Ricerc@Sapienza

Lionetti Lab investigates the dynamic structure and remodeling of plant cell walls, focusing on their role in growth, defense, and plant–pathogen interactions. Our research combines molecular biology, biochemistry, and glycomics to uncover how plants perceive and respond to microbial attack, and how these processes contribute to immunity and stress tolerance.

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) play multiple roles in RNA metabolism and their mutation, delocalization and/or altered expression have been proposed to cause familial and sporadic amyotrophic latrla sclerosis (ALS). In our lab, human iPSC-derived motor neurons, skeletal muscle cells and neuromuscular organoids are used as in vitro model systems to study the role of the RBPs FUS, HuD/ELAVL4 and TDP-43 in ALS. To this aim, we have developed protocols for rapid and efficient conversion of human iPSCs into motor neurons and skeletal muscle cells.

The research group investigates the molecular and regulatory networks that control the development and diversification of the plant root system. By integrating approaches from developmental biology, evolution and development (evo-devo), physiology, and plant biotechnology, the lab explores how hormonal signals, microRNAs, and gene–environment interactions shape root formation, plasticity, and pattern variability—both across species and within a single species.

Abbiamo caratterizzato il ruolo di KDM5B nella regolazione trascrizionale e nel riparo dei danni genotossici. Abbiamo studiato la sua regolazione trascrizionale e post-trascrizionale in cellule di breast cancer, dimostrando l'esistenza di una isoforma principale, a turnover veloce ed una isoforma cataliticamente inattiva ma molto più stabile rispetto alla degradazione proteica. Stiamo anche cercando di chiarire perchè l'attività demetilasica di KDM5B è richiesta per un efficiente riparo del danno genotossico indotto da radiazioni ionizzanti.

L'EcoConServ Lab studia l’ecologia e la conservazione delle specie minacciate dagli impatti umani, combinando modellizzazione ecologica e analisi dei dati su scala diverse scale con lavori di campo. L’obiettivo del laboratorio è comprendere i driver antropici dell’estinzione e sviluppare strategie di conservazione basate su evidenze scientifiche, contribuendo alla tutela della biodiversità in un mondo sempre più modificato dall’uomo.

This study aims to characterize the SGs transcriptome under different environmental stressors, identifying the main differences in SGs composition across both stresses and organisms. To understand how different environmental stressors affect SGs transcriptomic composition in A. thaliana, a very-well known plant model system used for these type of studies.

Drosophila melanogaster is a highly conserved animal system, similar with vertebrates in many basic biological, physiological, and neurological aspects. Drosophila genome is 60% homologous to that of humans, less redundant, and about 75% of the genes responsible for human diseases have homologs in flies. These features, together with a brief generation time, low maintenance costs, and the availability of powerful genetic tools, allow the fruit fly to be eligible to study complex pathways relevant in biomedical research, including cancer and neuromuscular diseases.

Plant cell walls are the first line of defense against pathogen attack and regulate growth under physiological and stress conditions. Plant cells constantly monitor wall integrity to adjust growth and modulate defenses. We have shown that plants with altered pectin composition constitutively express defense responses and are more resistant to infections, but are severely impaired in growth. 

Evolutionary Biology of molluscs, with a focus on: Integrative Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Biogeography, Population genetics/genomics (spatial patterns of variation, divergence rates), Molecular evolution (biochemical drivers of evolution), Microevolutionary processes, Biodiversity (patterns and dynamics), evolutionary developmental biology.