Name and Surname: Patrizia Aducci
Qualification: Full Professor
Scientific Sector: BIO/04 FISIOLOGIA VEGETALE Settore concorsuale 05/A2
Contact: Phone:06-72594343; e-mail: Aducci@uniroma2.it
Biography:
1975
Degree
in
Biological
SciencesUniversity of
Rome
"La
Sapienza"
1981-1987 Research associate- University of Rome "La Sapienza"- Faculty Of Science
1982-1983 Teaching fellow "Biochemistry of nutrition" and "Physiology of nutrition" in the
Advanced School of Nutrition Science- University of Rome "La Sapienza"
1987-1994 Associate professor of Plant Physiology- University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
1991-1992 Teaching contract in "Crop Physiology"- University of Basilicata, Potenza- Faculty of
Agriculture
1994-present Full professor of Plant Physiology- University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
1995-2004 Director of the Advanced School of Biotechnology- University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
1997-2001
President
of
the
Italian
Society
of
Plant
Physiology
1997-2005 Director of Consorzio Interuniversitario “Biologia Molecolare delle Piante”
2001-2004 President of the course of Biotechnology (I level degree)- University of Rome “Tor
Vergata”
2004-2013 Head of Department of Biology-University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
2004-2013 Member of the Conference of Heads of Department of University of Rome “Tor
Vergata”
2005-2013 Member of the Committee in the Conference of Heads of Department of University of
Rome “Tor Vergata”
2008-2011 Member of the Scientific–Administrative Committee of “Centro Congressi e
Rappresentanza Villa Mondragone “ of the
University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
2007-2010 Member of National Committee for Biosafety, Biotechnology and Life Science
2009-2013 vice-Rector for coordination and development of University Research
Special awards
2005 Medaglia Accademia Nazionale delle Scienze detta dei XL per le Scienze Fisiche e Naturali
per il 2004
TEACHING
Plant biochemistry and physiology : Degree Course in Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical applications of plant metabolites: Degree Course in Pharmacy
Natural compound metabolism and officinal plants: Degree Course in Industrial Biotechnology
(Second Level)
SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTIVITY
Research activity of Prof Aducci is on the biochemistry and molecular biology of plants and on
the mechanism of plant growth and its regulation .
She is author of 100 papers on high-ranking journals [h-index=19 (WOS) and 22 (Google Scholar)]
and 180 abstracts of International and National Congresses on the following research topics
RESEARCH TOPICS
a)role of fusicoccin: a phytotoxin, a plant regulator and a potential new therapeutic agent;
b) plant signal transduction. 14-3-3 proteins: role and regulation . Sugar sensing pathways;
c) study of interaction of 14-3-3 proteins with targets in plants and other organisms;
d) role and regulation of 14-3-3 isoforms in plants;
e)plant transport: plasmalemma H+-ATPase and its regulation;
f) MAP kinases in plants: identification and characterization of ZmMPK6, a MAPkinase from
maize;
g)plant proteinases: purification, localization and biochemical and kinetic characterization of
proteinases from different plants.
Title of teaching module: Plant Biochemistry and Physiology (4 CFU)
Description of teaching module (teaching program):
Organization of the Plant Cell:
Cell Wall, Membranes and Organelles.
Water and Solute Transport:
Water Absorption and transport . Passive and Active transport of Solutes. Membrane Transport
Processes. Membrane Transport Proteins: Channels, Carriers, Pumps. Translocation of
Photosynthates in the Phloem: Phloem loading; The Pressure-Flow Model.
Biochemistry and metabolism
Photosynthesis: the Light Reactions:
Introduction; Organization of the Photosynthetic Apparatus; Mechanism of Electron Transport;
Proton Transport and ATP Synthesis; Photoinhibition and Photoprotection. Photosynthesis: the
Carbon Reactions:
The Calvin Cycle: Reactions and Regulation; The C2 Oxidative Photosynthetic Carbon Cycle;
Adaptations of Photosynthesis: The C4 Carbon Cycle; Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM).
Biosynthesis of Starch and Sucrose.
(it is necessary to know and write the reactions and the chemical structure of molecules in the
cycles)
Plant Hormones:
General Characteristics and properties of plant hormones. Structure, Physiological effects and
Mechanism of Action of Auxins.
Title of teaching module (AAS): Pharmaceutical applications of plant metabolites (6 CFU)
Description of teaching module (teaching program):
Distribution and characterization of bioactive natural products in plants.
Role of secondary metabolites in plant defense against pathogens and herbivores.
Biosynthesis of phenolic compounds.
Biosynthesis of terpenes , from mono to tetraterpenes.
Biosynthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds. Alkaloids, cyanogenic glucosides,
glucosinolates.
Plants containing metabolites of each group will be described . as well as their
applications in pharmacology and nutrition.
Laboratory :
drugs, balsamic time, extracts, bud extract, tincture, essential oils.
Methods for separation and identification of natural substances.