The Gene Expression Unit is part of the large San Raffaele effort in stem cell and gene therapy. Research activities are focused on the basic mechanisms of gene transfer, the interaction between viral vectors and the human genome, the design of new gene transfer system aimed at targeted integration and homologous recombination, and the establishment of pre-clinical and clinical models for gene therapy of genetic and acquired disorders. The Unit is also interested in the basic mechanisms of gene regulation, and particularly in the genetic programs underlying self-renewal and differentiation of adult stem cells.