Giorgia Santilli

Dr. Giorgia Santilli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation at University College London (UCL), where she leads research in gene therapy for primary immunodeficiencies through innovative hematopoietic stem cell engineering and viral vector development.

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, 2003

Her research program centers on translational immunology and gene therapy, with specialization in developing curative treatments for X-linked agammaglobulinemia and Chronic Granulomatous Disease. Key methodologies include AAV capsid engineering, hematopoietic stem cell gene editing, and safety assessment of genomic modifications. She actively investigates mechanisms of immune reconstitution and vector optimization for clinical applications.

Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals a cohesive research trajectory focused on enhancing precision and safety in gene editing. Dominant themes include AAV vector evolution for improved transduction, chromosomal aberration detection via MEGA dPCR, and protocol optimization for immunodeficiency treatments. Her work consistently bridges molecular innovation with therapeutic translation, evidenced by high-impact studies in Molecular Therapy and Nature.

As an Associate Professor, Dr. Santilli mentors graduate researchers and maintains extensive collaborations across gene therapy consortia, as reflected in her co-authorship on 115+ publications. Her leadership in European Society of Gene and Cell Therapy conferences underscores her active role in shaping field standards.

Dr. Santilli directs a multidisciplinary research group within UCL's Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation that integrates molecular biology, stem cell technology, and bioengineering to advance treatments for genetic immune disorders. Her team collaborates with clinical partners to accelerate therapeutic development from bench to bedside.