Equipment 

The Translational Research and Proteomics Laboratory has been recently established and inaugurated to advance applied research projects focusing on the utilization of cutting-edge instrumentation. 

The laboratory is equipped with an Orbitrap Exploris 240 in line with a nano Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (nanoUHPLC) system, further enhanced by a High-field Asymmetric-waveform Ion Mobility (FAIMS) system. 

Furthermore, the laboratory possesses state-of-the-art instrumentation for preparing samples for proteomics analysis (Speed Vacuum concentrator), as well as for conducting studies in spectrofluorimetry, gel imaging (fluorescence and chemiluminescence), and molecular biology approaches (SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, RT-PCR). 

The laboratory recently achieved ISO:9001 certification. 

Scientific Objectives 

The laboratory's research activities aim to comprehend the pathophysiological bases of ocular diseases, identify diagnostic and progression biomarkers, and discover novel therapeutic targets. To achieve these objectives, "-omics" sciences, such as proteomics, represent an indispensable and continuously evolving and expanding research frontier. 

The core mission of the research activity is entirely focused on attaining milestones that contribute to improving the quality of life for patients affected by the diseases under investigation and expanding scientific knowledge in biological, pathological, and clinical fields. 

To maximize the translational impact of research activities, experiments are conducted on collections of biological samples obtained from patients afflicted with major ocular diseases, including circulating immune cells (PBMCs), plasma, and ocular fluids (aqueous humor and vitreous humor). 

To enhance scientific knowledge and maximize opportunities for identifying diagnostic and follow-up biomarkers for the diseases under investigation, particular attention has been devoted since the inception of experimental activities to developing unconventional proteomics workflows. These include "diGLY proteomics" and "N-terminomics," workflows specifically applied to study the ubiquitinome and the repertoire of endogenous proteolytic peptides, respectively. 

Consistent with well-established scientific evidence regarding the role of post-translational modifications of proteins in regulating pathophysiological processes, these workflows represent particularly effective technological solutions for exploring novel molecular mechanisms of pathology and new therapeutic targets. 

Scientific Partnerships 

To foster scientific and cultural exchange, which is essential for the human and professional growth of researchers and for achieving scientific objectives, the laboratory collaborates with numerous prestigious national and international research institutions. These include the Universities of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma Tre, Catania, Turin, the University of Paris-Cergy Pontoise (Paris, France), the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada), and the University of Valladolid (Spain).