National Research Council of Italy

Institute of Biosciences and BioResources

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Sara Pignattelli

Role: Researcher
Section: Researchers and Technologists
Division: Florence
Tel: (39) 055-522-5737
E-mail: sara.pignattelli@ibbr.cnr.it

Work experience
Dates 02/2022 - present Permanent position
Name and address of employer Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, CNR, Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.
Type of business or sector Research
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Research activities: Monitoring of environmental quality through the use of plants bioindicators species and their stress biomarkers production; Testing of Effective Microorganisms technology on aquatic environment through the use of acute eco-toxicity test on model species.
Dates 03/2020-01/2022 Permanent Position
Name and address of employer University of Nova Gorica, Vipavska cesta 13, 5000 Rožna Dolina, Nova Gorica, Slovenja
Type of business or sector Research and Teaching
Occupation or position held Assistant Professor
Main activities and responsibilities Teaching courses: Ecotoxicology (main lecturer); Land ecosystem (main lecturer); Ecophysiology (main lecturer); Environmental Monitoring (lecturer). Research activities: Testing of different concentrations of sewage sludge coupled and uncoupled with effective microorganisms (EM) on edible crops; evaluating of: C/N ratio, biomass produced, heavy metals concentration, pigments production and oxidative stress.
Dates 07/2019-01/2020 Fixed term contract
Name and address of employer Bioscience Research Centre Srl, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello(GR).
Type of business or sector Scientific Research
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Unicellular algae culture; Preparation of the algal culture medium; Treatments with increasing concentrations of potassium dichromate, and evaluation of the growth of the aforementioned algae by UV / Vis spectroscopy; Experiments with microplastics; in particular, the evaluation of plant stress when subjected to pollution by different types of microplastics; statistical analysis
Dates 01/2019-07/2019 Fixed term contract
Name and address of employer Bioscience Research Centre Srl, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello(GR).
Type of business or sector Scientific Research
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Unicellular algae culture; Preparation of the algal culture medium; Treatments with increasing concentrations of potassium dichromate, and evaluation of the growth of the aforementioned algae by UV / Vis spectroscopy; statistical analysis
Dates 11/2018-12/2018 Fixed term contract
Name and address of employer Bioscience Research Centre Srl, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello(GR).
Type of business or sector Scientific Research
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Unicellular algae culture; Preparation of the algal culture medium; Treatments with increasing concentrations of potassium dichromate, and evaluation of the growth of the aforementioned algae by UV / Vis spectroscopy; statistical analysis
Dates 05/2018-11/2018 Fixed-Term Contract
Name and address of employer National Research Council (CNR)- Agri-food department Piazzale Aldo Moro 7, 00185 Roma Italy
Type of business or sector Research, teaching and dissemination
Occupation or position held Collaboration task and high professionalism of the project: "The Hortus of Innovation: from the Field to the Web"
Main activities and responsibilities Development of an educational-experimental module for the study and verification in the field of methods for the protection of plants from abiotic stress caused by climate change such as biochemical aspects and resistance to stress; Drawing up of scientific-popular reports; Support for the educational and dissemination activities of the project
Dates 03/2016-03/2018 Post-Doctoral fellowship
Name and address of employer Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP)- National Research Council (CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Plant sampling Heavy metals extraction from plants and quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy Antioxidant extraction and quantification (Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid) Reactive oxygen species extraction and quantification (Superoxide anion, Hidrogen peroxide) Primer building, by “primer3” program Genomic sequences alignment, by “Mega” program RNA and DNA extraction and quantification Polymerase Chain Reaction Electrophoresis in agarose gel Real Time PCR Statistical analysis
Dates 12/2014-08/2015 Fixed-Term Contract
