Biomimetic models of radical stress and related biomarkers

The biological consequences of free radical production is the central subject of a very lively scientific debate, focusing on the estimation of the type and extent of damage, as well as the efficiency of the protective and repair systems. When studying free radical based chemical mechanisms, it is very important to establish biomimetic models, which allow the experiments to be performed in a simplified environment, but suitably designed to be in strict connection with cellular conditions. The biomimetic modeling approach has been coupled with physical organic chemistry methodologies and knowledge of free radical reactivity. Molecular basis of important processes have been identified, building up molecular libraries of products concerning unsaturated lipids, sulfur-containing proteins and nucleic acids, to be developed as biomarkers. Ongoing projects in our group deal with lipidomics, genomics and proteomics of free radical stress and some examples will be described.