Giacomo Masserdotti

Giacomo Masserdotti is an Adjunct Professor and Senior Scientist at the Department of Physiological Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. He is affiliated with the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (GSN) and conducts cutting-edge research in direct neuronal reprogramming from glial cells and fibroblasts.

Research Interests: His work focuses on the molecular mechanisms—transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolic—underlying the direct conversion of astrocytes, OPCs, and fibroblasts into functional neurons. He employs advanced techniques such as primary cultures, transduction, immunofluorescence, RNA-seq (bulk and single-cell), patch-clamp, and 3D bioprinting to develop improved in vitro 3D models that mimic the in vivo environment, aiming to enhance reprogramming efficiency and neuronal subtype specificity while reducing animal use in research.

Publication Trends: His recent publications highlight innovations in overcoming metabolic barriers in reprogramming, enhancing mitochondrial function via CRISPR, and understanding heterogeneity in reprogrammed neurons. These works, published in top journals like Cell Stem Cell and Cell Reports, reflect a strong focus on translational neuroscience and regenerative strategies.

Scientific Contributions: Dr. Masserdotti plays a key role in advancing glia-to-neuron conversion technologies. His research bridges basic molecular neuroscience with potential therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases.

Mentorship and Team: He currently mentors GSN student Fabio Laredo and collaborates closely with Prof. Magdalena Götz, a leading figure in neural stem cell research. His lab integrates molecular biology with systems-level analysis to dissect reprogramming dynamics.