STEFANO TACCONI

EDUCATION
Dr. Stefano Tacconi obtained his Ph.D. (Doctor Europaeus) in Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies from the University of Salento (Italy) in 2021, with a thesis entitled “Macrophages, extracellular vesicles and immune function: a new crosstalk in metabolic diseases and related alterations.” His doctoral research included a twelve-month period abroad at the CarMeN Laboratory of the Université Lyon 1 (France) and the Experimental Clinical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands). He previously earned a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of Salento in 2016 (graduating cum laude. In 2024 he obtained the National Scientific Habilitation as Associate Professor in Comparative Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Developmental Biology (BIOS/04 A).
SCIENTIFIC CAREER
Dr. Tacconi is currently a Tenure-Track Researcher (RTT) at the Department of Biology and Biotechnology “C. Darwin” of Sapienza University of Rome. Previously, he served as a Senior Researcher at the CarMeN Laboratory, University of Lyon (INRAe), working on the ANR-funded “MEXID” project focused on the role of extracellular vesicles in macrophage-muscle communication.
He also held post-doctoral positions at Sapienza University of Rome and at the University of Salento, contributing to different projects in the fields of Extracellular Vesicles, Cancer Biology and nanotechnology
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
Dr. Tacconi’s research focuses on cell biology and nanobiotechnology, with a central emphasis on extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of intercellular communication. His main research topics include:
• Mechanisms of EV biogenesis and role of lipid cargo in EV biology
• Extracellular release of lipid droplets from lipid-storing cells
• Crosstalk between macrophages and skeletal muscle under altered metabolic conditions
• Role of extracellular vesicles in the tumor microenvironment of Glioblastoma Multiforme
• Nanobiotechnological use of extracellular vesicles
Personal statement: Our research focuses on unraveling diverse aspects of extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated intercellular communication. This includes the discovery of novel EV-like communication systems, as well as in-depth investigation into the role of lipid cargo in EV biogenesis and function, combining innovative methodologies and high-resolution microscopies. In collaboration with the University of Lyon, we revealed that lipid droplets (LDs) can be secreted by lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs), potentially via CD81-enriched membrane domains, and contribute to cell-to-cell signaling. We aim to define the mechanisms of LD secretion and assess whether this represents a conserved communication pathway. Equally important is our focus on the role of lipid-associated EVs in glioblastoma (GBM) biology, particularly the crosstalk between tumor and glial cells during chemotherapeutic treatment. Through integrated omics approaches and comprehensive functional analyses, we aim to elucidate how EVs and their molecular cargo influence GBM growth, malignancy, and progression, especially by modulating immune responses. Among our group’s activities is the use of EVs derived from waste products for the targeted delivery of drugs or bioactive molecules. Leveraging our solid expertise in the field of nanoformulations, we adapt existing approaches or develop innovative methods for isolating and loading EVs from biological waste matrices, such as bovine milk whey, to produce eco-friendly nanocarriers. As a key component in the development of new nanocarriers, our scientific interest also includes investigating the efficiency, targeting capability, bioavailability, and cytotoxicity of these nanostructured systems, using both in vitro and in vivo models.
AWARDS AND NOMINEE
• 2018: Best oral presentation at GEI Conference, Italy
• 2017: Graduation award “Dr. M. A. Pati”, University of Salento, Italy
• 2022/2023: Named as Expert in “Biomarkers for environmental monitoring”, Sapienza University of Rome
SCIENTIFIC MEMBERSHIP
• Member of the Italian Society of Extracellular Vesicles (EVIta)
• Member of the International Society of Extracellular vesicles (ISEV)
• Member of “Gruppo embriologico italiano – Società Italiana dello sviluppo e della cellula (GEI-SIBSC)
REVIEWING AND EDITORIAL ACTIVITIES
• Guest-Editor of the methods collections “Extracellular Vesicles as Biological Nanocarriers: Methods for Isolation, Engineering, Characterization and Biological Applications” for Jove video Journal, 2021;
• Guest-Editor of the special issue “Innovations in Drug Delivery: Tackling Challenges and Exploring Emerging Trends” in Pharmaceutics (MDPI);
• Reviewing activities for international scientific journals as “Molecular Nutrition and Food Research”, “Nature protocols” and “Journal of extracellular vesicles”;
• External reviewer for the grant application “FISM Call 2024” from the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society.
CHAIR AND ORGANIZATION OF CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
• Chair and organizer of the session “One Health Extracellular vesicles: current landscape and future direction” at the joint event “ONE HEALTH AND NANOTECHNOLOGY” of the international conference Nanoinnovation2025 (Rome, Italy);
• Chair and organizer of the session “One Health bioengineering: integrating innovation for a healthier world” at the joint event “ONE HEALTH AND NANOTECHNOLOGY” of the international conference Nanoinnovation2025 (Rome, Italy);
• Chair and organizer of the session “Bio-inspired materials for advanced characterization, regenerative medicine and therapy” at the international conference Nanoinnovation2024 (Rome, Italy);
• Component of the programme Committee of the international conference Nanoinnovation2024 (Rome, Italy);
• Senior chair for the best poster presentation in the session PT02 “Milk EVs” at the international meeting of International Society of Extracellular Vesicles 2023 (ISEV2023), May 2023, Seattle, United States.