Divisions
Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases
The immune system is a complex system of molecules, cells and tissues responsible of combating external and internal insults. An intact immune system is essential for maintaining our health and its dysfunctions are associated with increased susceptibility to infection or the development of inflammation, autoimmunity, allergy or cancer. The Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases investigates the development and function of the immune system in health and in several pathological conditions.
Organization
The Division harbors more than 170 scientists from basic and clinical areas, which work both on independent projects and integrated multidisciplinary programs focusing on specific pathological conditions.
The division contains also the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI).
A relevant activity of the Division is dedicated to the training of both basic and clinical immunologists who are enrolled in the International PhD Program in Molecular Medicine of San Raffaele University or in the International Postdoctoral Program of the San Raffaele Scientific Institute.
Research
Studies on fundamental mechanisms underlying the immune cell physiology are performed and compared with the alterations characterizing pathological processes, aiming at both elucidating the molecular bases of diseases and defining new therapeutic strategies.
The continuous interaction with the excellent clinical activities performed at IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele prompts ideal connections among the basic and clinical research and allows the investigation of a wide range of pathological conditions such as cancer, infections, autoimmunity, allergy and organ transplantation.
Clinical collaborations
The Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases daily collaborates with the following research groups, affiliated with the clinical departments of the hospital:
AIRC 5x1000
Thanks to the funding provided by the AIRC 5x1000 program, many researchers of the Division are now involved in a 7 years research project aimed at the development of ATMP for liver metastasis â–şclick here to discover more
Autoimmune pathogenesis
Marika Falcone, Group leader
Autoimmunity and vascular inflammation
Angelo Manfredi, Group leader
Biocrystallography
Massimo Degano, Group leader
Cellular immunology
Matteo Bellone, Group leader
Dynamics of immune responses
Matteo Iannacone, Group leader
Emerging bacterial pathogens
Daniela Maria Cirillo, Group leader
Experimental Gastroenterology Unit
Federica Ungaro, Group leader
Experimental hepatology
Giovanni Sitia, Group leader
Experimental hematology
Chiara Bonini, Group leader
Experimental Immunology
Giulia Casorati, Group leader
Human immuno-virology
Guido Poli, Group leader
Immunogenetics, Leukemia Genomics and Immunobiology
Luca Vago, Group leader
Immunopathology
Luca Guidotti, Group leader
Infections and Cystic Fibrosis
Alessandra Bragonzi, Group leader
Innate immunity and tissue remodelling
Patrizia Rovere-Querini, Group leader
Innovative immunotherapies
Monica Casucci, Group leader
Lymphocyte activation
Anna Mondino, Group leader
Tumor immunology
Maria Pia Protti, Group leader
Viral evolution and transmission
Gabriella Scarlatti, Group leader
Viral pathogens and biosafety
Elisa Vicenzi, Group leader
Matteo Bellone
Group leader, Cellular immunology Unit
Chiara Bonini
Group leader, Experimental hematology
Alessandra Bragonzi
Group leader, Infections and cystic fibrosis Unit
Giulia Casorati
Group leader, Experimental immunology Unit
Monica Casucci
Group leader, Innovative immunotherapies Unit
Daniela Maria Cirillo
Group leader, Emerging bacterial pathogens Unit
Massimo Degano
Group leader, Biocrystallography Unit
Marika Falcone
Group leader, Autoimmune pathogenesis Unit
Luca Guidotti
Group leader, Immunopathology Unit
Anna Mondino
Group leader, Lymphocyte activation Unit
Angelo Manfredi
Group leader, Autoimmunity and vascular inflammation Unit
Matteo Iannacone
Group leader, Dynamics of immune responses Unit
Guido Poli
Group leader, Human immuno-virology Unit
Maria Pia Protti
Group leader, Tumor immunology Unit
Patrizia Rovere-Querini
Group leader, Innate immunity and tissue remodeling Unit
Gabriella Scarlatti
Group leader, Viral evolution and transmission Unit
Giovanni Sitia
Group leader, Experimental hepatology Unit
Federica Ungaro
Group leader, Experimental Gastroenterology Unit
Luca Vago
Group leader, Immunogenetics, leukemia genomics and immunobiology Unit
Elisa Vicenzi
Group leader, Viral pathogens and biosafety Unit
Immunotherapy for liver metastasis from colorectal cancer
From San Raffaele, a new immunotherapeutic strategy to prevent liver metastasis from colorectal cancer
Boosting the immune system to fight blood tumors
A new immunotherapeutic approach to fight leukemia
Covid-19: discovered hidden immune weakness in gravely ill patients
New research reveals immune predispositions in patients with life-threatening Covid-19
Effective antibodies against SARS-CoV-2
Discovered a group of antibodies associated with reduced mortality in Covid-19 patients
Advanced single cell imaging and genomic technologies to fight SARS-CoV-2
A BSL-3 laboratory for animal models, equipped with cutting-edge in-vivo imaging and sequencing technologies, dedicated to study SARS-CoV-2
Gene therapy to defeat chronic Hepatitis B
An ERC Proof of Concept grant will explore gene therapy in chronic hepatitis B
Chronic Hepatitis B: a molecule to reactivate the immune system against the virus
The research unveiled a key mechanism behind the ineffective immune response and demonstrated the potential efficacy of a known molecule – a cytokine – to reactivate it
Gut bacteria alter multiple myeloma progression
The study is among the first to trace a direct link between intestinal microbiota and a tumor located in a different organ
Discovered how Acute Myeloid Leukemia escape immune recognition after BM transplantation
The study unveiled new survival strategies implemented by tumor cells as a result of transplantation and could have direct implications for the clinical treatment of AML relapses
Bioinformatician at the Center for Omics Sciences and Experimental immunology laboratory, led by Giulia Casorati
Fellowship at the Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, under the supervision of Dr. Nicola Lorè.
Postdoctoral fellow / Junior Researcher at the Experimental Hepatology Unit, headed by Giovanni Sitia
Bioinformatician, Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, headed by Daniela Cirillo
A bioinformatician position is available at Dynamics of Immune Response Lab, in collaboration with Center for Omics Sciences
A research associate/postdoctoral fellow position is available at Experimental Hepatology Unit, headeb by Giovanni Sitia
A technician position is available at the Emerging Bacterial Pathogens Unit, headed by Daniela Cirillo
A techincian position is available at the Autoimmune pathogenesis Unit, headed by Marika Falcone