Immacolata Serra

Dr. Immacolata Serra is assistant professor (RTD-B) at the University of Milano-Bicocca, where she is part of the IndBioTechLab group. Her research focuses on industrial biotechnology and fermentation chemistry, with expertise in biocatalysis and microbial bioprocesses. 

She earned her Ph.D. in Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology from the Institute for Advanced Study of Pavia (I.U.S.S.), specializing in enzymatic synthesis and microbial catalysis.
Dr. Serra has extensive experience in biotransformations, enzyme immobilization, and development sustainable bioprocesses for valorizing agro-industrial residues. Her work has included enzymatic and microbial synthesis of chemicals, PET monomer upcycling, and the use of marine microorganisms for biotechnological applications.

Actively involved in national and EU-funded projects addressing circular economy solutions, she has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications, presented at international conferences, and supervised numerous graduate and Ph.D. students. Dr. Serra collaborates extensively with academic and industrial partners to promote sustainable innovation through applied research.

Agro2Circular – The hidden value of agrifood sector residues (Horizon 2020)
Website: https://agro2circular.eu/

REPLAY – REconnecting PLAstics life cycle to biogeochemical cycles by sustainable
hydrolysis and Yeasts fermentation (PRIN 2020SBNHLH)

Production of functional bacterial cellulose by a circular biotechnological platform (FUN CLUB)
finanziato dall’Unione Europea – NextGenerationEU MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2 – INVESTIMENTO 1.1
Fondo per il Programma Nazionale di Ricerca e Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) del Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, dedicata ai Progetti di ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale

The National Center 5 “National Biodiversity Future Center
(Award Number: Project code CN_00000033, Concession Decree No. 1034 of 17 June 2022 adopted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, CUP H43C22000530001

National Biodiversity Future Center – NBFC.
Funder: Project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment.
From genome-guided discovery to production of novel glycopeptide antibiotics by an integrative technological platform (DiGlycAn) finanziato dall’Unione Europea – NextGenerationEU MISSIONE 4 COMPONENTE 2 – INVESTIMENTO 1.1
Fondo per il Programma Nazionale di Ricerca e Progetti di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN) del Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, dedicata ai Progetti di ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale, (Bando PRIN 2022, Decreto Direttoriale n. 1048 del 14 luglio 2023)

MIMETISE. Assessment of microbial metabolism within the plastisphere of traditional and biodegradable plastic.

Enhancement of microbial biodiversity to promote environmental and human health
Perotti, S., Serra, I., Mapelli, V., Branduardi, P. (2024).
Intervento presentato a: Forum Nazionale della Biodiversità, Palermo, Italy.

A novel laccase from Trametes polyzona with high performance in the decolorization of textile dyes
Bucchieri, D., Mangiagalli, M., Martani, F., Butti, P., Lotti, M., Serra, I., et al. (2024).

Exploring yeast biodiversity and process conditions for optimizing ethylene glycol conversion into glycolic acid
Senatore, V., Milanesi, R., Masotti, F., Maestroni, L., Pagliari, S., Cannavacciuolo, C., et al. (2024).

Towards biotechnological production of bio-based low molecular weight esters: a patent review
Zago, M., Branduardi, P., Serra, I. (2024).

Yeast fermentation for the upcycling of PET monomers
Senatore, V., Maestroni, L., Serra, I., Pescini, D., Branduardi, P. (2023).

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