To support scientific research on rare genetic diseases in a direct way, in December 2021 we launched the first 3-year Multiround Call for research projects. Divided into 4 evaluation rounds, the call aims to incentivize Italian researchers to direct their research not only toward scientific excellence, but also toward the development of therapies.
The call is divided into two tracks according to the stage of project development: basic research and preclinical research (PoC). Researchers are thus incentivized to focus on a well-defined stage of research, resulting in a fairer evaluation based on comparing projects at the same stage of development.
Projects are evaluated by an international scientific committee whose members serve for a maximum of 4 years. Currently, the committee evaluating the Multi-round call consists of the following scientists:
- [Chairperson] Beverly Davidson, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (University of Pennsylvania)
- [Vice Chairperson] Thomas A Rando, M.D, Ph.D., Professor of Neurology, Stanford (Stanford)
- Jacques Beckmann, Ph.D, Honorary Professor, Faculty of Biology and Medicine (Genetic Medicine Université de Lausanne)
- Paola Bovolenta, Ph.D., Research Professor and Head of the Development and Differentiation Department at the Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, (Madrid, Spain)
- Robert M. Brosh, Ph.D., Senior Investigator, Translational Gerontology Branch (NIH Translational Gerontology Branch NIH)
- Fabio Candotti, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Head Physicien (CHUV, Université de Lausanne)
- Filippo Del Bene, Ph.D, Developmental Biology and Neuroscience Unit, Institut Curie (France)
- Jeffrey Dilworth, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (University of Ottawa)
- Angela Giangrande, Full professor (DR1 CNRS) at the Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (Strasbourg, FRANCE, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire)
- Markus Glatzel, Prof. Dr, Head of Clinic, Institute of Neuropathology (UKE Hamburg)
- Simon Heales, MD, Professor of Clinical Chemistry, Genetics & Genomic Medicine Dept., UCL GOS Institute of Child Health (UCL University College London)
- Albert La Spada, M.D., Ph.D., Distinguished Professor in Pathology, Neurology, Biological Chemistry (School of Medicine, UC Irvine)
- Holger Lerche, Prof. Dr., Center of Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Department Neurology and Epileptology, (University of Tuebingen)
- Barry London, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Medicine (University of Iowa)
- Angeliki Louvi, Professor of Neurosurgery and of Neuroscience - Deputy Director of the MD-PhD Program (Yale School of Medicine)
- Punam Malik, M.D., Director, Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center (Cincinnati Children’s Cincinnati Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, Cincinnati Children’s)
- Diane Merry, Ph.D. Professor Vice Chair for Faculty Development & Engagement Co-Director, T32 Cellular, Biochemical, & Molecular Sciences Training Program (Thomas Jefferson University)
- Michael P. Murphy, Ph.D., Professor of Mitochondrial Redox Biology, MRC Investigator, Wellcome Trust Investigator (University of Cambridge)
- Bradley Olwin, Ph.D. Professor, Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology (University of Colorado Boulder)
- Massimo Pandolfo, MD, Professor of Neurology (McGill University)
- Ambra Pozzi, Ph.D., Associate Professor Departments of Medicine and Cancer Biology, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics (Vanderbilt University)
- Ahad Rahim, PhD, Professor of Translational Neuroscience Wellcome Chair & Head of Department of Pharmacology (UCL School of Pharmacy | University College London)
- Paul Robbins, Professor, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics (University of Minnesota)
- Gonzalo 'Sánchez-Duffhues, PhD, Group leader & "Ramon y Cajal" fellow Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC) Tissue-specific BMP signalling ISPA-HUCA (Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN))
- Hans 'van Bokhoven, PhD, Head and Full Professor of the Unit of Molecular Neurogenetics at Rabdoud University, Nijmegen (Rabdoud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands)
- Roberto Zoncu, Ph.D., Professor, Division of Molecular Therapeutics Department of Molecular and Cell Biology (University of California at Berkeley
