Professor Mauro Giacca – Director-General ICGEB, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Italy
Prof Giacca’s current research interest focuses on the development of novel biotherapeutics for cardiovascular disorders, with special emphasis on the identification of growth factors and microRNAs able to induce new blood vessel formation and cardiac regeneration in patients with myocardial infarction or heart failure. He also maintains a strong interest in the molecular biology of HIV-1 infection.
His research activity is funded through grants from various public and private bodies, including the European Research Council (ERC Advanced Investigator Grants), the Italian Ministry for Education and Research, the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) Canada, the JDRF USA, the Telethon Foundation Italy, among others.
M. Giacca regularly reviews scientific manuscripts for international journals in the fields of gene therapy, cardiovascular disorders and HIV infection, and grant applications in the context of calls from the European Commission and various granting bodies throughout Europe and has published over 240 papers in peer-reviewed international journals and 20 reviews or chapters in published books and university text books. He is the author of the book “Gene Therapy”, Springer ed., 2010. He regularly presents his research activity at meetings and seminars worldwide.