Our Researchers
TIGEM Research Faculty
Alberto Auricchio
Our goal is to develop novel in vivo gene therapy and genome editing strategies for a wide range of inherited blindness and metabolic diseases.
+3908119230628
Andrea Ballabio
While studying medicine I was fascinated by how research could lead to the discovery of disease mechanisms. As a young pediatrician, I took care of children affected by genetic diseases, some of them serious and still without therapy, I felt the urge to act, to do something to help, and I knew that the way to make a difference was to understand the biological mechanism. That’s how research became my passion.
+3908119230607
Sandro Banfi
My research goals are to elucidate the molecular basis of inherited disorders, and particularly of neurodegenerative conditions. I am now particularly interested in gaining insight into the contribution of noncoding RNAs to pathophysiological processes.
Phone: +3908119230606
Nicola Brunetti
As a paediatrician and geneticist, the overall goals of my research are to understand how defects in biochemical pathways result in disease and to develop novel therapeutic approaches for inborn errors of metabolism.
Phone +3908119230661
Davide Cacchiarelli
My research uses integrated genomics approaches to study stem cell biology and identify the mechanisms controlling cell decisions. I recently had the chance to develop an NGS-based project on COVID-19, for which we successfully analyzed thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genomic variants and patients’ transcriptomic profiles.
Phone: +39 08119230646
Mirko Cortese
I’ve recently joined the TIGEM faculty and I have found awesome scientists, great infrastructure, and excellent support. I cannot wait to start this new exciting adventure.
Phone: +3908119230618
Elvira De Leonibus
My group aims to identify early behavioural and disease mechanisms in animal models of complex human disorders, with the ultimate goal of discovering and testing novel therapeutic strategies to manage them.
Phone: +3908119230666
Antonella De Matteis
My work has focused on the molecular mechanisms controlling intracellular membrane trafficking, a process that is crucial for the maintenance of cell organization, organelle homeostasis, and for intercellular communication. In recent years, our research has aimed to develop therapeutic strategies to cure inherited diseases.
Phone +3908119230620
Diego di Bernardo
I am a Biomedical Engineer by training and I believe that cross-disciplinary research blending Engineering with Molecular and Cell Biology will greatly advance our understanding of rare and complex diseases and how to treat them.
Phone: +3908119230619
Chiara Di Malta
We intend to dissect how lysosomal dysfunction contributes to kidney cystogenesis and cancer in order to open up new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of these conditions. At TIGEM, we can pursue these goals supported by high-quality resources and facilities, in an international and extremely stimulating environment.
Phone: +3908119230678
Brunella Franco
I joined TIGEM in 1994 and I scientifically grew within TIGEM. I started my career as a human geneticist and while I was originally involved in the identification of disease genes, I then shifted my scientific interest toward more functional studies. I want to understand how and why a disease affects specific individuals and tissues and possibly offer solutions. I also enjoy in witnessing and mentoring the flourishing of young researchers around me and TIGEM is the ideal place in terms of opportunities and research environment.
Secretariat: +3908119230607
Luis Galietta
My research is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms underlying ion transport in epithelial cells. We use high-throughput screening techniques to identify drugs to treat cystic fibrosis by targeting membrane channels and pumps.
Phone: +3908119230693
Gennaro Gambardella
Computational machine learning combined with human decision making, I believe, is the road we have to pursue for effective and individualized treatment.
Phone: +3908119230689
Paolo Grumati
I have always been fascinated by the dynamics of cellular organelles: how they change shape, move inside the cell, and are constantly replaced. Gaps in understanding of the endoplasmic reticulum has led us to explore whether autophagy regulates ER turnover and if autophagy failure can cause severe human diseases.
Phone: +3908119230688
Alessia Indrieri
The overall goal of my research is to find effective treatments for defective mitochondrial functions. In particular we aim to develop mutation-independent strategies to treat rare and common mitochondrial-associated disorders.
Phone: +3908119230683
Diego Medina
My research goal is to gain insight into the cell biology of the lysosomal and autophagic pathways, which can inform translational studies that will be instrumental in the development of new therapies to tackle rare genetic diseases.
Phone: +3908119230698
Gennaro Napolitano
I study the basic signaling mechanisms controlling nutrient sensing and how dysfunction of these processes underlies disease conditions. Our ultimate goal is to leverage these findings for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets in inherited metabolic diseases and cancer.
Phone: +3908119230621
Vincenzo Nigro
Without the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, more advanced research on genetic diseases in Italy would be much more difficult and almost daunting.
Phone: +3908119230635
Giancarlo Parenti
Interacting with patients gives me strong and enduring motivation to perform research at TIGEM, with the aim to identify novel therapeutic opportunities and alleviate the impact of diseases on patients’ lives.
Phone: +3908119230627
Nunzia Pastore
My research focuses on dissecting the molecular pathways underlying the pathology of liver disease associated with genetic disorders by combining 3D models and in vivo studies. TIGEM offers unique expertise and excellent resources to pursue my goal.
Phone: +39 08119230630
Pasquale Piccolo
Understanding and treating rare genetic diseases is a wonderful journey and an extraordinary creative adventure that teaches us a lot about human life and health.
Phone: +3908119230670
Roman Polishchuk
I am a Cell Biologist by training and I believe that moving to the Rare Disease Field helped me to learn how cellular mechanisms adapt to pathological conditions and prompted me to investigate how these mechanisms might be targeted to help patients.
Phone: +3908119230636
Carmine Settembre
Exploiting TIGEM resources and expertise to address outstanding questions in the lysosome-autophagy pathway, to understand the mechanistic basis of toxic accumulations in the endoplasmic reticulum, and to offer novel therapies to genetic diseases.
Phone: +39 08119230601
Nicolina Cristina Sorrentino
My research goal is to understand the mechanism of the neuropathology progression and develop advanced gene therapy and drug therapy protocols for the treatment of inherited neurodegenerative disorders
Phone: +39 08119230649
Leopoldo Staiano
Being a scientist at TIGEM offers opportunities to work with state of art technologies in a stimulating environment and to come in close contact with the reason why we do this job: the patients.
Phone: +3908119230679
Ivana Trapani
Having the possibility to help people, by finding solutions to diseases which are still untreatable, motivates me incredibly and makes me feel that my efforts are focused in a positive direction.
Phone: +3908119230632