Francesco Bernardi

FRANCESCO BERNARDI - CURRICULUM VITAE Date of birth: December 18, 1954. Nationality: Italian EDUCATION AND TRAINING 1977 Honors degree in Biological Science, University of Ferrara, Italy. 1978−1982 Doctoral Fellow “Centro Studi Biochimici Morbo Di Cooley” University of Ferrara, Italy. EMPLOYMENT AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 1983 Biochemistry Researcher − Centre for Biochemical Studies of Pathologies of the Human Genome, University of Ferrara, Italy. 1992 Associate professor of Molecular Biology− Biochemical InsƟtute, University of Ferrara, Italy. 2001 Professor of Biochemistry− Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ferrara, Italy. 2005-2011 Director- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Ferrara, Italy. 2010-2015 Vice Rector University of Ferrara 2008-17 Dean for the PhD programs “Biochemistry Molecular Biology and Biotechnology” and “Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology” SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS • Foundation and leadership of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Hemostasis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Ferrara, an international reference centre for the molecular diagnosis and research of hemorrhagic diseases and of thrombophilias. • Mapping of coagulation factor genes and the first molecular lesions and functional polymorphisms in coagulation factor deficiencies (FXII, FX, FVII, FV and von Willebrand factor) • The research group has described the first gene variation in FXII and FX and sublocalized the human protein C gene. • Discovery of the first deletion causing a dominant form of von Willebrand disease, thus providing molecular evidence for mechanisms leading to genetic dominance. • The study of the MOLECULAR BASES OF THROMBOSIS, focused on hemostatic genes, has discovered important mechanisms leading to hypercoagulability particularly about the genetic bases of activated protein C resistance. • The concept of combination of molecular defects producing predisposition toward thrombosis has been substantiated by genetic and biochemical findings. • The studies on hypercoagulability have explored the genetic bases of the North Southern gradient observed in the incidence of myocardial infarction in Europe. We have found evidence for genetic factor protecting from or favoring adverse events in patients with coronary disease.  Modified U1 snRNAs are productively used to rescue the correct expression of splicing mutations in several coagulation deficiencies and other inherited disorders. >300 Publications > 8500 citations ; H-Index 44 INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AWARDS 1989 Young Investigator Award XIII ISTH Tokyo, Japan. 1994 International BB Foundation Prize on Congenital Coagulation Disorders SCIENTIFIC POSITIONS HELD • Molecular Biology Group Leader for EEC Concerted Action “Role of FVII−TF pathway in cardiovascular disease”. • Member of the Steering Committee of the "International Register of FVII deficiency". • Member of the International Society of Thrombosis and Hemostasis Steering Committee for “Plasma inhibitors of coagulation” • Participant in the international networks that have set up the International Databases in this field (Protein C and Protein S). • Member of the Interdisciplinary Center for the study of Inflammation –ICSI -Miur Excellence Center • Reviewer for Research Project evaluation in the hemostasis field for several international and national organizations • Visiting external Examiner and PhD thesis assessor for the Universities of Leiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Oslo, Malta, Padua, Modena, Brescia. • Co-founder of the academic spin-off RareSplice. 2006-2010 Member of the Scientific Committee of Telethon EDITORIAL POSITIONS HELD • Thrombosis and Haemostasis Associate Editor; Thrombosis Research Editorial Board • Journal Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Advisory Board. • Reviewer for Blood Journal, Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Circulation, Human Genetics, Human Mutation, Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, FEBS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION WITH EXCHANGE OF PERSONNEL AND FOR TRAINING OF DOCTORAL FELLOWS • The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA. • Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, University Maastricht, the Netherlands. • Atherosclerosis Research Unit, King Gustaf V Research Institute, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. • Service d' Hematologie Biologique A, Hospital Europeen Georges Pompidou, Paris. • The Biotechnology Centre of Oslo, University of Oslo, Norway. • Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Center, Dept of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.