Sergio Tofanelli

BRIEF EXCURSUS

2017-2024 Associate Professor SSD BIO/08 - Anthropology, University of Pisa
2010-2017 University Researcher SSD BIO/08-Anthropology, University of Pisa
2007-2010 Researcher-in-training SSD BIO/08 - Anthropology, University of Pisa
1998-2007 Contract researcher, University of Pisa under EC INTERREG and MURST/MIUR COFIN funding. (n=7 contracts)
1999-2002 Research fellow, University of Pisa
1996-1998 Postdoctoral fellowship, University of Pisa
1995 Research fellow, Institute of Mutagenesis and Differentiation, CNR, Pisa
1992 Ph.D. in anthropological sciences
1988 Bachelor's degree with honors in biological sciences, University of Pisa

SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY

- summary (source Scopus 25/06/2024)

ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-7399-9308
Citations: 2169
Co-authors: 437
h-INDEX: 28

- qualifications

ASN 05/B1 ZOOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY first rank (as of 07/06/2016, 3/3 median)
ASN 05/B1 ZOOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY second tier (as of 10/11/2015, 3/3 median)
ASN 05/H1 GENETICS second band (since 12/04/2017, 3/3 median)

- Main lines of research

1) Genetic biodiversity in threatened primate populations.
Analysis of genetic structure of Eulemur collaris (NE Madagascar), Pan troglodytes verus and Papio papio (Guinea Bissau) and connectivity between populations. Contribution of genetic studies for paleo-ecological reconstructions.
2) Evolutionary genetics of taste.
Comparative genomic analysis and genotype/phenotype associations of the TRPV1 gene region, which encodes for polyfunctional cationic receptors associated with thermal and chemesthetic sensations. Application of NGS (Nanopore MinION) platforms for salivary microbiota analysis in individuals of Italian and sub-Saharan origin who have TRPV1 diplotypes and different impedance profiles.
3) Genetic history of Italy.
The genetic history of Italians was reconstructed through panels of AIMs (Ancestral Informative Markers) extended to the whole genome (whole-genome). The variability of some 550 new genomes highlighted the need for a move beyond the traditional dichotomy between isolated and open communities as a level of genetic heterogeneity, identifying the northwestern area and Corsica as a reservoir of variants that characterized important demographic transitions in Euro-Mediterranean prehistory. The research has been extended, with the initiation of PRIN 2020, to complete modern genomes and ancient genomes of the large Mediterranean islands Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica.
4) Molecular evolution of human gene families.
Phylogenetic reconstruction of SDR (Short-chain Dehydrogenases Reductases) family genes by analyzing the splicing sites of 75 human genes and their orthologs in vertebrates and invertebrates.

- participation in journal editorial boards

Associate Editor - PLOS ONE
Review editor - Frontiers in Evolutionary and Population Genetics (FEPG)

- appointments.

Member of the LIST OF REVIEWERS OF MIUR for Projects of National Interest (PRIN) and Future for Research for the area 05 Biological Sciences
Member of the WORKING GROUP "NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND LIFE SCIENCES" of the FISV (Italian Federation of Life Sciences)
Member of the Technical Committee for the implementation of the NATIONAL PLATFORM "GENOMICS" afferent to the Human Technopole
VQR evaluator 2011-2014 sector BIO08
Evaluator of 1 project on behalf of the NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Evaluator of 1 project on behalf of FONDAZIONE CARIPLO Milano
Member of the University RATING COMMISSION (University of Pisa) 05 - Biological Sciences (two terms 2016-2019)
Member of the DIRECTIVE COMMITTEE of the Italian Anthropological Association (AAI) (2015-16)
Head of Research Activity (RAR) at the Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and the adjoining Computing