Paolo Sassone-Corsi facts for kids

Paolo Sassone-Corsi was an amazing Italian scientist. He was a molecular biologist who studied tiny parts of living things. He was born on June 8, 1956, and passed away on July 22, 2020. His work helped us understand how our bodies work, especially how our cells communicate and how our internal clocks tick.

About Paolo Sassone-Corsi

Paolo Sassone-Corsi finished his studies in molecular biology in 1979 in Naples, Italy. After that, he continued his research with important scientists like Pierre Chambon and Inder Verma. He worked in places like Strasbourg and San Diego.

His Career Journey

In 1989, Paolo Sassone-Corsi became a research director in France. He worked at the Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology. Later, in 2006, he moved to the University of California, Irvine in the United States. There, he became a professor. In 2011, he took on an even bigger role. He became the Director of the Department of Epigenetics and Metabolism.

Writing a Book

Besides his scientific work, Sassone-Corsi also wrote a book. In 2013, he published a book called Ti sembra il Caso ?. He wrote it with an author named Erri De Luca.

What He Studied

Paolo Sassone-Corsi's research focused on how our bodies work at a very small level. He used molecular approaches to study several important areas.

Cell Communication

One area he studied was cell signaling. This is how cells in our body talk to each other. It's like a secret language that helps them work together. This communication is vital for everything our body does.

Our Body Clock

He also studied the circadian rhythm. This is our body's natural 24-hour clock. It controls when we feel sleepy or awake. It also affects many other body functions, like our metabolism.

Genes and How They Work

Sassone-Corsi also looked into epigenetics. This field explores how our genes are turned on or off. It's not about changing the DNA itself, but how our cells read and use the DNA. Think of it like a dimmer switch for genes. He also studied the plasticity of the genome. This means how our genes can adapt and change.

Awards and Honors

Paolo Sassone-Corsi received many important awards for his scientific work. These awards showed how much his research helped us understand biology.

• Medal of the European Molecular Biology Organization (1994)
• Prix Liliane-Bettencourt (1997)
• Grand Prix Charles-Leopold Mayer of the French Academy of Sciences (2003)
• Silver Medal of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (2004)

Books He Wrote

• Ti sembra il Caso ? (2013)