Ritratto di Alessandro.Rosa@uniroma1.it

 

 

Molecular Biology of Stem Cells - AA 2023-2024

 

The 2023-24 course will start on March 5th 2024
Lessons timetable: Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 AM

 

Classroom: Aula C - CU026 (Fisiologia Generale)

 

 

Links di riferimento: 

Biologia Molecolare delle Cellule Staminali / Molecular Biology of Stem Cells (ITA/ENG) (E-Learning)

Laurea Magistrale (MS Degree) Genetics and Molecular Biology

PhD Program in Life Sciences

ORCID

Loop

U-STEM Master

 

ITALIANO

LINEE DI RICERCA 

Il mio campo di ricerca concerne la caratterizzazione dei meccanismi molecolari che sono alla base delle funzioni cellulari durante il differenziamento e lo sviluppo, al fine di comprendere come questi meccanismi siano alterati in condizioni patologiche e come possano essere utilizzati in terapia. In particolare, il mio interesse primario è la molecola dell’RNA.  Per decenni all’RNA è stato unicamente attribuito un ruolo passivo, come mero “messaggero” dell’informazione genica, o strutturale, come “impalcatura” dei ribosomi. Negli ultimi anni è invece emerso un crescente numero di piccoli RNA non codificanti, in grado di regolare attivamente l’espressione genica e condizionare significativamente importanti processi cellulari.

Durante gli anni di post-doc alla Rockefeller University di New York (USA) ho dedicato la mia ricerca alla funzione dei microRNA nelle cellule staminali embrionali, come sistema modello per ricapitolare le primissime fasi di sviluppo embrionale, acquisendo notevole esperienza nelle tecniche di coltura e manipolazione. Dal giugno 2009 a ottobre 2010 ho ricoperto la posizione di direttore del Centro di Derivazione di cellule staminali e iPS della Rockefeller University (“Rockefeller University Stem Cell Derivation Core”) con compiti di gestione del Centro, responsabilità sulla qualità delle nuove linee cellulari, supervisione di personale tecnicoe presentazione dei servizi offerti dal Centro alla comunità scientifica.

Le mie linee di ricerca presenti includono la derivazione di cellule iPS paziente specifiche per la creazione di nuovi sistemi modello per lo studio di malattie neurodegenerative in vitro. Le cellule iPS (induced Pluripotent Stem cells) sono generate tramite riprogrammazione (“reprogramming”) di cellule somatiche, ottenuta grazie all’overespressione di fattori di staminalità detti reprogramming factors (RFs). Questi fattori sono in grado di cambiare radicalmente i profili di espressione genica delle cellule somatiche, attivando i geni propri delle cellule staminali e reprimendo i geni del differenziamento. In tal modo le cellule acquistano  proprietà e potenzialità propri delle cellule staminali embrionali, inclusa la capacità di differenziare in vitro e in vivo nei vari derivati dei tre foglietti embrionali. Il grande vantaggio delle iPS sta nel fatto che esse possono essere derivate da pazienti portanti mutazioni e differenziate in vitro nei tessuti di interesse, rappresentando ottimi sistemi modello per lo studio in vitro della base molecolare e cellulare delle malattie a base genetica.

Al momento attuale, mi sto occupando dello studio di malattie neurodegenerative, quali la Sclerosi Laterale Amiotrofica (SLA), utilizzando come sistemi modello iPS derivate da individui sani e da pazienti SLA con diverse mutazioni che colpiscono geni coinvolti nella biogenesi e funzionamento dell'RNA. Inoltre, il mio laboratorio sta sviluppando modelli tridimensionali del sistema nervoso mediante stampa 3D (bioprinting) di neuroni derivati da cellule iPS umane.

 

ENGLISH

RESEARCH INTERESTS

My field of research concerns the characterization of the molecular mechanisms that underlie cell function during differentiation and development, in order to understand how these mechanisms are altered in pathological conditions and how they can be used in therapy. In particular, my primary interest is the RNA molecule. For decades, RNA was only given a passive role as a mere "messenger" of genetic information, or structural, such as "scaffold" of the ribosome. In recent years, a growing number of small non-coding RNAs has been discovered, that are able to actively regulate gene expression and significantly affect important cellular processes.

