About F.C. (Fabio) Catalano, PhD
Introduction
I am a postdoctoral researcher in the Molecular and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory of Pim Pijnappel. I have a keen interest in protein engineering, cell and gene therapy, gene editing, epigenetics, neurobiology, and metabolism. I integrate these interests in my research, focusing on the development of next-generation gene and cell therapies for inherited disorders and on the epigenetic regulation of gene transfer in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs).
In my previous research, I focused on developing enhanced lentiviral gene therapies for Hunter and Pompe diseases and on the mechanisms of immune-tolerance induction during ex vivo lentiviral gene therapy.
Field(s) of expertise
My primary focus is lentiviral gene therapy for inherited conditions. My current research integrates gene-delivery methods (viral and non-viral), protein engineering, gene editing, and epigenetics to achieve three goals:
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develop new gene-therapy strategies;
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enhance the safety of gene and cell therapies for inherited conditions;
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investigate the epigenetic regulation of gene transfer.
Education and career
I studied molecular biology at University of Padua, graduating cum laude in 2017. During my studies, I investigated the function of STAT3 and the role of EMILIN-3 in bone development.
I moved to Rotterdam to start a PhD in lentiviral gene therapy at the department of Clinical Genetics and Paediatrics, Erasmus MC. During this time, I helped develop lentiviral gene therapies for Hunter and Pompe diseases. My work resulted in five first-author publications in respected peer-reviewed journals (EMBO Molecular Medicine, Molecular Therapy – Methods & Clinical Development, Human Gene Therapy). These publications contributed to understanding mechanisms to enhance the efficacy and safety of lentiviral gene therapy.
After my PhD (graduation day: February 28th 2024), I obtained funding for three distinct projects to further deepen my expertise in gene therapy, this time with the goal to expand the reach and increase the safety of this therapeutic approach. This allowed me to become a post-doctoral researcher in the same department.
Publications
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Domain-substituted IGF2 tag modulates targeting of lentiviral gene therapy for Hunter syndrome (2025). Fabio Catalano, Dejan Stevic, Giacomo Zundo, Tessa F. Huizer, Zina Dammou, Eva C. Vlaar, Drosos Katsavelis, Jeroen C. van den Bosch, Hannerieke J.M.P. van den Hout, Esmeralda Oussoren, Ans T. van der Ploeg, George J.G. Ruijter, Gerben Schaaf, W.W.M. Pim Pijnappel.EMBO MolMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41023195/
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Lentiviral gene therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis II with tagged iduronate 2-sulfatase prevents life-threatening pathology in peripheral tissues but fails to correct cartilage (2024). Fabio Catalano, Eva C Vlaar, Zina Dammou, Drosos Katsavelis, Tessa F Huizer, Giacomo Zundo, Marianne Hoogeveen-Westerveld, Esmeralda Oussoren, Hannerieke JMP van den Hout, Gerben Schaaf, Karin Pike-Overzet, Frank JT Staal, Ans T van der Ploeg, WWM Pim Pijnappel. Human Gene Therapy; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38085235/
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Tagged IDS causes efficient and engraftment-independent prevention of brain pathology during lentiviral gene therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (2023). Fabio Catalano, Eva C Vlaar, Drosos Katsavelis, Zina Dammou, Tessa F Huizer, Jeroen C van den Bosch, Marianne Hoogeveen-Westerveld, Hannerieke JMP van den Hout, Esmeralda Oussoren, George JG Ruijter, Gerben Schaaf, Karin Pike-Overzet, Frank JT Staal, Ans T van der Ploeg, WWM Pim Pijnappel. Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38033460/
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IGF2-tagging of GAA promotes full correction of murine Pompe disease at a clinically relevant dosage of lentiviral gene therapy (2022). Qiushi Liang*, Fabio Catalano*, Eva C Vlaar*, Joon M Pijnenburg, Merel Stok, Yvette van Helsdingen, Arnold G Vulto, Ans T van der Ploeg, Niek P van Til, WWM Pim Pijnappel. Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development(*equal contribution). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36284764/
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Lentiviral gene therapy prevents anti-human acid α-glucosidase antibody formation in murine Pompe disease (2022). Qiushi Liang*, Eva C Vlaar*, Fabio Catalano*, Joon M Pijnenburg, Merel Stok, Yvette van Helsdingen, Arnold G Vulto, Wendy WJ Unger, Ans T van der Ploeg, WWM Pim Pijnappel, Niek P van Til. Molecular Therapy Methods & Clinical Development (*equal contribution).https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35662813/
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A generic assay for the identification of splicing variants that induce nonsense-mediated decay in Pompe disease Authors (2021). Atze J Bergsma, Stijn LM in’t Groen, Fabio Catalano, Manjiro Yamanaka, Satoru Takahashi, Toshika Okumiya, Ans T van der Ploeg, WWM Pim Pijnappel. European Journal of Human Genetics;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33168984/
Teaching activities
I have supervised and mentored several bachelor’s and master’s students. Additionally, I co-supervise four PhD students in gene therapy.
I lectured in the MSc in Molecular Medicine at Erasmus MC, delivering lectures on transcriptional regulation.
Other positions
Scholarships, grants, and awards
Grants:
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2024 Focus on Therapy (Metakids; 320 K euro)
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2024 catalyst (UMD, 15 K euro);
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2024 ESN stimulation grant (ESN, 20 K euro)
Awards:
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2025: travel-grant, Gordon Research Conference (GRC), Los Angeles
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2024: best abstract and presentation, ESN symposium
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2022: best presentation runner-up ESGLD Lancaster
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2022: travel grant ESGLD Lancaster
