Monica Scali obtained her degree with honors in Biological Sciences from the University of Siena in 1991. In 1994 she did a CNR fellowship at the Dept of Molecular Plant Physiology, Radboud University, in Nijmegen (The Netherlands), getting familiar on higher plant reproduction and on the male side of the fertilization process using techniques ranging from genetics to molecular and cell biology. She joined the University of Siena in 1995 as staff scientist, returning to Dept. of Molecular Plant Physiology as visiting scientist in 1996. In 1995 she applied successfully for a Doctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Siena and in 1999 she obtained her Ph.D. degree in Environmental Sciences. At present, she is a Senior Scientist at the Department of Life Sciences.
Current research topics include:
Plant and animal characterization by genetic fingerprinting
Genomic analysis for food safety and traceability: Wine and meat molecular traceability
Reproductive biology of higher plants and plant proteomics
Technical expertise
DNA and RNA isolation, gene cloning, differential gene expression (microarrays, in situ hybridizations)
Plant Genetic transformation by Agrobacterium and particle bombardment (Gene gun)
Plant genotyping by SSR markers, including Mediterranean crops such as grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)
Protein extraction. Separation of proteins through 1D- and 2D-electrophoresis.
Tutor activity in the Work Alternation Project of the Italian school.
Contract Professor for the training courses of the profession of biologist.