Giovanni Maga has left us

Professor Giovanni Maga, Director of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the CNR and former Director of the Institute of Molecular Genetics “Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza”, passed away in the late afternoon of Saturday, March 22, 2025. He was 59 years old.

Giovanni Maga’s life was deeply connected with that of our institute, where he began working during his university studies, including his master’s degree and specialization. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Zurich, Maga continued his career at the Pavia institute, first as a postdoctoral fellow, then as a researcher, senior researcher, research director, and head of the DNA Enzymology & Virology Section.

In 2019, he was appointed Director of the Institute of Molecular Genetics, a role he held until 2023, when he assumed the leadership of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the CNR.

Throughout his career, he authored over 200 articles in international journals, wrote books, and held several patents.

Dr. G. Maga had been working since his graduation on the enzymology of DNA replication. His research focused on the characterization of different enzymatic systems responsible for nucleotide metabolism and the duplication of genetic information in human cells and viruses. His interest was devoted both to the elucidation of basic molecular processes and to the exploitation of novel enzymatic targets for antiviral and anticancer chemotherapy.

He was particularly interested in elucidating the biochemical pathways involved in coupling the DNA replication and repair machinery in human cancer cells, with particular emphasis on the role(s) of specialized DNA polymerases; understanding the host-virus molecular interactions in order to develop broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

All of us at the Institute of Molecular Genetics are deeply saddened by the loss of Giovanni—a scientist, colleague, and friend.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.