ETTARI Roberta

Roberta Ettari is Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry (SSD CHEM07/A) at the Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences of Messina University

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC CAREER
2020: National Scientific Habilitation to the function of Full Professor of Medicinal Chemistry (CHIM/08)
2017-2024: Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry (CHIM/08), Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Messina University
2014-2017: Senior Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry (CHIM/08), Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Messina University
2014: Winner of a position of Junior Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry (CHIM/08), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Milan University
2012-2014: Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Milan University. Project: “Design and development of novel agents fot the treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis”
2010-2011: Postdoctoral Researcher, Medicinal Chemistry Department, Messina University. Project: “Synthesis and structural characterization of novel peptidomimetics inhibitors of Ubiquitine-Proteasome System”
2008-2010: Specialization in Clinical Pharmacy/Messina University. Thesis: Inhibitors of tyrosine kinase Bcr-Abl in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia.
2005-2007: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences /Medicinal Chemistry Department, Messina University. PhD Thesis: Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of novel peptidomimetics, containing a 1,4-benzodiazepine scaffold, as falcipain-2 inhibitors.
1999-2004: Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology with honours, Messina University. Thesis: Synthesis of novel 2-pyridiltiourea derivatives with anti-HIV activity.

SCIENTIFIC EXPERIENCES IN ITALIAN/FOREIGN ACADEMIES OR RESEARCH INSTITUTES
01/2014-02/2014: Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, “Johannes Gutenberg” University of Mainz. Germany. Research project: Fluorimetric assays against rhodesain of T. b. rhodesiense to identify novel antitrypanosomal agents.
09/2012: Guest Scientist within the “Vigoni Project 2012/2013 (DAAD)” at the Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, “Johannes Gutenberg” University of Mainz. Germany. Research project: “Enzyme assays against 20S proteasome catalytic subunits to identify novel antitumor agents”
04/2012: Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher at the Institute of Pharmacy and Biochemistry,“Johannes Gutenberg” University of Mainz. Germany. Research project: Fluorimetric assays against falcipain-2 of P. falciparum to identify novel antimalarial agents.
09/2011-12/2011: Research Fellow funded by Imbesi Foundation at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Wϋrzburg University, Germany. Research project: "Determination of resveratrol and quercetin content in Franconia red wines and evaluation of their biological activity on 20S proteasome".
03/2010: Guest Scientist within the “Vigoni Project 2009/2010 (DAAD)” at the Institute of Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Wϋrzburg University, Germany. Research project: “Enzyme assays against cysteine proteases involved in Neglected Tropical diseases”
02/2008-06/2008: Postdoctoral Researcher at the School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland, Galway. Research project: “Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Assays of Aziridine Containing Benzimidazolequinone Anti-Cancer Agents"
09/2005-03/2006: Visiting PhD Student, Merck Research Laboratories, Pomezia, Rome. Research project: “Novel synthetic methodologies”
07/2005: Visiting PhD student, Instituto Grifols Barcelona. Area de Investigation y desarrollo: Division de laboratorio de investigation.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Professor of the following courses at the University of Messina
• “Laboratory of synthetic and hemisynthetic preparations of drugs”, Degree course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (AY2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23)
• “Applied Nutraceutical Chemistry II”, Degree course in in Nutraceutical Sciences and Functional Foods (AY 2022/23)
• “Drug Analysis I”, Degree course in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology (AY 2019/20, 2020/21)
• “Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry”, Degree course in Biotechnology (AY 2016/17, 2018/19)
• “Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies”, Degree course in Biotechnology for Health (AY 2018/19)
• “Pharmaceutical Biotechnologies”, Degree course in Biotechnology (AY 2015/16, 2016/17, 2018/19)
• “Principles of Medicinal Chemistry”, Degree course in Biotechnology, (AY 2010/11, 2014/15)
• “Novel synthetic metodologies”, PhD Course in Chemical Science (2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES
From 05/2023 to date: Member of the "Quality Assurance Group" of the PhD in Chemical Sciences of the University of Messina
From 12/2020 to date: Member of the "Commissione Paritetica" of the Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina
2018: Member of the "Commissione del Riesame", Degree course in Biotechnology, University of Messina
2015/2016-to date: "Member of the pre-selection committee for the assignment of scholarships Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst - DAAD" for students, PhD students and post-docs.
From 4/2015-to date: Member of the Academic Board of the PhD Course in "Chemical Sciences", University of Messina.

NATIONAL AWARDS
2011 Winner of the “FARMINDUSTRIA NATIONAL AWARD FOR THE EXCELLENCE IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY RESEARCH”, Awards ceremony at the XXIV National Congress of the Italian Chemical Society, Lecce, 11-16 September 2011.

