Tel :+390649912322
Fax :
massimiliano.sassi@cnr.it
Fax :
massimiliano.sassi@cnr.it
MASSIMILIANO SASSI
Researcher
Istitute of Molecular Biology and Pathology - National Research Council, Laboratory of Nucleic Acids
Department of Biology and Biotecnology - Charles Darwin
Sapienza University of Rome - Edificio Fisiologia Generale P. le A.Moro 5, 00185 Roma
Researcher
Istitute of Molecular Biology and Pathology - National Research Council, Laboratory of Nucleic Acids
Department of Biology and Biotecnology - Charles Darwin
Sapienza University of Rome - Edificio Fisiologia Generale P. le A.Moro 5, 00185 Roma
| In broad terms, my scientific interests focus on the molecular and cellular mechanisms orchestrating the generation of the complex architectures of plants. From a developmental standpoint, plant architecture largely depends on the activity of the meristems – plant stem cells reservoirs - that continuously produce new organs and tissues throughout the plants’ life cycle. In particular, my research aims to understand the mechanisms underlying the activity of plant shoot and root meristems and how this affects developmental processes such as growth and organogenesis. Also, I am interested in understanding how environmental cues (such as light, temperature, salinity, drought, etc.) affect meristematic activity and alter basic plant developmental patterning. Understanding the molecular, cellular and environmental basis of meristematic activity has a potential impact on translational agronomic applications to increase plant biomass and crop productivity and help agriculture face the current challenges of climate change and food security. |
| • Possenti M, Sessa G, Alfè A, Turchi L, Ruzza V, Sassi M*, Morelli G, Ruberti I (2024). HD-Zip II Transcription Factors Control Distal Stem Cell Fate in Arabidopsis Roots by Linking Auxin Signaling to the FEZ/SOMBRERO Pathway. Development, dev.202586. DOI:10.1242/dev.202586 *Corresponding Author • Armezzani A, Abad U, Ali O, Robin A, Vachez L, Larrieu A, Mellerowicz E, Taconnat L, Battu V, Stanislas T, Liu M, Vernoux T, Traas J, Sassi M (2018). Transcriptional induction of cell wall remodelling machinery is coupled with microtubule-driven growth isotropy at the shoot apex in Arabidopsis. Development, dev.162255. DOI: 10.1242/dev.162255 • Sassi M*, Traas J (2015). When biochemistry meets mechanics: a systems view of growth control in plants. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 28: 137-143 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbi.2015.10.005 *Corresponding Author • Landrein B, Kiss A, Sassi M, Chauvet A, Das P, Cortizo M, Laufs P, Takeda S, Aida M, Traas J, Vernoux T, Boudaoud A, Hamant O (2015). Mechanical stress contributes to the expression of the STM homeobox gene in Arabidopsis shoot meristems. eLife 4: e07811. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.07811.001 • Ambrosone A, Batelli G, Nurcato R, Aurilia V, Punzo P, Bangarusamy DK, Ruberti I, Sassi M, Leone A, Costa A, Grillo S (2015). The Arabidopsis AtRGGA RNA binding protein regulates tolerance to salt and drought stress. Plant Physiology 168: 292-306. DOI: 10.1104/pp.114.255802 • Sassi M*, Ali O, Boudon F, Cloarec G, Abad U, Cellier C, Chen X, Gilles B, Friml J, Vernoux T, Godin T, Hamant O, Traas J (2014). An auxin-mediated shift towards growth isotropy promotes organ formation at the shoot meristem in Arabidopsis. Current Biology 24: 2335-2342. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2014.08.036 *Corresponding Author • Turchi L, Carabelli M, Ruzza V, Possenti M, Sassi M, Peñalosa A, Sessa G, Salvi S, Forte V, Morelli G, Ruberti I (2013). Arabidopsis HD-Zip II transcription factors control apical embryo development and meristem function. Development 140: 2118-2129. DOI: 10.1242/dev.092833 • Sassi M, Vernoux T (2013). Auxin and self-organization at the shoot apical meristem. Journal of Experimental Botany 64: 2579-2592. DOI: 10.1093/jxb/ert101 • Sassi M, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Wang J, Dhonukshe P, Blilou I, Dai M, Li J, Gong X, Jaillais Y, Yu X, Traas J, Ruberti I, Wang H, Scheres B, Vernoux T, Xu J (2012). COP1 mediates the coordination of root and shoot growth by light through modulation of PIN1-and PIN2-dependent auxin transport in Arabidopsis. Development 139: 3402-3412. DOI: 10.1242/dev.078212 • Carabelli M, Possenti M, Sessa G, Ciolfi A, Sassi M, Morelli G, Ruberti I (2007). Canopy shade causes a rapid and transient arrest in leaf development through auxin-induced cytokinin oxidase activity. Genes & Development 21: 1863-1868. DOI: 10.1101/gad.432607 • Sessa G, Carabelli M, Sassi M, Ciolfi A, Possenti M, Mittempergher F, Becker J, Morelli G, Ruberti I (2005). A dynamic balance between gene activation and repression regulates the shade avoidance response in Arabidopsis. Genes & Development 19: 2811-2815. DOI: 10.1101/gad.364005 |
| Giovanna Sessa, IBPM-CNR Monica Carabelli, IBPM-CNR Marco Possenti, CREA-GB, Roma Maurizio Trovato, Sapienza Università di Roma |
| Current position Permanent Researcher, III professional level, National Research Council Previous Research Experiences 2011 – 2016: Senior post-Doctoral researcher, Laboratory of Plant Reproduction and Development, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France. 2006 – 2010: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology – National Research Council, Rome, Italy. 2005 – 2006: Visiting scientist at the Laboratory of Plant Reproduction and Development, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France. 2003 – 2006: PhD student, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology – National Research Council, Rome, Italy. 2001 – 2003: MSc student, Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology – National Research Council, Rome, Italy. Education 2007: PhD in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy 2003: MSc in Biological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Training Plant Development – Molecular and Cellular Basis, EMBO practical Course, Gulbenkian Institute of Science, Oeiras PT (2004) Honors PhD fellowship from the Italian French University (2003-2007) Editorial and reviewing activities Peer Reviewer for The Plant Cell, Journal of Experimental Botany Special Guest Editor for IJMS Grant reviewer for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada |