Ricerc@Sapienza

Our research projects aim at the identification of RNA-binding proteins interacting with microRNAs and responsible for their loading into small extracellular vesicles.

The Molecular Virology Laboratory is engaged in several lines of research mainly focused on persistent viral infections and their interaction with the host. In addition, following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, the laboratory has initiated studies aimed at identifying elements useful for a deeper understanding of the relationship between this virus and the human host.

A major area of research concerns:

Our laboratory focuses on understanding how innate immunity controls viral replication and shapes pathogenesis by influencing viral spread and tissue damage. We are particularly interested in elucidating the mechanisms that govern the induction, regulation and function of interferons (IFNs), the viral strategies employed to evade or subvert the IFN response, and how IFNs can drive protective or pathological inflammatory and cell immune responses that influence disease outcomes.

My research focuses on the interaction between innate immunity and cancer, with particular attention to NK–multiple myeloma cross-talk. I investigate how tumors modulate innate antitumor responses and exploit immunoevasion -also through extracellular vesicles-and explore strategies such as cGAS/STING activation and nanoparticle delivery to enhance immune function and improve immunotherapy.

The research activity of the lab is focused on post-natal skeletal stem cell biology and role in genetic and acquired skeletal diseases, pathogenetic mechanisms of Fibrous dysplasia of bone and other GNAS related disorders, development and analysis of transgenic mouse models and bone organoids to investigate genetic, neoplastic and infectious skeletal disorders.