Germano Cecere

Germano Cecere is a Principal Investigator and Researcher at the Institut Pasteur in Paris, leading a laboratory focused on epigenetic mechanisms mediated by small RNAs and nuclear Argonaute proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans. He is actively involved in major research projects funded by the European Research Council (ERC), including the ongoing RNAiNHERITANCE project.

• Institution: Institut Pasteur
• Principal Investigator: ERC-2020-CoG RNAiNHERITANCE
• Former PI: ERC-2015-StG_RNAEPIGEN
• Contact: germano.cecere@pasteur.fr

His research centers on understanding how small RNAs regulate transcription, chromatin organization, and epigenetic inheritance across generations, particularly in response to environmental stress. Using C. elegans as a model, his lab integrates genetic, molecular, biochemical, genomic, and proteomic approaches to dissect RNA-mediated epigenetic mechanisms.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on small RNA biogenesis, Argonaute function, transgenerational silencing, and chromatin dynamics. Key themes include piRNA pathways, maternal mRNA clearance, transcriptional regulation via CSR-1, and stress-responsive epigenetic memory. These works appear in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications, Developmental Cell, and Molecular Cell.

Scientific Awards:

• Pasteur Vallery-Radot Prize 2022

Germano Cecere mentors PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, several of whom have advanced to independent research roles. He also contributes to education through the Epigenetics MOOC. His lab utilizes advanced techniques including GRO-seq, RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, MNase-seq, iCLIP, and ChIRP-ms. There is no indication of retirement or former staff status, and he remains actively engaged in research and academic leadership.