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Curriculum Vitae

  • 2019 - present:    Full Professor for Pharmaceutical Technology / Galenics,
    Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry / Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (since 2021), University of Bern, Switzerland
  • 2015 - 2019:     Associate Professor for Phospholipids in Drug Development,
    Institute of Pharmacy, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
  • 2012 - 2015:     Group Leader, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2009 - 2011:     Post-doctoral Researcher, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2006 - 2008:     Post-doctoral Fellow, Chemistry Department, University of Florence, Italy
  • 2004:     Visiting PhD Student, Biomedicine and Biochemical Department, Biomedicum, University of Helsinki, Finland.
  • 2002 - 2005:     Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, Chemistry Department, University of Rome “La Sapienza", Italy
  • 2002:     Laurea (M.Sc.) in Chemical Sciences. Summa cum Laude Chemistry Department, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy
  • 1996-2002:     Undergraduate studies in Chemical Sciences (Biological Chemistry), Chemistry Department, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy

Activities

  • Since 2022:     Invited member of the Steering Committee “Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Platform” (Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Vetsuisse), University of Bern, Switzerland
  • Since 2021:     Elected extraordinary specialist in Pharmaceutical Quality of the Human Medicines Expert Committee (HMEC) of Swissmedic
  • Since 2021:     Faculty member of the Committee for Equal Opportunities, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • Since 2020:     Director of Studies Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
  • Since 2019:     Guest member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Phospholipid Research
  • 2017-2019:     Guest member of the APV Focus Group “Drug Delivery” 
  • 2017:     Emerging Investigator 2017, Royal Society of Chemistry

 

Prof. Luciani's research is characterized by a multidisciplinary approach aimed at designing and developing lipid-based tools as delivery systems for protein, nucleic acids, drugs. Her research interests include also polymer- and peptide-based contrast agents for fluorescence functional imaging in inflammation and cancer.

Her research group is currently working on novel multimodal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases, with a special focus on the molecular mechanisms and the intercellular communication underlying the oral administration of antifibrotic formulations. Additionally, the Luciani group is exploring new technologies in the field of site-specific sustained release, working actively on the development of novel manufacturing processes for lipid-based depots as an alternative to current technologies for hydrophilic drugs and biomacromolecules.

For a full list of publications, please see:

Researcher ID: M-3450-2018

ORCID: 0000-0001-9664-0149

 

 

Publications recorded in BORIS (Bern Open Repository and Information System): 

Journal Article

Dzhumashev, Dzhangar; Anton-Joseph, Stenija; Morel, Victoria J; Timpanaro, Andrea; Bordon, Gregor; Piccand, Caroline; Aleandri, Simone; Luciani, Paola; Rössler, Jochen; Bernasconi, Michele (2024). Rapid liposomal formulation for nucleolin targeting to rhabdomyosarcoma cells. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, 194, pp. 49-61. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.020

Ganguin, Aymar Abel; Skorup, Ivo; Streb, Sebastian; Othman, Alaa; Luciani, Paola (2023). Formation and Investigation of Cell-Derived Nanovesicles as Potential Therapeutics Against Chronic Liver Disease. Advanced healthcare materials, 12(30), e2300811. Wiley 10.1002/adhm.202300811

Bordon, Gregor; Berenbaum, Francis; Distler, Oliver; Luciani, Paola (2023). Harnessing the multifunctionality of lipid-based drug delivery systems for the local treatment of osteoarthritis. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 168(115819), p. 115819. Elsevier 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115819

Zimmermann, Christoph M; Deßloch, Leonie; Jürgens, David C; Luciani, Paola; Merkel, Olivia M (2023). Evaluation of the effects of storage conditions on spray-dried siRNA-LNPs before and after subsequent drying. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, 193, pp. 218-226. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.007

Eugster, Remo; Ganguin, Aymar Abel; Seidi, Amirmohammad; Aleandri, Simone; Luciani, Paola (2023). 3D printing injectable microbeads using a composite liposomal ink for local treatment of peritoneal diseases. (In Press). Drug delivery and translational research Springer 10.1007/s13346-023-01472-y

Bordon, Gregor; Ramakrishna, Shivaprakash N; Edalat, Sam G; Eugster, Remo; Arcifa, Andrea; Vermathen, Martina; Aleandri, Simone; Bertoncelj, Mojca Frank; Furrer, Julien; Vermathen, Peter; Isa, Lucio; Crockett, Rowena; Distler, Oliver; Luciani, Paola (2023). Liposomal aggregates sustain the release of rapamycin and protect cartilage from friction. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 650(Pt B), pp. 1659-1670. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.087

