In my laboratory, we study the complex interactions between viruses, their vectors, and animal or plant hosts across diverse ecological systems. Our research integrates molecular biology, virology, applied genomics, and agricultural biotechnology to address key questions in host–pathogen dynamics and sustainable disease management.
A major focus of our work is understanding the tripartite interaction between the honey bee (Apis mellifera), the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, and the Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and its variants DWV-A and DWV-B. We aim to elucidate how viral infections influence vector physiology, gene expression, and behavior, thereby affecting viral transmission efficiency.
In parallel, the lab investigates novel viruses affecting agricultural crops such as deciduous fruit trees and grapevines, with an emphasis on virus identification, characterization, and impact assessment on plant health.
Another research direction focuses on the use of bacteriophages as biological control agents for bacterial pathogens in agriculture and environmental systems, contributing to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for crop protection and food security