Prof. Paolo Grumati | Organelle Dynamics Function | Organelle Biology Award

Prof. Paolo Grumati , TIGEM , Italy

Dr. Paolo Grumati is a leading figure in the field of autophagy and organelle biology, currently serving as Assistant Investigator, Faculty Member, and Head of the Mass Spectrometry Unit at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), and as Associate Professor at the University of Naples “Federico II.” His research explores the molecular mechanisms governing selective autophagy, particularly ER-phagy, uncovering its crucial role in protein and organelle quality control. With 65 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 35, Dr. Grumati’s work bridges basic and translational science. His cross-national postdoctoral training in Italy and Germany has shaped a robust and internationally recognized research profile. As an active member of prominent scientific societies, frequent invited speaker, and recipient of multiple scientific awards, he exemplifies academic excellence. Dr. Grumati is a strong candidate for the Research for Organelle Biology Award, given his pioneering contributions to understanding cellular organelle dynamics.

Publication Profile:

Orcid

✅ Strengths for the Award:

1. Pioneering Contributions to Organelle Biology: Dr. Grumati is a leading expert in selective autophagy, especially ER-phagy, a crucial process in organelle quality control.

2. High-impact Publications: With 65 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 35, he has demonstrated consistent, high-level productivity. Notably, his papers in Nature, EMBO Journal, and Nature Communications have advanced understanding in organelle turnover.

3. Translational Research Relevance: His research has clinical implications in fields like muscular dystrophies, cancer, and metabolic disorders, connecting basic organelle biology to human health.

4. International Training and Leadership: With postdoctoral experience in Germany and Italy and leadership at TIGEM, he bridges multiple scientific cultures and methodologies.

5. Recognition and Visibility: Awards like the Early Career Researcher Award (2023) and speaker invitations to EMBO, GRC, and Harden conferences show his scientific visibility and community recognition.

6. Institutional Impact: He heads the Mass Spectrometry Unit at TIGEM, showing both scientific and technical leadership.

⚠️ Areas for Improvement:

1. Global Leadership Expansion: While he has strong European recognition, expanding his leadership role in international consortia (e.g., NIH, ERC advanced grants, global editorial boards) would further strengthen his profile.

2. Cross-organelle Integration: Future work could more explicitly integrate mitochondrial, lysosomal, or Golgi-autophagy mechanisms to broaden his organelle focus across systems biology.

3. Mentorship Record: Demonstrating mentorship of early-career scientists (e.g., PhD/postdoc supervision) and their outcomes would highlight his long-term impact on the field’s development.

🎓 Education:

Paolo Grumati earned his Master’s degree in Medical Biotechnologies from the University of Padova in 2005, laying the foundation for a research-driven career in molecular biology. He continued at the same institution to complete a PhD in Genetic and Molecular Biology between 2006 and 2009, with a focus on cellular mechanisms underlying disease. After earning his doctorate, Dr. Grumati pursued advanced postdoctoral training across esteemed European institutions. From 2009 to 2013, he worked on muscular dystrophy pathogenesis at the University of Padova. He then joined the Molecular Signaling Group at the Goethe University in Frankfurt (2013–2018), where he specialized in autophagy and organelle biology. His postdoctoral work integrated molecular biochemistry and cell signaling, forming the basis for his future as a principal investigator. Dr. Grumati’s academic trajectory is marked by rigor, international collaboration, and a focus on translational research in cellular organelle quality control.

🧪 Experience:

Dr. Paolo Grumati has over 15 years of research experience in molecular and cellular biology, particularly in selective autophagy. Following his PhD, he held postdoctoral contracts at the University of Padova and Goethe University Frankfurt, focusing on the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophies and autophagy mechanisms. In 2019, he became Principal Investigator at TIGEM, leading research into organelle degradation and ER-phagy. Since 2021, he has held academic appointments at the University of Naples “Federico II”, progressing from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. His lab combines advanced proteomics, molecular biology, and imaging techniques to explore how autophagy impacts development and disease. He also oversees the Mass Spectrometry Unit at TIGEM, reflecting his leadership in core scientific infrastructure. His academic and institutional roles, paired with his expertise in organelle quality control, demonstrate his sustained contributions and suitability for recognition in the field of organelle biology.

🏅 Awards & Honors:

Dr. Paolo Grumati has received multiple honors for his impactful work in autophagy and organelle biology. In 2023, he was awarded the “Early Career Researcher Award” for best oral communication at the XVII Italian Proteomics Association Annual Meeting in Rome, recognizing the scientific community’s appreciation of his high-impact findings. In 2018, he won the “Oral Communication Award” at the prestigious 83rd Harden Conference in the UK, focused on autophagy in health and disease. He has been selected as a speaker at high-profile international meetings including the EMBO Workshop, GRC Conference on Autophagy, and Frankfurt QC Conference. He also received fellowships for his postdoctoral research in Germany under major international projects like HSFP and SFB. These accolades underline his standing as a thought leader in the autophagy field and affirm his scientific visibility and originality, making him an excellent candidate for the Research for Organelle Biology Award.

🔬 Research Focus:

Dr. Paolo Grumati’s research centers on selective autophagy, particularly the molecular mechanisms that govern endoplasmic reticulum-phagy (ER-phagy) and its role in organelle quality control. His work deciphers how cellular components like FAM134B interact with ER stress and protein homeostasis pathways. By combining biochemical, proteomic, and imaging tools, his research addresses how dysregulation in autophagy contributes to diseases such as cancer, muscular dystrophies, and metabolic disorders. Dr. Grumati’s investigations are crucial for understanding how cells maintain organelle integrity, offering insight into potential therapeutic strategies for diseases linked to organelle dysfunction. His team also examines cross-talk between autophagy and ubiquitination, highlighting his systems-level approach. With funding from major European initiatives and the Telethon Foundation, his group is pushing the boundaries of cell biology by exploring how selective degradation pathways preserve intracellular health. This makes his work highly relevant for recognition through the Research for Organelle Biology Award.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

1. 🧪 Curvature induction and membrane remodeling by FAM134B reticulon homology domain assist selective ER-phagy – Nature Communications (2019)

2. 📘 The various shades of ER‐phagy – The FEBS Journal (2019)

3. 🧬 A selective ER‐phagy exerts procollagen quality control via a Calnexin‐FAM134B complex – EMBO Journal (2019)

4. 🔍 ER-phagy at a glance – Journal of Cell Science (2018)

5. 🧫 Extracellular Collagen VI Has Prosurvival and Autophagy Instructive Properties in Mouse Fibroblasts – Frontiers in Physiology (2018)

6. 🔬 Insights into catalysis and function of phosphoribosyl-linked serine ubiquitination – Nature (2018)

7. 🔗 Ubiquitin signaling and autophagy – Journal of Biological Chemistry (2018)

8. 🧠 Full length RTN3 regulates turnover of tubular endoplasmic reticulum via selective autophagy – eLife (2017)

9. 🦠 Linear ubiquitination of cytosolic Salmonella Typhimurium activates NF-κB and restricts bacterial proliferation – Nature Microbiology (2017)

10. 💪 Transcription Factor EB Controls Metabolic Flexibility during Exercise – Cell Metabolism (2017)

🧾 Conclusion:

Dr. Paolo Grumati is an outstanding candidate for the Research for Organelle Biology Award. His contributions to understanding the molecular mechanisms of organelle quality control through selective autophagy are both fundamental and translationally relevant. His rigorous training, recognized scholarship, and innovative research direction align strongly with the mission of this award. With continued global engagement and interdisciplinary expansion, he is positioned to become one of the future leaders in organelle biology. This nomination is strongly recommended.