Short CV

2023 - Present: Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences,University of Padova.

2020 - 2023: Researcher (RTDB) of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences,University of Padova.

2017 – 2020: Researcher (RTDA) of Medicinal Chemistry at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences,University of Padova.

2016: Senior research fellow at the Department of Biology,University ofPadova, in the group of Prof. I. Szabò.

2014 – 2016: Senior research fellow atthe Department of Chemical Sciences,University ofPadova, in the group of Prof. C. Paradisi.

2013: Visiting researcher at theInstitute ofOrganic Chemistry of theUniversity ofRegensburg.

2012 – 2014: Researcher attheInstitute ofNeuroscience of the National Council of Research (CNR).

2011 – 2012: Post-doctoral fellow at theInstitute ofNeuroscience of the National Council of Research (CNR) in the group of Dr. M. Zoratti.

2011: PhD in Molecular Sciences, University of Padova, Italy. Thesis Title: “Development of derivatives of natural polyphenols for pharmacological applications”. Advisor: Prof. Cristina Paradisi.

2010: Visiting scientist at theUniversity ofIllinois atChicago, at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy. Supervisor: Prof. Alan P. Kozikowski.

2008 – 2010: Graduate student in the Graduate School of Molecular Sciences at the Department of Chemical Sciences,University ofPadova. Supervisor: Prof. C. Paradisi.

2007: Master degree in Industrial Chemistry,University of Padova,Italy. Final grade 110/110.

2001: High School Degree. Industrial chemistry school ITIS “Buonarroti”,Trento,Italy. Final grade 100/100.

  Courses

Educational offer

  Office hours

Please contact via email for appointment

  Availability for Thesis Projects

• Synthesis and characterization of targeted fluorescent probes for bioimaging
• Synthesis of mitochondria-targeted anticancer agents
• Synthesis of new modulators of myosin super-relaxed state to contrast obesity and associated diseases
• Synthesis of novel fast-acting antidepressants

  Scientific Activities

Dr. Mattarei’s research interests are in the field of medicinal chemistry and chemical biology with a special focus on the design, synthesis and testing of new compounds for biomedical applications. A major line of research aims at developing a pharmacology of natural bioactive compounds by targeting them to specific cellular and body compartments (mitochondria, fat and muscle tissue) and by using the prodrug approach to improve oral bioavailability.

Since 2012 Dr. Mattarei has been taking part in a collaborative project involving the group of Prof. Ildikò Szabò (Dept. of Biology, University of Padova) dealing with the design, synthesis and testing of new compounds with a promising antitumoral activity ascribed to the inhibition mitochondrial channels.

Strong scientific interactions with the CNR Institute of Neuroscience and the Department of Biomedical Sciences have developed into collaborative projects dealing with: the design and synthesis of new fluorescent organelle targeted Ca²⁺ probes; the synthesis of selective inhibitors of endosomal trafficking exploited by multiple toxins and viruses; the synthesis of triazine-piperazine-triazine analogues, α-helic mimetics for use as pharmacological chaperones; the development of novel inhibitors of thioredoxin reductase based on organoselenium compounds; the synthesis of mitochondriotropic derivatives of pinacidil, a known activator of K(ATP) channel; the synthesis of mitochondriotropic photosensitizers for the study of reactive oxygen species in biochemical processes in mitochondria.

Dr. Mattarei is also collaborating with researchers at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences on the development of cell-penetration enhancers with dendritic architecture for decoration of lyposomes to achieve controlled release of anticancer agents.

