DrMarco Trizzino

Marco Trizzino is an Associate Professor in the Department of Life Sciences.

For more information about the lab visit our Lab Website: https://marcotrizzino.wordpress.com/

Training
PhD: Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

Postdoctoral Training: Department of Genetics at the University of Pennsylvania, and Gene Expression and Regulation Program at The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA

RESEARCH INTERESTS:
We use an integrated approach, including both experimental and computational genomics to investigate a wide range of questions in developmental and evolutionary genomics.

In particular, we are keen on elucidating:

1) How a very recent genomic invasion by young transposable elements has contributed to the evolution of human-specific traits by establishing novel developmental gene regulatory networks;

2) Why mutations in genes encoding for chromatin associated proteins lead to developmental syndromes which manifest with impaired craniofacial and neural development;


We use induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) derived from multiple primate species, as well as from patients affected by neurodevelopmental syndromes and neurodegenerative disorders. We differentiate the iPSCs in multiple lineages, including cranial neural crest cells and cerebral organoids, and complement this approach with functional and computational genomics. 

LAB NEWS

February 2026: Both Martina and Zoe successfully passed their PhD VIVAs and graduated from their PhD!

November 2025: Martina's paper is published on Development, congrats Martina!

September 2025: Laura's paper is accepted on Molecular Systems Biology, congrats Laura!
August 2025: Zoe's paper is accepted and published on Embo Reports, congrats Zoe!
June 2025: Martina's paper is on Biorxiv! Congrats Martina!
April 2025: Laura's paper is on Biorxiv! Congrats Laura!
April 2025: Our MRC grant to study the role of CHD3 in neural crest specification and craniofacial development (in collaboration with Prof. Karen Liu at King's College) was funded!
February 2025: Zoe's paper is on Biorxiv! Congrats Zoe!
September 2024: Our 5-year NIH-R01 on the role of transposable elements in ALS (in collaboration with Davide Trotti and Piera Pasinelli at the ALS Center of Thomas Jefferson University) was funded!
September 2024: Sam's paper was published on the American Journal of Human Genetics!
June 2024: Sam's passed her PhD VIVA. Congratulations Dr. Barnada!
March 2024: Sam's preprint is out on Biorxiv. Congratulations Sam!
January 2024: Dr. Laura Deelen joins the lab as a postdoc after getting her PhD at QMUL. Welcome Laura!
December 2023: Chiara's paper is accepted and published on Nature Communications. Congratulations Chiara!
August 2023: Our grant on the role of human-specific transposons in human neurodevelopment was funded by the BBSRC.
January 2023: Zoe Mitchell and Martina Demurtas join the lab as PhD students. Welcome Zoe and Chiara!
September 2022: Our grant on the role of transposable elements in Alzheimer's Disease was funded by the Alzheimer's Association
September 2022: The lab relocates to Imperial College London!