Dr. Daniele PODINI Molecular Biologist Birth date: 1970

Education

2001-2004, Specialization School in Applied Genetics, University “La Sapienza” Rome, experimental thesis on the development of a diagnostic kit for the analysis of single nucleotide mutations of the CYP21 gene causing Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) and the following trial testing on 119 selected patients.

May 1997, Winner of Appointment to the 166th Technical-Professional Course, Officer Training School of the Arma dei Carabinieri. Nominated Course Leader and Class Valedictorian.

1990-1996, Masters Degree in Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology Major, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical, and Natural Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
Experimental thesis: research done at the Biotechnological-Environmental Laboratory, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Parma. Thesis Title: "Environmental Monitoring by means of Engineered Biological Sensors (transgenic Nictiana tabacuum plants): Response to Heavy Metals." Director: Prof. Nelson Marmiroli.

1993-94, Winner of "Erasmus" Scholarship to the University of Kent, Canterbury, U.K. Completed coursework in Chromosome structure and function, Advanced enzymology, Protein structure and function, and Techniques in molecular biology (laboratory).

Professional Experience

April 2000 – present  
Assistant Director of the “Genoma Laboratory”. Responsibilities include:

- Director of the Forensic Section of “Genoma Laboratory”. Autosomal STR analysis, Y-STR typing and mtDNA sequencing on ABI PRISM 310 and 3100 for paternity testing, forensic biological investigations from specimen found on crime scenes, for the District Attorney Offices of Rome, Florence and Civitavecchia and testifying as an expert witness in court.

- Responsible of the project for family reunification of Somalians living in Italy in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM - Rome division). Responsibilities include: performing DNA analysis and subsequent statistical analysis to verify family relationships between Somalians living in Italy and their relatives abroad for family reunification.

- Coordinator of the Genetic Diagnostic Section: prenatal and postnatal diagnosis, designing and setting-up of molecular diagnostic kits (among which Y Chromosome Microdeletion kit, Minisequencing AB0 blood type determination kit, Myotonic Dystrophy, Fraglie-X, QF-PCR Aneuploidie testing kit for Chromosomes X,Y,21,18 and 13 and others)

Nov. 2001 – present
Consultant for the set-up of Molecular Genetic Laboratories (Istanbul - Turkey, Reggio Calabria - Italy, Tirana - Albania etc.). Responsibilities include: providing logistical and technological support and personnel training for know how transfer.

Feb 1998 - March 2000
Lieutenant, Arma dei Carabinieri (Italian Army Military Police Force) Center for Scientific Investigations of the Arma dei Carabinieri; Second in Command of Biology Section. Responsibilities include: Forensic Biological Investigations with emphasis on DNA profiling (autosomal STR typing and mtDNA sequencing on ABI PRISM 377) and testifying as an expert witness. Responsible Officer for the quality control and the Inter-Laboratory Projects to Improve Investigative Techniques in Forensic Biology.

Teaching experience

1999 – 2000
“DNA on the crime scene” - Officer Academy of the Carabinieri – Rome Italy

June 200
“Detecting Genetically Modified Organisms” – Laboratory assistant, University of Parma, Parma - Italy

June 2003
“Techniques in molecular biology” - “PGD Hands on” Pre-congress course, Memorial Hospital, Istanbul - Turkey

November 2003
“Molecular Biology diagnostic methodologies” - “PGD practical” course organized by SISMER Bologna - Italy

Scientific background

Author and coauthor for various paper presentations at international and national conferences and for several scientific full papers.