Discovering a tumor with a simple blood test even before symptoms appear. That is the research goal of Alessandra Luchini, Assistant Professor al Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine of George Mason University, Virginia. And the high level of training she received in Italy will help her reach that goal. On the other hand, according to Luchini, member of the “Italian Leaders Abroad” community of Aspen Institute Italia, the ductile mentis of Italian researchers with all its versatility receives growing recognition among U.S. research teams.
Nanotechologies play on a decisive role in diagnosis. What are the implications in your field for the fight against cancer?
My main project is concerned with the development of reagents and technologies that expand the possibilities for medical diagnosis and detect molecules that would be otherwise invisible. In other words, the aim is to allow future blood tests to determine the presence of even tiny tumors before the symptoms appear. The technology we have today is not sensitive enough to quantify molecules from a tumor at the initial stages. That is where nanotechnologies come in: the use of submicrometric spheres. It is a two-three year project: we have created nanoparticles that capture the target molecules and allow us to see them. The difficulty lies in the fact that the concentrations are very low and very fragile: they are destroyed very quickly. The nanoparticles can also be used in diagnosing infective disease, such as tuberculosis, Lyme disease (caught from ticks and – if ignored – can lead to neurological damage, heart disease and arthritis). They can also detect Chagas disease, common in Latin American and about to reach the U.S. Finally, they can be used in anti-doping: we are working with European agencies on this.
How did you come to work in nanotechnology at George Mason University?
After getting my degree in chemical engineering at the University of Padua, I started working on a doctorate in bioengineering and spent some time doing research at George Mason. I came six years ago to work in a program in oncoproteomics funded by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, which gives year long, renewable grants to young researchers. I came to develop software, new algorithmic statistics for biological data, to classify pathologies. Today, I work on nanotechnologies for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer and other pathologies.
What role did your Italian university preparation play?
In my experience, the cliché about the adaptability of Italians is valid. The Americans’ education is sectorial, tied to detail. The approach works; it gives good results especially fields. But the Americans would never dream of doing a job for which they didn’t have the certification. I’ve experienced the strong points of Italian universities in my day to day activities. Over the last six years, I’ve had about thirty young Italians in my lab. They have also seen the high regard for Italian preparation in the fields of biology, medicine, pharmacology, biotechnology and math. And these people are highly motivated.
So Italy also has a good reputation in your field.
Absolutely. Just look at the groups and labs that publish in the major journals. There is certainly a substantial Italian contribution in the field of oncology. Localization does not preclude excellence in science. That is absolutely false. We work very closely with Italian labs in universities and research hospitals.
