Diego Cotella

Hi,

I am Diego Cotella, a passionate molecular and cellular biologist at the Università del Piemonte Orientale (University of Eastern Piedmont, UPO) in Novara, Italy.

I have more than 20 years of research experience, matured in both Academia and a biotech enterprise.

Since 2011 I am leading a research team at UPO. The broad goal of my research is the study of molecular interactions critical to biological function (e.g. protein-protein, antigen-antibody and protein-RNA). Understanding these interactions is central to a range of fundamental sciences, new treatments for disease and for the development of a wide range of highly functional products. To achieve this goal, I am implementing a high-throughput screening platform developed through a long-lasting collaboration between UPO and the University of Trieste (Prof. Daniele Sblattero), based on the phage display of “filtered” open reading frames (ORF).

I am currently using this tool to investigate the RNA-bound proteome of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA), with interest on a family of lncRNAs named SINEUP. In the future, I plan to embark in a novel line of research and use this platform to explore novel functionalities in microbiomes.

Previously, I worked at INNOSENSE srl, a biotech company that developed biosensors for medical and environmental applications. There, I obtained my PhD in Environmental Sciences. After the doctorate, I joined the labs of Prof. Erich Wettwer (TU Dresden, Germany) and then Federico Sesti (UMDNJ, Piscatway, USA) to work on the biology of voltage-gated potassium channels and associated diseases.

At UPO, I teach Cell Biology to students in Health Professions and in Biotechnology, and Synthetic Biology to master's students in Medical Biotechnology. I am also serving my University as departmental delegate for international relations and university orientation activities .

Other than science, I enjoy photography, hiking, playing the clarinet and directing the marching band in my town.

Education

1993 - 1999 Laurea (MSc) in Biology, UPO, Alessandria (Italy)

2000 - 2003 Doctorate (PhD) in Environmental Sciences, UPO, Alessandria (Italy)

Professional Experience

from 2010 Professor of Experimental Biology (Assitant 2010-2021; Associate from 2021), UPO (ITALY)

2010 - 2011 Postdoctoral Appointee, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Piscataway (USA)

2006 - 2010 Research Associate (Assegnista di Ricerca), UPO Novara (ITALY)

2004 - 2006 Postdoc (EU Marie Curie fellow), Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden), Germany

1999 - 2002 R&D staff scientist, INNOSENSE srl, Colleretto Giacosa (ITALY)

Awards and fellowships

2019 - Italian Scientific Habilitation as Associate Professor in Molecular Biology (BIO/11).

2017 - Italian Scientific Habilitation as Associate Professor in Experimental Biology (BIO/13).

2018 - Protein production cell line challenge, Merck KGaA (Germany).

2006 - EU European Reintegration Grant (ERG) program (MERG-CT-2005-031150)

2004 - 2006 EU Marie Curie Host Development Program Postdoctoral Fellowship.

2000 - 2002 Doctorate fellowship from the Fondazione per le Biotecnologie (Turin).

Grants

2023 - Italian Ministry for University and Research (MUR) - PRIN: "Decoding dysfunctional RNA transcription and processing by dominant haploinsufficiency in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): rescue by SINEUP translational regulators." Role: RU leader (88.000 €).

2023 - Fondazione Italiana per l'Autismo (FIA): "SINEUP RNAs: una nuova piattaforma di molecole a RNA per il trattamento dell'aploinsufficienza nei disturbi dello spettro autistico (DSA)" Role: RU leader.

2019 - Intramural research grant (FAR): “Development of innovative biological material for the functional regeneration of cardiac tissue model”. Role: co-PI (30.000 €).

2016 - Intramural research grant (FAR): “High-throughput profiling of the protein interactome of C9ORF72 and ATXN2 repeat expansions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis”. Role: co-PI (50.000 €).

2006 - EU European Reintegration Grant (ERG) program (MERG-CT-2005-031150): “Investigate for cellular partners of DPP6 and DPP10 through novel technologies”. Role: “returning scientist” (40.000 €).

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