Molecular Stratification of Patients with Giant Cell Arteritis to Tailor Glucocorticoid Therapy”, funded by the FOREUM Foundation for Research in Rheumatology and nationally coordinated by Dr. Nicolò Pipitone (Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS, Reggio Emilia). The results obtained within the project have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is co-author (DOI: 10.1002/art.43358).
• Since 2019: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the group of Prof. Caccamo (Full Professor of General Pathology at the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo) within a project focused on the characterization of the functional role of extracellular vesicles as regulators of cellular cross-talk. The results obtained have led to a peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is the corresponding author (DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212118).
• 2016–2020: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the group of Prof. Campisi (Full Professor of Oral Diseases at the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo) within a project focused on the functional characterization of the protein signature of extracellular vesicles isolated from saliva. The results obtained have led to a peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first and corresponding author (DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011160).
• 2016–2017: Head of the Local Mass Spectrometry Unit at Di.Bi.Med., University of Palermo, within the National Program “Mitochondrial Human Proteome Project” (mt-HPP), an initiative promoted by the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO) and coordinated by Prof. Andrea Urbani (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”), aimed at the characterization of the mitochondrial proteome. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is co-author (DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.7b00350).
• 2014–2017: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with Prof. Dolores Di Vizio (Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA) within a research project focused on the characterization of the relationship between exosomes and tumor heterogeneity. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first and corresponding author (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05002-y).
• 2013–2015: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with Prof. Natale Belluardo, Full Professor of Physiology at the University of Palermo, concerning the proteomic characterization of muscle tissue from mdx mice subjected to physical exercise. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first author (DOI: 10.1042/BSR20150013).
• 2009–2012: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the groups of Dr. Giovanni Duro (IBIM-CNR, Palermo) and Prof. Giovanni Savettieri (Full Professor of Neurology at the University of Palermo) within a project aimed at identifying novel serum biomarkers for Multiple Sclerosis through an immunoproteomic approach. The project led to the development of the patent: “Method and Diagnostic Kit for Multiple Sclerosis”. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first and corresponding author (DOI: 10.3390/ijms151223269).
• 2012–2014: Head of the research activities carried out in collaboration with the research group of Prof. Venturella (Full Professor of General Botany at the University of Palermo) within a project focused on the evaluation of the anti-tumoral and immunomodulatory effects of substances extracted from Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae and P. nebrodensis. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first and corresponding author (DOI: 10.1615/intjmedmushr.v16.i1.50).
• 2009–2012: Head of the collaboration with the research groups of Prof. Jeffrey Medin (Division of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology) and Dr. Thomas Kislinger (Division of Cancer Genomics and Proteomics), both at the University Health Network of Toronto, Canada, for the development of a project coordinated by them and aimed at the proteomic and functional characterization of EPS-urine through the application of MudPIT proteomic technology. The results obtained have led to one peer-reviewed scientific publication for which Prof. Fontana is first author (DOI: 10.1021/pr2011236).
• 2002–2010: Head of the collaboration with Dr. Michel Becchi, Institut de Biologie et Chimie des Protéines, CNRS UMR 5086, Department of Mass Spectrometry, within several research projects involving proteomic investigations conducted both in the laboratory directed by Prof. Ida Pucci Minafra (Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University of Palermo) and in the laboratory directed by Prof. Giacomo De Leo (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Palermo). The results obtained have led to three peer-reviewed scientific publications for which Prof. Fontana is first author (DOI: 10.1007/s10529-009-0180-5; DOI: 10.1021/pr0704128; DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200300582) and two publications for which she is co-author (DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200500627; DOI: 10.3382/ps.2009-00054).
Active research
The group laboratory is formed by three spaces dedicated to research activities and one cell culture facility. There also is a sharing space for research Trainees/Fellows and Ph.D. students.
In our laboratory, there are several instruments routinely used such as analytical balance, benchtop centrifuges, Real-Time systems, etc as well as highly specialized instruments such as TEM, SEM, and confocal microscopes and a mass spectrometer for shotgun proteomics and SWATH analyses.