Professor of General Pathology, Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare e Molecolare ‘L. Califano’, Università di Napoli Federico II.

Research
1. Identification and characterization of molecular factors associated with the onset of the human cancer.
(a) Bcl-2 over- expression and induction of senescence.
(b) Cell cycle and apoptosis: direct interactions among key proteins.
(d) Space biology. Effects on protein expression produced by artificial and natural radiation and microgravity in human cell lines.

2. Optoelectronic biotechnologies.
(a) Photodynamic therapy in combination with chemotherapy (Coordinated program with University of Padua and Milan).
(b) Photodynamic therapy in the IR region
(c) Modification of gene expression of human cells during photosensitization.
(d) Assembly and use of optical trap and optical tweezers using a low energy diode laser source (805 nm) for cellular manipulations.
(e) Laser-mediated gene inactivation.

Selected publications
Palumbo G et al. 17ß-estradiol inhibits apoptosis
in MCF-7 cells, inducing bcl-2 expression via two
estrogen-responsive elements present in the
coding sequence. Mol Cell Biol 2000;8:2890-901.

Palumbo G et al. Resistance of neoplastic human
endometrial cells to apoptosis is controlled by bcl-
XL and not bcl-2. Gynecol Oncol 2000;77:419-28.

Palumbo G et al. Bcl-2 exerts a pRb-mediated cell
cycle inhibitory function in HEC1B endometrial
carcinoma cells. Gynecol Oncol 2001;81:1900-9.

Palumbo G et al. Selective light-induced modulation
of Bcl-XL and Bax expressions in indocyanine green-loaded
U937 cells: effects of continuous or intermittent
photo-sensitization with low IR-light using a 805 nm
diode laser. J Photochem Photobiol (B), 2001;57:66-75.

Palumbo G et al. Photo-activation of hypericin
with low doses of light promotes apparent photo-resistance
in human histiocytic lymphoma U937 cells.
J Photochem Photobiol (B), 2001;60:87-96.

Palumbo G et al. Molecular aspects of photodynamic
therapy: low energy pre-sensitization of hypericin
loaded human endometrial carcinoma cells
enhances photo-tolerance, alters gene expression
and affects cell cycle. FEBS Letters 2002;512:287-
290.