Professor Mauro Giacca
Head of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences
- Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences
Research interests
- Cardiovascular
Contact details
Biography
Mauro Giacca, MD PhD, is Head of the School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine & Sciences, and Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine & Life Sciences, King’s College London. Until 2019, he has served as the Director-General of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), an organization in the United Nations system based in Italy. In 2005, he became a Full Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Trieste, Italy.
He is the President of the International Society for Heart Research (ISHR) European Section and serves on the scientific boards of numerous academic institutions internationally. He is a founder of Forcefield Therapeutics and Heqet Therapeutics, two recent startups that develop cardiovascular biologics, and the co-founder of Purespring Therapeutics, which operates in the field of AAV gene therapy of the kidney. He is an elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the United Kingdom.
He received his Degree in Medicine from the University of Trieste, Italy and his PhD in Microbiology and Virology from the University of Genoa, Italy.
A medical doctor by training, he is considered an expert in the generation of viral vectors for cardiovascular applications and the development of novel biologics for cardiac repair and regeneration in patients with myocardial infarction and heart failure. He has published over 400 papers in international journals, in addition to several reviews and chapters in books and university textbooks. His research has been founded by numerous international grants, including two consecutive ERC Advanced Investigator grants, and a British Heart Foundation Programme Grant.
Research
From Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine
Understanding organ development and tissue regeneration provides a framework for elucidating disease mechanisms as well as for developing new therapeutics.
Spatial Biology Network
The Spatial Biology Network is a cross-faculty research interest group that brings together researchers from various disciplines, ranging from technology development and molecular biology, to bioinformatics and clinical translational research, to explore the complexity of spatial biology.
RNA Biology
RNA is at the forefront of biomedical research for its central role in how information is transferred from DNA to protein. This Research Interest Group is open to all interested parties from across the University.
News
Researchers identify three proteins with potential to prevent heart failure
Scientists working to develop new therapies and treatments for heart failure patients have discovered three novel proteins that can be injected immediately...
King's spin-out Forcefield Therapeutics launches after funding commitment
Forcefield Therapeutics, a King’s spin-out that pioneers therapeutics to protect heart function after a heart attack, officially launches today.
King's spin-out Heqet Therapeutics raises £6.6m
Heqet Therapeutics, a King’s biotech spin-out active in the field of regenerative medicine, today announces the closing of a £6.6m Series A financing round,...
King's engineer leading research project on rapid vaccine manufacture
WellcomeLEAP grant for rapid vaccine manufacture
King's researchers shortlisted in national science image competition
Where science and art collide, the competition challenges BHF-funded scientists to showcase their state-of-the-art heart and circulatory disease research...
Professor Mauro Giacca elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Mauro Giacca, from the School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, is one of 50 new Fellows to be elected to the prestigious Academy of Medical...
Antiparasitic drug could prevent Covid-19 lung damage
A common antiparasitic drug could block lung damage in people with coronavirus, new research published today in Nature has found.
COVID-19 lung damage caused by persistence of 'abnormal cells'
Investigations of deceased COVID-19 patients have shed light on possible lung damage caused by the virus.
Locating drugs to target COVID-19
Scientists from the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine have been working to screen drugs that could have the potential to target the COVID-19 virus.
Events
Inaugural Lecture: Professors Helen Collins & Mauro Giacca
Inspiring talks from some of our brightest minds
Please note: this event has passed.
Pharma / Industry Physiological Oxygen Workshop: 'Drug discovery and high-throughput screening under physiological normoxia'
Drug discovery and high throughput screening under physiological normoxia
Please note: this event has passed.
Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: Finding a cure
Professor Mauro Giacca discusses how he is using his previous cardiovascular research to work towards a cure.
Research
From Developmental Biology to Regenerative Medicine
Understanding organ development and tissue regeneration provides a framework for elucidating disease mechanisms as well as for developing new therapeutics.
Spatial Biology Network
The Spatial Biology Network is a cross-faculty research interest group that brings together researchers from various disciplines, ranging from technology development and molecular biology, to bioinformatics and clinical translational research, to explore the complexity of spatial biology.
RNA Biology
RNA is at the forefront of biomedical research for its central role in how information is transferred from DNA to protein. This Research Interest Group is open to all interested parties from across the University.
News
Researchers identify three proteins with potential to prevent heart failure
Scientists working to develop new therapies and treatments for heart failure patients have discovered three novel proteins that can be injected immediately...
King's spin-out Forcefield Therapeutics launches after funding commitment
Forcefield Therapeutics, a King’s spin-out that pioneers therapeutics to protect heart function after a heart attack, officially launches today.
King's spin-out Heqet Therapeutics raises £6.6m
Heqet Therapeutics, a King’s biotech spin-out active in the field of regenerative medicine, today announces the closing of a £6.6m Series A financing round,...
King's engineer leading research project on rapid vaccine manufacture
WellcomeLEAP grant for rapid vaccine manufacture
King's researchers shortlisted in national science image competition
Where science and art collide, the competition challenges BHF-funded scientists to showcase their state-of-the-art heart and circulatory disease research...
Professor Mauro Giacca elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
Professor Mauro Giacca, from the School of Cardiovascular Medicine & Sciences, is one of 50 new Fellows to be elected to the prestigious Academy of Medical...
Antiparasitic drug could prevent Covid-19 lung damage
A common antiparasitic drug could block lung damage in people with coronavirus, new research published today in Nature has found.
COVID-19 lung damage caused by persistence of 'abnormal cells'
Investigations of deceased COVID-19 patients have shed light on possible lung damage caused by the virus.
Locating drugs to target COVID-19
Scientists from the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine have been working to screen drugs that could have the potential to target the COVID-19 virus.
Events
Inaugural Lecture: Professors Helen Collins & Mauro Giacca
Inspiring talks from some of our brightest minds
Please note: this event has passed.
Pharma / Industry Physiological Oxygen Workshop: 'Drug discovery and high-throughput screening under physiological normoxia'
Drug discovery and high throughput screening under physiological normoxia
Please note: this event has passed.
Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: Finding a cure
Professor Mauro Giacca discusses how he is using his previous cardiovascular research to work towards a cure.