Roberto Cattaneo

Roberto Cattaneo, Ph.D., is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with a primary appointment in the Department of Molecular Medicine and joint appointments in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Department of Immunology. He is actively engaged in research on enveloped RNA viruses, including measles virus and SARS-CoV-2, with a focus on molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, viral entry, membrane fusion, and immune evasion.

• Professional Role: Professor, Vice-chair for Education (Department of Molecular Medicine, 2014–present), Director of Virology and Gene Therapy Track (2004–2015)
• Research Leadership: Principal Investigator on multiple NIH-funded grants from NIAID and NCI
• Honors: Richard O. Jacobson Professor of Molecular Medicine (2023), START Career Development Award (Swiss National Science Foundation)

Dr. Cattaneo’s research centers on understanding how RNA viruses such as measles and SARS-CoV-2 interact with host cells to cause disease. His team discovered the role of nectin-4 as a host-exit receptor for measles virus, a breakthrough published in Nature. His work explores viral tropism, membrane fusion activation, genome adaptation across tissues, and the development of viral vectors for oncolytic therapy. He has contributed significantly to understanding how measles virus spreads in the brain and how SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics can be monitored through wastewater epidemiology.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in virology, with emphasis on measles virus pathogenesis, SARS-CoV-2 surveillance, and oncolytic virotherapy. These works span disciplines including molecular biology, immunology, neuroscience, and public health, reflecting a highly interdisciplinary research program. Key subfields include neurotropic viral infections, collective infectious units, receptor-mediated entry, and viral immune evasion.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Richard O. Jacobson Professor of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic (2023)
• START Career Development Award, Swiss National Science Foundation (1991–1998)
• Leadership roles in the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy, including Board Member and Committee Chair

Dr. Cattaneo has advised numerous students and researchers, many of whom are co-authors on his recent publications. His research is supported by multiple long-term grants, including an ongoing PhD Training Program in Virology and Gene Therapy funded by NIAID. He leads a dynamic research laboratory focused on fundamental virology with direct translational applications in cancer therapy and infectious disease control.