User:Suzanne Kerbavcic

Mauro Giacca (November 23, 1959 - ) is an Italian molecular biologist who has been Director-General of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, an intergovernmental organisation in the UN common system for advanced research and training with laboratories in Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa, since July 2014. He has served on the Boards of various scientific organizations in Italy and abroad. He served as Expert Member in the National Committee for Biotechnology, Biosafety and Life Sciences (CNBBSV), an advisory body to the President of the Council of Ministers of the Government of Italy.

His primary research interests are in biotechnology, especially the development of novel biotherapeutics for cardiovascular disorders, with particular reference to the identification of growth factors and microRNAs inducing cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction. Expert in the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for cardiovascular applications he also maintains a strong interest in the molecular biology of HIV-1 infection.

Mauro Giacca received his Degree in Medicine from the University of Trieste, Italy in 1984 and his PhD in Microbiology and Virology from the University of Genoa, Italy in 1989.

From 2004 to 2014, Director of the Italian Component of the ICGEB. Since 2005, Full Professor of Molecular Biology at the Department of Medicine of the University of Trieste. From 2000 to 2005, Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Founding Director of the Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy.

His research activity is funded through grants from international public and private bodies, including the European Research Council (ERC). He has published over 320 papers in peer-reviewed, international journals, in addition to reviews, book chapters and university textbooks.

A registered journalist, he publishes a weekly column in "Il Piccolo di Trieste" entitled "Under the Microscope"