# Lello Zolla

Lello Zolla (born 1948) is an Italian professor of molecular biology and research scientist known for his work in proteomics and metabolomics. He has played a key role in the establishment of the Italian Proteomics Society (IPSO) and has made significant contributions to the development of chromatographic techniques, including nanoLC, capillary LC, and 2D-LC, coupled with mass spectrometry.

## Academic career

Zolla began his research career in 1974 at La Sapienza University in Rome, where he worked under the guidance of Professors E. Antonini and M. Brunori, studying the allosteric cooperation observed in respiratory proteins such as hemoglobin and hemocyanins. In 1986, Zolla became a Full Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Camerino, where he served as the Director of the High School of Chemistry and Clinical Biochemistry from 1986 to 1991.

## Scientific contributions

Zolla's laboratory has worked extensively on the proteomics and metabolomics of red blood cells and human tissues.

## Profile table

| Key Information | Details |
| Born | 1948 |
| Citizenship | Italian |
| Education | La Sapienza University (Rome), University of Camerino |
| Occupation(s) | Professor of Molecular Biology |
| Known for | Pioneering work in proteomics and metabolomics |
| Institutions | University of Viterbo, University of Camerino, La Sapienza University |
| Research | Proteomics, Metabolomics, Chromatographic techniques, Mass spectrometry |
| Notable Researches | "Proteomics and Metabolomics in Plants: The Interplay Between Stress and Adaptation" (2012), "Meat science" (2006-2011), "Proteomic Profiling of Red Blood Cells" (2008-2016), "Early diagnostic of Autism through metabolic profile of urine from newborn baby" (2016-2020), "Metabolomic and Proteomic Insights into Hypogonadism and Testosterone Therapy" (2017-2023) |

## Omic research

From 1974 to 1994, Zolla focused his research on allosteric cooperation in respiratory proteins, collaborating with notable scientists such as S. Gill and J. Wyman at the University of Colorado. During this period, Zolla published extensively on the topic. In the late 1990s, his research shifted towards plant proteomics and the effects of heavy metals on plant metabolism, utilizing advanced techniques such as 2D gels and capillary electrophoresis.
From 2005 onwards, Zolla's research expanded to the development of advanced chromatographic (nanoLC, capillaryLC, and 2D-LC) and mass spectrometric methods. His work has resulted in the comprehensive proteomic and metabolomic analysis of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms, including clinical samples from human and animal tissues, as well as various microorganisms. The simultaneous development of proteomics, metabolomics, and post-translational modifications of proteins allowed Zolla's lab to integrate their data with RNA and DNA microarray analysis, promoting a holistic view of cell modification, whether pathologically or induced, and laying the foundations for holistic cellular studies (Omic approach). Most studies, published between 2012 and 2016, have used omic approaches to interpret modifications in cancer cells, stressed cells, and pharmacologically treated cells.

## Key contributions
### Proteomics and metabolomics in health and disease

Financed by the Italian Blood Center, Zolla's research includes proteomic and metabolomic profiling of red blood cells under various storage conditions, aiming to explore protein lesions and propose alternative storage protocols. His lab has also performed metabolomic analysis of urine from autistic children, revealing altered metabolic cycles that may predict the presence of autism at an early age.
In the field of male hypogonadism, Zolla has studied the effects of testosterone therapy on metabolic cycles, identifying that certain cycles are not re-activated depending on the insulin sensitivity or resistance of patients. Analysis of suggested biomarkers can be helpful to clinicians to evaluate doses and timing of treatment.

### Notable projects and collaborations

Zolla has coordinated numerous scientific projects, including:
* Project CEE FLAIR: Opportunities for transgenic food crops.
* Project Galileo: Photosystem II as a biosensor for monitoring heavy metals.
* Project MURST: Process innovations for the production of pasta.
* COFIN 2004: New methodologies of proteomic and metabolomic analysis for the study of safety in the agro-food chain.
He has also contributed to research in plant and animal stress tolerance, redox signaling systems in plants, and innovative food safety protocols.

## Scientific activity

Zolla has been instrumental in the founding of both the Italian Proteomics Society and the Italian Proteomics Association (IPSO). Additionally, in 2008, he co-founded the scientific journal Journal of Proteomics. His research has garnered significant recognition, including serving as a guest editor for special issues in several prestigious scientific journals.

### Selected conferences

Zolla has organized and participated in numerous scientific meetings, including:
* **1987**: "New High-Resolution Liquid Chromatography", Camerino
* **1989**: "Satellite FEBS on Biochemical and biophysical approaches to study of copper proteins", Camerino
* **1995**: "Effetti degli stress abiotici sulla fotosintesi", Viterbo
* **2004**: "I Convegno Italian Proteomic Society", Verona
* **2009**: "Blood Proteomics", Viterbo
* **2009**: "Plant Proteomics", Viterbo

## Awards and recognition

In 2016, the International Proteomics Lab Registry ranked Zolla's laboratory as the third most prominent proteomic lab worldwide. He has served as a guest editor for several special issues in scientific journals, such as:
* European Journal of Mass Spectrometry (2004)
* Journal of Chromatography B (2006)
* Journal of Proteomics: Blood Proteomics (2010), Redox Proteomics (2011) and Integrated Omics (2012)
* Blood Transfusion: Blood Proteomics: applications relevant to Transfusion medicine (2010) and Omic application in Transfusion medicine (2012).
* MDHI Journals (I JMS, Biomedicines, Brain Sciences, Diagnostics, CIMB): “Autism: molecular bases, Diagnosis and Therapies” Vol 1 and Vol. 2 (2021-2024)

## Publications

Zolla has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed articles. Some of his most notable works include:
* High-performance liquid chromatography− electrospray ionization mass spectrometry using monolithic capillary columns for proteomic studies (2001)
* Proteomics applied on plant abiotic stresses: role of heat shock proteins (HSP) (2008)
* The red blood cell proteome and interactome: an update (2010)
* miR-143 regulates hexokinase 2 expression in cancer cells (2013)
* An update on red blood cell storage lesions, as gleaned through biochemistry and omics technologies (2015)
* Urinary metabolomics of young Italian autistic children supports abnormal tryptophan and purine metabolism (2016)
* Proteolysis in meat tenderization from the point of view of each single protein: A proteomic perspective (2016)
* A relay pathway between arginine and tryptophan metabolism confers immunosuppressive properties on dendritic cells (2017).
* On the need to distinguish between Insulin-Normal and Insulin-Resistant patients