Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Dr. Annamaria Biroccio | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

IRCCS-Regina Elena National Cancer Institute | Italy

Dr. Annamaria Biroccio, PhD (Microbiology, University of Messina) is a Senior Investigator at the Regina Elena National Cancer Institute (IRE-IFO), Rome, with over two decades of experience in cancer molecular biology and telomere research. Her work focuses on elucidating the mechanisms regulating telomere function and their implications in cancer progression, alongside developing pharmacological strategies targeting telomeres for anticancer therapy. She has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing over 115 peer-reviewed papers on telomere biology, DNA damage response, and targeted therapies. According to her CV, Dr. Biroccio holds an H-index of 44, reflecting substantial influence in the field, with more than 6124 citations across her publications. Her research leadership is underscored by principal investigator roles in major national and international grants, including AIRC, CNR, and EU FP7 programs. She is also co-owner of two patents related to telomere-targeting therapeutics for triple-negative breast cancer. In recognition of her contributions, she has received multiple awards such as the Mascia Brunelli Award and Young Investigator Award. Beyond research, Dr. Biroccio has significantly contributed to scientific training as a tutor for numerous national fellowship programs and serves on editorial boards of prominent cancer research journals

Profiles: Scopus | Orcid | Researcher ID 

Featured Publications

Dinami, R., Petti, E., Ostano, P., Iachettini, S., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Zizza, P., Di Vito, S., Porru, M., D’Angelo, C., Sibilio, P., De Nicola, F., Russo, R., Di Benedetto, A., Palange, A., Fanciulli, M., Chambery, A., Gilson, E., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Multi-omics analyses integration reveals a novel TRF2–miR-181a-5p–S100A10 regulatory axis in colon cancer. Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters, 30(1), 121.

Petti, E., Di Vito, S., Dinami, R., Porru, M., Marchesi, S., Lohuis, J., Zizza, P., Iachettini, S., Salvati, E., D’Angelo, C., Rizzo, A., Maresca, C., Ascione, F., Di Benedetto, A., Buglioni, S., Sacconi, A., Ostano, P., Li, Q., Stoppacciaro, A., Leonetti, C., van Rheenen, J., Maiuri, P., Scita, G., & Biroccio, A. (2025). TRF2 interaction with nuclear envelope is required for cell polarization and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Death & Disease, 16(1), 224.

Pirota, V., Iachettini, S., Platella, C., Zizza, P., Fracchioni, G., Di Vito, S., Carachino, A., Battistini, F., Orozco, M., Freccero, M., Biroccio, A., & Doria, F. (2025). Naphthalene diimide–naphthalimide dyads promote telomere damage by selectively targeting multimeric G-quadruplexes. Nucleic Acids Research, 53(7), gkaf301.

Russomanno, P., Zizza, P., Cerofolini, L., D’Aria, F., Iachettini, S., Di Vito, S., Amato, J., Fragai, M., Pagano, B., & Biroccio, A. (2025). Expanding the functions of KHSRP protein: Insights into DNA G-quadruplex binding. Advanced Science, 12(8), e2410086.

Pirota, V., Salvati, E., Risoldi, C., Manoli, F., Rizzo, A., Zizza, P., Biroccio, A., Freccero, M., & Manet, I. (2025). Core-extended naphthalene diimide dyads as light-up probes with targeted cytotoxicity toward tumor cells. Biomolecules, 15(2), 311.

Iwona Polak | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Life Science

Ms. Iwona Polak | Molecular Biology | Best Researcher Award

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn | Poland

Iwona Polak, M.Sc. Eng., is a researcher at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, specializing in the molecular biology of parasitic nematodes from the Anisakidae family. Her scientific contributions focus on unraveling the molecular and proteomic mechanisms of Anisakis simplex, a parasite of marine mammals that poses risks to human health. With 11 published journal papers indexed in Scopus and other scientific databases, she has developed a strong academic record supported by 75 citations on ResearchGate and 57 citations on Scopus, reflecting her growing influence in parasitology and molecular biology. Her h-index of 4 demonstrates the consistent impact of her research output within her field. Through advanced transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, particularly using NGS and LC-MS/MS approaches, Polak’s work provides key insights into host–parasite interactions and parasite adaptation mechanisms. She has collaborated internationally with the Marine Research Institute (IIM-CSIC) in Vigo, Spain, in proteomics research. With one ongoing research project and plans to defend her doctoral thesis in biological sciences, she continues to expand her scientific profile and contribute to developing innovative therapeutic and control strategies for anisakiasis.

Featured Publications

Polak, I., et al. (2025). Diversity, expression, and structural modeling of sugar transporters in Anisakis simplex s. s. L3 and L4 larvae: An in vitro and in silico study. BMC Genomics, 26, Article 12068.

Polak, I., et al. (2025). Coupled transcriptome and proteome analysis of L3 and L4 developmental stages of Anisakis simplex s. s.: Insights into target genes under glucose influence. BMC Genomics, 26, Article 12069.

Polak, I., et al. (2024). The response of Anisakis simplex (s. s.) to anthelmintics: Specific changes in xenobiotic metabolic processes. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 19, 80–92.