Skorup, Ivo; Valentino, Gina; Aleandri, Simone; Gelli, Rita; Ganguin, Aymar Abel; Felli, Eric; Selicean, Sonia Emilia; Marxer, Rosanne Angela; Teworte, Sarah; Lucić, Ana; Gracia-Sancho, Jordi; Berzigotti, Annalisa; Ridi, Francesca; Luciani, Paola (2023). Polyenylphosphatidylcholines as bioactive excipient in tablets for the treatment of liver fibrosis. International journal of pharmaceutics, 646, p. 123473. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123473

Teworte, Sarah; Aleandri, Simone; Weber, Jessica; Carone, Marianna; Luciani, Paola (2023). Mucoadhesive 3D printed vaginal ovules to treat endometriosis and fibrotic uterine diseases. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences, 188, p. 106501. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106501

Carone, Marianna; Spalinger, Marianne R; Gaultney, Robert A; Mezzenga, Raffaele; Hlavacková, Kristyna; Mookhoek, Aart; Krebs, Philippe; Rogler, Gerhard; Luciani, Paola; Aleandri, Simone (2023). Temperature-triggered in situ forming lipid mesophase gel for local treatment of ulcerative colitis. Nature Communications, 14(1), p. 3489. Springer Nature 10.1038/s41467-023-39013-3

Spera, Irene; Cousin, Nikola; Ries, Miriam; Kedracka, Anna; Castillo, Alina; Aleandri, Simone; Vladymyrov, Mykhailo; Mapunda, Josephine A; Engelhardt, Britta; Luciani, Paola; Detmar, Michael; Proulx, Steven T (2023). Open pathways for cerebrospinal fluid outflow at the cribriform plate along the olfactory nerves. EBioMedicine, 91(104558), p. 104558. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104558

Zivko, Cristina; Witt, Finja; Koeberle, Andreas; Fuhrmann, Gregor; Luciani, Paola (2023). Formulating elafibranor and obeticholic acid with phospholipids decreases drug-induced association of SPARC to extracellular vesicles from LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, 182, pp. 32-40. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.025

Teworte, Sarah; Luciani, Paola (2023). Endometriosis, the Silent Disease: Molecular Targets, Active Principles, and Drug Delivery Systems. Helvetica chimica acta, 106(1) Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta 10.1002/hlca.202200132

Aleandri, Simone; Rahnfeld, Lisa; Chatzikleanthous, Despo; Bergadano, Alessandra; Bühr, Claudia; Detotto, Carlotta; Fuochi, Sara; Weber-Wilk, Kevin; Schürch, Stefan; van Hoogevest, Peter; Luciani, Paola (2022). Development and in vivo validation of phospholipid-based depots for the sustained release of bupivacaine. European journal of pharmaceutics and biopharmaceutics, 181, pp. 300-309. Elsevier 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.11.019

Zimmermann, Christoph M.; Baldassi, Domizia; Chan, Karen; Adams, Nathan B.P.; Neumann, Alina; Porras-Gonzalez, Diana Leidy; Wei, Xin; Kneidinger, Nikolaus; Stoleriu, Mircea Gabriel; Burgstaller, Gerald; Witzigmann, Dominik; Luciani, Paola; Merkel, Olivia M. (2022). Spray drying siRNA-lipid nanoparticles for dry powder pulmonary delivery. Journal of controlled release, 351, pp. 137-150. Elsevier 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.09.021

Zivko, Cristina; Fuhrmann, Kathrin; Fuhrmann, Gregor; Luciani, Paola (2022). Tracking matricellular protein SPARC in extracellular vesicles as a non-destructive method to evaluate lipid-based antifibrotic treatments. Communications biology, 5(1), p. 1155. Springer Nature 10.1038/s42003-022-04123-z

Elzenaty, Oumar; Luciani, Paola; Aleandri, Simone (2022). A lipidic mesophase with tunable release properties for the local delivery of macromolecules: the apoferritin nanocage, a case study. Journal of materials chemistry B, 10(20), pp. 3876-3885. Royal Society of Chemistry 10.1039/d2tb00403h

Weber, Florian; C. Ivan, Daniela; Proulx, Steven T.; Locatelli, Giuseppe; Aleandri, Simone; Luciani, Paola (2021). Beyond Trial and Error: A Systematic Development of Liposomes Targeting Primary Macrophages. Advanced nanoBiomed research, 1(3), p. 2000098. Wiley 10.1002/anbr.202000098

