The principal research interests of Dr Sara Cioffi lie in the field of neurovascular diseases and brain angiogenesis and in particular, studying the molecular mechanisms of disease genes through in vivo and in vitro approaches. Actually she is focused on the molecular basis of psychiatric and behavioral disorders associated with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, investigating the role of its major gene Tbx1 in brain vascular development.

1. CIOFFI S, Flore G, Martucciello S, Bilio M, Turturo MG, Illingworth E (2022). VEGFR3 modulates brain microvessel branching in a mouse model of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. LIFE SCIENCE ALLIANCE, doi: 10.26508/lsa.202101308. 

2. Favicchia I, Flore G, CIOFFI S, Lania G, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2021). Pharmacological Rescue of the Brain Cortex Phenotype of Tbx1 Mouse Mutants: Significance for 22q11.2Deletion Syndrome. FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR NEUROSCIENCE, ISSN: 1662-5099

3. Martucciello S, Turturo MP, Bilio M, CIOFFI S, Chen L, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2020). A dual role for Tbx1 in cardiac lymphangiogenesis through genetic interaction with Vegfr3. THE FASEB JOURNAL, ISSN: 0892-6638 

4. Mastromoro G, Calcagni G, Versacci P, Putotto C, Chinali M, Lambiase C, Unolt M, Pelliccione E, Anaclerio S, Caprio C, CIOFFI S, Bilio M, Baban A, Drago F, Digilio MC, Marino B, Baldini A. (2019). Left pulmonary artery in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Echocardiographic evaluation in patients without cardiac defects and role of Tbx1 in mice.. PLOS ONE, ISSN: 1932-6203

5. Gentile MT, Russo R, Pastorino O, CIOFFI S, Barbieri F, Illingworth EA, Grieco M, Chambery A, Colucci-D'Amato L. (2018). Ruta graveolens water extract inhibits cell-cell network formation in human umbilical endothelial cells via MEK-ERK1/2 pathway.. EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH, ISSN: 0014-4827 

6. Flore G, CIOFFI S, Bilio M, Illingworth E (2017). Cortical development requires mesodermal expression of Tbx1, a gene haploinsufficient in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. CEREBRAL CORTEX, ISSN: 1047-3211, doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhw076. 

7. CIOFFI S, Martucciello S, Fulcoli FG, Bilio M, Ferrentino R, Nusco E, Illingworth E (2014). Tbx1 regulates brain vascularization. HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS ONLINE, ISSN: 1460-2083, doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddt400 

8. Chen L, Mupo A, Huynh T, CIOFFI S, Woods M, Jin C, McKeehan W, Thompson-Snipes L, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2010). Tbx1 regulates Vegfr3 and is required for lymphatic vessel development. THE JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY, ISSN: 0021-9525, doi: 10.1083/jcb.200912037 

9. Martucciello S, Turturo MG, Bilio M, CIOFFI S, Chen L, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2021). Tbx1 regulates cardiac lymphangiogenesis through genetic interaction with Vegfr3. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE. SUPPLEMENT, vol. 23, ISSN: 1878-1314 - 

10. CIOFFI S, Turturo MG, Martucciello S, Flore G, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2019). Defining Vegfr3-Tbx1 interactions in brain vascular development. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH, ISSN: 1018-1172, doi: 10.1159/000499516

11. Martucciello S, Turturo MG, CIOFFI S, Chen L, Baldini A, Illingworth E. (2019). Regulation of Cardiac Lymphatic Development by Tbx1 . JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH, ISSN: 1018-1172, doi: DOI: 10.1159/000499516

12. CIOFFI S, Turturo MG, Martucciello S, Flore G, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2017). Vegfr3 overexpression partially rescues the brain vascular defects of Tbx1 mutants. . JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH, ISSN: 1018-1172

13. Martucciello S, Turturo MG, CIOFFI S, Baldini A, Illingworth E (2017). Tbx1 interacts genetically with vegfr3 to regulate lymphangiogenesis in mice. JOURNAL OF VASCULAR RESEARCH, ISSN: 1018-1172

14. Mastromoro G, Caprio C, CIOFFI S, Marino B, Baldini A (2016). Abnormalities of pulmonary arteries in Tbx1 mutant mice. . GIORNALE ITALIANO DI CARDIOLOGIA. SUPPLEMENTO, ISSN: 1827-8981, doi: 10.1714/2456.25714

15. CIOFFI S, Bilio M, Martucciello S, Illingworth E (2012). Tbx1 is required in brain endothelial cells to establish vascular patterning. CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH, ISSN: 0008-6363

CURRENT POSITION:

Permanent Researcher III level at Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy.

POSITIONS HELD:

- 2019–to date: Permanent Researcher III level at Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy.

- 2018-2019: Temporary Researcher III level at Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy.

- 2012-2017: Post-Doc at Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “Adriano Buzzati-Traverso”, CNR, Naples, Italy.

- 2008-2011: PhD student at TIGEM (Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine), Naples, Italy.

EDUCATION:

-2012-2017: Specialization in "Clinical Pathology". University of Rome "La Sapienza".

-2008-2011: PhD in "Molecular Medicine". European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM). University of Naples "Federico II".

-2005-2007: Master Degree in “Biotecnology for the Health and the Environment”. Second University of Naples. 110/110 cum laude.

-2002-2005: Bachelor’s Degree in “Biotecnology”. Second University of Naples. 110/110 cum laude.

ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE:

2012-2014: Practical-theoretical course of 30 months entitled “Training of highly qualified researchers in the research and development of innovative biological drugs in oncology” (PON01_01602)

AWARDS:

- “Award in recognition of an outstanding scientific work”, conferred by the European Society of Cardiology, during "Berlin Cardiovascular Development Meeting 2013"

- Award “ABCD Congress 2013 Travel Grants”, conferred by "Cellular Biology and Differentiation association (ABCD)", for the oral presentation, during "ABCD Congress 2013"

- Award “Best poster presentation award in recognition of an outstanding scientific work in sub-topic: circulation, vascular biology, genetics, epigenetics and genomics”, conferred by “The Council on Basic Cardiovascular Science of the European Society of Cardiology”, during "Frontiers in Cardio Vascular Biology 2012, London".

- Award “ABCD Grants for Young Investigator”, conferred by "Cellular Biology and Differentiation association (ABCD)", for the best oral presentation in the session “Stem Cell, Development and Regenerative Medicine” during "ABCD Congress 2011".

TEACHING ACTIVITIES:

-A.A. 2023-2024: Contract Professor of "Practical Molecular Biology" and "Practical Cellular Biotecnologies" at University of Naples "Federico II"

-A.A. 2022-2023: Contract Professor of "Practical Molecular Biology" and "Practical Cellular Biotecnologies" at University of Naples "Federico II"

-A.A. 2021-2022: Contract Professor of "Practical Molecular Biology" and "Practical Cellular Biotecnologies" at University of Naples "Federico II"

-A.A. 2021-2022: Contract Professor of "Applied Biology" at University of Salerno.

-A.A. 2020-2021: Contract Professor of "General Pathology" at University of Naples "Federico II"

-A.A. 2020-2021: Contract Professor of "Applied Biology" at University of Salerno.

-A.A. 2019-2020: Contract Professor of "General Pathology" at University of Naples "Federico II"

-A.A. 2017-2018: Contract Professor of "Physiology" at University of Naples "Federico II"

SUPERVISION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS:

-A.A. 2013-2014: Co-Supervisor of Master Degree thesis in “Molecular Biology”, at University of Salerno.

ORGANISATION OF SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS:

2011: Member of the scientific committee of the “Joint National Ph.D. Meeting 2011, Gubbio (PG)”, with the responsibility of selecting abstracts, oral presentations and to assign the awards.

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

2022: Member of the examination board of “Notions of Biochemistry, Biology and Microbiology”, at University of Salerno.

2021: Member of the examination board of “Physiopathology”, at University of Naples “Federico II”.

2021: Member of the examination board of “Notions of Biochemistry, Biology and Microbiology”, at University of Salerno.

2020: Member of the examination board of “Physiopathology”, at University of Naples “Federico II”.

2018: Member of the examination board of “Physiopathology”, at University of Naples “Federico II”.

2018: Member of the scientific committee to select a winner for the public selection of “Assegno di Ricerca” untitled “22q11.2 deletion syndrome: Novel approaches to understand cardiopharyngeal pathogenesis”, at IGB-CNR of Naples.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES:

2022: Weinstein Meeting 2022, Marseille, France.

2021: ESC Congress 2021

2019: 3rd Joint Meeting of the European Society for Microcirculation (ESM) and the European Vascular Biology Organization (EVBO) 2019, Maastricht.

2018: 11th Biennial International 22q11.2 Conference 2018, Whistler, BC Canada.

2018: GRC conference "Lymphatics” 2018, Lucca- Barga.

2017: ESM - EVBO Joint Meeting 2017, Ginevra.

2017: Cardiovascular Development Meeting 2017, Padova.

2016: Newcastle Cardiovascular Development Meeting 2016, Newcastle.

2014: Stem Cells, Development and Regenerative Medicine 2014, Salerno.

2013: Berlin Cardiovascular Development Meeting 2013, Berlin.

2013: ABCD Congress 2013, Ravenna.

2012: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms in Angiogenesis, Febs Workshop. Capri.

2012: Frontiers in Cardio Vascular Biology. Londra.

2012: Frontiers in Cardiac and Vascular Regeneration, Trieste.

2011: ABCD Congress 2011, Ravenna.

2011: Joint National Ph.D. Meeting 2011, Gubbio.

PARTECIPATION TO FUNDED PROJECTS:

-MIUR PRIN 20179J2P9J 2017-2019: “Unraveling cardiac progenitor biology: in vivo mechanistic insights and significance for congenital heart disease” -Telethon Foundation GGP14211, 2015-2018: "Phenotypic rescue of the DiGeorge syndrome phenotype in mouse models" -Italian Ministry of Health RF-2011- 02347197 (P.I.) "Epidrugs and cardiac differentiation: relevance for the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome" (2014-2017)

-AIRC IG-17529 (Italian Association for Cancer Research), "p53-Tbx1 interaction in development and cell differentiation". (2016 – 2019) -Foundation LEDUCQ, 15CVD01 2016-2020: "22q11.2 deletion syndrome: Novel approaches to understand cardiopharyngeal pathogenesis"

-EU-FP7 CardioGeNet Program 2009-2013: “Definition of a genetic network involved in congenital heart disease”

-MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research) PON 01_02342, 2011-2015. “Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering: Novel approaches to damaged tissue repair”.

-MIUR "FareBio di Qualità: Laboratorio di Riprogrammazione di Cellule staminali” 2011-2013.

-MIUR PRIN 2009J7F5WA, 2011-2013: “Tbx1: Functional Mechanisms and interactions with chromatin”

-Telethon Foundation GGP11029, 2011-2014: “Phenotypic variability and gene haploinsufficiency”

-MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research) PON 03PE_00060-7, 2013-2015. “Sviluppo preclinico di nuove terapie e di strategie innovative per la produzione di molecole ad azione farmacologica”

MEMBERSHIPS OF SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES:

-Since 2016 Member of the “Working Group on Development Anatomy and Pathology” of the “European Society of Cardiology” (ESC).

-Since 2017 Member of Italian ONB (Ordine Nazionale dei Biologi)