Luigi Naldini

Luigi Naldini is Full Professor of Cell and Tissue Biology and Gene and Cell Therapy at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University School of Medicine and Scientific Director of the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) in Milan, Italy. He also leads the Novel Gene Therapy Strategies and Targeted Cancer Gene Therapy units at SR-Tiget. His work has been foundational in the field of gene therapy, particularly in the development of lentiviral vectors for clinical applications.

• MD, University of Turin (1983)
• PhD in Cell and Tissue Biology, University of Turin (1987)
• Post-doctoral fellow, Yossi Schlessinger Lab, USA

Luigi Naldini's research focuses on gene and cell therapy, with a strong emphasis on lentiviral vectors, genome editing, stem cell biology, and cancer gene therapy. His laboratory has pioneered the safe and efficient delivery of therapeutic genes using modified lentiviruses, enabling clinical breakthroughs in genetic diseases and oncology. His work also explores hematopoietic stem cell function, immunological tolerance induction, and tumor angiogenesis. His research has significantly contributed to the development of artificial nucleases for targeted genome editing, bridging basic science with clinical translation.

Although specific article titles are not listed in the provided text, Naldini’s body of work—over 280 publications with an h-index of 101—spans the fields of gene therapy, oncology, stem cell biology, and genetic engineering. His publications frequently appear in top-tier journals and have been recognized through repeated selection as top abstracts at ASGCT and ESGCT annual meetings (1999–2012). The overarching trend in his research is the translational application of gene transfer technologies to treat previously incurable diseases.

Luigi Naldini has received numerous scientific honors and awards, including:

• Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine (2019)
• Global Health Pioneer Award (2019)
• Beutler Prize, American Society of Hematology (2017)
• ERC Advanced Investigator Grant (2009)
• EMBO Membership (2008)
• ASGCT and ESGCT Outstanding Achievement Awards
• Honorary doctorate from Vrije University, Brussels (2015)

Naldini has secured significant research funding, including the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant, and has co-founded three biotech companies—Genenta (Nasdaq-listed), Epsilen Bio (acquired by Chroma Medicine), and Genespire—demonstrating strong innovation and entrepreneurial leadership. He has mentored numerous young scientists, many of whom now lead research programs at top institutions worldwide. His advisory roles span global entities including the FDA, WHO, EMA, Novartis, Sanofi, and Editas.

Luigi Naldini leads multiple research units at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), including the Novel Gene Therapy Strategies Unit and the Targeted Cancer Gene Therapy Unit. His lab has been instrumental in translating gene therapy from bench to bedside, with a strong focus on clinical applications. The institute serves as a hub for cutting-edge research in gene and cell therapy under his scientific direction.