Red blood cell Laboratory

Referent: Dr. Giampaolo Minetti

Co-workers: Dr. Annarita Ciana

The group's primary research focus is the study of biological membranes, using the human erythrocyte as a model system. The research investigates the biochemical and biophysical properties of erythrocyte membranes in health, disease, during in vivo aging, and under storage conditions for transfusion. A major current research line emphasizes terminal erythropoiesis, specifically the maturation of circulating reticulocytes. This includes breakthrough insights into the lipidomic remodeling and membrane processes that drive the transition into mature red blood cells. The laboratory also explores neocytolysis occurring under extreme environmental conditions. By employing immunomagnetic separation and density gradients, specific cell populations are isolated and analyzed using proteomics, lipidomics, spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The goal is to characterize the structure and function of membrane domains, the membrane-skeleton, and vesicle formation.