Group Leader
Antimicrobial Resistance
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Padriciano 99
34149 Trieste, Italy
E-mail: [email protected]
Education
University of Pisa, Italy, Specialist in Microbiology and Virology, 2015
University of Pisa, Italy, PhD in Microbiology and Genetics, 2010
University of Pisa, Italy, BSc in Biology, 2006
Career History
Since 2025, Group Leader, Antimicrobial Resistance, ICGEB, Trieste, Italy
Since 2024, Associate Professor in Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Italy
2021-2024, Senior Researcher in Microbiology RTD-B (Assistant Professor), University of Pisa
2018-2021, Junior Researcher in Microbiology RTD-A (Assistant Professor), Department of Biology
2016 -2018, Researcher in Microbiology, Berlin Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies, Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
2014-2015, Post-doctoral fellow, Department of Physics and Science, Parma University, Parma, Italy
2013-2015, Post-doctoral fellow, CNR- Nanoscience Institute – NEST (the National Enterprise for nanoScience and nanoTechnology) lab, Pisa, Italy
2010-2013, Post-doctoral fellow at Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
Scientific Activity
Since the beginning of her scientific career, Dr. Mariagrazia Di Luca has focused on studying microbial biofilms and their role in persistent infections. After obtaining her PhD in Microbiology and Genetics from the University of Pisa in 2010, she specialised in Microbiology and Virology. In 2016, she joined the research group of Prof. Trampuz at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, where she was responsible for the scientific coordination of the biofilm research laboratory. Since 2018, she has held the position of Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Pisa, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2024. She currently leads the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Group at ICGEB Trieste, which investigates the molecular mechanisms of bacterial resistance and tolerance to antibiotics, and explores innovative approaches – including phage-based therapies – to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Teaching Activity
Since 2024, Associate Professor of Microbiology, teaching Master courses of Molecular Biotechnology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Biotechnologies and Artificial Intelligence for Health, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
Since 2019, Member of the PhD course in Biology at the University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
2021-2023 Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
2019-2021 Lecturer of Microbiology, University of Pisa
Selected Publications
Fausti E., Bonacorsi A, Cesta N, Giordano C, Barnini S, Marchetti M, Campobasso C, Lavigne R, Altieri A, D’Agostini C, Iannetta M, Malagnino V, Tavanti A, Sarmati L, Di Luca M. Characterisation of four novel bacteriophages targeting carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and their lytic activity alone and in combination. Current Research in Microbial Sciences, 2025 Nov; 9,100509. doi: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100509
Cesta N, Fusco A, Ferretti C, Materazzi A, Altieri A, D’Agostini C, Iannetta M, Andreoni M, Tavanti A, Sarmati L, Di Luca M. Bacteriophage-enhanced doxycycline activity against Escherichia coli in chronic bacterial prostatitis. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2025 Oct;66(4):107571. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2025.107571. Epub 2025 Jul 3. PMID: 40617551.
Campobasso C, Fausti E, Bottai D, Turchi B, Cesta N, Rindi L, Freer G, Tavanti A, Di Luca M. Human serum lipids affect Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity to phage infection. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2025 Oct;66(4):107568. doi: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2025.107568. Epub 2025 Jul 3. PMID: 40615055.
Pirnay JP, Djebara S, Steurs G, Griselain J, Cochez C, De Soir S, Glonti T, Spiessens A, Vanden Berghe E, Green S, Wagemans J, Lood C, Schrevens E, Chanishvili N, Kutateladze M, de Jode M, Ceyssens PJ, Draye JP, Verbeken G, De Vos D, Rose T, Onsea J, Van Nieuwenhuyse B; Bacteriophage Therapy Providers; Bacteriophage Donors; Soentjens P, Lavigne R, Merabishvili M. Personalized bacteriophage therapy outcomes for 100 consecutive cases: a multicentre, multinational, retrospective observational study. Nat Microbiol. 2024 Jun;9(6):1434-1453. doi: 10.1038/s41564-024-01705-x. Epub 2024 Jun 4. PMID: 38834776; PMCID: PMC11153159.
Ferretti C, Poma NV, Bernardo M, Rindi L, Cesta N, Tavanti A, Tascini C, Di Luca M. Evaluation of antibiofilm activity of cefiderocol alone and in combination with imipenem against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2024 Jun;37:53-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.01.021. Epub 2024 Feb 6. PMID: 38331031.
Butini ME, Abbandonato G, Di Rienzo C, Trampuz A, Di Luca M. Isothermal Microcalorimetry Detects the Presence of Persister Cells in a Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm After Vancomycin Treatment. Front Microbiol. 2019 Feb 25;10:332. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00332. PMID: 30858842; PMCID: PMC6398423.