Name and address of employer University of Reggio Calabria, Salita Melissari, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Plant sampling Characterization of genetic diversity in three different ecotype of onion Primer building, by “primer3” program Genomic sequences alignment, by “Mega” program DNA extraction and quantification Polymerase Chain Reaction Electrophoresis in agarose gel Capillary Electrophoresis Statistical analysis
Dates 03/2013-11/2014 Post-Doctoral fellowship
Name and address of employer Plant Protection Institute (IPP)- National Research Council (CNR) Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Researcher
Main activities and responsibilities Plant sampling Antioxidant extraction and quantification (Glutathione, Ascorbic Acid) Reactive oxygen species extraction and quantification (Superoxide anion, Hidrogen peroxide) Primer building, by “primer3” program Genomic sequences alignment, by “Mega” program RNA and DNA extraction and quantification Polymerase Chain Reaction Electrophoresis in agarose gel Real Time PCR Statistical analysis Freezing test Ion leakage test
Dates 10/2012-12/2012 Phd fellowship,
Name and address of employer Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Phd student
Main activities and responsibilities Heavy metals extraction from plants and quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy Molecular analysis of heavy metals stressed plants Polymerase Chain Reaction Electrophoresis in agarose gel Genetic activity quantification by qPCR NaCl treatments on plants Seeding of transgenic plants from second generation, on selective media Study of genetic expression of transgenic plants Hydroponic culture cDNA synthesis electrophoresis in agarose gel RNA-DNA extraction DNA-RNA quantification by nanodrop spectrophotometer Molecular analysis of NaCl stressed plants NaCl extraction from plants and quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy Statistical analysis
Dates 03/2012-06/2012 Phd fellowship research financed by STSM of COST Action FA0905
Name and address of employer Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Phd student
Main activities and responsibilities Molecular analysis of heavy metals stressed plants Genetic activity quantification by qPCR Polymerase Chain Reaction Seeding of transgenic plants from first generation on selective media Selection of transgenic plant Study of genetic expression of transgenic plants Hydroponic culture cDNA synthesis Electrophoresis in agarose gel RNA-DNA extraction DNA-RNA quantification by nanodrop spectrophotometer Statistical analysis
Dates 03/2011-05/2011 Phd fellowship research project financed by STSM of COST Action FA0905
Name and address of employer Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Phd student
Main activities and responsibilities Study of plant genetic activity come from: mine, serpentine and calcareous soils, heavy metals stressed Hydroponic culture Cd, Cu and Zn treatments Morphometric measurements for stress phenotyping test Heavy metals extraction from plants and quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy DNA-RNA extraction DNA-RNA quantification by nanodrop spectrophotometer Polymerase Chain Reaction Heavy metal gene tolerance isolation Electrophoresis in agarose gel Bacterial transformation with interesting gene, by electroporation Bacterial culture Primer building, by “primer3” program Genomic sequences alignment, by “Mega” program Gene sequencing Statistical analysis
Dates 02/2010-01/2013 Phd fellowship for “ Biosistematic and Vegetable Eco-Phisiology” School
Name and address of employer University Study of Florence Piazza S. Marco 4-50121 Florence Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Phd student
Main activities and responsibilities Plant sampling come from: mine, serpentine and calcareous soils Hydroponic and vitro culture Heavy metals treatments Heavy metals extraction from plants and soils, quantification by atomic absorption spectroscopy Callose and lignin extraction Callose and lignin quantification by UV-Vis spectrophotometer Ethylene production in plant Ethylene quantification by gas chromatograph Monitoring of poplar experimental field used for phytodepuration Poplar sampling Vegetable species monitoring, growing on “gessi rossi” scraps Electron and light microscopy Statistical analysis (ANOVA)
Dates 09/2008-06/2009 Master degree thesis in ”Preliminary evidence of recovery from virus infection through thermotherapy and conservation of a selected line of Polesano White Garlic “
Name and address of employer University of Modena e Reggio Emilia and Development of Woody and trees species Institute (IVALSA) National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held University student
Main activities and responsibilities Micropropagation Cryoconservation by drop freezing Vitro thermotherapy Sampling and culturing of meristematic shoot DNA-RNA extraction Polymerase Chain Reaction Electrophoresis in agarose gel
Dates 10/2006-05/2008 Technician
Name and address of employer Development of Woody and trees species Institute (IVALSA) National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held Expert in micropropagation
