The research activities carried out by the doctoral students of the XXXIX cycle cover the following topics:
1.Experimental Oncology and Innovative Therapies: Projects focused on combined therapeutic strategies for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma, assessing the antitumor efficacy of EGFR, Axl, and FAK/Wnt inhibitors on various human and murine cell lines. Additional studies investigated the effects of mechanical stimulation on osteosarcoma cells and the production of monoclonal antibodies using phage display. Activities included cellular, biochemical, and molecular analyses, contributing to the understanding of tumor pathogenesis and the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
2. Metagenomics and Clinical Microbiology: Several projects applied metagenomic analysis using NGS technologies (Illumina and Nanopore) to identify emerging respiratory pathogens from clinical samples collected through non-invasive methods. Other studies developed bioinformatic pipelines for viral genome analysis and the reconstruction of genomes from NGS data, with results presented at national and international bioinformatics conferences.
3. Immunotherapy and Translational Medicine: One study proposed a novel in vivo strategy to generate CAR-T cells, aimed at simplifying production and reducing the cost and systemic toxicity associated with ex vivo CAR-T cell manufacturing. The project involves direct engineering of T lymphocytes at the muscle site using plasmid DNA electroporation, in collaboration with a biotech company.
4. Orthopedics, Surgery, and Biomaterials: Research addressed the use of autologous and synthetic grafts for the treatment of bone and tendon defects (e.g., glenoid, proximal humerus, distal biceps), including the proposal of a new clinical-radiographic classification of the elbow "terrible triad," already presented at congresses and submitted for publication.
5. Otolaryngology and Audiological Technologies: Studies analyzed long-term hearing outcomes in patients undergoing ENT surgical procedures, involving the application of innovative biomaterials and advanced auditory implants. Additional diagnostic approaches were explored, including olfactory biomarkers, otoacoustic emissions, and gait analysis in otological disorders. Findings were presented at national conferences and published in specialized journals.
6. Gynecology and Women’s Health: One project examined the prevalence and associated factors of endometriosis in Albanian women, combining literature review with participation in thematic conferences to enrich the clinical and epidemiological perspective on this condition.
The research activities carried out by the doctoral students of the XXXVIII cycle cover the following topics:
1.Neuroscience and Neuromuscular Regeneration: A project investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in regeneration after peripheral nervous system injuries, with the aim of identifying, through transcriptomic analysis, new factors relevant to functional recovery after motor paralysis. Potential applications include innovative therapies for trauma, neurodegenerative, or autoimmune diseases.
2.Organoid Models and Regenerative Medicine: Another line of research focused on developing lung organoids derived from fetal fluids and bronchoalveolar lavage to model congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in vitro. The goal is to assess whether these models faithfully reproduce disease features to support personalized treatment strategies.
3.Clinical Biomarkers and Predictive Medicine: A study investigated the use of predictive and prognostic biomarkers as tools to improve clinical management, particularly in emergency settings. Analyzing clinical and laboratory data from COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department, the project resulted in two scientific contributions, one of which has already been published.
4.Movement Sciences and Musculoskeletal Disorders:A project assessed, using tensiomyography, the functional characteristics of paravertebral and peripheral muscles in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, aiming to clarify the etiopathogenetic and functional aspects of the condition. The study is currently under ethical review.
5.Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance: Another research line focused on the metagenomic analysis of samples from prosthetic infections using NGS platforms (Illumina and Nanopore) to identify microbial species and study resistance, virulence, and plasmid genes. The research was supported by teaching activities, participation in conferences, and resulted in the publication of a case report on co-infection in an immunocompromised patient.
The research activities carried out by the doctoral students of the XXXVII cycle cover the following topics:
1.Experimental Oncology and Pharmacology: PhD students explored the effects of natural and synthetic compounds on tumor models (osteosarcoma and mesothelioma), investigating redox mechanisms, ferroptosis, and cellular responses to treatment. These studies led to scientific publications and participation in specialized congresses.
2.Neuroscience and Functional Evaluation: An innovative method for assessing motor neglect using actigraphy was developed, providing an objective tool for evaluating motor behavior in neurological and rehabilitative settings.
3.Biophysics and Radiofrequency Exposure:One project studied the non-thermal biological effects of radiofrequency exposure (1.6 GHz) on human fibroblasts, evaluating cellular damage and gene modulation using a multi-methodological approach.
4.Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Tissue Remodeling: The protective effects of ACE inhibitors and sartans on the heart and kidney were analyzed, with particular focus on extracellular matrix remodeling, based on data from the REPOSI registry.
5.Orthopedics and Prosthetic Surgery: A clinical study on reverse shoulder arthroplasty was conducted, evaluating risk factors, functional outcomes, and revision needs through multicenter analyses and clinical databases.
6.Movement Sciences and Sports Performance: Real-time tactical analysis in soccer was applied using GNSS data, with insights into performance optimization, injury prevention, and university-level education in movement sciences.
7.Space Medicine and Nutraceuticals: A project examined the use of dietary bioactive compounds in bone and muscle regeneration under microgravity conditions, utilizing omics and bioinformatics to investigate miRNA modulation and cellular pathways.
8.Rehabilitation and Translational Medicine: Innovative rehabilitation approaches integrating regenerative medicine, bioengineering, and motor function analysis were developed, with applications in the recovery from orthopedic and neurological conditions.