Meet the first author: Francesca Rossi
In our “meet the first author” interview series, we take a look behind the scenes of science.
Francesca Rossi just completed her doctoral thesis in the lab of Sarah Kinkley at MPIMG. She is the first author of a recent collaborative paper in Nucleic Acids Research from the Kinkley lab with the Hnisz and Vingron Labs. We talked with her about her motivation to pick up this project, what she enjoyed most about the work and why there are no dull moments in science.
Francesca, in your recent paper you discovered how the epigenetic reader PHF13 interacts with chromatin. Could you summarize the findings of the paper?
We explored the multifaceted functions of the epigenetic reader PHF13 by analyzing its different protein domains. We discovered that PHF13 is capable of oligomerizing on chromatin, which promotes chromatin condensation, and it can also self-associate through its disordered domains. By selectively removing these regulatory domains, we were able to modulate the functions of PHF13. This led to not only observable phenotypic differences but also distinct outcomes at the transcriptome level. Our findings suggest that by regulating PHF13 at the protein level, we could influence its diverse biological functions. Additionally, this research highlights the important role of PHF13 as a chromatin reader, revealing its significance in chromatin regulation.
What got you interested in this research, and what fascinates you about it that you stuck with it? Which finding surprised you the most?
What initially drew me to this research was observing the striking effect of PHF13 overexpression on chromatin condensation. This surprised me because similar phenotypes had been reported by other labs, like those of Peters and Nasmyth, concerning the misregulation of major SMC complex regulators, complexes known to play a crucial role in chromatin structure regulation. However, no link between PHF13 and these complexes has been established so far. The potential to uncover new connections and expand our understanding of chromatin regulation is what fascinates me and keeps me deeply engaged in this research.
Looking back, what part of the research process did you find most rewarding?
The successful collaboration with various labs. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with different scientists who not only contributed with their unique expertise, allowing us to employ multiple complementary approaches, but also enriched my own learning experience as a student. It was through these diverse interactions that I grew both personally and professionally.
What do you enjoy most about being a scientist/doing science?
It is the constant engagement and challenge it provides. There is never a dull moment, as you are always formulating hypotheses, designing experiments to test them, and critically evaluating the results to improve clarity and accuracy. This continuous cycle of inquiry keeps me intellectually stimulated. More importantly, I find fulfillment in knowing that this work is my way of making a positive contribution to our society.
Where will your scientific journey take you now?
With my doctoral studies now complete, I have decided to further pursue my passion for science in the field of epigenetics. I am excited to begin my postdoctoral research in the Hackett laboratory at the EMBL in Rome, Italy, where I will continue to explore epigenetic regulation, specifically focusing on the role of chromatin marks.