Main activities and responsibilities Micropropagation of: grape, apple, pear, cherry, chicory, ash, cherry, morphogenic callus, embryogenic callus of ash, rose, olive, redwood, peach, oleander, lime, pineapple, garlic and photinia Cryopreservation of woody and herbaceous plant Vegetable anatomy Production of synthetic seed and their use Cold storage (stored at 4°C) Ethylene quantification
Dates 11/2004-11/2005 Bachelor degree thesis in ”Synthetic seed technology : production and germination tests in herbaceous and woody plants“
Name and address of employer University of Modena e Reggio Emilia and Development of Woody and trees species Institute (IVALSA) National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held University student
Main activities and responsibilities Micropropagation of: red chicory, peach rootstock GF677 and embryogenic line of ash Bud sampling by microscopy of red chicory and peach rootstock GF677 Encapsulation of bud and their cold storage
Dates 06/2002-06/2003 Stage
Name and address of employer Development of Woody and trees species Institute (IVALSA) National Research Council (CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino
Type of business or sector Research and laboratory analysis
Occupation or position held University student
Main activities and responsibilities Micropropagation of: grape, apple, pear, cherry, chicory, ash, cherry, morphogenic callus, embryogenic callus of ash, rose, olive, redwood, peach, oleander, lime, pineapple, garlic and photinia Cryopreservation of woody and herbaceous plant Vegetable anatomy Production of synthetic seed and their use Cold storage (stored at 4°C)
Education and training
Dates 12/02/2014 - 14/02/2014 Certificate of participation: New Genetic Engineering Techniques for Tree Improvement
Name and type of organisation providing education and training EU COST Action FP 0905 - Held at: Instituto de Investigação Cientifica Tropical, in Oeiras Campus, Portugal
Level in National classification Training School
Dates 02/2010 - 03/2013
Name and type of organisation providing education and training Phd School “Ubaldo Montilatici” Plant, Microbial and Genetic Technology Science
Title of qualification awarded Research Doctor in Vegetable Biosistematic and Eco-Physiology
Level in National classification Phd
Dates 01/09/2006 - 14/07/2009
Name and type of organisation providing education and training University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Principal subjects occupational skills covered Knowledge on the structure and function and organization of various biological systems of interest in agriculture, cultivation techniques and crop protection from pests, fungal, bacterial and viral infections. Knowledge and treatment of molecular logic, informational, interactive and integrative; technical knowledge relating to informational molecules and the expression of the characters with attention to multidisciplinary and integrated approaches, knowledge of methodologies for the identification of genetically modified material intended for food or agricultural use. Knowledge of the conceptual tools and technical and applied for an operability ’test and process tending to use and modify organisms, cells or their components in order to obtain goods and services, particularly knowledge of experimental methods to the collection, processing and data representation. Optimization of biotechnological technologies applied to plants, for food uses, non-food and environmental analysis of plant material for the detection of genetically modified organisms; Understanding and control of environmental effects on the use of transgenic plant organisms in agriculture, environmental impact assessment in relation to technologies.
Title of qualification awarded Degree in Plant Biotechnology
Level in National classification Master
Dates 01/10/2002 - 30/06/2006
Name and type of organisation providing education and training University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
Title of qualification awarded Agricultural Biotechnology
Level in National classification Bachelor
Dates 01/09/1993 - 15/07/1998
Name and type of organisation providing education and training Agricultural Institute "Leopoldo II of Lorena”, Rispescia (GR)
Principal subjects occupational skills covered Technical specialization in floriculture
Title of qualification awarded Land surveyor
in National classification High School Diploma
Research activities
Research sectors Stress caused by different types and sizes of microplastics on plants; System Performance Of Non-Food Crops To Drought Stress: Development Of A Plant Ideotype; Agri-food traceability ; “Ozone and Climate Change Impacts on French and Italian Forests: Refinement of Criteria and Tresholds for Forest Protection”; “assessment and use of “gessi rossi” (scraps) as growing soil for vegetation cover”.