Cardinell, Kirsten; Gupta, Neeru; Koivisto, Bryan D.; Kumaradas, J. Carl; Zhou, Xun; Irving, Hyacinth; Luciani, Paola; Yücel, Yeni H. (2021). A novel photoacoustic-fluorescent contrast agent for quantitative imaging of lymphatic drainage. Photoacoustics, 21, p. 100239. Elsevier 10.1016/j.pacs.2021.100239

Weber, Florian; Casalini, Tommaso; Valentino, Gina; Brülisauer, Lorine; Andreas, Nico; Koeberle, Andreas; Kamradt, Thomas; Contini, Alessandro; Luciani, Paola (2021). Targeting transdifferentiated hepatic stellate cells and monitoring the hepatic fibrogenic process by means of IGF2R-specific peptides designed in silico. Journal of materials chemistry B, 9(8), pp. 2092-2106. Royal Society of Chemistry 10.1039/D0TB02372H

Alijaj, Nagjie; Moutel, Sandrine; Gouveia, Zelia L; Gray, Maxim; Roveri, Maurizio; Dzhumashev, Dzhangar; Weber, Florian; Meier, Gianmarco; Luciani, Paola; Rössler, Jochen K.; Schäfer, Beat W; Perez, Franck; Bernasconi, Michele (2020). Novel FGFR4-Targeting Single-Domain Antibodies for Multiple Targeted Therapies against Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancers, 12(11) MDPI AG 10.3390/cancers12113313

Rahnfeld, Lisa; Luciani, Paola (2020). Injectable Lipid-Based Depot Formulations: Where Do We Stand? Pharmaceutics, 12(6), p. 567. MDPI 10.3390/pharmaceutics12060567

Weber, Florian; Rahnfeld, Lisa; Luciani, Paola (2020). Analytical profiling and stability evaluation of liposomal drug delivery systems: a rapid UHPLC-CAD-based approach for phospholipids in research and quality control. Talanta, 220, p. 121320. Elsevier 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121320

Zivko, Cristina; Fuhrmann, Gregor; Luciani, Paola (2020). Liver-derived extracellular vesicles: A cell by cell overview to isolation and characterization practices. Biochimica et biophysica acta (BBA) - general subjects, 1865(4), p. 129559. Elsevier 10.1016/j.bbagen.2020.129559

Valentino, Gina; Zivko, Cristina; Weber, Florian; Brülisauer, Lorine; Luciani, Paola (2019). Synergy of Phospholipid—Drug Formulations Significantly Deactivates Profibrogenic Human Hepatic Stellate Cells. Pharmaceutics, 11(12) MDPI 10.3390/pharmaceutics11120676

Sutter, Damian; Dzhonova, Dzhuliya V.; Prost, Jean-Christophe; Bovet, Cedric; Banz, Yara; Rahnfeld, Lisa; Leroux, Jean-Christophe; Rieben, Robert; Vögelin, Esther; Plock, Jan A.; Luciani, Paola; Taddeo, Adriano; Schnider, Jonas T. (2019). Delivery of Rapamycin Using In Situ Forming Implants Promotes Immunoregulation and Vascularized Composite Allograft Survival. Scientific reports, 9(1), p. 9269. Springer Nature 10.1038/s41598-019-45759-y

The list of courses including links to their detailed desciptions can be found in the public domain part (without login) of the CTS / KSL ("Core Teaching System" / "Kernsystem Lehre"). 
Click the link below to access the public course catalog in CTS / KSL, switch to "Advanced Search" and use the search field "Lecturers" to narrow the search results. 

Access public course catalog in CTS / KSL

  

More information can be found in the "Teaching" section of the Luciani Group website: 

  • Phospholipid Research Center
  • CRS Local Chapter Germany
  • Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Pharmazeutische Verfahrenstechnik (APV)
  • Swiss Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • Swiss Chemical Society
  • Biochemische Vereinigung Bern
  • Controlled Release Society

Open Positions

We welcome applications from excellent and enthusiastic students, PhD students and postdocs to join the Luciani Group! We offer brand new labs fully equipped, a motivated group of young scientists, a pleasant working atmosphere, research topics in pharmaceutical technology and drug delivery at the crossroad with Chemistry, Biology and Medicine.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to Prof. Paola Luciani, and should include a letter describing the research interests and motivation, a resumé, a copy of their study certificates, the names and contact information (address, email address, and phone number) of at least two reference persons, and relevant publications.

Vacancies are regularly posted on the research group's website:
https://lucianiresearch.com