Researcher Bio Dr. Emanuele Buratti is a Research Staff Scientist at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Trieste (ICGEB, www.icgeb.org). From 1984 to 1989 he studied Biology at the University of Trieste and in 1989 received a degree in Biology with maximum marks. During the same year he began a PhD course in Biochemistry at the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Macromolecular Chemistry (BBCM) of the University of Trieste. The PhD research project involved the study of DNA binding proteins in tumor development. In 1995 he received a post-doctoral Italian grant from the Istituto Superiore della Sanita’ (ISS) (as part of the national AIDS Research Project) and moved to ICGEB. Since 1998 Dr. Buratti is a research staff scientist at ICGEB assigned to the Molecular Pathology Group co-ordinated by Prof. F.E. Baralle. ICGEB is an international organisation dedicated to research and training in molecular biology with special regard to the needs of the developing world. Dr. Buratti principal areas of expertise are the investigation of RNA binding proteins, RNA structure, and their influence on alternative splicing processes. Recent research has been focused at investigating the potential pathophysiological role played by TDP-43 in Frontotemporal Dementias and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Past research interests at ICGEB have included the study of RNA binding proteins in HCV viral translation and recombinant protein production in vaccine research within the HIV/HCV research fields.