Books and Articles Title: Development of encapsulation techniques for the production and conservation of synthetic seeds in ornamental plants Author(s): Ozden-Tokatli, Y; De Carlo, A; Gumusel, F; Pignattelli, S; and Lambardi, M. Source: PROPAGATION OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Pages: 17-22 Published: 2008 Title: Recenti acquisizioni sulla crioconservazione (-196°C) di gemme e semi di specie arboree Author(s): Benelli,C ; De Carlo, A; Pignattelli, S; e Lambardi, M. Source: “VIII Convegno Nazionale sulla Biodiversità” Lecce 21-23 Aprile 2008 Pages: 42 Published: 2008 Title: Cadmium phytoextraction potential of different Alyssum species. Author(s): R. Barzanti,I. Colzi,M. Arnetoli,A. Gallo,S. Pignattelli,R. Gabbrielli,C. Gonnelli Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 196, 30 November 2011, Pages 66-72 Title: Exploring element accumulation patterns of a metal excluder plant naturally colonizing a highly contaminated soil. Author(s): S. Pignattelli,I. Colzi,A. Buccianti,L. Cecchi,M. Arnetoli,R. Monnanni,R. Gabbrielli,C. Gonnelli. Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 227-228, 20 maggio 2012, Pages 362-369 Title: Copper tolerance strategies involving the root cell wall pectins in Silene paradoxa L. Author(s): Ilaria Colzi, Miluscia Arnetoli, Alessia Gallo, Saer Doumett, Massimo Del Bubba, Sara Pignattelli, Roberto Gabbrielli, Cristina Gonnelli. Source: Enviromental and Experimental Botany, Volume 78, 2012, Pages 91-98 Title: A multielement analysis of Cu induced changes in the mineral profiles of Cu sensitive and tolerant populations of Silene paradoxa L. Author(s): S.Pignattelli, I. Colzi, A. Buccianti, I. Cattanei, G.M. Beone, H. Schat and C. Gonnelli Source: Enviromental and Experimental Botany 96 (2013) 20-27 Title: Linking root traits to copper exclusion mechanisms in Silene paradoxa L. (Caryophyllaceae) Author(s): I Colzi, S Pignattelli, E Giorni, A Papini, and C Gonnelli Source: Plant and Soil. DOI 10.1007/s11104-014-2375-3. Jan 2015 Title: Under fungal attack on a metalliferous soil: ROS or not ROS? Insights from Silene paradoxa L. growing under copper stress. Author(s): C Taiti, E Giorni, I Colzi, S Pignattelli, N Bazihizina, A Buccianti, S Luti, L Pazzagli, S Mancuso and C Gonnelli. Source: Environmental Pollution 210 (2016) 282-292 Title: Testing a ratio of photosynthesis to 03 uptake as an index for assessing 03-induced foliar visible injury in poplar trees. Author(s): Hoshika Y, Carrari E, Zhang L, Carriera G, Pignattelli S, Fasano G, Materassi A, Paoletti E. Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(2018): 8113-8124. Title: Silver nanoparticles enter the tree stem faster through leaves than through roots. Author(s): C. Cocozza, A. Perone, C. Giordano, M. C. Salvatici, S. Pignattelli, A. Raio, M. Schaub, K. Sever, J.L. Innes, R. Tognetti and P. Cherubini. Source: Tree Physiology 00, 1-11. DOI: 10.1093/treephys/tpz046 Title: The multi-purpose role of hairiness in the lichens of coastal environments: Insights from Seirophora villosa (Ach.) Frödén. Author(s): Elisabetta Bianchi, Renato Benesperi, Ilaria Colzi, Andrea Coppi, Lorenzo Lazzaro, Luca Paoli, Alessio Papini, Sara Pignattelli, Corrado Tani, Pamela Vignolini, Cristina Gonnelli Source: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 141(2019) 398-406 Title: Impact of high or low levels of phosphorus and high sodium in soils on productivity and stress tolerance of Arundo donax plants Author(s): Claudia Cocozza, Federico Brilli, Laura Miozzi, Sara Pignattelli, Silvia Rotunno, Cecilia Brunetti, Cristiana Giordano, Susanna Pollastri, Mauro Centritto, Gian Paolo Accotto, Roberto Tognetti, Francesco Loreto. Source: Plant Science 289 (2019) 110260 Title: Mediterranean Coastal Lagoons: The Importance of Monitoring in Sediments the Biochemical Composition of Organic Matter. Author(s): Monia Renzi, Francesca Provenza, Sara Pignattelli, Lucrezia Cilenti, Antonietta Specchiulli and Milva Pepi. Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Published on 18 September 2019. Title: The excess of phosphorus in soil reduces physiological performances over time but enhances prompt recovery of salt-stressed Arundo donax plants. Author(s Claudia Cocozza, Federico Brilli, Sara Pignattelli, Susanna Pollastri, Cecilia Brunetti,
