ANTONELLA CAMAIONI, Ph.D. Education: 1983 – M. Sc. in Biological Sciences, with honours, University of Rome "La Sapienza" 1989 - Ph. D. in Morphogenetic and Cytological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rome "La Sapienza". Positions and professional experience: 1983-1985 - Research Fellow, Dept. of Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of Rome "La Sapienza". 1985-1989 - Ph. D. student, University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Fellowship by the State Department of Education. 1991-1994 - Visiting fellow, National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, USA), Proteoglycan Chemistry Section, directed by Dr. V.C. Hascall. Fellowship by the "Fogarty International Center". 1989-2002 - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Public Health and Cell Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata". 2002 to date - Associate Professor of Histology and Embryology, Dept. of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Research interests: 1983- to date - Studies on in vitro fertilization: eggs and sperm interaction with components of the extracellular matrix. Micromanipulation of mouse embryo. Studies on alternative methods for introducing foreign genetic information in mammalian genome: use of sperm cells as vector of exogenous DNA in mammalian embryo by in vitro fertilization (in mouse) and by insemination (in farm animal). Studies on the organization of the extracellular matrix synthesized by mouse and pig cumulus cell-oocyte complexes during expansion in vitro and in vivo. Animal models for the study of embryo implantation and development. 2006 to date - Biocompatibility studies on synthetic materials and their use as tridimensional scaffolds for the maintenance and differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells, to improve in vitro culture conditions by mimicking extracellular matrix of stem cell niche, with the perspective to utilize such bioresorbable scaffolds to facilitate and enhance in vivo tissue regeneration. 2008 to date – Embryotoxicity and biocompatibility studies on variously functionalized nanomaterials.