Divisions

Genetics and cell biology

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Director

Luca Rampoldi

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Deputy Director

Simone Cenci

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The mission of Genetics and cell biology Division is the comprehension of biological and pathological phenomena, as this is fundamental to cure disease and create novel biotechnologies. The division hosts curiosity-driven projects of innovative investigators, and structured programs on areas of particular interest and strength. The division tries to balance curiosity driven research and team-networking organization, fostering quality science, and producing knowledge transferable to the Clinics or other thematic Divisions. Recruiting excellent scientists, providing suitable technological platforms, tightening the relationships between basic and clinical scientists and promoting areas of strength are key parts of the division's mission.

Research

Cutting edge areas in the divions are the physiopathology of cell stress and iron metabolism, chromatin dynamics, genetics and epigenetics. Internationally competitive groups are working in cell adhesion, migration and polarity. A program with fertile interdivisional links is bone and cartilage physiopathology (Bonetwork). Molecular mechanism underlying diseases (conformational diseases, cystic kidney disorders, neuromuscular diseases, inflammation, iron-related diseases, disorders of human reproduction, osteoporosis and bone diseases) are being investigated by many groups with robust animal and cellular models and patients’ biological samples.

Organization

The Division of Genetics and Cell Biology (DGCB) hosts many basic research groups, totalling over 100 persons.

DGCB hosts both PhD and Postdoctoral training programs related to Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, where positions are offered on a competitive basis for a minimum of 3 and 2 years, respectively.

Clinical collaborations

These lines of investigation address important medical issues in which existing synergies between basic and clinical sciences are being fostered, increasing our funding potentials and translational outputs. DGCB provides the clinics with concepts and protocols to be tested, at the same time the reverse translation takes place: detailed analysis of cohorts of patients can help unravel physiological mechanisms.

DGCB daily collaborates with the following research groups, affiliated with the clinical departments of the hospital: