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Dr. Martina Torricelli
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati"

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Animal Health
0 Biotechnology
0 Food Science and Technology
0 Molecular Biology and Genetic engineering
0 genetic and genomic

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Short Biography

Martina Torricelli is a Biotechnologist, with a Master degree (110/110 cum laude) in Medical Biotechnology and a PhD in Food Safety and Animal Health. She has worked in Perugia in Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria e Marche since 2013, dealing with research about GMOs and Allergens in food with experimental design and validation of biomolecular methods. Currently she works at the R&D Laboratory in projects about the study of polymorphisms (SNPs) associated to genetic resistance in infectious diseases. Martina is skilled in Biotechnology, in Molecular Biology and basic Bioinformatic applied in Food science and in Animal disease control, including zoonoses.

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Journal article
Published: 01 July 2021 in Viruses
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Maedi-visna virus (MVV) and caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV), referred to as small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLVs), belong to the genus Lentivirus of the Retroviridae family. SRLVs infect both sheep and goats, causing significant economic losses and animal welfare damage. Recent findings suggest an association between serological status and allelic variants of different genes such as TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of specific polymorphisms of these genes in SRLVs infection in some sheep flocks in Italy. In addition to those already known, novel variants in the TMEM154 (P7H, I74V, I105V) gene were detected in this study. The risk of infection was determined finding an association between the serological status and polymorphisms P7H, E35K, N70I, I74V, I105V of TMEM154, R447Q, A462S and G520R in TLR9 gene, H176H* and K190K* in MYD88 genes, while no statistical association was observed for the 4-bp deletion of the CCR5 gene. Since no vaccines or treatments have been developed, a genetically based approach could be an innovative strategy to prevent and to control SRLVs infection. Our findings are an important starting point in order to define the genetic resistance profile towards SRLVs infection.

ACS Style

Chiara Arcangeli; Daniele Lucarelli; Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Claudia Pellegrini; Andrea Felici; Silva Costarelli; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Fabrizio Passamonti; Massimo Biagetti. First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection. Viruses 2021, 13, 1290 .

AMA Style

Chiara Arcangeli, Daniele Lucarelli, Martina Torricelli, Carla Sebastiani, Marcella Ciullo, Claudia Pellegrini, Andrea Felici, Silva Costarelli, Monica Giammarioli, Francesco Feliziani, Fabrizio Passamonti, Massimo Biagetti. First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection. Viruses. 2021; 13 (7):1290.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chiara Arcangeli; Daniele Lucarelli; Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Claudia Pellegrini; Andrea Felici; Silva Costarelli; Monica Giammarioli; Francesco Feliziani; Fabrizio Passamonti; Massimo Biagetti. 2021. "First Survey of SNPs in TMEM154, TLR9, MYD88 and CCR5 Genes in Sheep Reared in Italy and Their Association with Resistance to SRLVs Infection." Viruses 13, no. 7: 1290.

Journal article
Published: 28 January 2021 in Animals
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In goats, as in sheep, genotypes of the prion protein gene (PRNP) can influence animals’ susceptibility to scrapie. Since the polymorphic codons in sheep are well known, a genetic selection plan has been implemented in Europe, in order to reduce the prevalence of susceptible genotypes to scrapie. In Italy, no breeding plan for scrapie resistance in goats has been adopted, yet. Likewise, according to the most recent modification of Regulation EU 999/2001 (Regulation EU 772/2020) of the European Commission (EU), based on all the available experimental and in field data, K222, D146 and S146 polymorphisms could be used as scrapie resistance alleles in genetic management both in scrapie outbreaks and in disease prevention. In order to collect data on the variability of PRNP, the present study aimed to analyze the sequence of the PRNP gene in eight Italian local goat populations/breeds reared in central and southern Italy (Bianca Monticellana, Capestrina, Facciuta della Valnerina, Fulva del Lazio, Garganica, Grigia Ciociara, Grigia Molisana, and Teramana), some of which were investigated for the first time; moreover, two cosmopolitan breeds (Alpine and Saanen) were included. Blood samples were collected from 219 goats. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood. DNA was used as template in PCR amplification of the entire PRNP open reading frame (ORF). Purified amplicons have been sequenced and aligned to Capra hircus PRNP. Particularly, the alleles carrying the resistance-related 222 K polymorphism occurred in all populations with a frequency between 2.5% and 12.5%. An additional resistance allele carrying the S146 variant was observed with a frequency of 3.7% only in the Alpine breed. For three of the estimated alleles, we could not establish if the found double polymorphisms in heterozygosis were in phase, due to technical limitations. In this context, in addition to selective culling in scrapie outbreaks according to the European regulation in force, in the future, selection plans could be adopted to deal with scrapie and to control its diffusion, meanwhile paying attention to preserve a high variability of PRNP.

