Project Coordination
Pasquale Linciano
Principal Investigator – University of Pavia
Pasquale Linciano is Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia. He leads the project and is responsible for the overall scientific coordination, as well as for the design, synthesis, and optimization of small-molecule modulators targeting the LsrK kinase and the AI-2 quorum sensing pathway.
Research Units
University of Pavia (UNIPV)
Giampiero Pietrocola
Associated Investigator
Giampiero Pietrocola is Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia. He contributes expertise in biochemistry and microbiology. His research focuses on the experimental validation of ligand–target interactions and on the evaluation of antibiofilm and antivirulence activity of candidate compounds in relevant bacterial models.
Giorgio Milli
PhD Student
Giorgio Milli is engaged in medicinal chemistry and experimental activities, including the synthesis of compound libraries and their biological evaluation within the project.
Angelica Pellegrini
Research Technician
Angelica Pellegrini is involved in biochemical and microbiological assays, contributing to the experimental characterization of compound activity and mechanism of action.
Simona Collina
Scientific Advisor
Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Pavia. She provides scientific guidance and strategic support, contributing to mentoring activities within the project.
Roberta Listro
Postdoctoral Researcher (former)
Contributed to early-stage research activities, supporting experimental and medicinal chemistry efforts within the project.
University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro (UNICZ)
Pietro Cinaglia
Co-Principal Investigator (Research Unit)
Pietro Cinaglia leads the computational and bioinformatics activities of the project. His work focuses on molecular modeling, virtual screening, and data analysis workflows supporting ligand discovery and optimization.
Collaborative Network
A key contribution is provided by the collaboration with the National Research Council (CNR), Milan, through the groups of Laura Ragona and Katiuscia Pagano, whose expertise in structural biology and NMR spectroscopy supports the biophysical characterization of ligand–target interactions, contributing to the validation of binding mechanisms and the refinement of structure–activity relationships.
Training and Early-Career Researchers
The project actively involves early-career scientists, including undergraduate students, who participate in both computational and experimental activities. This environment provides interdisciplinary training in drug discovery, contributing to the development of new expertise in the field of antimicrobial resistance and antivirulence strategies.