Barbara Barboni, Italy

Barbara Barboni began her scientific career as a Researcher at the University of Bologna and was later appointed Head of the Research Unit of Basic and Applied Sciences at the University of Teramo, Italy. She is currently a Full Professor of Physiology, specialized in Cell Biology, and holds a PhD in Neurosciences.

During her postgraduate studies at the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (MCDB), University of Michigan (USA), and at the Rowett Institute of Aberdeen (UK), she identified and proposed innovative approaches for improving assisted reproductive technologies aimed at preserving female fertility.

Building on her expertise in reproductive cells and systems, her research has recently expanded to focus on placental stem cells. Within a broad European research network, she developed protocols to amplify amniotic epithelial stem cells (AECs) while enhancing their stemness and paracrine immunomodulatory properties.

Over the past years, she has gathered substantial preclinical evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of AECs in musculoskeletal disorders, particularly as supportive treatments for tendinopathies. Based on their demonstrated safety, efficacy, and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects, AECs are now progressing toward phase I/IIa clinical trials for various diseases, along with the creation of the banks for placenta stem cell and AEC derivates.