438496A1-A015-4481-ADFC-5302A14D195A

Luca Lo Piccolo , Ph.D.

Contact Information

Luca Lo Piccolo, Ph.D.

Email  :
lopiccolo.l@cmu.ac.th
lucalopiccolo@gmail.com

Address  :  Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM), 9th floor – The 50th Anniversary Building, Faculty of medicine, Chiang Mai University

Research Interests

Genetics and epigenetics of human neurological diseases.

The molecular pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders, most notably motor neuron diseases and epileptic syndromes. Research is focused on the roles of chromatin remodelers and RNA and in neurological function and degeneration. I am also interested in discovering new genes that cause inherited neurological disorders.

Expertise

  • Functional genetics
  • Motor neuron diseases
  • Epigenetics of neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Long non-coding RNAs
  • Drosophila melanogaster

Biography

I have been actively involved in biomedical research since 2013, focusing on the role of RNA-binding proteins, long non-coding RNAs, and microsatellite expansion in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). In 2015-2017, I joined the laboratory of Professor Yamaguchi M. at the Kyoto Institute of Technology (KIT) as a long-term JSPS fellow. During this time, I generated and functionally characterized new Drosophila models of ALS and identified a new structural and regulatory role of the Drosophila ortholog long non-coding RNA SatIII in the homeostasis of ALS-causative proteins

In 2018, I obtained funding at the Department of Neurotherapeutics, Osaka University, under the guidance of Professor Nagai Y., to investigate more comprehensively the link between nuclear RNA granules, stress response, and ALS pathogenesis. In March 2020, I joined the Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM) at the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand, where I established and currently lead the functional genomics unit (FGU). Our team leverages in vivo non-mammalian models to explore the epigenetics of various human neurological diseases, such as neurodevelopmental disorders with intellectual disabilities and neurodegeneration, while also integrating our findings with human in vitro cell cultures to gain a more comprehensive understanding.

Education & Training

2008 – 2011  :  Doctor of philosophy  :  Cellular and Development Biology (University of Palermo, Italy)
Area of Study  :  Genetics and Molecular Cell

2004 – 2006  :  Master Degree  :  Industrial Biotechnology (University of Palermo, Italy)
Area of Study  :  Health Science, Genetic, Biochemistry, Microbiology.
Grade  :  110/110 cum laude 

2001 – 2004  :  Bachelor Degree  :  Biotechnology (University of Palermo, Italy)
Area of Study  :  Health Science, Genetic, Epidemiology, Microbiology.
Grade  :  110/110 cum laude  

Current projects

  • Development of a Drosophila platform to investigate the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms of repeated expansion associated with rare human neurological diseases
  • Roles of of YEATS domain-containing proteins in neurological diseases (cellular and animal models)
  • Combinatorial strategy of machine intelligence, in vitro and in vivo models for identification, screening, and validation of novel neurotherapeutics targeting ER-stress.
  • Role of long non-coding RNAs in rare human diseases (cellular and animal models)

Research & Publications

Research Interests  

Population genomics and functional genetics to identify and characterize novel genetic variants in human rare diseases. Particularly issues regarding motor neuron diseases and neurological disorders.