  Technical expertise

Medicinal Chemistry

Organic Synthesis

Chromatography

1D and 2D NMR Spectroscopy

Mass Spectrometry

IR Spectroscopy

Fluorescence spectroscopy

  Positions available

  Publications

• Marchioretti, C., Zanetti, G., Pirazzini, M., Gherardi, G., Nogara, L., Andreotti, R., Martini, P., Marcucci, L., Canato, M., Nath, S.R., Zuccaro, E., Chivet, M., Mammucari, C., Pacifici, M., Raffaello, A., Rizzuto, R., Mattarei, A., Desbats, M.A., Salviati, L., Megighian, A., Sorarù, G., Pegoraro, E., Belluzzi, E., Pozzuoli, A., Biz, C., Ruggieri, P., Romualdi, C., Lieberman, A.P., Babu, G.J., Sandri, M., Blaauw, B., Basso, M. & Pennuto, M. 2023, "Defective excitation-contraction coupling and mitochondrial respiration precede mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation in spinobulbar muscular atrophy skeletal muscle", Nature Communications, vol. 14, no. 1.
• Bachmann, M., Rossa, A., Varanita, T., Fioretti, B., Biasutto, L., Milenkovic, S., Checchetto, V., Peruzzo, R., Ahmad, S.A., Patel, S.H., Lukowski, R., Edwards, M.J., Ceccarelli, M., Gulbins, E., Zoratti, M., Mattarei, A.^# & Szabo, I.^# 2022, "Pharmacological targeting of the mitochondrial calcium-dependent potassium channel KCa3.1 triggers cell death and reduces tumor growth and metastasis in vivo", Cell Death and Disease, vol. 13, no. 12.
• Stahl, S.M.*, De Martin, S.*, Mattarei, A.*, Bettini, E., Pani, L., Guidetti, C., Folli, F., de Somer, M., Traversa, S., Inturrisi, C.E., Pappagallo, M., Gentilucci, M., Alimonti, A., Fava, M. & Manfredi, P.L. 2022, "Esmethadone (REL-1017) and Other Uncompetitive NMDAR Channel Blockers May Improve Mood Disorders via Modulation of Synaptic Kinase-Mediated Signaling", International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 23, no. 20.
• Pendin, D., Norante, R., De Nadai, A., Gherardi, G., Vajente, N., Basso, E., Kaludercic, N., Mammucari, C., Paradisi, C., Pozzan, T. & Mattarei, A.^# 2019, "A Synthetic Fluorescent Mitochondria-Targeted Sensor for Ratiometric Imaging of Calcium in Live Cells", Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, vol. 58, no. 29, pp. 9917-9922.
• Leanza, L., Romio, M., Becker, K.A., Azzolini, M., Trentin, L., Managò, A., Venturini, E., Zaccagnino, A., Mattarei, A., Carraretto, L., Urbani, A., Kadow, S., Biasutto, L., Martini, V., Severin, F., Peruzzo, R., Trimarco, V., Egberts, J.-., Hauser, C., Visentin, A., Semenzato, G., Kalthoff, H., Zoratti, M., Gulbins, E., Paradisi, C. & Szabo, I. 2017, "Direct Pharmacological Targeting of a Mitochondrial Ion Channel Selectively Kills Tumor Cells In Vivo", Cancer Cell, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 516-531.e10.

* First authorship shared   -   ^# Corresponding author

  Complete list of publications

Andrea Mattarei in Padua Research Archive IRIS (Institutional Research Information System)

  Patents

• Mattarei, A., Biasutto, L., Zoratti, M., Paradisi, C., Marotta, E., Garbisa, S., Azzolini, M., Bradaschia, A., Carraro, M., Sassi, N. New derivatives of Resveratrol. Italian Patent N. 0001416513 issued: June 19, 2015.
• Carraro, M., Zoratti, M., Paradisi, C., Mattarei, A., Biasutto, L. Nanocostrutti comprendenti nanoparticelle lipidiche solide rivestite da un guscio idrofilo. Italian Patent N. 0001421549 issued: March 22, 2016.
• Szabò, I., Paradisi, C., Mattarei, A., Leanza, L., Trentin, L., Semenzato, G., Romio, M., Managò, A. Psoralen derivatives as selective tumor-killing agents. Italian Patent N.0001428283 issued: April 20, 2017.
• Manfredi, P.L., Inturrisi, C.E; Mattarei, A., De Martin, S., Sgrignani, J., Cavalli, A. MORPHINAN ISOMERS AND THEIR STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS AS NMDAR ANTAGONISTS AND NEUROPLASTOGENS. WO2021195209A1 published: September 2021.
• Manfredi, P.L., Inturrisi, C.E; Mattarei, A., De Martin, S., Sgrignani, J., Cavalli, A. STRUCTURALLY MODIFIED OPIOIDS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF DISEASES AND CONDITIONS. US2022112153A1 published: April 2022.
• Manfredi, P.L., Inturrisi, C.E., De Martin, S., Mattarei, A., Rolando, M.G., Lodovichi, C., Brun, P., Pappagallo, M., Folli, F., Alimonti, A., Sgrignani, J., Cavalli, A. METHODS OF USE COMPRISING SUBSTANCES WITH NEURAL PLASTICITY ACTIONS ADMINISTERED AT NON-PSYCHEDELIC/PSYCHOTOMIMETIC DOSAGES AND FORMULATIONS. published: May 2022.

  Research projects and Funds

• Bando Ricerca Finalizzata 2018 from the Italian Ministry of health. Title of the project: “Biocompatible nanoassemblies to increase the safety and the efficacy of steroid treatment against liver inflammation”.
• Supporting Talent in Research @University of Padova – STARS Grants 2017 from the University of Padova – STARTING GRANTS. Title of the project: “Development of new chemical probes for organelle-specific real-time calcium imaging”.
• Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Dipartimentale PRID 2017 from the Italian Ministry of education, universities and research (MIUR). Title of the project: "New modulators of myosin super-relaxed state to contrast obesity and associated diseases". 

• “Sviluppo di una farmacologia dei polifenoli”, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Padova e Rovigo, CARIPARO – Progetti di Eccellenza. PI: Dr. Mario Zoratti, IN-CNR. (2010) 

• “Induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial Kv1.3 potassium channel as a therapeutic perspective”, AIRC – Investigator Grant. PI: Prof. Ildiko Szabò, Department of Biology, UniPD. (2011) 

• “Meccanismi mitocondriali della cancerogenesi”, Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca, MIUR – Progetti PRIN. PI: Prof. Paolo Bernardi, Department of Biomedical Sciences, UniPD. (2013) 

• “New anti-cancer agents targeting a mitochondrial potassium channel: in vivo studies”, AIRC – Investigator Grant. PI: Prof. Ildiko Szabò, Department of Biology, UniPD. (2014)