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Gerontology and Geriatrics Research

Gerontology and Geriatric Section- Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Perugia

This program is hosted by Carmelinda Ruggiero, Professor of Gerontology and Geriatrics MD, PhD, Head of the Orthogeriatric Unit

Director of Postgraduate Specialization in Geriatrics, Deputy Chair of the Fragility Fracture Network - Europe, Past-President Fragility Fracture Network - Italy, Geriatric Institute, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia Medical Faculty, S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy

Main Areas of Interest

The main research areas of our group are: - Molecular basis of aging, senescence, frailty, inflammation and oxidative stress, age-related diseases, i.e. neurodegenerative, muscle-skeletal and metabolic diseases and syndromes

Clinical and molecular correlates of frailty and age-related diseases, i.e. neurodegenerative, muscle- skeletal and metabolic syndromes (mainly Alzheimer disease, osteoporosis, diabetes), based oncomprehensive geriatric assessment
Clinical and molecular correlates of frailty and main geriatric syndromes, i.e. mobility-disability, functional decline, delirium, falls, sarcopenia, based on comprehensive geriatric assessment
Orthogeriatrics, Falls and fracture Prevention, Falls and fracture clinical pathways, Fracture Liaison
Service

Specialties

Geriatrics & Gerontology

Techniques You Will Learn

Experimental techniques you will learn during your program here:

Extraction and isolation of cellular (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), subcellular (exosomes) and molecular fractions (proteins, vitamins, enzymes and mi-RNA) from serum and plasma
Spectrophotometry (i.e. spectrofluorimetric and chemiluminescencse-based assays for enzymatic
activity determination)
HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) with electrochemical CoulArray system for the
detection of vitamins and antioxidant molecules in plasma and serum
PCR
ELISA
Microsphere-based multiplex immunoassays using xMAP technology for multiple, qualitative and
quantitative analysis of biomolecules (proteins, peptides, nucleic acids etc.) performed with Bio-Plex200.
Management of a biobank of biological samples and related databases
Experimental procedures of pharmaceutical protocols for clinical trials

Curriculum

6-12 weeks curriculum:

Fellows will be supported to settle down into their new environment (find appropriate accommodation,
locate amenities, etc.) and register at the University, during which an ID card will be issued. A desk space
will be allocated. Full induction (safety, laboratory practices, personal welfare, etc.) will be provided by
the University’s designated staff and by myself. I will arrange an initial meeting with the fellow to discuss
the objectives of the training and the expected mechanisms of their fulfillment. Experimental plans with
realistic timelines will then be decided. The fellow will be fully trained to run each activity. They will then be allowed to attempt the activity
themselves, with the trainer present. They will be able to engage with me (supervisor) and other
members of the Unit to discuss any aspects of the general running of the activities or specific protocols
that they require clarifications on. They will also be trained in how to analyse and interpret their data. I
will arrange a weekly or bi-weekly meeting with the fellow to discuss and reflect on their progress and

decide the next set of activities based on feedback and data generated. A fellow must keep adequate
and accurate records of their work using the clinical and laboratory book provided. The fellow will be given opportunity to participate in clinical and research group meetings and other
academic activities within the School and the University, including attending relevant bespoke
workshops on research career development (e.g., on manuscript writing, grant writing, networking, etc.). They will also be encouraged to present their work orally at a research group meeting at least once
before they complete their visit. Towards the end of the training I will have a meeting with the fellow to discuss plans to publish their
work (if enough data collected) or disseminate their findings in a future conference. They will also be
assisted to identify existing or future opportunities, globally or within their original work environment, that the training has empowered them to be eligible and competitive for and how they can be assisted
to access them and also integrate the knowledge and skills gained into their further research or
professional practice roles. All throughout the training any peculiar challenges or specific requests of a fellow will be fully
considered to ensure a responsive, relevant and adequate training plan is developed for them.

Accommodation

Guest house/accommodation near the Unit
Please visit the website of our university for accommodation
https://www.unipg.it/en/international-students/general-information/accommodation

Try airbnb.com

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
2 weeks	$875.00
6 weeks	$1,500.00
12 weeks	$2,750.00

This program allows Merit Applications. If you successfully are awarded a merit application - Trialect will take care of all bench and service fees, but you will have to take care of travel and accommodation. All applications will be scrutinized under the merit category. Considering 50 million health professionals around the world, the chances of getting selected under the merit category would be very low.

Who Can Apply

Interested Phd, post-docs, faculty members and doctors, and medical students from around the world can apply

Host Details

Host Name: Carmelinda Ruggiero

Affiliation: Gerontology and Geriatric Section- Department of Medicine and Surgery University of Perugia

Address: C Building, 4° Floor, Room 20 S. Andrea delle Fratte 06156 Perugia

Website URL: https://www.unipg.it/personale/carmelinda.ruggiero/didattica

Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.