Francesco Balestri

SCIENTIFIC SYNOPSIS

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Balestri has investigated key biochemical mechanisms related to cellular metabolism of purines and pyrimidines, oxidative stress, and cellular antioxidant defenses, with a particular focus on the regulation of enzymes involved in these processes.
His most recent research focuses on studying enzymes from the aldo-keto reductase family, traditionally considered cellular detoxifying enzymes. However, under certain conditions, these enzymes are also implicated in inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, drug resistance, and tumor progression.
Dr. Balestri is actively involved in drug discovery, exploring newly synthesized or naturally derived molecules capable of selectively modulating the activity of these enzymes. His work includes kinetic characterization studies on recombinant enzymes and the evaluation of compound effects on cell viability.
In particular, he is engaged in the in vitro characterization of differential aldose reductase inhibitors, a key enzyme in glucose metabolism and redox balance, aiming to develop novel therapeutic agents targeting diabetic complications.
His research is marked by a strongly interdisciplinary approach, combining biochemical enzymology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and nutraceutical science.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

02/2023-to date: Associate professor, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
02/2020-01/2023: Senior Researcher, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
12/2014-12/2019: Junior Researcher, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
2011-2014: Fixed term intermittent contracts as supply teacher in secondary and high school.
2008-2014: Fixed term intermittent contracts as research fellow, Biochemistry Unit, Department of Biology, University of Pisa.
01/2008-12/2008: Post-doc fellowship MECHOS Project Tuscany region Chemistry Department, University of Siena.


EDUCATION
01/2005-03/2008 PhD in Molecular Biotechnology-International doctoral school-University of Pisa
09/1997-10/2004 Master degree in Biology, 110/110 cum Laude University of Pisa

SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION
h-index 18 (Google Scholar), 17 (Scopus), 16 (ISI web of knowledge)

Scientific Qualifications
18/11/2020- Achievement of national scientific qualification 2018-2020 as Associate Professor in Biochemistry.

Articles
Author of 51 publications (full list: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3758-8517)

Conference organization:
Member of the organizing committee of conference “Proteine 2022” organized by Gruppo Proteine della Società Italiana di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, Pisa, 18th-20th May, 2022
Patents Co-inventor of one Industrial Invention Patent -“Progetto di valutazione della qualità dei fluidi” University of Pisa. (11/2011)
Project evaluation activity and editorial board
Evaluator of funding applications for RTD projects (09/2023)-University of Florence
Italian Biochemistry Society member from 2018 to date.
Guest editor for the special issues "Isolation, Identification, and Applications of Bioactive Compounds from Marine Plants"-Molecules Journal (2024); “Drug Discovery at Enzyme Level” Frontiers in Bioscience Landmark Open Access Journal (2022) and “Potential Drug Discovery and Development” - Biology Open Access Journal (2021)
Co-guest editor for the special issues “protein 2022 conference”- Frontiers (2022) and for “Enzyme Inhibitors in drug Discovery and Development”- Biology Open Access Journal (2022)

RESEARCH PROJECTS
Partecipation to scientific projects
Partner scientist in the project “Characterization, formulation, and evaluation in vitro of active principles derived from haemolymph of Apis mellifera”, PNRR project 2024/25 “NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY FUTURE CENTER – NBFC”
Partner scientist in the IDARA project (“Differential inhibitors of Aldose Reductase in foods”)-Tuscany Region (03/2015-03/2017)
Partner scientist in the project “Exploitation of olive proc