Lorenza Bellani
1979: Degree in Biological Sciences, University of Pisa.
1981: Accademia dei Lincei fellowship: Research activity at University College of London, under the supervision of Prof. P. Bell, for studies of nucleic acids metabolism by electron microscope autoradiography.
1982: CNR fellowship: Research activity at Queen Elizabeth College of London, under the supervision of Prof. P.B. Gahan, for studies on the cytochemistry of enzymes related to plant differentiation and cell respiration.
1983-1984: contract with University of Siena, Department of Environmental Biology, under the supervision of Prof. E. Pacini, for studies of gametogenesis of several plant species by means of histological and ultrastructural techniques.
1982-1985: she attended the laboratory of Cytology at University of Pisa, under the supervision of Prof. S. Avanzi, for cytological studies (analysis of chromosomes and their aberrations) and autoradiography after labelling with precursors of DNA and proteins.
1986-1990: PhD in Agronomic Plant Biology at University of Florence, supervisor Prof. A. Bennici, with particular attention to cytological, physiological and structural modifications induced by pollutants on plants of economic interest.
1991-1992: Post Doctoral position at University of Ancona, for histological and cytological studies concerning the process of abscission in relation to environmental stress.
1994- present: University of Siena: Assistant Professor (Researcher) in Plant Physiology, Department of Life Sciences.
2012-present: Associate at IBBA (Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria) CNR Pisa, within the agreement between University of Siena and National Council Research, where she attends the laboratory of histology and cytogenetics collaborating in particular with Dr Giorgetti.

Research activity:
Dr Lorenza Bellani has acquired professional experience in different fields of plant biology, in particular with studies related to plant development and differentiation.
The main research interest focus on:
- Several aspects of biology of reproduction of plants, especially structural and ultrastructural investigations; analysis of viability and fertility of male gametophytes of wild and cultivated plants; all aspects of physiology of seed germination.
- Effects of stress factors, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles on the vegetative and reproductive systems of different plants.
- Reserves characterization of seed and plantlet tissues.
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of oils, glucosinolates and antioxidant systems in several species with nutraceutical interest.
- Determination of cyto-genotoxicity on root apical meristems by conventional cytological techniques including analysis of mitotic index, aberration index and micronuclei frequency.
- Analysis of antioxidant systems in alophyte plants, during seed germination and plantlet formation.

Main methodologies and instruments used:
Protein analysis by in situ cytochemistry, mono and bidimentional electrophoresis.
Analysis of secondary metabolites by spectrophotometer and mass spectrometry.
Light microscopy, scannning and transmission electron microscopy.