Dr. Retina Çapuni | Western Balkans University

Dr. Retina Çapuni

Researcher
Research Center for the Study of Rare Diseases
Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences
Bio
Education
Publications
 I am an Enthusiastic Molecular and Structural Biologist with a strong foundation in both academic teaching and research. Currently, I serve as an Assistant Lecturer at Western Balkan University in Tirana, Albania, where I am dedicated to delivering high-quality lectures and developing comprehensive curricula for the Department of Technology and Business. Additionally, I work as a DNA Specialist at the Forensic Center Albania, applying my expertise in forensic DNA analysis for paternity and kinship determination, providing consultancy in criminal and civil cases. 

 My academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology from “Universiteti i Tiranës”, followed by a Master of Science in Molecular Diagnostics and Biotechnology from “Università degli Studi di Camerino”, Italy. I am currently finishing a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine at the University of the Basque Country, Spain. My doctoral research, conducted at CIC bioGUNE, focused on the structural dynamics of protein synthesis using advanced techniques such as NMR, X-ray crystallography, and cryo-EM. During my PhD, I gained extensive laboratory experience, mastering various molecular biology techniques including cloning, mutagenesis, PCR, and in vitro transcription-translation. I also developed expertise in biochemical methods such as protein expression and purification, as well as the aforementioned structural biology techniques. 

In my role at the Forensic Center Albania - FCA, I employ molecular biology techniques to sequence and compare human DNA profiles, ensuring accurate and reliable results for forensic investigations. This role has further honed my skills in DNA analysis, statistical interpretation, and the scientific rigor necessary for forensic applications and beyond. My experience in this field brings significant value to the academic and research domains, enabling me to contribute to the development of new research methodologies and enhance teaching processes with in-depth, practical knowledge from the field of molecular forensics. 

I have contributed to numerous scientific publications and have presented my research at international conferences, showcasing findings on ribosomal complexes and antibiotic resistance mechanisms. 

