Head Prof. Michele Caraglia

Functional genomics (GF) is a subspecialty of molecular biology that makes possible the investigation of gene and protein function not only at the genetic level but also at the genome-wide scale. Technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) and gene editing (e.g., CRISPR) that interfere with or alter gene function allow us to investigate the gene function in vertebrate cells through a single experiment. The GF unit provides tools and technologies for single-gene analysis, pathway analysis and genome-wide experiments. The GF unit uses cutting-edge technologies for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and for functional studies aimed at defining the role of one or more genes in a specific context.

Experimental activities

• Gene expression analysis through Affymetrix microarrays, RNA-seq (NGS technologies) and qRT-PCR
• DNA sequencing through Sanger Sequencing, pyrosequencing and NGS technologies to determine single nucleotide variants (SNVs), short insertions and deletions (indels), and copy number variations (CNVs)
• Functional studies based on over-expression, gene silencing, gene knock-out and/or gene editing through CRISPR/Cas9 system
• Reversible immortalization of primary cells through stable transduction of lentiviral vectors.

GF activities allow to evaluate the effects of a specific pharmacological treatment, to identify and validate new therapeutic targets and/or diagnostic biomarkers.

Biogem Computational Biology laboratory has a consolidated experience in the analysis of data emerging from GF.