info@medicampus.edu.mt
(+356) 2546 6007
Prof. Nicoletta Gagliano, PhD
Nicoletta Gagliano, PhD, is Full Professor of Histology at the University of Milan and Director of the Extracellular Matrix Laboratory. Her teaching and research focus on histology, cell biology and tissue morphology. Her scientific activity examines extracellular matrix remodelling, collagen turnover, fibrosis, tendon biology and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, with particular attention to tumour progression and the interaction between cancer cells and the surrounding microenvironment.
Education and Positions
2023–present
Full Professor of Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Italy.
2020–2023
Full Professor of Human Anatomy, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan.
2010–2020
Associate Professor of Histology, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan.
2002–2010
Assistant Professor of Human Anatomy, University of Milan.
2006
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, United States.
1998–2001
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Milan, working on age-related fibrosis and vitamin D receptor polymorphisms.
1998
PhD in Physiopathology of Ageing, University of Milan.
Thesis: Study of Age-Related Kidney Fibrosis in an In Vivo Experimental Model.
1992
Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Milan.
Professional Activities
Academic and Research Leadership
Director of the Extracellular Matrix Laboratory at the Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan.
Molecular biologist with expertise in cell cultures, gene and protein expression analysis, and morphological methods.
Research Activities
Research focused on extracellular matrix remodelling and collagen turnover in fibrosis, gingival overgrowth and tumour invasion.
Investigation of tendon and tenocyte biology under physiological and pathological conditions, including responses to medical devices.
Study of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition mechanisms in carcinomas and the influence of extracellular matrix components and three-dimensional organisation on tumour progression.
Research into tumour–stroma interactions, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, melanoma, muscular dystrophy and age-related inflammatory processes.
Research Funding
Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator in projects funded by the University of Milan, AIRC, private companies and international partners.
Research projects concerning tenocyte biology, extracellular matrix remodelling, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, autoimmune diseases, healthy ageing and pulmonary microbiota.
Editorial Activities
Editorial Board Member of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology and Cells.
Former Editorial Board Member of Open Dentistry Journal and Pancreas – Open Journal.
Guest Editor of special issues dedicated to extracellular matrix remodelling, the cytoskeleton and imaging methods in cell biology.
Grant Review Activities
Reviewer for research proposals submitted to the Wellcome Trust UK/India Alliance and the UK Medical Research Council.
Professional Memberships
Member of the Italian Society of Anatomy and Histology.
Member of the Italian Society for the Study of Connective Tissue.
Member of the International Society for Matrix Biology.
Former member of the scientific committee of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces at the University of Milan.
