Our research is focused on the study of critical mammalian physiological phenomena from a molecular perspective in the context of the whole organism.

The Unit is composed of independent research groups whose work is bound together by the study of the mouse in vivo as the principle experimental organism and the application of state-of-the-art methods for genetic and epigenetic perturbation of cellular and physiological function. Recent advances in gene delivery and modification technology have dramatically increased the ease and rapidity with which genetic and epigenetic perturbations can be introduced into the mouse genome allowing increasingly sophisticated causal experimental approaches in this organism.

Currently research groups at EMBL Monterotondo are investigating the epigenetic control of early development, blood cell development and differentiation, neural circuits and behavior, neural computation, and somatosensation. A major and continuing effort is underway to increasingly centre research activities at the Unit around neurobiology and epigenetics.