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Exploring IBD Endotypes through Clinical Phenotyping and Flow Cytometry Analysis

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Roma

This multidisciplinary study, conducted at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS under the direction of Prof. Franco Scaldaferri, aims to characterize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) endotypes by integrating clinical data, university teaching insights, and advanced flow cytometry. The research will analyze immune cell profiles (e.g., Th1/Th17/Th2 subsets, Tregs, and innate lymphoid cells) from patient blood and mucosal samples to identify predictive biomarkers of disease behavior and therapeutic response. Parallelly, clinical data from the IBD Unit will correlate molecular signatures with disease course, while university-led discussions will bridge translational research with medical education. Expected outcomes include refined endotype classification and personalized treatment strategies, enhancing both patient care and academic training in gastroenterology.

Main Areas of Interest

Immune-Driven Endotypes

Th1/Th17-driven (Crohn’s disease)

Associated with transmural inflammation, strictures, and fistulas.

High burden due to need for immunosuppressants/biologics and surgical interventions.

Th2-driven (Ulcerative colitis)

Mucosal inflammation, leading to chronic bloody diarrhea.

Burden includes frequent flares, hospitalizations, and risk of colectomy.

Microbiome-Associated Endotypes

Dysbiosis-driven (e.g., reduced Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increased Escherichia coli)

Linked to persistent inflammation and antibiotic resistance.

Burden: Higher risk of relapse, need for microbiome-modulating therapies (e.g., fecal microbiota transplantation).

Metabolic Endotypes

Mitochondrial dysfunction & metabolic reprogramming

Associated with treatment resistance.

Burden: Poor response to conventional therapies, higher healthcare costs.

Specialties

Gastroenterology

Cell Biology

Molecular Biology

Techniques You Will Learn

This study employs high-dimensional flow cytometry to investigate regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T stem cell memory (Tscm) populations in both human IBD patients and murine models, aiming to define their role in disease progression and therapy response. Advanced panels (e.g., CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ for Tregs, CD45RA+CD62L+CCR7+ for Tscm) will assess functional and phenotypic heterogeneity. The Gemelli IBD Center is enhancing its capabilities with spectral flow cytometry, allowing deeper immune profiling. Concurrently, the center is implementing telemedicine platforms to integrate real-time clinical data with lab findings, enabling remote patient monitoring and dynamic treatment adjustments. This synergy between cutting-edge cytometry and digital health aims to accelerate translational research and personalized IBD management.

Curriculum

Prof. Franco Scaldaferri

Medical Director, Specialist in Gastroenterology

Department of Gastroenterological, Endocrine-Metabolic, and Nephro-Urological Sciences
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Medical Oncology Unit
UOC of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology – CEMAD (Digestive Disease Center)
Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS
Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy

Key Responsibilities:

Referent physician for the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Clinic at the Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology Outpatient Unit of Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli.

Organization of the infusion clinic for biological therapies and digestive endoscopy services.

Management and coordination of clinical research trials in IBD.

On-call duties for interdivisional internal medicine shifts.

Management of complex internal medicine patients.

Active participation in multidisciplinary IBD boards (IBD Catt).

Academic Appointments

Contract Professor – Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery

Lecturer in the Dietetics degree program (Bolzano Provincial College of Health Sciences).

Lecturer in the Physiotherapy degree program (Giovanni Paolo II Research and Care Foundation, Campobasso).

Lecturer in the single-cycle Master’s degree in Medicine and Surgery (professional internship).

Thesis supervisor for Medical School students.

Research supervisor for PhD candidates.

Scientific Society Memberships

Italian Society of Gastroenterology (SIGE)

Italian Society of Internal Medicine (SIMI)

Italian Group for IBD (IG-IBD)

Young European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (Y-ECCO)

Gastroenterology Research Group (GRG, 2007–2012)

American Gastroenterological Association (AGA, 2007–2010)

Leadership Roles in Scientific Societies

Member of the Y-ECCO Committee (2011–2014)

President of AGGEI (Italian Young Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists Association, 2015)

Clinical Activity

Hospital discharges: >500 (including IBD, digestive disorders, and internal medicine patients).

Outpatient visits: >3,000 (IBD and digestive diseases).

Complex outpatient procedures (including biologic drug administration): >2,000.

Breath tests performed (urea, lactose, lactulose, aminopyrine, sorbitol): >1,000.

Upper endoscopies (EGD): >4,000 (>2,000 as first operator).

Colonoscopies: >5,000 (>2,000 as first operator).

Advanced endoscopic procedures (polypectomies, mucosectomies, argon plasma coagulation, etc.).

Clinical Research Activity

Sub-investigator/Co-investigator in multiple international Phase II, III, and IV clinical trials in IBD (e.g., MLN002, P04808, CD-LAQ-201).

Principal Investigator in ongoing trials (ADMIRE II, CRAFT).

Last GCP (Good Clinical Practice) training: October 2017 & 2019.

Experience in molecular biology (PCR, DNA extraction/amplification, immunoblotting).

Cell biology (primary cell isolation/culture from human/murine intestine).

Translational research using murine models (C57BL6 mice) for IBD pathogenesis studies.

Accommodation

On Campus Residences

This first housing option is rooted in the history of Università Cattolica. What it offers today, either on or off Campus, are places where a wholesome development of the person and of a community rich in opportunities and cultural exchanges are possible

Residences in the city

This second housing option includes off-campus facilities that are well-linked to the class venues. This solution lets the students take out the best of their university experience in a more independent way, while having the high quality and safety standards of the other Educatt housing options granted.

Housing online platforms

In addition to the traditional housing options, EDUCatt is committed to finding alternative means to facilitate the search for an accommodation. With this mindset, EduCatt has gone into partnerships with four different housing search platforms suitable to satisfy the users’ housing demand.

Fees and Program Logistics

This program has the following durations available:

Duration	Fee
2 weeks	$1,063.00
6 weeks	$1,594.00
12 weeks	$2,750.00

This program allows Merit Applications. This program allows merit-based applications for virtual and onsite clinical and research programs. If you are successfully awarded under this category, Trialect or the host mentor will cover the tuition fee only. All applications will be evaluated based on merit. Due to the high level of competition, the chances of being selected under the merit category are quite limited.

Who Can Apply

you need to have a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university. This degree must be an official first-cycle qualification from the relevant foreign higher education system and be duly accredited or recognized in the awarding country. The Bachelor's degree should also qualify you for a comparable second-cycle program in your home country and correspond to the Italian "laurea magistrale" in terms of academic nature, research, duration, and total ECTS credits.

Host Details

Host Name: Franco Scaldaferri

Affiliation: Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Roma

Address: Largo agostino Gemelli 8

Website URL: https://www.unicatt.it/en

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.

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