To Andrea Ballabio the 'Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research'

Andrea Ballabio, founder and former director of the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (Tigem) in Pozzuoli received the 'Beth Levine, M.D. Prize in Autophagy Research' from the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas, an international awardgiven every two years to scientists who have distinguished themselves in research in the field of autophagy, the process by which cells remove and recycle waste substances and whose malfunction is at the root of many diseases.

Ballabio, a professor of medical genetics at the University of Federico II, has been studying lysosomes for years and has helped shed light on the role of these organelles, transforming their view from a static entity engaged only in the degradation of cellular waste to an important player in the control of cellular metabolism in response to environmental stimuli. This includes, in particular, research on a key protein called Tfeb. His work is now directed toward the development of pharmacological approaches to promote cellular waste disposal through modulation of Tfeb activity. This may lead to therapies for various conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.