Mattia Ficarelli

Pathway NPIF 0+3.5

Cohort 2017

0+3.5 iCASE Student

Bio:

I graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 2017 with a BSc (Hons) in Biochemistry, where my final year research project involved generating and characterizing synthetic bivalent chromatin in murine embryonic stem cells. During university I spent a year abroad at Washington University in St. Louis, and whilst there I worked at the Medical School developing a protocol to rapidly determine lentiviral titre using digital droplet PCR. In addition, I carried out a summer research project at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology investigating the regulation of centromeric CENP-A chromatin integrity via the NAP related histone chaperone Vps75. These experiences inspired me to pursue a PhD.

My PhD project is an analysis of how specific RNA motifs in HIV-1 and lentiviral vector genomes control infectious virus production (Dr. Chad Swanson & Dr. Charlotte Odendall),and is in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline. The MRC DTP programme fosters a collaborative atmosphere that brings together a large cohort of talented and like-minded students, and provides them with world-class scientific training. Since starting I have greatly expanded my scientific network and have gained an exposure to both academic and industrial research, all while working in the heart of London.

Achievements:

To carry out my research at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology I was competitively awarded the Genetics Society Summer Studentship, to carry out my research project on the regulation of centromeric CENP-A chromatin integrity.

iCASE Partner:

GSK