Daniela Cesana is a molecular biologist with a multidisciplinary background and a strong commitment to advancing the safety and efficacy of gene therapy. She earned her Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnology from the University of Milan and a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (2010).

Her research career began at SR-Tiget, where she contributed to the development of innovative preclinical models to assess the oncogenic risks of integrative vectors, supporting the clinical translation of lentiviral gene therapies. Her PhD work provided key insights into vector-host genome interactions and the regulatory dynamics of integrated vector cassettes.

In 2016, she was awarded a Young Investigator Grant from the Italian Ministry of Health to explore how HIV-1 persistence is driven by modulation of nearby host genes at viral integration sites. Building on this, she has expanded her expertise into genomics and bioinformatics, developing novel PCR- and sequencing-based methods for retrieving vector integration sites from cell-free DNA, and for characterizing AAV vector behavior in models of gene addition and editing.

Daniela currently leads an independent research group at SR-Tiget, where she integrates molecular biology, bioinformatics, and translational research to develop innovative tools for monitoring gene therapy safety and patient response. Her work contributes to shaping next-generation approaches for safer, more effective genetic treatments. In recognition of the scientific strength and originality of her research, Daniela was awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council in 2024.