During the years of post-doc at Rockefeller University in New York (USA) I have dedicated my research to the function of microRNAs in embryonic stem cells as a model system to recapitulate the very early stages of embryonic development, acquiring considerable experience in culture techniques and manipulation. From June 2009 to October 2010 I held the position of director of the Rockefeller University Stem Cell Derivation Core, with responsibility for management of the Centre and the quality of new cell lines, supervision of the staff and presentation of services offered by the Centre to the scientific community.

My present research lines include the derivation of patient-specific iPS cells for the creation of new model systems for the study of neurodegenerative diseases in vitro. IPS cells (induced Pluripotent Stem Cells) are generated through reprogramming of somatic cells by the ectopic expression of reprogramming factors (RFs). These factors are capable of radically changing the gene expression profiles of somatic cells, activating stem cell genes and repressing differentiation genes. In this way, the cells acquire the properties and potential of embryonic stem cells, including the ability to differentiate in vitro and in vivo in various derivatives of the three embryonic germ layers. The great advantage of iPS cells is that they can be derived from patients carrying mutations and differentiated in vitro into tissues of interest, represent excellent model systems for the study of the molecular and cellular basis of genetic diseases.

At present, I am working on neurodegenerative diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), using as model systems iPS cells derived from healthy individuals and from patients with ALS mutations affecting genes involved biogenesis and function of RNA. Moreover, my laboratory is developing tridimensional models of the nervous system by 3D bioprinting of neurons derived from human iPS cells.

 

 

RESEARCHER IDENTIFIERS


ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9999-7223
Scopus Author ID: 9638433400
Researcher ID: A-3860-2012

Insegnamento Codice Anno Corso - Frequentare Bacheca
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2023/2024
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2023/2024
NEUROBIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 1 1055796 2023/2024
NEUROBIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 1 1055796 2022/2023
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2022/2023
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2022/2023
NEUROBIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 1 1055796 2021/2022
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2021/2022
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2021/2022
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2020/2021
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2020/2021
NEUROBIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 1 1055796 2020/2021
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2019/2020
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2019/2020
NEUROBIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE 1 1055796 2019/2020
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2018/2019
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2018/2019
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2017/2018
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2017/2018
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2016/2017
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2016/2017
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF STEM CELLS 1051863 2016/2017
BIOLOGIA MOLECOLARE DELLE CELLULE STAMINALI 1038174 2016/2017

Fisiologia Generale (CU026a) - piano seminterrato - stanza 32
Venerdì ore 12-13

Da remoto: prendere appuntamento via email alessandro.rosa@uniroma1.it

ROSA, Alessandro

CV (March 2023)

Dept. of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University
P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome (Italy)
+39-0649255218
alessandro.rosa@uniroma1.it

RESEARCHER IDENTIFIERS
ORCID ID: 0000-0001-9999-7223
Scopus Author ID: 9638433400
Researcher ID: A-3860-2012

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

Since Jan. 2020: National Scientific Qualification for Full Professor (Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale per la Prima Fascia). S.C. 05/E2 Biologia Molecolare (sector: Molecular Biology)

Since Nov. 2019: Associate Professor. Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Since 2017 Affiliated researcher. Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia IIT@Sapienza. Center for Life Nanoscience - CLNS

Since 2014: Member of the Adjunct Faculty (2014-2019) and Guest Investigator (since 2019). The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.

Dec. 2011-Oct. 2019: Assistant Professor. Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Nov. 2010-Nov. 2011: Postdoctoral Fellow. Department of Biology and Biotechnology Charles Darwin , Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

June 2009-Oct 2010: Director of the Rockefeller University Stem Cell Derivation Core. Center for the derivation of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPS) lines with a normal as well as diseased genetic background.

April 2008-Nov. 2011: Long term Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) fellowship.

May 2007-Oct 2010: Postdoctoral Associate. Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology and Molecular Embryology (Brivanlou Lab). The Rockefeller University, New York, USA.

