Ricerc@Sapienza

The emergence of novel human pathogens and re-emergence of several viral infectious diseases are of concerns in the current decade. The discovery of HIV-1 in the early 1980s initiated a worldwide awareness of and research interest in emerging novel viral pathogens. Over the past several decades, new outbreaks of infections have led to the discovery of a diverse array of highly pathogenic viruses mainly those belonging to the Filoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, Togaviridae and Hepeviridae families. The ongoing pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 illness poses one of the greatest challenges to public health in recent year. Despite substantial advancements in the understanding of the biology of pathogens, the breakthroughs in prevention, and their effects on public health and the global economy, the emergence of novel pandemic viruses remains an enduring puzzle. There is a further need for devoted research, not only to develop countermeasures but also to understand the basic biology of new viruses, their pathogenesis and human susceptibilities. Notably much remains to be learned about the complexity of early innate IFN signalling during viral infections. In this scenario when handling viruses retained pathogens for humans it is fundamental to ensure a functional laboratory environment that minimizes potential hazards to those working in the immediate area and to others throughout the laboratory. Resources allocated to the development of the facilities should be commensurate with the risks of the work to be performed. If the facilities are unsatisfactory for the kind of work that is proposed, then either the facilities, the work, or the method of performing the work should be modified. Biological safety cabinets, autoclaves, and other biosafety equipment should be properly installed and checked to ensure correct operation. In this project we plan to characterize the molecular IFN response and its interaction with adaptive immunity in patients suffering from different acute and chronic viral infections including those caused by SARS-CoV-2, HIV-1 and HPV. Moreover, in vitro experiments will be performed with respiratory viruses and saliva samples collected from mosquito vectors of dengue virus and West Nile virus to further examine the role of IFN. All of the research activities will require BSL-2 conditions. However, the purchase request for a Class III cabinet, which will be installed at Department of Molecular Medicine in the laboratory of Virology that is classified as a BLS2 Lab, is specifically designed for work with potentially pathogenic agents, providing maximum protection. Having three high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, the cabinet will ensure maximum safety for the user and the environment. Indeed, the Class III Biological Safety Cabinet has a complete and airtight sealed chamber for working with hazardous materials. The long butyl gloves are attached to the ports of the cabinet in a way that permits their changing without the risk of contamination. These gloves are specially designed in a way that prevents the direct contact of the specimen with the user¿s skin. Furthermore, the materials that need to be brought into the chamber are transferred through a pass box. The pass box is a feature of the Class III Biological Safety Cabinet which ensures the safe movement of the materials from and into the working compartment. The pass box has two doors with electromechanical locks and with a penetrable pullout tabletop which makes it easier to move items into and out of the chamber. The air inside the chamber passes the two HEPA filters before being discharged outside. Moreover, an independent exhaust system outside the work chamber is responsible for the airflow being maintained. The latter aspect ensures that the pressure of the cabinet is negative. Moreover, the class III biosafety cabinet is not just functional but is also user-friendly. Almost all manipulations for loading and disinfection can be easily done by a single person and do not require any additional personnel. To ensure safety, glove ports are designed to make it easier for the old gloves to be removed and new ones to be inserted. Hence, the purchase request for a Class III cabinet is required to guarantee safe manipulations with potentially high-risk samples. These cabinets are manufactured to meet the latest requirements to this type of equipment and ensure maximum protection of the personnel and the environment, from hazardous samples being studied. From the above described characteristics, it is crystal clear that the acquisition of a Class III cabinet will allow a higher level of protection with respect to the BSL-2 biosafety cabinets now present in the laboratory of Virology, particularly in the unpredictable event a novel pathogen that would not be inactivated by standard safety conditions.