ACS Style

Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Simone Ceccobelli; Barbara Chiappini; Gabriele Vaccari; Antonio Capocefalo; Michela Conte; Samira Giovannini; Emiliano Lasagna; Francesca Sarti; Massimo Biagetti. PRNP Polymorphisms in Eight Local Goat Populations/Breeds from Central and Southern Italy. Animals 2021, 11, 333 .

AMA Style

Martina Torricelli, Carla Sebastiani, Marcella Ciullo, Simone Ceccobelli, Barbara Chiappini, Gabriele Vaccari, Antonio Capocefalo, Michela Conte, Samira Giovannini, Emiliano Lasagna, Francesca Sarti, Massimo Biagetti. PRNP Polymorphisms in Eight Local Goat Populations/Breeds from Central and Southern Italy. Animals. 2021; 11 (2):333.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martina Torricelli; Carla Sebastiani; Marcella Ciullo; Simone Ceccobelli; Barbara Chiappini; Gabriele Vaccari; Antonio Capocefalo; Michela Conte; Samira Giovannini; Emiliano Lasagna; Francesca Sarti; Massimo Biagetti. 2021. "PRNP Polymorphisms in Eight Local Goat Populations/Breeds from Central and Southern Italy." Animals 11, no. 2: 333.

Journal article
Published: 08 August 2020 in Foods
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Food allergy is a worldwide health problem that concerns infants to adults. The main health risk for sensitised individuals is due to the presence of traces of allergens as the result of an accidental contamination during food processing. The labelling of allergens such as sesame, pistachio, and macadamia nut on food products is mandatory according to Regulation (EU) N. 1169/2011; therefore, the development of suitable and specific analytical methodologies is advisable. The aim of this study was to perform a multi-allergen real-time PCR system that works well in fast mode at the same annealing temperature and with the same thermal profile. The real-time PCR was developed designing new, specific, and efficient primer and probe systems for the 2S albumingene for sesame and pistachio and for the vicilin precursorgene for macadamia nut. These systems were subjected to a robust intra-laboratory qualitative validation process prior to their application, by DNA extraction and fast real-time PCR, on some real market samples to reproduce a potential allergen contamination along the food chain. The developed system results were specific and robust, with a sensible limit of detection (0.005% for sesame; 0.004% for pistachio; 0.006% for macadamia nut). The performance and the reliability of the target systems were confirmed on commercial food samples. This molecular approach could be used as a screening or as a support tool, in association with the other widespread monitoring techniques (such as ELISA).

ACS Style

Martina Torricelli; Elisa Pierboni; Cristina Rondini; Serena Altissimi; Naceur Haouet. Sesame, Pistachio, and Macadamia Nut: Development and Validation of New Allergenic Systems for Fast Real-Time PCR Application. Foods 2020, 9, 1085 .

AMA Style

Martina Torricelli, Elisa Pierboni, Cristina Rondini, Serena Altissimi, Naceur Haouet. Sesame, Pistachio, and Macadamia Nut: Development and Validation of New Allergenic Systems for Fast Real-Time PCR Application. Foods. 2020; 9 (8):1085.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martina Torricelli; Elisa Pierboni; Cristina Rondini; Serena Altissimi; Naceur Haouet. 2020. "Sesame, Pistachio, and Macadamia Nut: Development and Validation of New Allergenic Systems for Fast Real-Time PCR Application." Foods 9, no. 8: 1085.

Communication
Published: 05 February 2020 in Animals
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Bovine milk contains several β-casein variants, with the A1 and A2 variants occurring most frequently. The presence of some variants, such as A1, B, and C, is considered a risk factor for disease in humans who consume milk. These variants are probably involved in intolerance to milk and some human diseases due to the production of a bioactive peptide with opioid activity during digestion, β-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7). In contrast, the A2 variant is not involved in pathogenetic mechanisms; thus, its presence in milk is a desirable feature. The difference between the A1 and A2 variants is a mutation at position 67 of the β-casein gene (CSN2), which causes an amino acid to change from histidine (in the A1, B, and C variants) to proline (in the A2 variant). To select dairy cows on the basis of the presence of the β-casein variant A2, allele frequencies of CSN2 variants were evaluated in Italian dairy cows reared in central Italy. The results of this study may help with the selection of animals with the β-casein gene variant A2 to produce a more digestible milk that only contains the β-casein variant A2. The majority of proteins in cow’s milk are caseins, which occur in four groups (α-s1, α-s2, β, and k) encoded by different genes (CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2, and CSN3, respectively). In this study, we focused on the β-casein allele variants A1 and A2 due to their influence on milk’s technological characteristics and human health. Digestion of the β-casein variant A1 leads to the formation of β-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7), a bioactive peptide that has been suggested to be a possible cause of various human diseases and associated with low milk digestibility. The potential negative role of the β-casein variant A1 in human health has stimulated the planning of cattle breeding programs based on genetic selection to increase the frequency of the A2 variant, which is associated with increased milk digestibility. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequencies of the different β-casein variants in Italian Holstein Friesian dairy cows from cattle farms located in central Italy to select a population of A2 homozygous animals. β-casein genotypes were identified by evaluating the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CSN2 gene using PCR and sequencing analysis. The frequency of the desirable β-casein variant A2 in the studied bovine population was 0.61. The frequency of the undesirable A1 variant in the studied bovine population was 0.30. The frequency of the A2 allele was higher than expected for the breed; therefore, genetic selection for the A2 variant in these animals could be achieved in a fairly short time using A2 homozygous bulls.

