Structure and Cell Biology of Viruses Lab Research groups

The Abrescia Lab’s field of expertise is in Structural Biology and Virology. The research group is focused on the understanding of viral pathogenesis, the virus-cell recognition mechanisms and the assembly principles of viruses.

Major targets of the investigation are viruses with an internal membrane and biomedical relevant human and animal enveloped viruses (members of the Flaviviridae and Bunyaviridae families).

The Abrescia Lab integrates state-of-the-art X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, electron tomography structural techniques and biophysical methods such as Circular Dichroism and Multi-laser light scattering (MALLS) with expertise in recombinant protein production in bacterial and mammalian cell systems.

Specifically, access to high-end crystallographic and electron microscopy infrastructure is routinely available which allows the group to resolve the viral structures to atomic detail. New lines of research directed to the development of DNA vaccines and to the study of the mechanical properties of viruses are been established with success.

Finally, the group combines the generated structural knowledge with functional studies thanks to a network of worldwide recognized collaborators in the academic and private sectors.