The Giunta Laboratory of Genome Evolution is a scientific research unit in the Center for Genetics of the Department of Biology & Biotechnologies at the University of Rome "La Sapienza", the largest university in Europe (more info here and here). Established in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, the Studium Urbis was the original name for the University of Rome and it officially became known as "La Sapienza" in 1660. It was founded as the first Roman general school, as it is one of the oldest universities in the world.
In the Laboratory of Genome Evolution a team of multi-disciplinary and international scientists directed by the Head of Laboratory, Prof. Simona Giunta, integrates cutting-edge genomics, sequencing, chromosome and epigenetic signaling with advanced computational approaches to understand the functional polymorphism of human DNA repeats, with a particular focus on the centromere.
The laboratory comprises scientists, about half specifically assigned to "dry lab" in applying and constructing computational and bioinformatic approaches for genomics and DNA sequencing, and half "wet lab" with a range of expertise from super-resolution microscopy, chromatin and epigenetic regulation, chromosome and cellular dynamics, molecular cytiogenetics and long-read technologies including our in-house Oxford Nanopore PromethION instrument.
The lab's PI, Simona Giunta, is an Associate Professor of Human Genomics and Head of the Laboratory of Genome Evolution at the University of Rome Sapienza. With research experience spanning three continents, she has established a niche in human centromere mutagenesis, building on her expertise in genome stability and chromosome dynamics. The Giunta Lab employs innovative multidisciplinary approaches from long-read sequencing to super-resolution imaging to investigate centromere instability in human diseases. Simona earned her Ph.D. at the University of Cambridge with Prof. Steve Jackson, followed by a UICC Fellowship at CSIRO (Australia). After a decade as Research Scientist at the Rockefeller University (USA), she received the Rita Levi-Montalcini Professorship, Marie Curie Fellowship, and AIRC Start-Up Grant to establish her lab in back in Italy. Recognized among the “10 Italian Professors Who Will Shape Our Future” by L’Espresso, her accolades include the International Next Generation Women Empowerment award, New York Academy of Sciences & AMED Interstellar award and the ERC Starting Grant. As a mother of three, she is a passionate advocate for science communication and gender equality in academia.
We are located in the Studium Urbis, the University "City" that represents Sapienza's Main Campus in the center of Rome. Our building of "Genetica" is located next to the Botanical Gardens by the Entrance of Via Cesare De Lollis. Entering by the main entrance (Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5), you walk past the Minerva status in the central fountain and can find Genetica through the other side. Our exact pin is here: https://goo.gl/maps/EgX5Ep1rnZfqoiwv9
In the "Genetica" Research Center, we are located on the 1st Floor, down the corridor to the left. The doorbell is # 5 (Giunta). Laboratory Room # 2-12; Office # 2-09.
The original Campus is situated in the very centre of Rome, within walking distance to the main rail station, Termini. Sapienza is the largest university in Europe, supporting over 120,000 students, more than 5,000 international students, and almost 4,000 academic staff. Within the Sapienza main campus, there are the Botanical Gardens, several Museums, a Chapel, daycare, concert and art spaces.
Further contacts are as follows:
MAILING ADDRESS:
Giunta Laboratory of Genome Evolution, Genetics Research Center Edificio CU022
Dpt. Biology & Biotechnology Charles Darwin
University of Rome "La Sapienza"
Piazzale Aldo Moro 5
00185 Roma Italy
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Laboratory (+39) 06 49912850
Simona's Office (+39) 06 49912854
FAX Segreteria amministrativa (+39) 06 49912351 Please, address any fax to Prof. Giunta