Francesco Nicassio

His scientific activity focuses on the study of gene expression regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs and RNA regulatory mechanisms in cancer, with particular emphasis on microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and RNA modifications. His laboratory operates as a hybrid experimental–computational environment, combining genomics, single-cell multi-omics, long-read sequencing technologies, and CRISPR-based functional genomics to dissect regulatory networks underlying cancer plasticity, drug resistance, and disease progression.

After graduating in Biology at the University of Bari, he completed his PhD in Life Sciences at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO, Milan). He subsequently carried out postdoctoral and research activities at IFOM and IEO before joining IIT in 2012, where he established his independent research group. Since 2017, he has been coordinating the Center for Genomic Science, overseeing scientific strategy, infrastructure development, and personnel management, and in 2022 he was tenured as Senior Researcher.

Nicassio has made key contributions to RNA biology, including pioneering work on circulating microRNAs for cancer diagnostics and the identification of Target-Dependent miRNA Degradation (TDMD) as a physiologically relevant mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation. More recently, his group has contributed to the development and application of nanopore direct RNA sequencing and single-cell technologies to study RNA modifications, transcript isoforms, and regulatory heterogeneity in cancer and other disease contexts.

Beyond his research activity, he plays an active institutional and community-building role at national and European level. He serves as the Italian lead for the ELIXIR Focus Group on RNA epitranscriptomics and long-read sequencing, is a nominated member of the 1+Million Genomes Initiative (Working Group on Good Sequencing Practice), and is involved in major European initiatives on genomic data infrastructures and advanced RNA technologies.  He is actively involved in European training and research consortia, including Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks, and participates in international collaborative frameworks on long-read transcriptomics and RNA biology, including COST actions. He is also co-founder and scientific co-coordinator of the Milan RNA Salon, a joint IIT–Human Technopole initiative aimed at fostering interaction within the RNA research community.

Outside the laboratory, he maintains a strong interest in activities that reflect his approach to scientific research: curiosity, endurance, and exploration beyond established boundaries. He is passionate about travel and cultural experiences, including music, cinema, photography, and visual arts. Sport plays a central role in his life, with a long-standing engagement in endurance disciplines such as long-distance running, marathons, and triathlon, as well as dynamic practices including parkour and yoga, which he considers complementary tools to maintain balance, focus, and long-term sustainability in both scientific and personal life. 

Alongside his research activity, he is actively involved in public engagement and cancer awareness initiatives, contributing to outreach campaigns promoted by national organizations,such as Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC), and regularly participating in media and public events to communicate the value of scientific research, prevention, and innovation in oncology to a broader audience.