Projects
1. The non‐coding genome and the Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs)
The discovery of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) represents a significant advance in cell biology. Our goal is to develop new tools to study the interaction between lncRNA and proteins, to understand their function. We are currently focusing on SINEUP, a family of natural antisense (NAT) lncRNAs, whose effect is to promote the translation of specific target mRNAs. Understanding the interaction between proteins and SINEUP could greatly enhance our understanding of the molecular activity of SINEUP (Fasolo et al 2019 FASEB J, DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901618RR).
2. Engineering cell factories for the sustainable production of biopharmaceuticals.
Recombinant proteins are fundamental resources for basic and applied research, as well as for biotechnological applications. They can be produced in a variety of expression systems although mammalian cells are the first choice when post-translational processing is required for function. This project aims at engineering CHO (Chinese Hamster Ovary) and other mammalian cells, to develop novel cell lines capable to produce proteins at elevated level. To this regard, we use our expertise to design, validate and finally apply the SINEUPTM and other genetic tools to engineer mammalian cell factories to improve the production processes of recombinant proteins (Patrucco et al 2015, Gene 569 (2):287-93. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2015.05.070).
3. Mining microbiomes in search of novel functionalities
Microbes represent the richest repertoire of molecular and biochemical diversity and possess immense potential for bioprospecting. However, only a very small fraction (<5%) can be cultured, therefore most of their genetic richness remains unexploited. We will use MetaDOMAINome display, a novel approach based on libraries of metagenomic DNA (mgDNA) that have been "filtered" to express functional Open Reading Frames, for the high-throughput selection of protein domains with specific biological activities. MetaDOMAINome libraries will be applied to screening platforms for the identification and structural determination of new proteins, thus representing an innovative approach for the functional annotation of protein-coding genes in metagenomes.
4. Engineering bacteria to convert them into a programmable bio-factory for tissue regeneration.
Bioaction (https://bioaction.eu/) is an EU-funded project that seeks to address implant-associated infections from a completely new perspective.
Rather than simply fighting against pathogenic bacteria, Bioaction aims to turn these bacteria into valuable allies in the promotion of tissue regeneration.
The approach is an alternative to traditional antibiotic therapies, which often exacerbate the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Our role will be to engineer phages and to design DNA circuits to encode proteins necessary for tissue regeneration and to regulate immune responses.