Author identifiers:
Orcid ID: 0000-0002-5625-1170
Scopus Author ID: 6602786690
WoS Researcher ID: K-5325-2019
SCOPUS database indexing:
Number of publications: 68
Total citations: 1715
H-index: 20
Present position
Researcher (level III) at the Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IBPM-CNR) c/o Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche “A. Rossi Fanelli”, Sapienza Università di Roma, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma, (+39) 06 49913980. E-mail: angela.tramonti@cnr.it.
Qualifications
1989: Diploma in scientific studies.
1995: Laurea Cum Laude in Biological Sciences at Sapienza University of Rome. Final dissertation: “Expression and biochemical characterization of two glutamate decarboxylase isoforms from Escherichia coli.” Supervisor Prof. Francesco Bossa.
1995-1996: Annual post-graduation training in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Biology. Tutors Prof. Francesco Bossa and Prof. Mara Costa, at the Department of Biochemical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome.
1996: Research Stage at School of Molecular and Medical Biosciences, College of Cardiff, University of Wales (UK) on protein chemistry and kinetic enzymatic.
1996-1999: PhD in Biochemistry at Sapienza University of Rome. Final dissertation: “The glutamate decarboxylase from Escherichia coli: action, genetic regulation and physiological role.” Supervisor Prof. Francesco Bossa.
1998: Qualification as Biologist, Sapienza University of Rome.
1999-2002: Master Degree in Biotechnology Applications at Sapienza University of Rome. Final dissertation: “Regulation studies on glutamate-dependent acid resistance system from Escherichia coli”. Supervisor Prof. Francesco Bossa.
2021: National Scientific Qualification (ASN, Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) as Associate Professor (Professore Associato - II fascia) of General Biochemistry. Settore Concorsuale 05/E1 – S.S.D. BIO/10 Biochimica generale.
2021: National Scientific Qualification (ASN, Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) as Associate Professor (Professore Associato - II fascia) of Molecular Biology. Settore Concorsuale 05/E2 – S.S.D. BIO/11 Biologia Molecolare.
2024: National Scientific Qualification (ASN, Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale) as Full Professor (Professore ordinario - I fascia) of General Biochemistry. Settore Concorsuale 05/E1 – S.S.D. BIO/10 Biochimica generale.
Work experience
1994-1996: I initiated my laboratory experience at the Department of Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, focussing on the expression and biochemical characterization of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate- dependent enzymes.
1995: during a short visiting period at the “Institut fur Pflanzgenetik und kulturpflanzenforschung” (IPK), Gatersleben, German, supervisor Dr. Bernhard Grimm, with a grant from Human Capital and Mobility (EU), I acquired competence in production of site-directed mutant forms of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate-dependent enzymes.
1996: I received grants from Sapienza University of Rome to work at the School of Molecular and Medical Biosciences (College of Cardiff, University of Wales, UK), supervisor Prof. Robert A. John, where I acquired competence on enzyme kinetics.
1996-1999: during the PhD at the Department of Biochemistry (Sapienza University of Rome) I started working on the gene expression regulation of the glutamate-dependent acid resistance system in E. coli and I have broadened the expertise to the molecular biology and microbiology fields.
2000: Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, with grants from the Department of Biology of University “Roma Tre”, supervisor Prof. P. Visca, for the MURST project "Genetic and molecular bases of microbial pathogenicity.
2000-2001: Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Department of Biochemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, with grants from the Faculty of Sciences within the project “Structure, action mechanism and physiological role of pyridoxal 5’-phosphate-dependent enzymes and peptides”.
Research grants
I have been the principal investigator of the folllowing projects:
Bilateral project CNR-RFBR (Russia) 2018-2021 “Molecular characterization of enzymes involved in vitamin B1- and B6-dependent epilepsies”. € 120.000 Russian partner: V. Bunik (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia).
Bilateral project CNR-RFBR (Russia) 2021-2023 “Molecular basis of rare neurological disorders caused by mutations in pyridoxal-5'-phosphate- and thiamine-diphosphate-binding proteins”. € 120.000. Russian partner: A. Graf (Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia).
Responsible of the research unit within the project “APTASER Development of nucleic acid inhibitors of serine hydroxymethyltransferase in lung cancer” 2021-2023 granted from “Regione Gruppi di Ricerca 2020 POR FESR Lazio 2014-2020”. PI: F. Cutruzzolà. €149.961
Responsible of the research unit within the project PRIN 2022 “RNA as a new player in the allosteric control of cellular metabolism: role of riboregulation in cancer”.
I have participated to more than 20 projects, whose representatives are:
2020-2024: AIRC “Dissecting Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase functions to target cancer metabolic reprogramming” PI: F. Cutruzzolà. € 240.000
2020-2022: Bilateral project Italy-Poland, granted from CNR, "Functional and structural studies of plant isoforms of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase". PI: M.I. Nogues. Poland partner: M. Ruszkowski (Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS)
2019 Sapienza Università di Roma “Role and mechanism of action of the human pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-binding protein (PLP-BP) in vitamin B6 metabolism. Molecular basis of PLP-BP-dependent epilepsy” PI: R. Contestabile. € 11.930
2018-2020 Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti “Regulation of vitamin B6 metabolism and bioavailability in Eubacteria” PI: R. Contestabile. € 60.000
2015-2017 AIRC “Serine/glycine one-carbon metabolism and cancer: biological role and inhibition of Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase” PI: F. Cutruzzolà. € 187.000
2015 CNR “Proteine coinvolte in processi fisio-patologici: struttura, funzione ed applicazioni”. PI C: Savino. € 30.000
2007-2009 Sapienza Università di Roma “Enzimi nel metabolismo primario e secondario: studi della regolazione e applicazioni biotecnologiche” PI F. Bossa. € 70.000
2005-2007 MIUR-PRIN “Enzimi dipendenti dal piridossale 5’ fosfato: dalla sintesi del cofattore alla regolazione dell'attività enzimatica”. PI F. Bossa. € 156.000
Reviewer activity
Member of the Editorial Board of Life (MDPI). Guest Editor of the special issue “Novel and Innovative Methods for Measuring Enzyme Activity”, of Life (MDPI). Reviewer for several International Journals (PlosOne, Scientific reports, BBA-General Subject, Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Journal of Pediatric Epilepsy, Frontiers in Oncology, Internation journal of Molecular Sciences) and for grant proposals (Agence Nationale de la Reserche Selezione 2018 and PISCOPIA Fellowship Programme 2013).
Teaching activity
I have been supervisor of numerous three-year and master's degree theses in Biology and Biotechnology. I am a member of the exam commission in Biochemistry for the degree course in Biological Sciences and Agro-industrial Biotechnology, Sapienza, University of Rome. I have been a member of the commission of PhD in Life Sciences.
Research interests
Structure-function analyses of enzymes involved in vitamin B6 biosynthesis and salvage pathways. Studies on the molecular basis of neonatal epileptic encephalopathy.
Structure-function relationships and regulation of gene expression of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate-dependent transcriptional regulators in bacteria.
Biochemical studies on serine hydroxymethyltransferase and its role in cancer metabolic reprogramming. Identification and characterization of potential inhibitors.
Structure-function relationships and regulation of gene expression of pyridoxal-5’-phosphate-dependent enzymes.