Dr. Federico Ariel

Dr. Federico Damián Ariel is a researcher of the National Research Council (CONICET) in Argentina. With more than 75 publications since 2007, he is a recognized leader in plant epigenetics and long noncoding RNAs. He established his group in 2016 at the Institute of Agrobiotechnology of the Littoral (IAL) in Santa Fe (Argentina). As a Professor at the Faculty of Biochemistry and Biological Science at the National University of the Littoral (UNL), he taught virology and epigenetics until recently. In 2022, he co-founded APOLO Biotech, a start-up which aims at developing RNA-based technology for sustainable agriculture. In addition, Dr. Ariel is the co-president of the Argentine Young Academy of Sciences, and he is part of several directory boards, including the Argentinian Foundation of Nanotechnology. This year promises to be very exciting for Dr. Ariel, as he is going to leave Santa Fe to join the Institute of Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences (IFIBYNE) in Buenos Aires. Dr. Ariel is excited about this new challenge and explains, “At IFIBYNE there is an impressive community of RNA scientists nurtured under the visionary leadership of Alberto Kornblihtt, now encompassing a diverse array of model organisms. I’m looking forward to contributing to this vibrant network and enhancing our collaborative endeavors”.

Dr. Ariel began his career by studying the role of transcription factors in symbiotic nodule organogenesis in legumes during his PhD in Dr. Rachel Chan’s lab at the UNL, Santa Fe. Looking back to his training, Dr. Ariel is convinced that his robust foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology equipped him with the necessary background to delve into the complex facets of the regulation of gene expression in plants. Notably, he stresses the usual duration of 5 years of PhD fellowships in Argentina (which is a notable difference compared to Europe): “This extended duration afforded me the opportunity to conduct thorough research and develop a comprehensive understanding of the field”. After his PhD, Dr. Ariel obtained an EMBO long-term post-doc fellowship to join the group of Martin Crespi at the Institute of Plant Sciences Paris-Saclay in France. In the lab of Dr. Crespi (who had discovered the first plant lncRNA in the 1990s), Dr. Ariel pioneered the characterization of lncRNAs in plants and contributed to the mechanistic understanding of their role in epigenetics and alternative splicing. In 2016, he came back to his home country and established his own lab at the IAL. “Within this dynamic environment, a lively community dedicated to plant molecular biology was flourishing, with my friend and colleague Pablo Manavella already established at IAL, working on small RNAs in plants.”

“What we are accomplishing with APOLO Biotech would have seemed like science fiction just a decade ago. This underscores the importance of continually pushing the boundaries of RNA fundamental science in our laboratories”.

Dr. Ariel is fascinated by the study of the molecular bases underlying the function of RNAs, especially the interplay between RNAs, chromatin conformation, and gene expression. For Dr. Ariel, this is even more captivating in plants, which lack the ability to regulate their internal temperature: “We are delving deeper into understanding the sequence-structure relationship underlying lncRNA function in response to heat waves, a significant challenge exacerbated by climate change. Extreme temperatures are likely to alter RNA structure, consequently influencing the interactions with its partners, ultimately impacting the activity of target genes”. However, Dr. Ariel’s research is not restricted to plants. In 2021, he spent several months in the lab of Prof. John Rinn in CU Boulder (USA) as a Short-term Fulbright Scholar to study mammalian lncRNAs and investigate the shared attributes and unique characteristics of lncRNAs across kingdoms.

In addition to his lab, Dr. Ariel has co-founded a start-up company, APOLO Biotech. For him, these two activities are not only compatible but also mutually reinforcing: “Once we had developed tools to stabilize RNA and deliver information to plants, we seized the opportunity to translate our scientific insights into technologies for sustainable agriculture. Although our research lab does not specialize in phytopathology, our initial developments at APOLO are aimed at replacing synthetic fungicides with the information plants need to defend themselves. Our field trials have yielded impressive results, and we have succeeded in minimizing costs associated with the mass production of RNA and stabilizers. We have also started the regulatory procedures, beginning in Argentina, one of the world's foremost food-producing nations.”

Dr. Ariel explains that science funding, a recurrent and major problem in developing countries, has been a challenge throughout his career: “I try hard to keep an international environment in my group, hosting foreign students and setting fruitful collaborations. However, local investment in science fluctuates dramatically with each government, having an impact not only on our ongoing projects but also on our possibilities to participate in international networks”.

Talking about the scientists who inspired him, Dr. Ariel cites Martin Crespi, whose “passion for science is contagious”. He also mentions John Mattick, despite never having had the opportunity to meet him: “His overarching perspective on the role of the noncoding genome in gene expression regulation, viewed through an evolutionary lens, prompted me to discard the rigid dogmas that had initially shaped my understanding of biology”. Dr. Ariel also recalls the strong impact John Rinn and Howard Chang’s paper on HOTAIR  had on the young PhD student he was at that time, strengthening his project to contribute to expand knowledge on plant lncRNAs. Lastly, Dr. Ariel confides that he is continually inspired by his colleague and friend Dr. Moussa Benhamed. “His profound understanding of 3D genome organization is unparalleled. In my view, Moussa stands out as one of the most exceptional scientists of our generation”. Dr. Ariel recalls a meeting he had with Moussa Benhamed, David Latrasse and Martin Crespi in 2011, during which Moussa proposed that lncRNA expression could regulate the 3D conformation of chromatin, thereby modulating the activity of the neighboring gene promoter. “This prompted us to consider conducting Chromatin Conformation Capture (3C) to validate his hypothesis. Thus, we embarked on setting up the experiment, and after months of effort, we succeeded in detecting the chromatin loop influenced by the lncRNA that we named APOLO (AUXIN REGULATED PROMOTER LOOP RNA)”. This meeting turned out to be a key moment in Dr. Ariel’s career. Thus, not surprisingly, Dr. Ariel’s favorite RNA is the APOLO lncRNA, the characterization of which has opened wide perspectives for Dr. Ariel’s research. Recently, he demonstrated that APOLO can be used as an exogenous biomolecule to activate genes in the plant and modulate its response to the environment.

Dr. Ariel participates in the Argentine RNA Club and he has been part of the RNA Society for over 3 years, having attended the RNA Society annual meetings in Boulder (2022) and Singapore (2023). “What I find most enjoyable about these gatherings is the warm atmosphere that fosters meaningful interactions with friends and colleagues. It's an excellent opportunity to forge new collaborations, engage in stimulating discussions, and learn about cutting-edge scientific advancements”. His favorite article published in the RNA journal is a recent work from the Rinn lab, which provides valuable insights into the evolutionary dynamics of a syntenic lncRNA between mice and humans.

Dr. Ariel emphasizes that RNA is emerging as the key molecule with huge potential in biotechnology, particularly for the next generation of RNA researchers. “We need exceptional scientific efforts that pave the way for disruptive technological advancements. I hope to see a growing influx of young, inspired minds joining the RNA community, contributing their unique perspectives and expertise to advance our collective understanding forward”.

Follow Dr. Ariel via X (@arg_epilab and @apolo_biotech), LinkedIn (Federico Ariel and APOLO Biotech) or Instagram (@apolo.biotech).