Our Research
From molecular mechanisms to
biological principles
Viral factories as biomolecular condensates in infection
In the intricate dance of viral infection, one of the most fascinating steps is the formation of structures known as viral replication factories. Recent studies have shown that many of these replication hubs, including those formed by viruses like Rotavirus, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, and measles, arise through a process known as Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation (LLPS). This phenomenon allows viral components to coalesce into distinct biomolecular condensates within the host cell, effectively creating microenvironments optimised for viral replication. Understanding the mechanisms that drive the formation of these structures could be key to developing new antiviral strategies. Similarly, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) also harnesses LLPS to build their replication factories, highlighting a common strategy among diverse viruses. By using recombinant RSVs combined with advanced microscopy and cutting-edge proteomics, our research seeks to uncover the mechanisms driving the assembly of these factories and identify their viral and cellular components, paving the way for broad-spectrum antiviral targets and more effective therapies.
Funded by MUR – Fondo Italiano per la Scienza 2
Targeted Protein Degradation for selective disruption of biomolecular condensates
Imagine a therapy that does not just block harmful proteins but eliminates them entirely, like hitting “delete” instead of “pause“. Targeted protein degradation turns this into reality, leveraging the cell’s natural machinery to precisely degrade proteins driving disease, opening the door to groundbreaking treatments. Our research is dedicated to advancing targeted protein degradation as a transformative platform for studying viral replication factories and foster new therapies. We develop novel protein degradation technologies to interfere with essential steps of biomolecular condensate formation, allowing us to disrupt fundamental processes of viral replication with unparalleled efficacy. Our ultimate goal is to establish a novel and adaptable framework for the development of a new generation of degraders, offering innovative solutions to combat a wide range of viruses, including those that evade traditional therapeutic approaches.
Funded by MUR – Fondo Italiano per la Scienza 2
