Francesco Basini is a PhD student in bioorganic chemistry, specializing in Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs) and their application in smart sensing platforms and programmable molecular systems. His research focuses on synthesizing PNA-based aptamers as artificial mimics of DNA aptamers, with an emphasis on developing PNA-modified platforms for enhanced molecular recognition and biosensing.

By combining computational modeling with experimental validation, Francesco investigates the interactions between PNA-aptamers and their target molecules. His work aims to improve PNA-aptamer synthesis and enhance sensing performance, enabling the recognition of target proteins in complex biological environments.

Natalia Adler is a postdoctoral researcher at CONICET with expertise in synthetic biology and bioengineering. Her work centers on the development of target-responsive, DNA-based nanosystems to regulate in vitro transcription (IVT). Using in vitro selection strategies, she identifies high-affinity operator sequences for transcription factors, as well as aptamers, to serve as recognition elements in biosensing platforms and smart nanodevices. Natalia is visiting the Porchetta Lab at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (UNITOV) to further advance her skills in the modeling and design of stimuli-responsive DNA structures.

Simone Brannetti is a PhD student in Chemical Sciences at UNITOV, focusing on the design and control of DNA-based molecular networks. His research combines principles of dynamic DNA nanotechnology and systems chemistry to develop programmable and adaptive molecular systems with potential applications in biotechnology and synthetic biology. In parallel, he investigates functional DNA-based nanostructures for drug delivery and biosensing. His work aims to develop responsive DNA systems capable of interacting with biological targets and enabling the detection or release of therapeutic agents in complex environments.