On this occasion, we have the great pleasure of speaking with Antonio, an excellent RBP-ReguNet researcher who is currently completing his PhD at the EMBL in Heidelberg under the supervision of Prof. Matthias Hentze.
Question: Antonio, where are you from? Since these are mobility grants, are you missing your place? Family, friends, city…
Answer: I was born in Naples but I moved to Rome was I was a baby, so I usually say that I am from Rome. Honestly, I don’t miss Rome at all, but of course sometime I do miss my family and friends. I feel the need to come back to them once every 4-5 months.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about your academic and professional background?
A: Sure! I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at La Sapienza University of Rome in 2021, and two years later, in 2023, I completed my Master’s degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology at the same university.
As for my research experience, I spent six months in the Department of Molecular Medicine under the supervision of Professor Giovanni Bernardini, where I worked on my Bachelor’s thesis. During that time, I investigated how the tumor microenvironment can influence the autophagy pathway in immune cells of the host.
Later, I joined the laboratory of the Department of Biology and Biotechnology “Charles Darwin” (BBCD) for 18 months, working under the guidance of Professor Alessandro Fatica for my Master’s thesis. My project focused on exploring the factors that modulate the effects of m6A RNA methylation.
Now, I am a PhD student at EMBL Heidelberg in Matthias Hentze lab and I am working on developing a new method to survey the metabolism in search of evidence of riboregulation.
Q: What motivated you to join this MSCA-DN project?
A: Well, after my master’s thesis on m6A, I knew I wanted to continue working on RNA-binding proteins and was actively looking for PhD positions abroad in this field. When I found the RBP-ReguNet call, it immediately caught my attention, it just felt like the perfect match. I mean, 11 different projects across top European institutes, all centered on RNA-binding proteins? It sounded like a dream opportunity for both scientific growth and international experience.
And when I read the description of the project I’m currently working on, I was really excited by the idea of investigating a phenomenon that hasn’t been deeply explored yet, like the riboregulation of metabolic enzymes. It’s exactly the kind of interdisciplinary challenge I was looking for!
Q: What specific research or training are you focusing on within this project?
A: I’m developing a new method to explore metabolism in search of evidence of riboregulation. Specifically, I’m adapting 13C metabolic flux analysis to a cell-free system, which allows us to study the potential regulatory interactions between RNA and metabolic enzymes by RNase treatments. A big part of my work involves LC-MS, which I use to track metabolite labeling and fluxes.
The goal is to identify metabolic enzymes that could be riboregulated by RNA. Once we have candidates, the next step will be to investigate their RNA partners using techniques to identify RNA targets, like CLIP-based methods. Then, I plan to validate these interactions through orthogonal assays, to confirm whether riboregulation is really taking place.
Q: How do you think this project will contribute to your career development?
A: This project is definitely challenging—since I’m developing a completely new method, it requires a lot of optimization and patience. But that’s exactly what is helping me grow. I’ve learned to better prioritize experiments, plan strategically, and anticipate potential roadblocks, so I can avoid getting stuck in “black box” situations along the way. These are crucial skills for any scientist, especially when leading independent projects.
On top of that, doing a PhD at such an incredible institute like EMBL, and under the supervision of a highly experienced PI like Matthias Hentze, is having a huge impact on me. I’m learning not just technically, but also how to think critically, communicate science, and approach problems from multiple perspectives. I’m sure all of this will be extremely valuable for my future career in research.
Q: What have been some of the most rewarding experiences in your research so far?
A: As I mentioned before, developing a new method from scratch is always very challenging, it requires a lot of time, troubleshooting, and patience. So, I’d say that one of the most rewarding experiences in my research so far was when I finally saw the method working properly, after more than a year and a half of optimization. That moment really made all the effort feel worth it.
Q: Can you describe any challenges you have faced during your time in the project and how you overcame them?
A: During the optimization of the protocols for the new method I’m developing. There were many technical difficulties, and I quickly realized that even the smallest detail could make a huge difference. I had to be extremely careful and pay close attention to every single component—whether it was a buffer, a compound, or a reaction condition.
To overcome these issues, I really had to dive deep into the technique, especially LC-MS. I studied all the parameters that could influence the performance. This process taught me not only to be technically precise, but also to think critically and troubleshoot systematically. It was definitely challenging, but also incredibly valuable for my development as a researcher.
Q: What skills or knowledge do you hope to gain by the end of this fellowship?
A: By the end of this fellowship, I hope to be able to say that I’ve become an expert in metabolomics, especially in applying techniques like LC-MS and 13C metabolic flux analysis in innovative ways. At the same time, I aim to develop a deep understanding of RNA-binding proteins, their functions, interactions, and the experimental approaches used to study them.
I also want to strengthen my skills in techniques commonly used in RNA biology, as well as improve my data analysis and scientific communication abilities. Overall, I see this project as a chance to grow into a more complete and more independent researcher, ready to take on complex interdisciplinary questions.
Q: What advice would you give to future fellows or researchers entering this field?
A: My advice would be: don’t get too attached to what you’ve read in textbooks. Science, especially in a field as dynamic as RNA biology and metabolism, is constantly evolving. Be curious, keep an open mind, and don’t be afraid to challenge existing models or assumptions.
Also, it’s important to approach research in an unbiased and honest way. Let the data guide you—even if the results don’t match your expectations. Some of the most exciting discoveries come when things don’t go as planned.
Q: And what about your new place? What are you liking the most/the least?
A: EMBL is just amazing. I really think it is probably of the best place in the world to do your PhD. It full of incredible scientists and people. There is an incredibly social environment and so many opportunities.
Heidelberg is much smaller compared to Rome, so it was quite a change from what I was used to. I have to admit that, at least for now, I tend to prefer bigger cities, with more movement, diversity, and things going on. That said, what really matters is the people around you. And in that sense, I’ve been really lucky, I’ve met some amazing people here, and thanks to them, I’m having a great experience.
Q: What are your hobbies or interests outside of your research work?
A: In my free time, I love playing volleyball, especially beach volleyball, it’s my favourite sport. Since moving to Germany, I also discovered bouldering, and I absolutely fell in love with it! I also enjoy watching football, and sometime I play too even if I am not really good at it!
Aside from sports, I enjoy watching films and going to the cinema whenever I can. I also really appreciate simple moments, like going out for an aperitif with good people, having a nice chat, and just relaxing.
Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that people might not know?
A: I’m a dog lover, and I have a chihuahua back home in Rome that I’m really attached to. Since I moved to Germany and I can’t see him every day, my girlfriend surprised me with a customized T-shirt printed with several photos of him.
I actually enjoy wearing it to work sometimes, it always makes people smile!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: My dream travel is Australia because I love nature and it must be amazing there. But to be honest there are so many wonderful places in the world that it is difficult to choose only one.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the city or country you are currently living in?
A: As I mentioned before, I usually prefer bigger cities, and coming from Rome, I was definitely used to a faster and more chaotic pace. But I must say that what I’m enjoying most about Heidelberg is exactly the opposite, its calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Life here feels more relaxed and balanced, and it gives you the space to focus, reflect, and enjoy the little things. It’s a big change from the chaos of Rome, but in a way, it’s been a really refreshing experience.
Q: What is one thing you have learned about yourself during your fellowship?
A: One important thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m not afraid to admit when I don’t know something—whether it’s a friend, a colleague, or even my PI asking. I’ve realized that being honest about what you don’t know is not a weakness, but actually a strength.
What really matters is that I always take the initiative to find the answer.