Developmental Genomics

Developmental Genomics
 

Our activity is mainly focussed on molecular mechanisms specifying CNS precursors and regulating their proliferation/differentiation profile, paying special attention to evolutionarily conserved transcription factor genes involved in these processes.

We are working at decoding ncRNA-mediated regulation of these genes. We are dissecting their impact on the kinetic behaviour of cortico-cerebral neural stem cells and neuronally committed progenitors.

Moreover, we are assaying if and how controlled overexpression of these genes may be exploited for purposes of brain repair. This includes: reprogramming somatic non-neural cells to cortico-cerebral and mesencephalic fates, enhancing the intrinsic neuronogenic potential of natural cortico-cerebral precursors, developing innovative, ncRNA-based methodologies for eliciting stimulation of endogenous genes.

The achievement of these goals relies on the integrated employment of a large body of classical and state-of-art technologies. Strong emphasis is placed on creative and critical contibution by young, intellectually independent PhD students, in charge of these projects.