Jan.-April 2007: Short term Institute Pasteur - Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti fellowship. Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

Feb. 28, 2007: PhD Degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology with the thesis: Rescue of dystrophin synthesis and body-wide muscle function in mdx dystrophic mice by antisense-snRNA mediated exon-skipping .

Nov. 2003-Feb. 2007: PhD Course in Genetics and Molecular Biology. Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.

July 17, 2003 Graduated with honours (110/110 cum laude) in Biological Sciences with the Thesis RNA interference in cellule di mammifero: costruzione di nuovi vettori per l'espressione stabile di siRNA ( RNA interference in mammalian cells: construction of new vectors for the stable expression of siRNAs ).

Nov. 1998-July 2003: Sciences Faculty, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.Course in Biological Sciences (Molecular Biology section).

PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Awards

Acknowledgement for the excellence in University teaching 2017-18 and 2020-21. Awarded by the Faculty of Sciences of the Sapienza University to the top 5% of the teachers.

PNI (National Prize for Innovation, Italy) 2017: special award for Best Project for Equal Opportunities - startup project HoMoLoG.

1st Award at the business plan competition StartCup Lazio 2017 - startup project HoMoLoG.

Winner of the Bioeconomy Rome 2012 Award For the most innovative Italian intuitions of 2011 in the field of biomedical sciences . Awarded by CNCCS (Collezione Nazionale di Composti Chimici e Centro Screening).

Winner of the RNA Society 2008 poster award in the category Genetics and Development .

Winner of a post-doctoral fellowship Long term 2008 Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) .

Winner of a post-doctoral fellowship The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) (2008). The fellowship was declined by the candidate in favor of the Long term 2008 Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) .

Winner of the 2006 SIBBM (Italian Society of Biophysics and Molecular Biology) Award.

Full list of Publications available in ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9999-7223

65 papers indexed in Scopus and/or WOS

Hirsch Index (H-Index): 24 (Scopus)

Patents

RM2007A000595
Title: Use of miRNA and siRNA in therapy
Inventors: Irene Bozzoni, Alessandro Fatica, Alessandro Rosa
Dep. 15-11-2007

RM2003A000335 (Foreign Ext. PCT/IT04/00038)
Title: Construction of a new vector for siRNA in vivo expression
Inventors: Irene Bozzoni, Michela Denti, Alessandro Rosa
Dep. 9-7-2003
Patent licensed to Promega Corporation for the commercialization of the product GeneClip U1 Hairpin Cloning Systems.

Grants as PI
2022-2025 PNRR - CN3 National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology - Spoke 3 Neurodegeneration
2021-2022 Regione Lazio - POR FESR LAZIO 2014-2020 PROGETTI DI GRUPPI DI RICERCA 2020 . Soluzione Integrata di Microscopia Brillouin Avanzata (SIMBA) (project number: A0375-2020-36389)
2019-2021 Istituto Pasteur Italia - Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti. Call for projects 2019. Study of the role of RNA-binding proteins in the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
2019-2021 Sapienza University Progetto di Ateneo 2018. Identification and characterization of RNA binding proteins and non-coding RNAs with a role in human neural specification and neurodegenerative diseases.
2017-2018 AriSLA Pilot Grant 2016. StressFUS - Impairment of the stress response by mutant FUS in iPSC-derived human ALS motoneurons.
2015-2016 Sapienza University Progetto di Ateneo 2015. Study of pathways affected by mutations in the FUS gene in an iPSC-based ALS model system.
2014-2015 Sapienza University Progetto di Ateneo 2014. Identification of interactors of long non-coding RNAs involved in cell differentiation.

Organization of scientific meetings
2019-2021: International Winter School on Molecular Medicine. Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
2012 and 2016: Coordinator of the Stem Cells, iPS, Cancer Stem Cells minisymposium. FISV(Italian Federation of Life Sciences) Meeting, Italy.

Editorial activity
Associate Editor of Stem Cell Research (specialty section of Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Frontiers in Genetics, Frontiers in Oncology and Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology).
Editor of Stem Cells International (Hindawi Publishing Corporation; E-ISSN:1687-9678).
Guest Editor for a special issue on The RNA revolution in embryonic development and cell differentiation in health and disease . Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.

About 30 oral presentations in national or international conferences