Prof. Dr. Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli

Research Priorities: Biology, immunology, cell biology, immune system, dendritic cells
Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli is an Italian biologist and immunologist. She is a leading researcher in the field of dendritic cells, which are a core component of the immune system. They have a “guarding” function and are the only cells capable of initiating primary immune responses to antigens that enter the body.
Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli has been studying the immune system’s cellular and biochemical foundations for over thirty years. She was able to demonstrate that dendritic cells produce the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2). Her discovery showed that this protein plays a much more central role within signal processes in the body’s immune system, with regard to both innate and adaptive immune responses. In addition to their work on IL2, her group has shown that dendritic cells (DC) play a key role in mucosal tissues, such as the lamina propria of the intestinal villi where DC have a sentinel functions and sense the gut commensal flora with dendrites. This discovery has opened the way to novel studies on the role of the gut microbiome in regulating immune-mediated diseases.
Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli has led international research teams in Italy and Singapore. She has been awarded the Order of the Star of Italy, one of the country’s highest honours, for her services to international cooperation in the field of science.