Laboratory of Molecular Biology
The Molecular Biology laboratory is located at CIRI-Agroalimentare (CIRI-AGRO) in Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. The scientific committee is formed by Prof. Rosalba Lanciotti, Prof. Fausto Gardini, Prof. Diana Di Goia, Prof. Francesca Patrignani, Prof. Lucia Vannini, Prof. Andrea Gianotti, Prof. Paola Mattarelli, while the laboratory staff is composed of Dr. Giulia Tabanelli,Dr. Lorenzo Siroli, Dr Davide Gottardi, Dr. Chiara Montanari and Dr. Lorenzo Nissen.
The laboratory conducts fee-for-service industrial research, consulting, technology transfer, and innovation for the agri-food and environmental industries as well as, research activities carried out within competitive projects funded by public institutions (such as the EU or Emilia-Romagna Region), in partnership with agricultural and food companies.
Lab equipment
The CIRI-AGRO Molecular Biology Laboratory, in addition to the standard lab equipment (fermenters, laminar flow cabinet, UV- spectrophotometers, incubators, autoclaves), has a wide range of molecular analysis instruments including PCR and RT-PCR machines, an ultra sound homogenizer for microorganism poration, standard laboratory instruments for DNA and RNA extraction and analysis, purification of nucleic acids, two-dimensional and one-dimensional electrophoresis chambers, a flocytometer, optical, fluorescence and electron scanning (SEM) microscopes and gas-chromatographers equipped with mass spectrometers.
Offered services
Service, consultancy, technology transfer, and innovation activities for agri-food companies are carried out at CIRI-AGRO Molecular Biology laboratory. The activities carried out in the laboratory support the taxonomic, technological, and functional characterization of new microbial strains to be used as:
• starter, co-starter, and adjunct in fermented foods to aid product diversification and innovation
• biocontrol agents in order to improve food safety and shelf life
• probiotics that can be used in food formulations and products
• bioremediating agents for the plants and soils health
• Biotechnological strategies for the valorization of agri-food waste and by-products.
Other services provided by the CIRI-AGRO molecular biology laboratory include:
• the use of molecular techniques to detect the presence of pathogenic or spoiling microorganisms in food
• studies of microbial cells behavior after the application of innovative technologies for the development of tailor made industrial approaches
• support for the validation and industrialization of commission-based research.
Fee-for-service industrial activities are regulated by a constantly updated price list.
Teaching and training activities
No teaching activities are carried out inside the CIRI-AGRO molecular biology lab. However, the scientific committee and the laboratory staff can support training courses in food and environmental microbiology fields for companies.
Only personnel authorized by the Director could access the laboratory.
