CNR Researcher Institute of Genetics and Biophysics - ABT, Napoli
ITALY
Senior Researcher, National Research Council, Italy, Naples (Italy).
Dr. D’Esposito activity has been focused on the transcriptional regulation of eukaryotic genes since his thesis period spent in prof. Boncinelli laboratory, working on ribosomal genes and human homeobox genes (1982-1992). Important milestones reached has been the characterization of the organization of the four HOX clusters and the understanding of their 3′-5′ rostro-caudal expression.
After the experience in USA, under the supervision of prof. D. Schlessinger (1992-1993; then 1995-1996), working on the analysis of the human X chromosome, he started his career as independent researcher (1998- to date). Important milestones reached has been the characterization of the mechanisms of maintenance of X inactivation in man, analyzing as model the second human pseudoautosomal region and the definition of its regulation by epigenetic mechanisms.
Its scientific interests then moved on the characterization in man and animals, especially inhuman diseases affecting methylation (Rett Syndrome, ICF syndrome and hyperhomocysteinemia) and the analysis of their molecular alterations.
Noticeable contributions are the elucidation of the complex relationships between DNA methylation and histone code and chromosome territory. He participated to the earlier phases of the RTT gene cloning, by physically mapping MECP2 gene in YAC contigs of human Xq28.
He published 82 peer reviewed article on international journals, Hirsch index 30.
From 2009 to 2013 dr. D’Esposito coordinated the UE Initial Training Network “DISCHROM”, to study four human chromatin diseases. He was part of the Italian Delegation to participate to the international effort IHEC (International Human Epigenome Consortium) and he’s coordinator of the EPIGEN Flag Project on chromatin diseases. From 2014 Dr. D’Esposito is the Deputy Director of the URT of IGB-ABT-CNR and IRCCS Neuromed, located in Pozzilli, Italy.
Stages in foreign laboratories:
From: 1992 to 1993 and from 1995 to1996:
Research Associate at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo., U.S.A, (David Schlessinger laboratory)
Honors and Professional Duties:
From 1994 to date: Group Leader at IGB-ABT, CNR (Senior Researcher).
1998: NIH Fogarty Fellowship
2003-present: Member of IGB-ABT-CNR Scientific Committee
2008- 2013: Professor of Molecular Biotechnology, University “Federico II, Naples, Italy
2009-2013: Coordinator, UE Initial Training Network “DISCHROM”
2009 to date : Member of the European Advisory Board on Rett Syndrome
2009-2011: Evaluator of projects submitted under Priority Axis 1 and OP RDI
2014: Evaluator of projects submitted under Priority Axis 1 and OP RDI
2011-2013: Member of UE Evaluation Committee (PEOPLE Program)
2013: Habilitation to Full Professorship in Molecular Biology
2014: Managing Director, IGB-CNR Research Center (URT) at IRCCS Neuromed
(Pozzilli, Italy).
PUBLICATIONS(partial):
HIRSCH Index: 30 (Web of Science) ; Hirsch index: 33 (Google Scholar)
P.1) La Volpe, A., Simeone, A., D’Esposito, M., Scotto, L., Fidanza, V., de Falco, A. & Boncinelli, E. Molecular analysis of the heterogeneity region of the human ribosomal spacer. J. Mol. Biol. 183: 213-223 (1985
P.2) Acampora, D., Pannese, M., D’Esposito, M., Simeone, A. & Boncinelli, E. Human homoeobox-containing genes in development. Hum. Reprod. 2: 407-414 (1987).
P.3) Simeone, A., Mavilio, F., Acampora, D., Giampaolo, A., Faiella, A., Zappavigna, V., D’Esposito, M., Pannese, M., Russo, G., Boncinelli, E. & Peschle, C. Two human homeobox genes. c1 and c8: structure analysis and expression in embryonic development. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84: 4914-4918 (1987).
P.4) Sebastio, G., D’Esposito, M., Montanucci, M., Simeone, A., Auricchio, S. & Boncinelli, E. Modulated expression of human homeobox genes in differentiating intestinal cells. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 146: 751-756 (1987).
P.5) Simeone, A., Pannese, M., Acampora, D., D’Esposito, M. & Boncinelli, E. At least three human homeoboxes on chromosome 12 belong to the same transcription unit. Nucl. Acids Res. 16: 5379-5390 (1988).
P.6) Boncinelli, E., Somma, R., Acampora, D., Pannese, M., D’Esposito, M., Faiella, A. & Simeone, A. Organization of human homeobox genes. Hum. Reprod. 3: 880-886 (1988).
P.7) Simeone, A., Acampora, D., D’Esposito, M., Faiella, A., Pannese, M., Scotto, L., Montanucci, M., D’Alessandro, G., Mavilio, F. & Boncinelli, E. Post-transcriptional control of human homeobox gene expression in induced NTERA-2 embryonal carcinoma cells. Molec. Rep. Dev. 1: 107-115 (1989).