Plant Physiology
Web of Science ResearcherID J-6145-2014
Frontiers Loop profile: 69116
Scopus Author ID: 57201283990
FIELDS OF RESEARCH
- Plant physiology and biology
- Biochemistry and glycomics
- Plant cell wall, related enzymes and their inhibitors
- Molecular mechanisms of plant-pathogen interaction and plant immunity
- Phytovaccines
- Upcycling of agroindustrial waste into bioproducts and bioenergy
- Optimization of enzymatic saccharification to produce biofuels
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
Prof. Lionetti has proven experience on the involvement of the plant cell wall in plant-pathogen interactions. Cell Wall (CW) enzymes are expressed by pathogens during host invasion to penetrate the cell wall barrier and colonize the tissue. Plants have evolved the ability to sense the loss of cell wall integrity caused by pathogen attack, triggering defense responses. Prof. Lionetti has made a significant contribution to the understanding the modulation of the expression of CW enzymes or their inhibitors as useful tool to improve plant resistance to pathogens. His research also contributes to identify the dynamic changes of CW polysaccharides in plant-pathogen interactions. He also proposed biotechnological applications of CW enzymes and their inhibitors to improve the saccharification of cell wall polysaccharides, the quality of plant products, and the isolation of protoplasts. He has recently used his experience to optimize bioconversion processes and valorization of agro-industrial waste into phytovaccines and other bioproducts.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
-2022 National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor - Plant Physiology (BIO/04)
-2017 National Scientific Qualification for Associate Professor in Plant Physiology (SSD BIO/04) and in Plant Pathology and Entomology (SSD AGR/12)
-2012 Qualification to practice the profession of Biologist - Sapienza University of Rome II session
-2011 Qualification for CNR Researcher (Call 364.96)
-2008 PhD in Botanical Sciences – Dept. of Plant Biology, Sapienza University of Rome
-2004 Master's degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome
JOB POSITIONS
-2022/Present Associate Professor of Plant Physiology - Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome
-2019 Researcher (RTDB) – Dept. Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome. Title: “Cell Wall Integrity In Plant Immunity”.
-2017 Researcher (RTDA) – Dept. Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome. Title: "Genetic, biochemical and molecular bases of interactions between plants and microorganisms: role of the cell wall in disease resistance and recalcitrance to enzymatic saccharification"
-2013/2016 Research fellows – Dept. Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome. Title: “Identification of plant genes associated with cell wall degradability and their use as molecular markers for breeding programs” and “Identification of quantitative cell wall traits related to resistance to fusarium wilt in wheat”
-2010/2012 Researcher (RTDA) – Dept. Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin”, Sapienza University of Rome. Title: “Exploiting the saccharification potential of pathogenic microorganisms to improve biofuel production from plants”
-2008/2009 Research Fellow – Dept. of Plant Biology, Sapienza University of Rome. Title: “Cell wall in recognition and signaling for plant defense”
VISITING SCIENTIST IN QUALIFIED INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
-2007 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) – Versailles, France- Research title: Analysis of cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana plants overexpressing pectin methylesterase inhibitors through FTIR microspectrometry
-2005 Max Planck Institute - Potsdam, Berlin, Germany. Research title: Characterization through mass spectrometric analysis - OLIMP of the cell walls of Arabidopsis thaliana plants transformed with pectin methylesterase inhibitors.
FELLOWSHIPS
-2007 Short term Fellowship European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO; 237.00-2007)
-2006 Support grant for participation in the 3th EPSO Conference Hungary
-2005 Short term Fellowship “European Molecular Biology Organization” (EMBO; ASTF 165.00-2005)
-2004 PhD scholarship in Botanical Sciences at the Department of Plant Biology, Sapienza University of Rome
-2008 Scholarship for tutoring activities - Theoretical and practical lessons in "Biochemistry and Plant Ecophysiology", degree course in Agroindustrial Biotechnology (Latina Campus), Sapienza University of Rome
-2007 Scholarship for tutoring activities - Theoretical and practical lessons in Botany and Plant Diversity, degree course in Biological Sciences Sapienza University of Rome
-2004 Collaboration grant Dept. of Plant Biology, Sapienza University of Rome
-2002 Scholarship for tutoring activities - Theoretical and practical lessons in Chemistry and Propaedeutics Biochemistry, degree course in Medicine and Surgery of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome
OTHER PROFESSIONAL COMMITMENTS
-Since 2014 he has been Associate Editor in Frontiers in Plant Science. He was editor of the Research Topic “Plant cell wall in pathogenesis, parasitism and symbiosis”. e-book ISSN 1664-8714 ISBN 978-2-88919-442-1, DOI 10.3389/978-2-88919-442-1. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/1463/plant-cell-wall-in-pathogenesis-parasitism-and-symbiosis. Given the success of the special edition, the Joural requested the second edition. e-book ISSN 1664-8714, ISBN 978-2-8325-2904-1, DOI 10.3389/978-2-8325-2904-1. https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/27587/plant-cell-wall-in-pathogenesis-parasitism-and-symbiosis-volume-ii
-Since 2022 he has been Guest Editor in Scientific Report- Nature. He was editor of the special edition “Plant cell wall”; https://www.nature.com/collections/icacfgeagg/guest-editors.
