Massimo Zollo

Background

About Massimo Zollo

Cancer Genetics Prof. Zollo research team focus his research study on the genetic mechanisms and pathways of action of the molecular dysregulation of normal cell into a cancer cell and its metastatic microenvironment (including cells of the immune system) within the aim of identifying new factors for future therapeutic applications. His focus is on paediatric tumors generated within the Central Nervous System (ex.Medulloblastoma) which are genetic models for defects in neurodevelopmental processes occurring into the cerebellum. Moreover, the study of the research group of Professor Zollo, include the identification of stem cells propagating within the tumor, identifying new drugs of natural origin in the field of "Medicinal Chemistry" adapted to experimental models in mice for the therapeutic treatment of solid tumors. His research group has produced several scientific papers in the literature over the last 15 years with a particular interest in the study of H-prune gene (he discovered the human homologue of the Drosophila gene) and two miRNAs (miR34a; miR199b-5p) isolated and fully characterized thus identifying key functions in tumors with tumor suppressor activities in paediatric tumors generated in Central and Peripheral Nervous system. Recently during pandemic emergency he is active coordinating the action of the taskforce Covid19 research at Ceinge as financee by Regione Campania and publishing works describing new diagnostics, genetics and therapies to figth SARS-CoV-2.