Barbara Benassi

1998-2003: Specialization Diploma in Clinical Pathology at the University of L'Aquila, Italy

2002: Qualified as a Biologist at the University of Viterbo-Tuscia, Italy

1997: Degree in Biological Sciences (five-year single-cycle degree), achieved with top marks at the Tor Vergata University of Rome, Italy

1994-1995: Winner of the Erasmus-Student scholarship at the University of Manchester, UK

July 1, 2019-present: Head of the Health and Environment Laboratory, Department of Sustainability of Production and Territorial Systems, ENEA-CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy.

2019/2020-present: Contract Professor in Applied Genomics (SSD BIO/11, Master's Degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition), University “Campus Biomedico”, Rome, Italy.

April 2019: Visiting Scientist at the Laboratory “Vectorology in Anticancer Therapy” (CNRS-Univ. Paris Saclay Gustave Roussy, France), directed by Prof. Lluis Mir. Project: study of the role of calcium metabolism in the response mechanisms to electromagnetic fields (non-ionizing radiation)

October 2009-June 2019: Researcher with permanent contract, at ENEA-CR Casaccia, Rome, Italy (ENEA, UT-BIORAD, Lab BIORISC).

2007-2009: Research Associate at the Laboratory of Translational Oncogenomics, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. Project: Evaluation of the involvement of microRNAs in USP2a-mediated prostate cancer tumorigenesis. Tasks: Management of the Affymetrix gene expression platform at the Regina Elena Cancer Institute.

2005-2006: Visiting scientist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston (MA), USA, at the Laboratory of Oncogenomics directed by Prof. Massimo Loda. Project: Gene expression profiling of human tumors using omics technology approaches.

2003-2004: Research Associate at the Laboratory of Preclinical Experimental Chemotherapy, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. Project: Role of the c-myc oncogene in the response of tumor cells to drug-induced oxidative stress.

2000-2002: Winner of the Italian FIRC (Italian Foundation for Cancer Research) grant, at the Laboratory of Experimental Preclinical Chemotherapy, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. Project: Role of the c-myc oncogene in the response to antineoplastic drugs.

1998-1999: Research Associate at the Laboratory of Preclinical Experimental Chemotherapy, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. Project: Characterization of the apoptotic mechanism in response to treatment with antitumor drugs in combination with antisense oligodeoxynucleotide molecules

Selection of the most recent publications:

 Anti-inflammatory effect of a pomegranate extract on LPS-stimulated HepG2 cells. Pierdomenico M, Riccioni C, Benassi B*. Nat Prod Res. 2023 Apr 8:1-8. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2196622

 Epigenetic-based antioxidant effect of an ethanolic extract of Corylus avellana L. on THLE-2 human primary hepatocytes. Benassi B*, Bacchetta L, Maccioni O, Pacchierotti F. Nat Prod Res. 2023 Feb 3:1-7. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2174537

 Effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on cellular redox homeostasis. Innamorati G, Secchiaroli LC, Caramazza L, Fontana S, D'Anzi A, Salati S, Cadossi R, Benassi B, Apollonio F, Liberti M, Rosati J, Consales C. Free Radical Biology and Medicine 2023, 198, Supplement 1: S8, doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.12.036

 The interaction of DNMT1 and DNMT3A epigenetic enzymes with phthalates and perfluoroalkyl substances: an in silico approach. Innamorati G. Pierdomenico M, Benassi B, Arcangeli C. Journal of Biomolecular Structure & Dynamics, 2022 Jan 6;1-17. DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2023642.

 Amplification of the Hazelnut-Induced Epigenetic Modulation of LDLR Gene Expression in THLE-2 Human Primary Hepatocytes Compared to HepG2 Hepatocarcinoma Cells. Benassi B*, Santangeli S, Bacchetta L and Pacchierotti F. Austin J Nutr Metab. 2021; 8(2): 1103. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26420/austinjnutrmetab.2021.1103

 Diet and epigenetics: dietary effects on DNA methylation, histone remodeling and mRNA stability. Fratantonio D, Virgili F, Benassi B. Comprehensive Foodomics, 2020, vol. 1. Elsevier, pp. 364–379. eBook ISBN: 9780128163962; DOI:10.1016/B978-0-08-100596-5.22721-2

 Exposure of the SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells to 50 Hz Magnetic Field: comparison between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cultures. Consales C, Butera A, Merla C, Pasquali E, Lopresto V, Pinto R, Pierdomenico M, Mancuso M, Marino C, and Benassi B*. Mol Neurobiol. 2020 Nov 24. DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02192-x.

 Advances in understanding health benefits of hazelnuts. Bacchetta L, Procacci S, and Benassi B. Achieving sustainable cultivation of tree nuts, 2019, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited. DOI: 10.19103/AS.2018.0042.04

 Modulation of LDL Receptor expression and promoter methylation in HepG2 cells treated with a Corylus avellana L. extract.

Benassi B*, Santi C, Santangeli S, Grollino MG, Raschellà G, Bacchetta L and Pacchierotti F. Funct Foods 53, 2019, 208-218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2018.12.024

 50-Hz MF does not affect global DNA methylation of SH-SY5Y cells treated with the neurotoxin MPP+. Benassi B*, Santangeli S, Merla C, Tarantini L, Bollati V, Butera A, Marino C, and Consales C. Bioelectromagnetics. 2019 Jan;40(1):33-41. DOI: 10.1002/bem.22158

 Clinical and genomic safety of treatment with Ginkgo biloba L. leaf extract (IDN 5933/Ginkgoselect®Plus) in elderly: a randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial [GiBiEx]. Bonassi S, Prinzi G, Lamonaca P, Russo P, Paximadas I, Rasoni G, Rossi R, Ruggi M, Malandrino S, Sánchez-Flores M, Valdiglesias V, Benassi B, Pacchierotti F, Villani P, Panatta M, Cordelli E. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 Jan 22;18(1):22. DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2080-5

 Fifty-Hertz Magnetic Field Affects the Epigenetic Modulation of the miR-34b/c in Neuronal Cells. Consales C, Cirotti C, Filomeni G, Panatta M, Butera A, Merla C, Lopresto V, Pinto R, Marino C, Benassi B*. Mol Neurobiol. 2018 Jul;55(7):5698-5714. DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0791-0

 The epigenetic component of the brain response to electromagnetic stimulation in Parkinson's Disease patients: A literature overview. Consales C, Merla C, Marino C, Benassi B*. Bioelectromagnetics. 2018 Jan;39(1):3-14. DOI: 10.1002/bem.22083