Rate My Professor Laura Spagnolo

Spagnolo's research specializations encompass the structural biology of macromolecular complexes involved in genome editing, DNA damage and repair, and RNA metabolism, utilizing integrated approaches from quasi-atomic to cellular resolution. Her academic interests include gene editing mechanisms, DNA integrases, Staufen protein assemblies, and CRISPR systems. Notable publications include 'Cyclic nucleotide-induced helical structure activates a TIR immune effector' (Nature, 2022), 'Structure of the CRISPR interference complex CSM reveals key similarities with Cascade' (Molecular Cell, 2013), 'Structure and mechanism of the CMR complex for CRISPR-mediated antiviral immunity' (Molecular Cell, 2012), 'Three-dimensional structure and regulation of the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs)' (Structure, 2005), and 'Structural basis of DNA recombination catalysis and regulation by ϕC31 integrase' (bioRxiv, 2025). She has received major funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Medical Research Council, including grants for the Scottish Macromolecular Imaging Centre (2017–2022), DNA site-specific recombination by serine integrases (2022–2025), and light and electron microscopy of Staufen assemblies (2024–2027). Her contributions have illuminated key processes in genome stability and editing technologies.