-Since 2012 he has carried out intense reviewing activities for prestigious international journals including Plant Cell, Plant Physiology, Plant Cell and Environment, New Phytologist, Plant journal, Plant Biotechnology Journal, BMC Plant Biology, Frontiers in Plant Science, Functional Plant Biology, etc
-2023 Scientific expert for the evaluation of a European research project commissioned by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland
-2022 Scientific expert for the evaluation of a European research project commissioned by the FWF Der Wissenschaftsfonds- Austrian Science Fund, Austria
-2021 Scientific expert for the evaluation of a European research project of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Poland
-2019 Scientific expert for the evaluation of a European research project Generic call 2019 of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), France
ISTITUTIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2023-present Member of the board of the "Research Center for Applied Sciences to the safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage" (CIABC)
2023-present Member of the Teaching Staff-Student Joint Committees of the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences representing the Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin” – Sapienza University of Rome
2023-present Member of the English language verification commission of the degree course in Biology and Cellular Technologies - Sapienza University of Rome
2018-present Member of the Council of the Doctoral Research School in Cellular and Developmental Biology (BCS), Department of Biology and Biotechnology "C. Darwin" - Sapienza University of Rome
2023-present Member of the Teaching Commission of the BCS doctorate
2017-present Member of the Italian Society of Plant Biology
2017 Member of the International Society for Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions (IS-MPMI)
TEACHING ASSIGNMENTS
-2012-today Plant Physiology-Biological Sciences - Sapienza University of Rome, 9CFU
-2023 Metabolic Biotechnology and Plant Improvement- Cellular Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, 6 CFU
-2019-2021 Plant Ecophysiology and Proteomics - Genomic, Industrial and Environmental Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 6 CFU
-2011-2012 Plant Physiology/Phytochemistry - Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences - Faculty of Pharmacy and Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 6CFU
SUPERVISION ACTIVITIES
Supervisor or co-supervisor of 10 bachelor's degree students, 20 master's degree students in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology and 8 PhD students in Cellular and Developmental Biology at the Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome. Supervisor of an industrial doctorate PON 2021 in collaboration with the company Agrolio and Agroenergy, Andria, Bari
Supervisor of three visiting students of the Master in Nutrition and Food Safety - University of Marseille - France
THIRD MISSION ACTIVITIES AND PATENTS
- 2023 Lionetti V., Greco M., Agresti S., De Lorenzo G. Use of molecules isolated from bacteria present in the digestate produced by biogas plants as immunostimulants of plant defense responses, Italian Patent Application No. 102023000004800. Holders Sapienza 80 %, Agrolio 20%
-2017 Scientific communicator for the “DNA. THE BIG BOOK OF LIFE FROM MENDEL TO GENOMICS”. Palazzo delle Esposizioni - Rome in collaboration with the scientific dissemination society “Coop Culture”.
