Claudio Sette

Current Position:                            

Associate Professor of Anatomy

Department of Public Health and Cell Biology,

School of Medicine

University of Rome Tor Vergata

Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome

Telefono 39672596260   FAX 39672596268

Email: claudio.sette@uniroma2.it

Professional Experience:

2012-to date   Associate Professor at the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, (Italy)

2010-to date   Associate Member of the European Alternative Splicing Network (EURASNET)

2006-to date   Joint appointment as Laboratory Director at the Institute for Experimental Neurosciences, Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome (Italy)

2002-2012       Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health and Cell biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, (Italy)

2001-2002       Assistant Professor at the Department of Public Health and Cell biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, (Italy)

1998-2000       Postdoctoral Fellow at the Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley (California, USA)

1995-1998       PhD student in Medical Embryology at the Department of Public Health and Cell biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy)

1995-1996       Invited Scientist at the  INSA,  School of Engeneering, Department of Biological Chemistry, INSERM Unit 352 , Lyon, (France). (December 1995- February 1996)

1993-1995       Research Fellow at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University, California U.S.A.

1990-1992       Undergraduate Internship at the Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Rome La Sapienza (Italy).

Awards:

1992                Research Fellowship by the Fondazione Cenci-Bolognetti, University of Rome La Sapienza.

1993-1995      Dean’s Fellowship by Stanford University (California, USA).

1998-2000      Postdoctoral Fellowship by the American-Italian Cancer Foundation.

Scientific Experience and Interests

The laboratory of Prof. Sette is involved in several aspects of the biology of germ cells, neurons and cancer cells.

The major interests are centered around the regulation of the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Our laboratory aims at studying the regulation of mRNA processing and gene expression by RNA-binding proteins whose activity is modulated by signal transduction pathways, cell differentiation programs or oncogenic transformation. As prototypic RNA binding protein, we have focused the attention on Sam68, which is required for male fertility and brain functions and is up-regulated in several cancers, including prostate, renal and testicular carcinomas. The laboratory is also focused in developing biological drugs to interfere with the function of proteins in pathological situations.

Grants obtained in the last 5 years:

2002-2008: “Identification and characterization of small molecole inhibitors of the MyD88inflammatory  pathway”; EURO 60000/year, funded by SIGMA-TAU s.p.a Pharmaceutical Industry and TECNOGEN Biotechnology.

2004-2006:“Role of the interaction between Src kinase and the RNA-binding protein  Sam68 in human prostate carcinoma”; EURO 120000, funded by AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research).

2004-2005: “Modulation of gene expression at the translational level by androgens in prostate cancer cells”. EURO 53000; funded by the Italian Ministry of Education (PRIN 2004).

2004-2006: “Translational control of the molecular mechanisms of the onset of embryogenesis”.  EURO 131500, funded by Telethon

2005-2008:“Centrosome overduplication in human testicular seminomas”.  $223000, funded by the Lance Armstrong Foundation (U.S.A.).

2006-2007: “Post-transcriptional regulation by steroids and growth factors in prostate cancer cells”. EURO 40000; funded by the Italian Ministry of Education (PRIN 2006).

2007: “Role of Toll-like receptors and MyD88 in multiple sclerosis”. EURO 25000, funded by Italian Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis (FISM).

2007-2009: “Role of the RNA-binding protein  Sam68 in human prostate carcinoma”.EURO 140000; funded by  funded by AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research).

2008-2010: “Role of the RNA-binding protein  Sam68 in human prostate carcinoma”.UK £ 97000;  funded by AICR (Association for International Cancer Research).

2009-2012: “Regulation of the alternative splicing of SMN2 by Sam68 and its implication in Spinal Muscular Atrophy”. EURO 198000; funded by Telethon.

2010-2013: “Role of the multifunctional RNA binding protein Sam68 in human prostate cancer”. EURO 225000; funded by AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research).

2010-2013: “Role of Sam68 in the regulation of SMN2 alternative splicing in SMA cells”. U.S $ 219000; funded by the Muscular Dystrophy Association (U.S.A.)

2011-2014: “Role of the RNA-binding protein  Sam68 in human prostate carcinoma”.UK £ 135000;  funded by AICR (Association