ACS Style

Carla Sebastiani; Chiara Arcangeli; Marcella Ciullo; Martina Torricelli; Giulia Cinti; Stefano Fisichella; Massimo Biagetti. Frequencies Evaluation of β-Casein Gene Polymorphisms in Dairy Cows Reared in Central Italy. Animals 2020, 10, 252 .

AMA Style

Carla Sebastiani, Chiara Arcangeli, Marcella Ciullo, Martina Torricelli, Giulia Cinti, Stefano Fisichella, Massimo Biagetti. Frequencies Evaluation of β-Casein Gene Polymorphisms in Dairy Cows Reared in Central Italy. Animals. 2020; 10 (2):252.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carla Sebastiani; Chiara Arcangeli; Marcella Ciullo; Martina Torricelli; Giulia Cinti; Stefano Fisichella; Massimo Biagetti. 2020. "Frequencies Evaluation of β-Casein Gene Polymorphisms in Dairy Cows Reared in Central Italy." Animals 10, no. 2: 252.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Food Control
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ACS Style

Elisa Pierboni; Cristina Rondini; Martina Torricelli; Letizia Ciccone; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Maria Lucia Mercuri; Serena Altissimi; Naceur Haouet. Digital PCR for analysis of peanut and soybean allergens in foods. Food Control 2018, 92, 128 -136.

AMA Style

Elisa Pierboni, Cristina Rondini, Martina Torricelli, Letizia Ciccone, Gloria Raquel Tovo, Maria Lucia Mercuri, Serena Altissimi, Naceur Haouet. Digital PCR for analysis of peanut and soybean allergens in foods. Food Control. 2018; 92 ():128-136.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Pierboni; Cristina Rondini; Martina Torricelli; Letizia Ciccone; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Maria Lucia Mercuri; Serena Altissimi; Naceur Haouet. 2018. "Digital PCR for analysis of peanut and soybean allergens in foods." Food Control 92, no. : 128-136.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2018 in Journal of Microbiological Methods
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Abortion in ruminants represents an important economic concern for farmers. Microbial agents, such as Brucella spp., Chlamydia spp., Coxiella burnetii, Leptospira spp., Neospora caninum, Salmonella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii, are among the main infectious causes of abortion and require rapid and reliable diagnosis. This study describes the development of a multi-screening assay using Fast Real-Time PCR (Fast qPCR) that allows, in a single test, the simultaneous identification of the above-mentioned abortive agents. This multi-screening approach is characterized by a mean diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 97%, respectively; it has a limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 5 × 103 to 4 × 104 genomic copies/g of tissue and a very good concordance with traditional end-point PCR assays used in routine diagnostic activity. The proposed method represents a rapid approach to the simultaneous detection of the main abortive agents in ruminants that allows to make an accurate diagnosis and to set up appropriate control measures in a short period of time.

ACS Style

Carla Sebastiani; Ludovica Curcio; Marcella Ciullo; Deborah Cruciani; Silvia Crotti; Cristina Pesca; Martina Torricelli; Martina Sebastianelli; Andrea Felici; Massimo Biagetti. A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants. Journal of Microbiological Methods 2018, 148, 12 -17.

AMA Style

Carla Sebastiani, Ludovica Curcio, Marcella Ciullo, Deborah Cruciani, Silvia Crotti, Cristina Pesca, Martina Torricelli, Martina Sebastianelli, Andrea Felici, Massimo Biagetti. A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants. Journal of Microbiological Methods. 2018; 148 ():12-17.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carla Sebastiani; Ludovica Curcio; Marcella Ciullo; Deborah Cruciani; Silvia Crotti; Cristina Pesca; Martina Torricelli; Martina Sebastianelli; Andrea Felici; Massimo Biagetti. 2018. "A multi-screening Fast qPCR approach to the identification of abortive agents in ruminants." Journal of Microbiological Methods 148, no. : 12-17.

