Professore Associato – Dipartimento di Biologia | Tel.: 050 2211456 – Email: francesco.balestri@unipi.it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"template":"","meta":{"unipi-persone-chiave":"109617","unipi-persone-nome":"Francesco","unipi-persone-cognome":"Balestri","unipi-persone-email":"francesco.balestri@unipi.it","unipi-persone-cv":"SCIENTIFIC SYNOPSIS\t
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\r\nThroughout his academic career, Dr. Balestri has investigated key biochemical mechanisms related to cellular metabolism of purines and pyrimidines, oxidative stress, and cellular antioxidant defenses, with a particular focus on the regulation of enzymes involved in these processes.
\r\nHis most recent research focuses on studying enzymes from the aldo-keto reductase family, traditionally considered cellular detoxifying enzymes. However, under certain conditions, these enzymes are also implicated in inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, drug resistance, and tumor progression.
\r\nDr. Balestri is actively involved in drug discovery, exploring newly synthesized or naturally derived molecules capable of selectively modulating the activity of these enzymes. His work includes kinetic characterization studies on recombinant enzymes and the evaluation of compound effects on cell viability.
\r\nIn particular, he is engaged in the in vitro characterization of differential aldose reductase inhibitors, a key enzyme in glucose metabolism and redox balance, aiming to develop novel therapeutic agents targeting diabetic complications.
\r\nHis research is marked by a strongly interdisciplinary approach, combining biochemical enzymology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and nutraceutical science.
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\r\nPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE\t
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\r\n02\/2023-to date: Associate professor, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
\r\n02\/2020-01\/2023: Senior Researcher, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
\r\n12\/2014-12\/2019: Junior Researcher, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
\r\n2011-2014: Fixed term intermittent contracts as supply teacher in secondary and high school.
\r\n2008-2014: Fixed term intermittent contracts as research fellow, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
\r\n01\/2008-12\/2008: Post-doc fellowship MECHOS Project Tuscany region Chemistry Department, University of Siena.
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\r\nEDUCATION\t
\r\n01\/2005-03\/2008\tPhD in Molecular Biotechnology-International doctoral school-University of Pisa
\r\n09\/1997-10\/2004\tMaster degree in Biology, 110\/110 cum Laude University of Pisa
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\r\nSCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION\t
\r\nh-index\t18 (Google Scholar), 17 (Scopus), 16 (ISI web of knowledge)
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\r\nScientific Qualifications
\r\n18\/11\/2020- Achievement of national scientific qualification 2018-2020 as Associate Professor in Biochemistry.
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\r\nArticles\t
\r\nAuthor of 51 publications (full list: https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3758-8517)
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\r\nConference organization:\t
\r\nMember of the organizing committee of conference \u201cProteine 2022\u201d organized by Gruppo Proteine della Societ\u00e0 Italiana di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, Pisa, 18th-20th May, 2022
\r\nPatents\tCo-inventor of one Industrial Invention Patent -\u201cProgetto di valutazione della qualit\u00e0 dei fluidi\u201d University of Pisa. (11\/2011)
\r\nProject evaluation activity and editorial board
\r\nEvaluator of funding applications for RTD projects (09\/2023)-University of Florence
\r\nItalian Biochemistry Society member from 2018 to date.
\r\nGuest editor for the special issues \"Isolation, Identification, and Applications of Bioactive Compounds from Marine Plants\"-Molecules Journal (2024); \u201cDrug Discovery at Enzyme Level\u201d Frontiers in Bioscience Landmark Open Access Journal (2022) and \u201cPotential Drug Discovery and Development\u201d - Biology Open Access Journal (2021)
\r\nCo-guest editor for the special issues \u201cprotein 2022 conference\u201d- Frontiers (2022) and for \u201cEnzyme Inhibitors in drug Discovery and Development\u201d- Biology Open Access Journal (2022)
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\r\nRESEARCH PROJECTS
\r\nPartecipation to scientific projects\t
\r\nPartner scientist in the project \u201cCharacterization, formulation, and evaluation in vitro of active principles derived from haemolymph of Apis mellifera\u201d, PNRR project 2024\/25 \u201cNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY FUTURE CENTER \u2013 NBFC\u201d
\r\nPartner scientist in the IDARA project (\u201cDifferential inhibitors of Aldose Reductase in foods\u201d)-Tuscany Region (03\/2015-03\/2017)
\r\nPartner scientist in the project \u201cExploitation of olive proc","unipi-persone-link-esterno-cv":"","unipi-persone-modalita-ricevimento":"Si prega di inviare una mail al docente per la prenotazione.\n\nPlease send an email to the teacher for booking.","unipi-persone-luogo-ricevimento":"unit\u00e0 di biochimica via san zeno 51 oppure piattaforma microsoft teams. Biochemistry units, via san Zeno 51 or teams platform.","unipi-persone-ore-ricevimento":"Luned\u00ec ore 14.30.\n Monday at 2.30 pm","unipi-persone-telefono":"050 2211456","unipi-persone-sitoweb":"","unipi-persone-cariche":"","unipi-persone-link-orario-lezioni":"https:\/\/unipi.prod.up.cineca.it\/calendarioPubblico\/matricola=050069","unipi-persone-link-registro-lezioni":"https:\/\/unimap.unipi.it\/registri\/registri.php?ri=050069&tmplt=principale.tpl","unipi-persone-settore-scientifico":"Biochimica BIOS-07\/A","unipi-persone-ruolo":"Professore Associato","unipi-persone-arpi":"https:\/\/arpi.unipi.it\/cris\/rp\/rp10493","unipi-persone-pubblicazioni":"