Professor Paolo Bernardi stands as a preeminent authority in mitochondrial physiology and cellular bioenergetics, recognized globally for his transformative contributions to understanding fundamental cellular processes. He currently serves as Professor of General Pathology at the University of Padova, where he has established a world-renowned research program investigating mitochondrial function and dysfunction across several decades. His scientific journey began under the mentorship of Giovanni Felice Azzone, one of the founding figures in mitochondrial research, which provided the foundation for his pioneering investigations into cellular energy metabolism. Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Bernardi has developed sophisticated methodologies to reliably monitor mitochondrial function in situ, establishing himself as a central figure whose work bridges basic science with clinical applications in human disease.
Professor Bernardi's seminal research on the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) has fundamentally reshaped contemporary understanding of cellular death pathways and their implications in degenerative diseases and cancer. His highly influential 1999 review in Physiological Reviews, 'Mitochondrial transport of cations: Channels, exchangers and permeability transition,' has become a cornerstone reference in the field with over 1,800 citations, while his experimental paper on properties of the permeability transition pore in mitochondria devoid of Cyclophilin D ranks among the most impactful studies in mitochondrial biology. With an impressive publication record of 278 peer-reviewed articles as of 2024, his research has accumulated more than 43,500 citations and an H-index of 105, reflecting the profound impact of his discoveries on both basic science and potential therapeutic applications. His laboratory's demonstration that early mitochondrial adaptation plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis represents a paradigm shift in understanding cancer metabolism, bridging fundamental mitochondrial physiology with clinical implications for disease treatment.
Beyond his research contributions, Professor Bernardi has significantly shaped the field through extensive mentorship, having supervised 29 graduate students from the University of Padova, 4 visiting graduate students from other institutions, and 20 postdoctoral fellows who have gone on to establish their own research programs worldwide. His leadership extends to editorial responsibilities for prestigious journals including Biochimica et Biophysica Acta and IUBMB Life, where he has curated special issues on mitochondrial research that have guided the field's direction. As evidenced by his co-authorship of the 2023 Cell Death & Differentiation paper on the identity and function of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, Professor Bernardi continues to drive cutting-edge research at the forefront of mitochondrial pathophysiology. His ongoing investigations into the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction promise to yield further transformative insights with potential therapeutic applications for a wide range of human conditions including neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic diseases.
