معرفی
Dr. Gaia Pigino is a biologist and Associate Head of the Structural Biology Research Centre at Human Technopole, Milan, Italy, following 9 years as a Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany. She collaborates with Alessandro Vannini to advance structural biology research at Human Technopole.
- Education:
- Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena (2007), supervised by Prof. F. Bernini and Prof. C. Leonzio
- Diploma in Natural Science (Summa cum laude), University of Siena (2002), supervised by Prof. C. Leonzio and Prof. F. Bernini
Her laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms of ciliary self-organization, focusing on intraflagellar transport (IFT), tubulin post-translational modifications, and axonemal architecture. Key research areas include:
- Tubulin Code regulation
- IFT train dynamics
- Primary and motile cilia in health/disease
- Microtubule doublet function
- Cryo-electron tomography
- Protein sorting and signaling
Recent publications highlight advancements in understanding the high-resolution structure of the ciliary glycocalyx, IFT cycle mechanics, and tubulin tyrosination/detyrosination roles in ciliary transport. Her work bridges structural biology and human disease, particularly diabetes and ciliopathies.
- Scientific Awards:
- EMBO Member (2022)
- ERC Consolidator Grant (2018)
- Keith R. Porter Fellow Award (2018)
- DFG Grant (2019)
- Multiple EMBO, HFSP, and Marie Curie Fellowships to advisees
Dr. Pigino advises a team of researchers, including Helen Foster, Nikolai Klena, and Adrian Nievergelt, and contributes to structural biology through grants and collaborations. Her lab employs cutting-edge techniques like CRISPR/Cas and MicroSplit to explore ciliary mechanics and cellular ultrastructure.