Publications 
  1. Jantrapirom, S.; Piccolo, L.L.; Pruksakorn, D.; Potikanond, S.; Nimlamool, W. Ubiquilin Networking in Cancers. Cancers 2020, 12, 1586.
  2. Lo Piccolo L, Mochizuki H, Nagai Y. The lncRNA hsromega regulates arginine dimethylation of FUS to cause its proteasomal degradation in Drosophila. J Cell Sci. 2019. 2019 Oct 23;132(20):jcs236836.
  3. Jantrapirom S, Lo Piccolo L, Yamaguchi M. Non-Proteasomal UbL-UbA Family of Proteins in Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(8).
  4. Muraoka Y, Nakamura A, Tanaka R, Suda K, Azuma Y, Kushimura Y, Lo Piccolo L, et al. Genetic screening of the genes interacting with Drosophila FIG4 identified a novel link between CMT-causing gene and long noncoding RNAs. Exp Neurol. 2018;310:1-13.
  5. Lo Piccolo L, Bonaccorso R, Attardi A, Li Greci L, Romano G, Sollazzo M, et al. Loss of ISWI Function in Drosophila Nuclear Bodies Drives Cytoplasmic Redistribution of Drosophila TDP-43. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(4).
  6. Lo Piccolo L. Drosophila as a Model to Gain Insight into the Role of lncRNAs in Neurological Disorders. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2018;1076:119-46.
  7. Jantrapirom S, Lo Piccolo L, Yoshida H, Yamaguchi M. Depletion of Ubiquilin induces an augmentation in soluble ubiquitinated Drosophila TDP-43 to drive neurotoxicity in the fly. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2018;1864(9 Pt B):3038-49.
  8. Jantrapirom S, Lo Piccolo L*, Yoshida H, Yamaguchi M. A new Drosophila model of Ubiquilin knockdown shows the effect of impaired proteostasis on locomotive and learning abilities. Exp Cell Res. 2018;362(2):461-71. *Co-First author
  9. Lo Piccolo L, Yamaguchi M. RNAi of arcRNA hsromega affects sub-cellular localization of Drosophila FUS to drive neurodiseases. Exp Neurol. 2017;292:125-34.
  10. Lo Piccolo L, Jantrapirom S, Nagai Y, Yamaguchi M. FUS toxicity is rescued by the modulation of lncRNA hsromega expression in Drosophila melanogaster. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):15660.
  11. Lo Piccolo L, Attardi A, Bonaccorso R, Li Greci L, Giurato G, Ingrassia AMR, et al. ISWI ATP-dependent remodeling of nucleoplasmic omega-speckles in the brain of Drosophila melanogaster. J Genet Genomics. 2017;44(2):85-94.
  12. Lo Piccolo L, Bonaccorso R, Onorati MC. Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Soluble Proteins Extraction from a Small Quantity of Drosophila’s Whole Larvae and Tissues. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(6):12360-7.
  13. Lo Piccolo L, Corona D, Onorati MC. Emerging roles for hnRNPs in post-transcriptional regulation: what can we learn from flies? Chromosoma. 2014;123(6):515-27.
  14. Gallo G, Lo Piccolo L*, Renzone G, La Rosa R, Scaloni A, Quatrini P, et al. Differential proteomic analysis of an engineered Streptomyces coelicolor strain reveals metabolic pathways supporting growth on n-hexadecane. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2012;94(5):1289-301. *Co-First author
  15. De Pasquale C, Palazzolo E, Lo Piccolo L, Quatrini P. Degradation of long-chain n-alkanes in soil microcosms by two actinobacteria. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng. 2012;47(3):374-81.
  16. Lo Piccolo L, De Pasquale C, Fodale R, Puglia AM, Quatrini P. Involvement of an alkane hydroxylase system of Gordonia sp. strain SoCg in degradation of solid n-alkanes. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011;77(4):1204-13.
  17. Seidita G, Salamone, Lo Piccolo L, Cuttitta A, Bertuzzi F, et al., Development of chimera recombinant collagenases G and H for the isolation of islets of Langerhans: 407.  Xenotransplantation. 2011; 18 (5), 291-292.
  18. Lo Piccolo L, De Pasquale C, Fodale R, Puglia AM, Quatrini P, An alkane hydroxylase system of Gordonia sp. strain SoCg is involved in degradation of solid n-alkanes. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2011; 77(4): 1204-1213.
  19. Fodale R, De Pasquale C, Lo Piccolo L, Palazzolo E, Alonzo G, Quatrini P, Isolation of organophosphorus-degrading bacteria from agricultural mediterranean soils. Fresenius Environ Bull 2010;19, 2396-2403
  20. Alduina R, Lo Piccolo L, D’Alia D, Ferraro C, Gunnarsson N, Donadio S, et al. Phosphate-controlled regulator for the biosynthesis of the dalbavancin precursor A40926. J Bacteriol. 2007;189(22):8120-9.

Contact Us

Address  :  9th floor – The 50th Anniversary Building, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, 110 Intawaroros Road, Si Phum, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200

Email  :  lopiccolo.l@cmu.ac.th , lucalopiccolo@gmail.com

Organizations  :  Center of Multidisciplinary Technology for Advanced Medicine (CMUTEAM)