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A Key stem cell researcher joins the CRG

Maria Pia Cosma, from Naples' Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), is joining the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in the role of Senior Group Leader. The researcher is one of the few women in a senior position in Spain's biomedical sector, and she is the recipient of a starting grant from the prestigious European Research Council (ERC). With Cosma on board, the CRG becomes one of Spain’s life science research centres to receive most ERC grants.

4 may 2010

Maria Pia Cosma joins the Centre for Genomic Regulation's Differentiation and Cancer Program, making it one of the strongest scientific programs for stem cell research in Europe.

Reprogramming and Regeneration

The Reprogramming and Regeneration group studies the mechanisms controlling the reprogramming of adult stem cells, aiming to identify the bases of regeneration in higher vertebrates.

Until recently, it was thought the process by which an embryonic cell creates the rest of our body cells was a unidirectional pathway. It has now become apparent, however, that the reverse pathway is also possible; and many research groups are therefore working on this. To this end, Cosma's group has carried out various studies relating to the role played by a network of proteins responsible for in vivo cellular reprogramming. Specifically, this involves the Wnt signalling pathway. The research consists of transplanting adult stem cells into organisms with damaged organs in order to evaluate the reprogramming and regeneration of such tissues, both short term and long term.

The group also investigates beyond this process, and is currently trying to find this protein network's target genes in order to establish the molecular bases of reprogramming and to determine whether Wnt signalling is indeed involved in regeneration mechanisms in higher vertebrates. The results will be vital to understanding how adult stem cells are able to regenerate damaged organs and tissues.

At the same time, the group has developed synthetic gene networks in yeasts and, with this knowledge, is working to create gene network systems and models which will provide a way to control reprogramming in mammalian somatic cells (tissue cells).

The Differentiation and Cancer Program

Maria Pia Cosma joins CRG's Differentiation and Cancer Program as senior researcher. The Program is coordinated by Thomas Graf, one of the most internationally renowned stem cell researchers, and consists of 2 senior research groups (directed by Thomas Graf and Pia Cosma) and 3 junior research groups (led by Luciano Di Croce, Salvador Aznar-Benitah and Bill Keyes).

The partnership of Thomas Graf and Maria Pia Cosma will be vital for both CRG's and Spain's international status in adult stem cell research.

By recruiting Maria Pia Cosma, the CRG has a new senior group leader. Even though the number of women in such positions of high responsibility in science is increasing, there are still few women in positions of this type.

Maria Pia Cosma

With a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Genetics, this Italian researcher has worked in various research centres, hospitals and universities throughout the world. She formed her own research group at Naples' Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medecine (TIGEM). She was also appointed an EMBO Young Investigator and is a lecturer at the European School of Molecular Medicine in Naples.

She has also been named a Cavaliere of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy and has been awarded various prizes and honours in her scientific career, among which the EMBO Young Investigator award and the Marie Curie Excellence award stand out.

Maria currently participates in various European projects and receives European support such as an ERC (European Research Council) Grant, and has also recently secured support from the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP).

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