Associate Professor

Prof. Michela De Bellis has been Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Department of Pharmacy – Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari “Aldo Moro,” since 2021. Her scientific activity focuses on the translational pharmacology of rare diseases and neuromuscular disorders, with particular emphasis on skeletal muscle ion channels, muscular dystrophies, epilepsy, and other inherited conditions. She employs integrated and multidisciplinary in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro approaches to elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms and to validate novel pharmacological targets. Her main research objectives are: 1) to deepen genotype–phenotype correlations in neuromuscular and neurological disorders; 2) to identify and validate disease biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets; 3) to develop and characterize new molecules acting on ion channels; 4) to explore drug repurposing strategies for rare diseases and neurological disorders; 5) to assess the efficacy and safety of new pharmacological therapies in predictive models.
Prof. De Bellis is the author of numerous publications in international peer-reviewed journals, with a recognized contribution to advancing knowledge in muscle and neuropharmacology. She has participated in several research projects funded by national and international agencies and collaborates extensively with both academic and industrial partners.
She is also actively engaged in teaching, thesis supervision, and the training of young researchers, contributing to the development of an innovative and multidisciplinary research environment in the field of translational pharmacology.