Clinical Microbiology and Virology Research Group
Department of Surgical, Medical, Dental, and Morphological Sciences with Interest in Transplant, Oncological, and Regenerative Medicine (CHIMOMO)
The group of Microbiology and Virology includes 4 full-time professors (Elisabetta Blasi, Claudio Cermelli, Samuele Peppoloni and Eva Pericolini), 1 researcher (RTD-b) (Andrea Ardizzoni), 1 post-doc researcher (Samyr Kenno), as well as a variable number of Ph.D. Students, Graduate Students and Undergraduate Students.
Microbial virulence factors and host responses to infections, investigated by using in vitro and in vivo experimental models, are the main research topics of the group.
In detail, the group is currently dealing with:
- Identification of pathogenetic mechanisms involved in mucosal infections as well as the role of resident microbiota;
- Pathogenetic role of microbial biofilms associated to biotic and abiotic surfaces;
- Assessment of antimicrobial and antiviral activity of natural and synthetic molecules and compounds;
- Assessment of virucidal effectiveness (especially against Coronaviruses) of both sanitizing devices (which make use of chemical-physical treatments) and novel biofunctional materials, such as tissues, films and ceramics;
- Influence of microbial biofilms on virus biology;
- Setting up of novel in vitro mucosal models, which mimic the structure and biology of buccal and vaginal epithelia, aimed at studying the pathogenesis of microbial and viral infections;
- Development of novel assays to be employed in the laboratory diagnostics of invasive mycoses (in collaboration with the Clinical Microbiology laboratories of the Policlinico Hospital in Modena).
Most of these research activities are carried out in collaboration with local institutions (such as DEMOCENTER) as well as several other Universities [University of Maine (U.S.A.), University of Exeter (U.K.) and University of Szeged (Hungary)]. These activities, partly sponsored by regional funds, aim at the definition of novel systems to be employed in the struggle against viruses and at the promotion of oral health.
The Microbiology and Virology laboratories are all located in Modena, Via Campi 287, at the 2nd floor of the Unimore building MO-15 (aka, “Istituti Biologici”). The microbiology laboratories are equipped with both basic instruments (laminar flow hoods, incubators for cell cultures and microbial cultures, cold room, warm room, centrifuges, autoclaves, PCR facilities, microscopes, spectrophotometers, etc.), as well as high throughput instruments (such as microarray printer, laser scanner for reading of microarray slides, Fluoroskan reader for fluorescent and bioluminescent signals). Other instruments (such as confocal microscopes, SEM, TEM, high-throughput chromatographic systems) are available in the Interdepartmental Centre for Large Instruments (“C.I.G.S.”) of Unimore
The group teaching activity is spanned throughout 10 courses of study; in the last Academic Year 2020-2021 such activity has been made available to 1678 students during 627 hours, for a total of 56 CFU.
The group directs the Graduation School in Microbiology and Virology (opened to both medical doctors and non-medical graduated students), the Degree Course for Laboratory Technicians and is involved in teaching activities for other Graduation Schools.