Proficient in multiple languages, including Albanian, English, Italian, and Spanish, I possess a diverse skill set encompassing adaptability, problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective communication. My dedication to both teaching and research underscores my commitment to advancing the academic and scientific community. 
  • Universiteti i Tiranës, Tiranë (Albania)— Bachelor of Science Oct 2010 - Jul 2013 BSc in Biotechnology Main subjects: Physics, Probability and Statistics, Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Physiology, Genetics, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Genetic Engineering, Immunology & Virology, Medical & Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. 
  • Università degli studi di Camerino, (Italy) — Master of Science Oct 2013 - Oct 2015 MSc in Molecular Diagnostics and Biotechnology Master Thesis Title: Dityromycin resistance mechanism of producer strain Streptomyces sp. AM-2504. Main subjects: Genomics & Proteomics; Biology of Cancer & Biomolecular Therapeutic Agents; High Performance & Bioanalytical Methods; Epigenetic & Advanced Molecular Biology; Diagnostic Molecular & Biotechnology; Stem cells and Animal Model; Molecular Ecology; Molecular Parasitology. 
  • University of the Basque Country, Leioa (Spain) — PhD Jan 2016 - Current PhD in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine PhD Title: An NMR structural study on the dynamic interplay between chaperone factors involved in co-translational protein folding: Unveiling a modulating activity of TF in SecA sensing the nascent chain. Research conducted at CIC bioGUNE under the supervision of Paola Fucini and Sean Connell with the final aim of investigating from a macroscopic to atomic level the dynamics, structure and interactions of some of the key players involved in the vital process of protein synthesis. Molecular Biology Techniques: Cloning, Mutagenesis, PCR, In Vitro Transcription-Translation. Biochemical Techniques: Expression and Purification of proteins and different ribosomal nascent chains Structural Biology Techniques: NMR, X-ray crystallography, Cryo-EM. 
PUBLICATIONS
  • Schedlbauer A, Iturrioz I, Ochoa-Lizarralde B, Diercks T, López-Alonso JP, Lavin JL, Kaminishi T, Çapuni R, Dhimole N, de Astigarraga E, Gil-Carton D, Fucini P, Connell SR. A conserved rRNA switch is central to decoding site maturation on the small ribosomal subunit. Sci Adv. 2021 Jun 4;7(23):eabf7547. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abf7547. PMID: 34088665; PMCID: PMC8177701.
  • Schedlbauer A., Kaminishi T., Fabbretti A., Milón P., Han X., OchoaLizarralde B., Capuni R., Gualerzi C.O., Connell S.R., Fucini P. Orthoformimycin inhibits translation elongation by displacing the A-site tRNA and preventing peptide bond formation. bioRxiv. Oct 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.29.470217 
  • González-Magaña A, Sainz-Polo MÁ, Pretre G, Çapuni R, Lucas M, Altuna J, Montánchez I, Fucini P, Albesa-Jové D. Structural insights into Pseudomonas aeruginosaType six secretion system exported effector 8. J Struct Biol. 2020 Dec 1;212(3):107651. doi: 10.1016/j.jsb.2020.107651. Epub 2020 Oct 20. PMID: 33096229. 
  • Schedlbauer A, Ochoa-Lizarralde B, Iturrioz I, Çapuni R., Diercks, T., de Astigarraga, E., Fucini P., Connell S.R. Backbone and sidechain NMR assignments for the ribosome maturation factor RimP from Escherichia coli [published online ahead of print, 2020 Apr 17]. Biomol NMR Assign. 2020; doi:10.1007/s12104-020-09943-w ; BMRB Entry 28014. 
  • Fabbretti A, Çapuni R , Giuliodori AM., Cimarelli, L., Miano, A., Napolioni, V., La Teana, A., Spurio, R. Characterization of the Self-Resistance Mechanism to Dityromycin in the Streptomyces Producer Strain. mSphere.2019;4(5):e00554-19. Published 2019 Sep 25. doi:10.1128/mSphere.00554-19 
  • Napolioni V, Cimarelli L, Miano A, La Teana A., Çapuni R., Giuliodori A.M., Fabbretti A., Spurio R. Draft Genome Sequence of Streptomyces sp. Strain AM-2504, Identified by 16S rRNA Comparative Analysis as a Streptomyces kasugaensis Strain. Microbiol Resour Announc . 2019;8(38):e00966-19. Published 2019 Sep 19. doi:10.1128/MRA.00966-19 
  • Kaminishi, T., Schedlbauer, A., Ochoa-Lizarralde, B., de Astigarraga, E., Çapuni, R., Yang, F., Benn, V., Liu, Q., Tan, X., Zhang, M., Connell, S.R., Fucini, P. The third-generation tetracycline KBP-7072 exploits and reveals a new potential of the primary tetracycline binding pocket. Dec 2018. bioRxiv 508218; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/508218 
  • Andreas Schedlbauer, Retina Capuni, Jorge Pedro López-Alonsoa, Idoia Iturrioza, Borja Ochoa Lizarralde, Elisa de Astigarraga, David Gil-Cartona, Paola Fucini and Sean Connell. Integrating cryo-EM and NMR data to understand RbfA’s role in ribosome assembly. Poster presentation at Reitoria Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal on June 2018 
  • Çapuni R, Bektashi I. Sh., Gecaj P., Fiska D., Buzo S. Rheumatoid factors, Anti-MCV Antibody, Anti-JO-1 Antibody levels and Mucoproteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Poster presentation on International Congress of Biomedical Sciences in Tirana, Albania on May 2013 

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATIONS 
  • International Congress of Biomedical Sciences in Tirana, Albania, from 01/05/2013-04/05/2013 
  • Ribosome Profiling Workshop at Charles Darwin House, London, UK on 27/10/2016 
  • VIII Ibero-American NMR Meeting-6th Iberian NMR Meeting-9th GERMN Meeting-4th Portuguese RMRMN Meeting at Reitoria Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal from 26/06/2018 to 29/06/2018 
  • Integrative Structural Biology Course at Institute Pasteur, Paris, France from 16/07/2018-21/07/2018