My experience covers many aspects of biochemistry, including the production of recombinant proteins in bacterial cells, followed by their purification, characterization, and analysis. I am skilled in protein extraction from tissue samples and in performing biochemical assays on crude extracts, enriched mitochondrial fractions, and purified enzymes. I carry out enzyme inhibition studies as well as investigations of protein–protein and protein–ligand interactions. I routinely use spectroscopic methods for protein analysis—such as absorption, fluorescence, and circular dichroism (CD)—along with immunochemical techniques like western blotting. I also have hands‑on experience in protein crystallization and macromolecular X‑ray crystallography, including data collection at synchrotron beamlines. From a biological standpoint, I have been working for years on maintaining the Schistosoma mansoni life cycle, handling mice for portal perfusion procedures, and performing in vitro assays to assess parasite viability. I also have experience in confocal microscopy. Currently, I am initiating projects focused on rare diseases, particularly Anderson–Fabry disease and PMM1/2‑CDG. I routinely manage the analysis and interpretation of experimental data and imaging results. On the computational side, I conduct bioinformatics analyses for phylogenetic reconstruction, as well as molecular modeling, docking, virtual screening, and molecular dynamics simulations. Recently, the PROPHECY‑GlycoRARE project has been awarded support from Heal Italia, within the Health Extended Alliance for Innovative Therapies, Advanced Lab‑Research, and Integrated Approaches of Precision Medicine program. This project investigates the possible role of endoplasmic reticulum engulfment in Fabry disease and explores strategies aimed at restoring α‑galactosidase A activity.
Position
01/07/2020 – Researcher
Istituto di Biochimica e Biologia Cellulare – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Schistosoma mansoni biology and biochemistry: studies on anaerobic metabolism; viability assays, screening and phenotype characterization; recombinant protein production; macromolecular crystallography; enzymes characterization and inhibition
Education and training
2013 – Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry
Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza, University of Rome
Thesis: Exploring thioredoxin networks of Plasmodium falciparum and Schistosoma mansoni: a new rational approach to specific enzyme inhibition. Mentor: Prof. Andrea Bellelli
2008 – Full degree in Chemistry (unique cycle, 5 years)
Dept. of Chemistry, Sapienza, University of Rome
Thesis: Study of complexes of the nuclear receptor PPARγ with its own synthetic agonists by means of X-ray diffraction (in Italian). Mentor: Prof. Mario Brufani
Work Experience
15/05/2016 – 30/06/2020: Post-doctoral researcher
Istituto di Biochimica e Biologia Cellulare – Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
Schistosoma mansoni biology and biochemistry; studies on anaerobic metabolism; viability assays and phenotype characterization; recombinant protein production; macromolecular crystallography; enzymes characterization and inhibition
10/11/2014 – 09/11/2015: Post-doctoral researcher
Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology – BMC, Uppsala University, Sweden
Bioinformatics, biochemical and biophysical studies on human p53 with different domains belonging to CBP and p300 as binding partners, in view to elucidate the evolution and mechanism of action of intrinsically disordered proteins
01/07/2014 – 31/10/2014 Post-doctoral fellowship
Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti c/o Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
Metabolic pathways of human parasites: thioredoxin network, flavoreductases and related enzymes
01/07/2013 – 30/06/2014 Post-doctoral researcher
Dept. of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome
Metabolic pathways of human parasites: thioredoxin network, flavoreductases and related enzymes
01/04/2013 – 30/06/2013 Post-doctoral fellowship
Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti c/o Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
etabolic pathways of human parasites: thioredoxin network, flavoreductases and related enzymes
01/11/2012 – 28/02/2013 Post-doctoral fellowship
Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
Metabolic pathways of human parasites: thioredoxin network, flavoreductases and related enzymes
01/02/2009 – 17/12/2009 Research fellowship
Dept. of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome
Metabolic pathways of human parasites: thioredoxin network, flavoreductases and related enzymes
Teaching experience
10/11/2014 – 09/11/2015 Laboratory assistant
Dept. of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University, Sweden
Lectures and teaching about laboratory work concerning enzyme kinetics, for swedish medical students (activities held in english)
Guidi A, Petrella G, Fustaino V, Saccoccia F, Lentini S, Gimmelli R, Di Pietro G, Bresciani A, Cicero DO, Ruberti G. Drug effects on metabolic profiles of Schistosoma mansoni adult male parasites detected by 1H-NMR spectroscopy PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020, 14, e0008767.
Saccoccia F, Brindisi M, Gimmelli R, Relitti N, Guidi A, Saraswati AP, Cavella C, Brogi S, Chemi G, Butini S, Papoff G, Senger J, Herp D, Jung M, Campiani G, Gemma S, Ruberti G. Screening and Phenotypical Characterization of Schistosoma mansoni Histone Deacetylase 8 (SmHDAC8) Inhibitors as Multistage Antischistosomal Agents. ACS Infect Dis. 2019, 6, 100-113.
Saccoccia F, Angelucci F, Boumis G, Carotti D, Desiato G, Miele AE, Bellelli A. Thioredoxin Reductase And Its Inhibitors. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2014 15: 621-646.
Angelucci F, Saccoccia F, Ardini M, Boumis G, Brunori M, Di Leandro L, Ippoliti R, Miele AE, Natoli G, Scotti S, Bellelli A. Switching between the Alternative Structures and Functions of a 2-Cys Peroxiredoxin, by Site-Directed Mutagenesis. J Mol Biol 2013; 425: 4556-4568.
Saccoccia F, Di Micco P, Boumis G, Brunori M, Koutris I, Miele AE, Morea V, Sriratana P, Williams DL, Bellelli A, Angelucci F. Moonlighting by different stressors: Crystal structure of the chaperone species of a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin. Structure. 2012; 20: 429-439.
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Researchers: Postdoctoral Fellows
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PhD student:
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