- 2014 Cervone F, De Lorenzo G, Bellincampi D, Ferrari S, Lionetti V, Salvi G, Francocci, F “Use of plants with reduced levels of de-esterified homogalacturonan in the cell wall or portions thereof for improving the saccharification of plant biomasses ”, US patent no. US8637734B2. Extension of the Italian patent n. 102011901994329 (ex RM2011A000588), Sapienza University of Rome
- 2008 Lante A, Zocca F, Spettoli P, Lomolino G, Raiola A, Bellincampi D, Lionetti V, Giovane L A, Camardella L. Use of A Protein Inhibitor of Pectin Methylesterase for Reducing Methanol Formation In Grape Must And Marc, And Process Therefor . WO2008104555A1. Extension of the Italian patent PD2007A000065. University of Padua
ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES
-2022 Webinar "Flowers born from waste: the recycling of food production waste for a sustainable future". Career Service Sapienza, in partnership with Porta Futuro Lazio. Participation in the webinar was useful for acquiring the "Active Citizenship" Open Badge. https://www.uniroma1.it/it/notizia/dagli-scarti-nandosi-i-fior-il-riciclo-degli-scarti-delle-produzioni-alimentari-un-futuro
- 2023 Orientation course for students of higher education institutions - Teaching module "How to study at university" in the context of the Next Generation Orientation project - Sapienza financed by the PNRR. https://www.uniroma1.it/it/pagina/orientation-next-generation-sapienza
FUNDING AND RESEARCH PROJECTS
Critical Mass and Principal Investigator:
-2023 Research actions to reduce the impact on agricultural and natural ecosystems of the plant harmful pathogen Xylella fastidiosa (REACH-XY). Budget Law 2022 (law no. 234 of 2021; article 1, paragraph 325) – Task leader
-2023 Rome technopole- Flagship Project 1 - Decarbonisation and digitalisation in research on new green energy sources European Union Next-GenerationEU, NATIONAL RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE PLAN (PNRR) - INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS.
-2022 Pectin methylesterase activity modulates plant immune signaling triggered against microbes Sapienza University of Rome - Research projects - Medi-
-2020 PECTOWARS - Pectin methyl esterase to block pathogen infection in the plant cell wall battlefield - Sapienza University of Rome - Research projects - Medi-
-2019 Molecular dynamics underlying the activity of PMEs in plant immunity - Sapienza University of Rome - Research projects - Medi-
COMPONENT OF THE RESEARCH UNIT
-2022 High-throughput multiscale imaging of fixed and live biological samples Sapienza University of Rome-Grandi Attrezzature Scientifiche
-2021 The plant cell wall: a regulatory hub in immunity and development - Sapienza University of Rome. Research projects - Large -
-2021 Alternative use of agri-food waste in a circular economy context- re-waste- Lazio Innova - Lazio Region-Lazio Innova -
-2018 "Green" technologies for sustainable agriculture: protection from phytopathogens and fertilizers of agri-food crops using biomolecules obtained from oil waste. ABASA agricultural by-products as a precious asset for sustainable agriculture - Regione Lazio-Lazio Innova
-2018 SapienzaTerahertz: THz spectroscopic imaging system for basic and applied sciences - Sapienza University of Rome - University project-Acquisition of medium and large equipment
-2018 Regulation of pectin integrity in plant immunity: new perspective in plant protection - Sapienza University of Rome. University project
-2017 Plant cell wall-derived damage-associated molecular patterns: signaling and homeostasis in immunity and development. Sapienza University of Rome. University project
-2016 Pectin methylesterification in plant immunity: Identification of enzymes (PMEs) and inhibitors (PMEIs) involved in plant resistance against fungal necrotrophs. Sapienza University of Rome. University project
-2013-2015 Cell wall determinants to improve the resistance of durum wheat to fusarium fungus. MIUR - PRIN -
-2015 Control of pectin methyl esterification during fruit development: Characterization of novel pectin methylesterase inhibitors in Vitis vinifera. Sapienza University of Rome. University project
-2011 Biosensor (SPR) for analysis of biomolecular interactions - Sapienza University of Rome - University project - Acquisition of medium and large scientific equipment
-2010 Confocal laser microscopy for the study at the tissue, cellular, subcellular and molecular level of signaling, regulation, development and defense processes in animal and plant systems - Sapienza University of Rome - University project - Acquisition of medium and large scientific equipment
-2010 Improvement of biofuel production through alteration of the pectic component of the plant cell wall - Sapienza University of Rome. University project