Journal article
Published: 18 May 2016 in Food Analytical Methods
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For consumers, honey is a natural product that should not be subjected to treatment or alteration. Since the question of the presence of genetically modified organisms concerned pollen in honey, the aim of this research was to find an alternative, however, practical and efficient method of honey and bee pollen DNA extraction for routine analysis application. Furthermore, to evaluate the extracted DNA, a real-time PCR system based on the actin gene was optimized and validated in fast mode for the first time to reduce analysis time. To develop an alternative DNA extraction protocol, two already published procedures were combined and tested with some variations, in particular without beads/filters used to grind/enrich pollen. The best approach found in terms of quantity and quality of extracted DNA was a combination of the pretreatment and the extraction method, described in the German guideline, with some modifications and the addition of a DNA purification kit. This protocol was validated with DNA extracts from honey and bee pollen and it was applied to 18 commercial honey samples. Furthermore, a sample proved positive in transgenic screening elements analysis and for transgenic event identification, a knowledge-based approach was adopted. Since the DNA extraction protocol proved suitable, it could be applied for other analysis such as molecular species characterization, the study of traceability, and environmental monitoring, considering honey as a vector of authorized and not authorized genetically modified organisms.

ACS Style

Martina Torricelli; Elisa Pierboni; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Ludovica Curcio; Cristina Rondini. In-house Validation of a DNA Extraction Protocol from Honey and Bee Pollen and Analysis in Fast Real-Time PCR of Commercial Honey Samples Using a Knowledge-Based Approach. Food Analytical Methods 2016, 9, 3439 -3450.

AMA Style

Martina Torricelli, Elisa Pierboni, Gloria Raquel Tovo, Ludovica Curcio, Cristina Rondini. In-house Validation of a DNA Extraction Protocol from Honey and Bee Pollen and Analysis in Fast Real-Time PCR of Commercial Honey Samples Using a Knowledge-Based Approach. Food Analytical Methods. 2016; 9 (12):3439-3450.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Martina Torricelli; Elisa Pierboni; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Ludovica Curcio; Cristina Rondini. 2016. "In-house Validation of a DNA Extraction Protocol from Honey and Bee Pollen and Analysis in Fast Real-Time PCR of Commercial Honey Samples Using a Knowledge-Based Approach." Food Analytical Methods 9, no. 12: 3439-3450.

Journal article
Published: 14 August 2015 in Food Analytical Methods
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The increasing number and diversity of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) developed and commercialised forces laboratories to apply many different methods of analysis. Matrix-based approach helps to minimize analytical effort reducing the number of identifications. However, the correctness of screening phase needs efficient methods. In this paper, 15 systems for the nopaline synthase terminator (T-nos) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a genetic element present in several genetically modified (GM) plants, were tested. The systems were obtained from three methods, and their primers and probes were combined and tested in real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in fast and standard mode. The results have showed that the fast mode presented the lowest mean quantification cycle (Cq) and the highest ∆Rn, that is, the difference between normalized reporter and baseline. These parameters of system efficiency prove that the fast real-time PCR is a possible approach to obtain good data in less than half the time compared to standard mode. The proposed approach allows a practical way to evaluate the most efficient set of oligonucleotides (e.g., primers and probe) in fast and standard real-time PCR before validation. This article describes also in-house validation of the best set oligonucleotides.

ACS Style

Elisa Pierboni; Ludovica Curcio; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Martina Torricelli; Cristina Rondini. Evaluation of Systems for Nopaline Synthase Terminator in Fast and Standard Real-Time PCR to Screen Genetically Modified Organisms. Food Analytical Methods 2015, 9, 1009 -1019.

AMA Style

Elisa Pierboni, Ludovica Curcio, Gloria Raquel Tovo, Martina Torricelli, Cristina Rondini. Evaluation of Systems for Nopaline Synthase Terminator in Fast and Standard Real-Time PCR to Screen Genetically Modified Organisms. Food Analytical Methods. 2015; 9 (4):1009-1019.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elisa Pierboni; Ludovica Curcio; Gloria Raquel Tovo; Martina Torricelli; Cristina Rondini. 2015. "Evaluation of Systems for Nopaline Synthase Terminator in Fast and Standard Real-Time PCR to Screen Genetically Modified Organisms." Food Analytical Methods 9, no. 4: 1009-1019.