Dr. L. Deiana
University of Sassari, Italy
Profile of institution/group:
The research team referring to the Chair of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Sassari (Sardinia, Italy) is studying extreme longevity in Sardinia since 1996. The scientific staff includes about 29 persons: 6 MD, 21 PhD. The group organization is structured in the following teams: a Secretarial team, a Medical Doctor team, a Biologist team, a Demographer team; about 20 members belongs to the Clinical Biochemistry – Specialty School (post graduate) and ensure a temporary collaboration within the organization.
The Sardinian population is well known as having genetic characteristics markedly different from other Caucasian populations. This is likely due to isolation and consanguinity. The research group is headed by Prof. Luca Deiana, and actively collaborates with the Italian Centenarian Group directed by Prof. Claudio Franceschi. In a recent epidemiological survey, carried out all over the 377 municipalities in Sardinia, the research group of Prof. Deiana showed a prevalence of centenarian higher than that of most European countries (13.5/100,000), a female-to-male ratio of 2:1 and non-random distribution across the entire island. The research group has expertise in manipulation of human DNA, e.g. mutational analysis and SNP genotyping. Previously, the research group focused the activity on genetic factors of cardiovascular disease and genetic determinants of human longevity. Recently the research group has started a co-operation project with Porto Conte Research (a National Technological Research Park, located nearby the university of Sassari) focused on Proteomics supported with the state of art equipment and technologies.
CV of the scientist in charge:
Luca Deiana, PhD, 1970, Biology
Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Sassari, Faculty of Medicine, Italy
1985-1991 Associate Professor of Biological Analysis, University of Sassari, Italy
1991- to present Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Sassari, Italy
1990 – to present Member of the National Council of the Italian Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Molecular Biology (SIBioC);
Current year Designated President of SIBioC for 2004
Existing infrastructure brought to GEHA
University of Sassari brings expertise and infrastructure in the field of molecular clinical biology of ageing and longevity in humans including the knowledge of genetic typing. The infrastructure comprises a centre for human biological specimen collection and includes equipment for SNP typing, genetic typing, platforms for DNA sequencing and SNP typing as well as for the analysis of common analytes with diagnostic significance in the field of clinical chemistry. The infrastructure is supported by the University of Sassari , as well as regional, national and international funds.
Selected publications
Deiana L, Garuti R, Pes GM, Carru C, Errigo A, Rolleri M, Pisciotta L, Masturzo P, Cantafora A, Calandra S, Bertolini S. - Influence of beta(0)-thalassemia on the phenotypic expression of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia : a study of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia from Sardinia. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2000;20(1):236-43.
Deiana L, Ferrucci L, Pes GM, Carru C, Delitala G, Ganau A, Mariotti S, Nieddu A, Pettinato S, Putzu P, Franceschi C, Baggio G. - AKEntAnnos. The Sardinia Study of Extreme Longevity. Aging Clin Exp Res 1999;11(3):142-9.
Passarino G, Underhill PA, Cavalli-Sforza LL, Semino O, Pes GM, Carru C, Ferrucci L, Bonafe M, Franceschi C, Deiana L, Baggio G, De Benedictis G. - Y chromosome binary markers to study the high prevalence of males in Sardinian centenarians and the genetic structure of the Sardinian population. Hum Hered. 2001;52(3):136-9.
Lio D, Mario Pes G, Carru C, Listi; F, Ferlazzo V, Candore G, Colonna-Romano G, Ferrucci L, Deiana L, Baggio G, Franceschi C, Caruso C - Association between the HLA-DR alleles and longevity: a study in Sardinian population. Exp Gerontol. 2003;38(3):313-318.
Current members of Group n. 14:
|
Name |
Position |
No of years in research |
Sex |
|
L Deiana |
Group leader |
+ 30 |
Male |
|
GM Pes |
MD |
+ 12 |
Male |
|
C Carru |
PhD |
+ 12 |
Male |
|
A Corda |
PM |
+ 5 |
Male |
|
A Errigo |
PhD |
+ 7 |
Female |
|
A Mura |
PhD |
+ 7 |
Female |
|
F Galistu |
PhD |
+ 7 |
Female |
|
M Olmeo |
MD |
+ 5 |
Male |
|
G Olzai |
MD |
+ 5 |
Female |
|
K Laino |
MD |
+ 5 |
Female |
|
F Molicotti |
MD |
+ 5 |
Male |
|
P Paschino |
MD |
+ 5 |
Male |
 |
|
 |
|
