**About the Editors**

**Isabella Savini** is Associate Professor of Nutritional Sciences & Dietetics at the Department of Experimental Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata. She received a degree in Biological Sciences in 1985 and a Ph.D degree in Biochemistry in 1988 at La Sapienza University of Rome (Rome, Italy) She also received in 1990 a MS degree in Protein Chemistry Cranfield Institute of Technology (UK) and a Specialization in Nutritional Sciences, at La Sapienza University of Rome Piazzale (Rome, Italy) in 1993. Her research activity focuses on the following topics: (i) redox control of platelet function by bioactive compounds; (ii) the anticancer activity of phytochemical compounds; (iii) the blood and chemical parameters for the evaluation of the redox state in platelets, in relation to physical activity and the degree of obesity. The global research activity of Prof. Savini has led to the publication of over 50 articles and several book chapters in international scientific journals (H-index = 23).

**Valeria Gasperi** is Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Experimental Medicine University of Rome Tor Vergata, a post she has held since 2008. She received a degree in Medical Biotechnology at the University of Naples "Federico II" (Naples, Italy) in 2001 and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Rome, ITALY) in 2006. From 2006 to 2008 she carried out her post-doc training at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and at the University of Teramo, where she focused on signal cascades activated by bioactive lipids in cell differentiation and death, in both central and peripheral organs. Her main fields of interest are: i) the cellular differentiation and death of haematological cells, with a particular focus on megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis; ii) the role of specific microRNAs released by platelets in breast cancer, and of the modulation of cross-talk platelets-tumor cells by bioactive compounds (Ω3 and Ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and other phytochemicals); iii) the regulation of platelet activity during physiological conditions, and during inflammatory processes and tumor progression. The global research activity of Dr. Gasperi has led to the publication of over 50 articles and six book chapters in international scientific journals (H-index = 25), and to two monographs and more than 50 presentations at National and International Congresses.

**Maria Valeria Catani** is Associated Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", a post she has held since 2007. In the same University, she was a research fellow from 2001 to 2006 and I.D.I. Research assistant from 1999 to 2000. She received her doctoral degree in Biology in 1989 at the University of Rome La Sapienza, her Ph.D. degree in Biology and Physiopathology of Epithelia in 1995 at the University of Rome Tor Vergata and her specialization degree in Microbiology and Virology in 1998 at the University of Rome La Sapienza. In 1992, she spent three months at the Skin Biology Branch, NIAMS, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, working on keratinocyte differentiation. Her interests embrace the mechanisms of action of several biological processes, including: i) the redox regulation of gene expression; ii) the differentiation, survival and death of hematological cells, especially megakaryopoiesis and thrombopoiesis; iii) platelet activity and cell-to-cell cross-talk in pathophysiological conditions (i.e., inflammation, tumor progression); iv) the role of platelet-derived microRNAs and bioactive compounds (Ω3 and Ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols and other phytochemicals) in breast cancer. The global research activity of Prof Catani has led to the publication of over 60 articles and nine book chapters in international scientific journals (H-index = 28), and to one book of Biochemistry and more than 50 presentations at National and International Congresses.
