Human Anatomy

The Human Anatomy laboratory focuses the research interest on functional regenerative medicine with particular attention to soft tissues, together with the angiogenic potential of biomaterials, also in relation to the local inflammatory response. In particular, the regenerative potential of biomaterials (hydrogels, electrospun matrices, powders, decellularized matrices) derived from different biological sources is evaluated through a wide range of tests, including cytocompatibility, hemocompatibility, immunofluorescence, histochemistry, gene/protein expression and mechanics. The laboratory is also interested in evaluating the role of mechanical stresses (shear stress, substrate deformation and compression) in maintaining cellular functionality.

• Bertani F., Di Francesco C., Corrado M.D., Talmon M., Fresu L.G., Boccafoschi F. (2021). Paracrine Shear-Stress-Dependent Signaling from Endothelial Cells Affects Downstream Endothelial Function and Inflammation. Int. J. Mol. Sci;22(24):13300. doi: 10.3390/ijms222413300.
• Carton F., Di Francesco D., Fusaro L., Zanella E., Apostolo C., Oltolina F., Cotella D., Prat M., Boccafoschi F. (2021). Myogenic Potential of Extracellular Matrix Derived from Decellularized Bovine Pericardium. Int. J. Mol .Sci;22(17):9406. doi: 10.3390/ijms22179406
• Giraudo M.V., Di Francesco D., Calvo Catoira M., Cotella D., Fusaro L., Boccafoschi F. (2020). Angiogenic Potential in Biological Hydrogels. Biomedicines;8(10):436. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines8100436.
• Calvo Catoira M., González-Payo J., Fusaro L., Ramella M., Boccafoschi F.  (2020). Natural hydrogels R&D process: technical and regulatory aspects for industrial implementation. J Mater Sci Mater Med;31(8):64. doi: 10.1007/s10856-020-06401-w.
• Fusaro L., Calvo Catoira M., Ramella M., Sacco Botto F., Talmon M., Fresu L.G., Hidalgo-Bastida A., Boccafoschi F. (2020). Polylysine Enriched Matrices: A Promising Approach for Vascular Grafts. Front Bioeng Biotechnol;8:281. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00281.
• Calvo Catoira M., Fusaro L., Di Francesco D., Ramella M., Boccafoschi F. (2019). Overview of natural hydrogels for regenerative medicine applications. J Mater Sci Mater Med;30(10):115. doi: 10.1007/s10856-019-6318-7.
• Copes F., Ramella M., Fusaro L., Mantovani D., Cannas M., Boccafoschi F. (2019)  Pleiotrophin: Analysis of the endothelialisation potential. Adv Med Sci;64(1):144-151. doi: 10.1016/j.advms.2018.08.007. Epub 2019 Jan 17.
• Ramella M., Bertozzi G., Fusaro L., Talmon M., Manfredi M., Calvo Catoria M., Casella F., Porta C.M., Boldorini R., Fresu L.G., Marengo E., Boccafoschi F. (2019). Effect of Cyclic Stretch on Vascular Endothelial Cells and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA): Role in the Inflammatory Response. Int J Mol Sci;20(2):287. doi: 10.3390/ijms20020287.

• Prof. Diego Mantovani, PhD, Laboratory for Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada. (Joint research project and student supervision) Prof. Francesca Boccafoschi holds a position as adjunct professor at the same university.

• Prof. Francesca Boccafoschi, Professore associato - Università del Piemonte Orientale. Ruolo: PI
• Dott.ssa Flavia Carton, Ricercatore di tipo A - Università del Piemonte Orientale. Ruolo: Ricercatrice
• Dott. Luca Fusaro, membro di TissueGraft, Spin-off accademico sponsorizzato dal Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute - Università del Piemonte Orientale. Ruolo: Manager dello sviluppo tecnico e del controllo di qualità
• Dott.ssa Dalila Di Francesco, Dottoranda

Several students attend the laboratory each year.