SCIENTIFIC AWARDS
Winner of “Finanziamento delle Attività Base di Ricerca” (FFBAR-UNIME_2022)
Winner of “Finanziamento delle Attività Base di Ricerca” (FFBAR-UNIME_2020)
Winner of “Finanziamento delle Attività Base di Ricerca” (FFBAR-Ricercatori MIUR 2017)
07/2017: Selected for an oral communication on her PhD thesis at the European School of Medicinal Chemistry, Urbino. Title of the oral communication "Novel peptidomimetics contains a beta-turn mimetic 1,4-benzodiazepine scaffold as falcipain-2 inhibitors"
2007: Award for the degree in CTF with 110 cum laude with the best average Award conferred by the "Società Mutuo Soccorso L'avvenire"

FUNDED PROJECTS
Responsible of the funded project:
PRIN2022_PNRR_P2022KCW3L: "Artificial Intelligence Driven Design of Protease Inhibitors to Treat Neglected Tropical Disease Caused by Trypanosoma Cruzi, Dengue and Zika Viruses"

Component of the funded projects:
• FISR2020IP_00850: "Novel inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 proteases: a new opportunity to stop pandemic (ASPEN)".
• FISR2019: “Graphene quantum dots-based theranostic agents for solid tumors (GRATA)”
• Research & Mobility Program 2015, “Development of novel 20S immunoproteasome-specific inhibitors for the treatment of hematological malignancies, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases”, Partner Universities: University of Messina/University of Paris-Sud/ The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimora (Maryland)
• Vigoni Project 2012/2013 "Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new antitumor agents targeting 20S proteasome ” Mainz University/Messina University
• PRIN2010W7YRLZ_004: “Design, synthesis and biological studies of innovative drugs towards important targets in cancer therapy”
• PRIN200925BPZ5_001: “Design and synthesis of novel CTPS inhibitors for the treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis”
• Vigoni Project 2009/2010 “Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new cysteine protease inhibitors” Wϋrzburg University/Messina University
• Science Foundation Ireland 07/RFP/CHEF227 (2008) “Synthesis and Biological Activity of Aziridine containing Benzimidazolequinone anti-cancer agents”, National University of Ireland, Galway
• PRA project (2008/9) "Novel targets for the antimalarial chemotherapy : design and synthesis of novel peptidomimetic FP-2 inhibitors, Messina University
• PRA project (2006/7) "Novel targets for the antimalarial chemotherapy : design and synthesis of novel peptidomimetic FP-2 inhibitors, Messina University
• PRA project (2005) “Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of new AMPA antagonists for the treatment of neurodegenative diseases, Messina University
• PRA project (2004) "Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2,3 BDZ glutamate antagonists for the treatment of neurodegenative " Messina University

PATENT AND START UP
• Co-inventor of the patent: Corsi Lorenzo, Bennaud Christelle, Ettari Roberta, Alessandrini Andrea “Antitumor agents”, National application number: 102019000007184 (Validity: 23/05/2019 - 23/05/2039)
• Winner as Proponent of the “Bando Start UP 2 GO” within “Programma RIDITT–Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico, Progetto Energy Power Cluster (2013/14). Project Title: “Start Fibers Project” related to the use of Agave Sisalana in strategic sectors such as Bioenergetics, Pharmaceuticals, Food and Bio-engineering.

SCIENTIFIC TUTOR/CO-TUTOR OF PHD STUDENTS
Dr. Starvaggi Josè (XXXIX cycle of PhD in Chemical Sciences)
Dr. Noemi Totaro (XXXVIII cycle of PhD in Chemical Sciences)
Dr. Carla Di Chio (XXXIV cycle of PhD in Chemical Sciences)
Dr. Santina Maiorana (XXXII cycle of PhD in Chemical Sciences)
Dr. Santo Previti (XXX cycle of PhD in Chemical Sciences)

GUEST EDITOR ACTIVITY
2022-23: Guest Editor of the Special Issue: “Protease Inhibitors: A Promising Therapeutic Strategy for Human and Infectious Diseases” published by International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI
2023: Guest Editor of the Special Issue: “Design, Synthesis and Structure-Activity Relationship of Biologically Active Inhibitors “ published by Molecules, MDPI

MEMBER OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD OF SCOPUS/WOS INDEXED SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
2019-date "Current Medicinal Chemistry" published by Bentham Science Publishers
2018-date "Journal of Clinical Medicine" published by MDPI
2018-2021 “Medicinal Chemistry” published by Bentham Science Publishers
2018-2020 “Current Signal of Transduction Therapy” published by Bentham Science Publishers

Referee di scientific journals:
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Current Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ChemMedChem, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Medicinal Chemistry Communications, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, Medicinal Chemstry, RSC Medicinal Chemistry, Anticancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, ARKIVOC, Molecules, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Mini Review in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Communications, Journal of Clinical Medicine, Oncotarget, Cancers

RESEARCH ACTIVITY
The research activity is documented by 100 publications in international journals and more than 50 scientific communications at national or international conferences

Main research interests
1) Development of new agents for the treatment of Neglected Tropical Diseases: design, synthesis and biological evaluation of peptidomimetic inhibitors of rhodesain of T. b. rhodesiense. and falcipain-2 of P. falciparum
2) Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of conformationally constrained peptides, inhibitors of the proteasome and of the immunoproteasome, as new anticancer agents
3) Combination studies between synthetic drugs and nutraceuticals
4) Development and study of structure-activity relationships of new neuroprotective agents
5) Development of mitosis inhibitors (Patent “Antitumor Agents”)