Researcher in Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences (MEDS-26D).

Dario Brunetti is a translational scientist whose research aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic mitochondrial diseases and to investigate mitochondrial dysfunction in neuro-muscular degeneration associated with aging. His work combines in vitro systems—such as induced pluripotent stem cells and brain organoids—with in vivo models in both small and large animals, to drive the development of pharmacological therapies and innovative strategies, including pioneering in utero gene therapy. 

His research has been published in leading journals, including EMBO Molecular Medicine, Brain, Molecular Psychiatry, Nature Communications, Gene Therapy, and Nature Aging. As a Principal Investigator, he has secured competitive funding for projects on mitochondrial medicine and therapeutic development. 

Dario works in close collaboration with the Bottani lab, focusing on the investigation of neurodevelopmental alterations in Surf1 knock-out pig model of Leigh syndrome—a unique translational platform with significant potential for therapeutic innovation. 

Beyond his research, he serves as a peer reviewer for multiple scientific journals and is actively engaged in patient outreach and scientific dissemination at international meetings.