-2010 Tailoring the composition of cell wall polymers to improve processing of biomass - British council and MIUR -
-2010-2012 Fuel path exploiting the saccharification potential of pathogenic microorganisms to improve biofuel production from plants. European Research Council. Advanced grant Prof. F. Cervone. -
-2007-2009 Pectic enzyme inhibitors in the control of fungal and viral diseases - MIUR - PRIN -
-2002-2004 Role of the pectin methylesterase inhibitor in the development and defense of plants - MIUR – PRIN
RESEARCH AGREEMENTS
2022 Bilateral agreement for scientific collaboration and hospitality of doctoral students with the AGROLIO SRL oil mill and the AGROENERGY biorefinery
MAIN NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATORS
Monica De Caroli and Gabriella Piro, University of Salento, Lecce
Claudio Moser, Edmund Mach Foundation, Trento
Pasquale Saldarelli and Maria Saponari, Ipsp-Cnr, Bari
Cleofe Palocci, Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome
Hugo Mélida Martínez, University of Leon, Leon, Spain
Olga Zabotina, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
Martin Stegmann, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
Henk Schols and Dimitrios Kouzounis, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
PUBLICATIONS
Bibliometric indexes (according to Scopus, 01-07-2024)
H-index: 23
Total citations: 2225
Total number of publications: 34
BOOK CHAPTERS
- 2024 The Ancient Battle Between Plants and Pathogens: Resilience of the Plant Cell Wall and Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) Drive Plant Immunity in “Plant Cell Walls: A Historical Perspective, Molecular and Cellular Biology”. in Plant cell walls—research milestones and conceptual insights. Boca Raton, London, New York: CRC Press (Taylor & Francis); p. 393–411. ISBN 9781003178309
- 2023 Lionetti, V., Vicré, M., eds. Plant cell wall in pathogenesis, parasitism and symbiosis, volume ii. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. e-book ISSN 1664-8714, ISBN 978-2-8325-2904-1, doi: 10.3389/978-2-8325-2904-1
- 2020 Lionetti V. and Bellincampi V. The cell wall in plant physiology in "Applied Plant Physiology". Piccin ISBN: 978-88-299-3113-2.
- 2018 Lionetti V E Cervone F. “Resistance to pathogens: sustainable biotechnological approaches for improving disease resistance” SUSTAINABLE BIOTECHNOLOGIES. EDAGRICOLE New Business Media ISBN 9788850655342
- 2014 Lionetti V. and Métraux J.P. Plant cell wall in pathogenesis, parasitism, and symbiosis. Frontiers in plant science. e-book ISSN 1664-8714 ISBN 9782889194421.
- 2010 Raiola A, Lionetti V., Elmaghraby I, De Lorenzo G, Cervone F And Bellincampi D. High methyl-esterification of pectin reduces the susceptibility of plants to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Biology of Plant Microbe Interactions CD, vol. 7, ST. PAUL, MN: eds. International Society for Molecular Plant-Mic, ISBN: 9780965462563.
-2008 Ferrari S, Galletti R, Lionetti V., Mattei B, Casasoli M, Pontiggia D, Cervone F, De Lorenzo G. Oligogalacturonide signalling: sensing a breach in the wall. Biology of Plant-Microbe Interactions CD, vol. 6, ST. PAUL, MN: eds. International Society for Molecular Plant-Mic, ISBN: 9780965462556
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
-Pro-pectin methylesterases as zymogens for plant cell wall mediated immunity. XVI Plant Cell Wall Meeting.18-22 June 2023, Malaga, Spain
-Subtilases trigger pectin-related immunity against pathogens. IX Cell Wall Research Conference - June 13 - 17, 2022. East Lansing, Michigan, USA
-The dynamic regulation of PME activity orchestrates Arabidopsis resistance against necrotrophs. XV Cell Wall Meeting, 7-12 June, 2019, Cambridge, England.
-Pectin methylesterases in plant immunity: activators or susceptibility factors? FISV 2018 Congress 18-21 September, Rome, Italy
-PMEI10, PMEI11 and PMEI12 are novel regulators of pectin remodeling in plant immunity. XIV Cell Wall Meeting, 12 -17 June, 2016, Chania, Crete, Greece.
-Improving exploitation and saccharification of biomass for bioconversion. Proceedings of the Joint Meeting AGI-SIBV-SIGA 19-22 September, 2011. Assisi, Italy.
-Pectin methylesterification in plant development and defense against pathogens. 30 June-01 July 2006 In: SIFV "2nd meeting in Bertinoro". Bertinoro, Italy
SEMINARS:
-2012 Engineering plant cell wall to improve exploitation and saccharification of biomass for bioconversion.31 May 2012. University of Molise. Pesche, Isernia.
-2009 Targeted pectin modification to improve cell wall saccharification for biofuel production. In: Abstract Book. COST 928 3 Annual Meeting -Krakow, 23.-25 9 2009, vol. O3.1