Member Spotlight: Mattia Francesco Maria Gerli, PhD

Mattia Francesco Maria Gerli, PhD
University College London, UK

Hometown
Milan, Italy

Current Residence
London, United Kingdom

Graduate Degree
MSc, PhD

Postdoc Work
1st postdoc at Harvard University / Massachussetts General Hospital (Harald Ott lab), 2nd postdoc as Marie-Skłodowska Curie Fellow at University College London - Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health(Paolo De Coppi lab)

Current Position
Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Stem Cell Science and Biomaterials at University College London - Department of Surgical Biotechnology

• What is the current focus of your research?

  The current focus of my team's research is advancing the knowledge on the amniotic fluid cells biology. To this aim, we are combining bioinformatics and cell biology techniques, to investigate the cellular composition of the amniotic fluid across human gestation. In this contest we have just released the first iteration of our single cell atlas of the amniotic fluid content. As we proceed with this exciting work, we are investigating novel translational applications of these cells. As an example, we recently discovered that these fluids, isolated from continuing pregnancies, contain epithelial progenitors of multiple fetal tissues. When placed in three-dimensional culture, these committed cells form fetal organoids with pulmonary, renal and intestinal identity.

• How would you explain the significance of this work to a lay audience?

  My research aims at expanding what we know on the amniotic fluid, the liquid that surround and protect babies during pregnancy. Our aim is to learn more about the cells present in this fluid and use this data to establish advanced organoids models, or "mini-organs", to study the baby's tissues as they develop. Hopefully this will allow to discover more on human tissue development, and how this is affected by congenital conditions. Ultimately, we aim at using these new models to better understand these diseases and in the future, to test novel potential treatments.

• What do you find most rewarding about your work?

  In the last few years, we have seen great advancement in prenatal care, with fetal surgery entering the clinic for a number of congenital conditions such as myelomeningocele and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Despite this, fetal medicine is still an underdeveloped field. These technological advancements are unlocking a new way to care for pregnant women and their developing babies. Our recent work on the amniotic fluid organoids is a significant advancement. For the first time, we are able to model the epithelial compartment of some fetal organs from continuing pregnancies, without the need for fetal tissue biopsies.

• What is the most exciting aspect of your work?

  The most exciting aspect in our line of work is discovering something new, that nobody has observed before. The most rewarding thing is seeing this excitement for the first time, in the eyes of the most junior members of the team, motivating them in pursuing a career in stem cell research.

• What led you to become a scientist and to stem cell research?

  Growing up, I took every occasion to observe plants and animals in the wild. During my Biology studies at University of Milan, I attended a module on Stem Cell Translation led by Professor Cossu, and this was a turning point for me. Fascinated by the concept of fate plasticity and how stem cells respond to signals to adapt and repair the body, became my major drive to pursue a career in this field.

• What guidance would you share in talking with trainees interested in pursuing your area of research?

  Learn early to filter ideas, nurture the good ones and accept criticism and rejection in a constructive manner. Master your writing and when you submit, ignore grant success rate and article acceptance statistics. Good project and solid data will make it far!

• Do you have any mentors or individuals who have inspired you in your stem cell work?

  My mentors Giulio Cossu and Paolo De Coppi inspired and supported my journey in the world stem cell research. Moreover, along my career, I had the luck of working and collaborating with leading figures in stem cells and tissue engineering. Thanks to this I got exposed to different research environments, teaching me a great deal on the multiple ways research can be pursued. As junior PI, this is invaluable.

• How do you spend your free time?

  London is a thriving metropolis where soaking in diversity, great art and music is always very accessible. Moreover, thanks to our job I get to travel quite a bit, which is something I enjoy very much.

• What is something your peers would be surprised to learn about you?

  Like many, during my study I took up random jobs to support myself. While some of these were really normal, some others, like ostrich farming and mass-producing mayonnaise, are definitively worth a mention!

• What do you most value about your membership with the ISSCR?

  My ISSCR membership gives me a sense of belonging. The society is my port of call for all my collaboration and networking needs. Webinars and online resources provide help to stay on top of recent advancements in the field. Finally, the ISSCR annual meetings are an important stage where to showcase our latest research, connect with peers and learn about new technologies.

• What does LGBTQ+ representation in science and your field mean to you?

  While society is making great leaps forward, LGBTQ+ representation is still very limited in our field. As a member of this community, I believe that visibility remains an issue that still needs to be addressed. Successful peers are inspiring for the younger generations of LGBTQ+ stem cell scientist, fostering their sense of belonging and promote their professional growth. I truly believe that ISSCR is making the right steps in valuing diversity and inclusion. I look forward at attending the EDI panel discussion at the ISSCR annual meeting, to learn how our society is contributing to making this change.