Publications and Research Activities

The research that underlies every protocol.

Dr. Biazzo is the author and co-author of peer-reviewed publications on the microbiome, molecular biology, and translational medicine. He has coordinated or participated in more than ten international research projects in collaboration with European universities, hospitals, and biotechnology centers.

1 million+ people

achieved through outreach and the media

5,000+ medical reports

microbiota analyzed over a 3-year period

30+ projects

as Principal Investigator

Ph.D.

Molecular Biology, University of Bologna

6+ universities

where he taught microbiology

50+ courses

faculty-led intensive courses on the microbiome

Ages 12 and up

research on the human microbiome

4 continents

field research projects

The Publications

Microorganisms 2023

11(3), 804

Nanopore Is Preferable over Illumina for 16S Amplicon Sequencing of the Gut Microbiota When Species-Level Taxonomic Classification, Accurate Estimation of Richness, or Focus on Rare Taxa Is Required

Nanopore sequencing is a promising technology used for sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons, as it is capable of providing full-length 16S reads and has a low upfront cost, allowing research groups to set up their own sequencing workflows. To evaluate whether Nanopore, with the improved error rate of Kit 12 chemistry, should be adopted as the preferred sequencing technology over Illumina for sequencing 16S amplicons of the gut microbiota, we used a simulated community and human fecal samples to compare community diversity, richness, and structure at the species level, as well as the reproducibility of the results.

Front. Neurosci., 12 October 2021

Sec. Gut-Brain Axis

Gut and Brain: Investigating Physiological and Pathological Interactions Between Microbiota and Brain to Gain New Therapeutic Avenues for Brain Diseases

The physiological functions or pathological dysfunctions of the brain undoubtedly depend on the activity of both neuronal and non-neuronal populations. However, in recent decades, compelling and growing evidence has shown that the brain is not the only key player. In fact, the so-called “gut brain,” consisting of the microbial populations living in the gut, forms a symbiotic superorganism that weighs as much as the human brain and communicates intensively with it via the gut-brain axis.

Microorganisms 2023

11(2), 417

Topical Administration of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (SkinDuoTM) Serum Improves Anti-Acne Properties
Modulating the skin microbiome is a challenge and represents a field of research of great interest in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases, such as acne. Preservatives commonly used as functional ingredients have an impact on the skin microbiota and are known to inhibit the survival of skin commensal bacteria. The selected species is Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, formulated with natural enhancers for topical use (SkinDuoTM).

Trends in Microbiology

P34-46

Cross-correlation of virome–bacteriome–host–metabolome to study respiratory health

Analyzing the cross-correlations between the virome and the bacteriome within the bidirectional microbiota-host relationship is essential for elucidating the link to the severity and progression of respiratory infections.
The study of the microbiome and its interactions with the host can help identify and classify the characteristics of respiratory diseases, including the phenotypes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol.

Sec. Clinical and Diagnostic Microbiology and Immunology

An NGS-assisted diagnostic workflow for culture-independent detection of bloodstream pathogens and prediction of antimicrobial resistances in sepsis

The timely and accurate identification of bloodborne pathogens is critical for targeted antimicrobial therapy in sepsis. Conventional blood cultures remain the standard of care (SoC) for pathogen identification, but they have limitations such as low sensitivity and prolonged turnaround times, hindering timely and targeted antimicrobial management. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS) offer the potential for rapid, comprehensive, culture-independent pathogen detection, as well as the ability to predict antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of PISTE™ technology, an NGS-based diagnostic workflow that combines whole-genome 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis for the diagnosis of circulating bacteria in sepsis.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025

26(11), 5000

SkinDuoTM as a Targeted Probiotic Therapy: Shifts in Skin Microbiota and Clinical Outcomes in Acne Patients
Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition closely associated with imbalances in the skin microbiome, particularly involving key species such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis. This study evaluates the efficacy of SkinDuoTM, a topical probiotic containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, in modulating the skin microbiota and improving clinical outcomes in patients with acne vulgaris. During a 4- to 8-week observational study, changes in microbial composition and diversity were analyzed using whole-genome 16S rRNA sequencing.

Mar. Drugs 2018

16(12), 504

Pro-Apoptotic Activity of French Polynesian Padina pavonica Extract on Human Osteosarcoma Cells

Recently, marine algae and their extracts have attracted considerable interest in the pharmaceutical industry as a source of bioactive compounds. Several studies have demonstrated the cytotoxic activity of macroalgae on various cancer cell lines, and their consumption has been proposed as a chemopreventive agent against various cancers, such as breast, cervical, and colon cancer. Data on the chemical properties of the brown alga Padina sp. are limited, and none exist that are accompanied by a comprehensive evaluation of its biological activity against osteosarcoma (OS).

Front. Microbiomes

Sec. Host and Microbe Associations

Identifying microbial biomarkers of neurodegeneration: a comparative study in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) have increasingly been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota, although the reported microbial profiles remain heterogeneous and often lack adequate taxonomic resolution. In the present study, we applied full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the composition of the gut microbiota in 152 individuals, including patients with AD (n = 37), PD (n = 65), and age-matched healthy controls (n = 50), using a unified bioinformatic and statistical framework adjusted for relevant demographic covariates.

Projects

Research Projects

Research conducted in collaboration with universities, hospitals, and biotechnology centers in Europe, Malta, and internationally.
BIOMEVACn - Nasal Biomarkers for COVID-19

Bambin Gesù Hospital

Reithera Srl

Study to identify nasal biomarkers associated with the severity of COVID-19 and their correlations with the respiratory microbiome. Project aimed at developing rapid tests for tracking viral variants.

DPHAGE - Healthy Ageing & Microbiome

TopMD Precision Medicine Ltd

Malta Enterprise

Analysis of the skin and gut microbiome in individuals aged 50 to 80 to identify phenotypes predictive of healthy aging and biomarkers of chronic inflammation.

GUMBS - Gut Microbiome & Sport Nutrition

Malta Enterprise

Research on the interaction between diet, exercise, and the gut microbiota. The study aims to develop personalized nutrition plans to improve athletic performance and recovery.

PIRIOP - Microbiome & Immunotherapy

Cancer Hub

Xjenza Malta

A comparative analysis of the gut microbiome and immune response in cancer patients. The goal is to tailor immunotherapy treatments based on individual microbial profiles.

S-MBRT — Skin Microbiome Restorative Therapy

Xjenza Malta

Development and validation of a topical probiotic serum containing Lactobacillus for the treatment of acne. This includes in vitro efficacy, safety, and genomic testing for registration as a dermatological device.

VagiBiome-AI — Gut & Vaginal Microbiome Analysis

The BioArt

AI Research Unit

Integrating metagenomic analysis and artificial intelligence to create predictive models of women’s health based on the gut and vaginal microbiome.

PEMBRER — Personalized Microbiota Remedy

The BioArt

In-house project for the development of topical treatments based on Lactobacillus plantarum, aimed at rebalancing the skin microbiome and improving the skin barrier function.
Train4Brain — Biomarkers for Neurodegeneration

ERA Talents

Advanced research and training program for the development of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on microbiome-brain interactions and omics technologies.

RIQ-SEAR — Rapid Diagnostics for Sepsis

Xjenza Malta

Development of genomic methods for the rapid identification and quantification of microorganisms responsible for sepsis and antibiotic resistance genes.

GUTSMART-MT — Childhood Obesity Prevention

Xjenza Malta

Ministry for Health Malta

A pioneering study that integrates the microbiome and school nutrition to prevent childhood obesity through dietary and health education programs in elementary schools.

Awards and Honors

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