My name is Elisa Bruni, and I recently graduated in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Pavia, where I also obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences. During my undergraduate studies, I carried out my first research internship in the Molecular Biology, Cytogenetics and Epigenomics laboratory, focusing on the study of karyotype evolution and centromere organization.
I later completed my Master’s research internship at the Institute of Molecular Genetics (CNR), in the Laboratory of Molecular Virology and DNA Enzymology, where I worked on the development of a virus-free luminescent cell-based assay to evaluate inhibitors of the West Nile virus protease, and contributed to screening projects targeting kinases involved in tumorigenesis and neurodegenerative processes.
My PhD project investigates how ribonucleotide misincorporation into DNA contributes to genome instability, a key factor in several genetic and neurodegenerative diseases. Using a CRISPR-based system combined with engineered DNA polymerases, the project aims to introduce ribonucleotides in a controlled manner into specific genomic regions to study their impact on genome stability, particularly within repetitive sequences, and to elucidate the role of ribonucleotide excision repair pathways and their dysfunction in human disease. In parallel, I am involved in an interdisciplinary project focused on the development of innovative, low-impact pesticides through a target-based pharmacological approach. The project aims to identify and validate selective molecular targets in agriculturally and medically relevant arthropods, with the goal of designing effective compounds that minimize toxicity to non-target species and human health while overcoming resistance to existing pesticides.