General and clinical pathology and oncology

Head of Section: Massimo Libra

The Section of General and Clinical Pathology and Oncology, located in the Biological Tower, comprises seven faculty members from the academic discipline MED/04 – General Pathology. The Section may also include, on the basis of scientific affinity, faculty members from MED/46 – Laboratory Medicine Technical Sciences and MED/50 – Applied Medical Technical Sciences.

Faculty members of the Section are involved in a wide range of research activities, primarily focusing on the study of the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic degenerative diseases and on the identification of molecular targets with potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. These research activities are carried out within three distinct units: Translational Immunopathology and Immunopharmacology; Molecular Immunopathology; Translational Medicine and Oncology.

All research activities are funded by national agencies through competitive calls. Pharmaceutical companies also provide significant support through grants and consultancy agreements, contributing to research in areas of shared interest.

Faculty members hold several teaching positions in the degree programmes in Medicine and Surgery, Medical Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Biology, and in various Health Professions degree programmes. They are also involved in the Department’s three PhD programmes, as well as in postgraduate programmes and medical Specialisation Schools.

The Section’s Third Mission activities mainly involve research collaborations with biotechnology companies operating at both national and international level. Faculty members and researchers are committed to disseminating research findings through the organisation of courses and conferences. As members of committees and scientific societies, they also contribute to the development of specific strategies for the primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of certain chronic degenerative diseases.