Spatial Biology
The Giacomello laboratory focuses on the study of tissue plasticity from a spatial perspective across systems. This is achieved by developing and applying single-cell and spatial transcriptomics techniques in mammalian and plant organisms.
Our research group focuses on the fundamental question of how cell localization influences biological processes across different kingdoms and aims to provide clear contributions to the sustainable development goals of the United Nations. Our knowledge is multidisciplinary and unified by the study of spatial gene expression dynamics through the development and application of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics approaches, which are core technologies of our lab.
Research
Current projects on animals
The plasticity of the mouse heart and brain under microgravity. The final aim is to understand the overall impact of spaceflight at the system level, thus allowing for improvements in spaceflight conditions for astronauts and to study how extreme stressors affect the human body. The work is conducted in collaboration with NASA (GeneLab).
The molecular processes of the parasitic worm that causes lymphatic filariasis (also known as elephantiasis), which is considered a neglected tropical disease but affects ~120 million people worldwide. The study is in collaboration with the NIH.
Current projects on plants
The reproductive molecular dynamics of Norway spruce to promote faster reforestation processes. We are working in collaboration with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) to understand key differences between the wildtype (25-30 years to reproduction) and the naturally occurring mutant acrocona (3-5 years to reproduction).
The plant leaf response to microbial infection. In this project, we are analyzing infection patterns on lab-infected and wild Arabidopsis leaves. The work is performed in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute in Tübingen.
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