Cristina Gonnelli, Roberto Tognetti, Mauro Centritto, Francesco Loreto. Source: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry. 151 (2020) 556-565 Title: Physiological responses of garden cress (L. sativum) to different types of microplastics (L. sativum). Author(s): Sara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Monia Renzi. Source: Science of the Total Environment 727 (2020) 138609 Title: Short-term physiological and biometrical responses of Lepidium sativum seedlings exposed to PET-made microplastics and acid rain. Author(s): Sara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Manuela Piccardo, Serena Felline, Antonio Terlizzi, Monia Renzi. Source: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 208 (2021) 111718 Title: Effects of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics and acid rain on physiology and growth of Lepidium sativum. Author(s): Sara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Manuela Piccardo, Serena Felline, Antonio Terlizzi, Monia Renzi. Source: Environmental Pollution 292 (2021) 116997 Title: Stress Effect Induced by Microplastics Coupled with Acid Rain, on Garden Cress, During Short and Long Time: Two Exposures in Comparison. Author(s): Sara Pignattelli, Andrea Broccoli, Monia Renzi. Source: Annals of Agricultural & Crop Sciences 6 (2021) 1094 Title: Impact of microplastics on growth, photosynthesis and essential elements in Cucurbita pepo L. Author(s): Ilaria Colzi, Luciana Renna, Elisabetta Bianchi, Maria Beatrice Castellani, Andrea Coppi, Sara Pignattelli, Stefano Loppi, Cristina Gonnelli. Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials 423 (2022) 127238 Title: Modulation of class III peroxidase pathways and phenylpropanoids in Arundo donax under salt and phosphorus. Author(s): C. Cocozza, P. Bartolini, C. Brunetti , L. Miozzi , S. Pignattelli, A. Podda, G.S. Scippa, D. Trupiano, S. Rotunno, F. Brilli, B.E. Maserti. Source: Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 183 (2022) 151-159 Title: Root Exposure to 5‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) Affects Leaf Element Accumulation, Isoprene Emission, Phytohormonal Balance, and Photosynthesis of Salt‐Stressed Arundo donax Author(s): Federico Brilli, Sara Pignattelli, Rita Baraldi, Luisa Neri, Susanna Pollastri, Cristina Gonnelli, Alessio Giovannelli, Francesco Loreto, and Claudia Cocozza. Source: Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2022), 23, 4311 Title: Mussel watch program for microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea: Identification of biomarkers of exposure using Mytilus galloprovincialis Author(s): Francesca Provenza, Darian Rampih, Sara Pignattelli, Paolo Pastorino, Damia Barcelo, Marino Prearo, Antonietta Specchiulli, Monia Renzi. Source: Ecological Indicators 142 (2023) 109212 Title: Effective microorganisms technology applied to sewage sludge and tested in short exposure on Lepidium sativum. Author(s): Tanja Buh, Leja Goljat, Darian Rampih, Petra Makoric, Sara Pignattelli Source: International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (2023) Title: Can microplastics threaten plant productivity and fruit quality? Insights from Micro-Tom and Micro-PET/PVC. Author(s): Marco Dainelli, Sara Pignattelli, Nadia Bazihizina, Sara Falsini, Alessio Papini, Ivan Baccelli, Stefano Mancuso, Andrea Coppi, Maria Beatrice Castellani, Ilaria Colzi, Cristina Gonnelli, Source: Science of the Total Environment 895 (2023)
Additional information Excellent ability to relate to others. I am comfortable in situations where I plan my work is that one of my colleagues. Micropropagation of tree species and herbaceous Use of the main protocols of cryopreservation of herbaceous and woody species; Studies on plant; Production of synthetic seeds and their use; Cold storage (stored at 4 ° C); Use of the main protocols for the extraction of genetic material; Thermotherapy in vitro; Sampling and culture of meristematic apices; Amplification of genetic material by polymerase chain reaction; UV-Vis and nanodrop spectrophotometer Atomic absorption spettroscopy Gas cromatograph Retro-transcription of genetic material; Agarose gel electrophoresis; Using immunoassays (ELISA and Lateral Flow Test Stick); Using laboratory equipment (flow hoods in Sterile, Autoclaves, GC-Mass,, Microscopy ESEM, SEM, stereo microscope, microtome, thermo-cycler, trans-illumination, heat block, vortex and centrifuge.) Capillary Electrophoresis “Multina” Pacchetto Office (Word, Excel,Access, Powerpoint) Statistical analisys program (Statistica, Systat and SigmaPlot), bioinformatics program (primer3 and Mega)
Contact details of two Academic referees Dr Monia Renzi: monia.renzi@bsrc.it Dr Cristina Gonnelli: cristina.gonnelli@unifi.it Dr Henk Schat: henk.schat@falw.vu.nl
 

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(full list available at CNR People)

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