Section of Microbiology

The Head of the Section is Prof. Arnaldo Caruso, Full Professor in the scientific discipline MED/07 – MICROBIOLOGY AND CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY (Medical Sciences)
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +39 030 3995792

The lecturers and researchers in the Microbiology Section belong to the scientific-disciplinary sector MED07 Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology and, within this field, pursue various lines of basic, translational and applied scientific research.
In the field of basic research, in recent years the research group has been conducting studies aimed at:
-    Developing a therapeutic vaccination strategy for HIV-1 based on the viral matrix protein.
-    Understanding the pro-angiogenic, pro-tumour and neurodegenerative roles of viral-derived proteins through the identification of the molecular pathways involved.
-    Developing cellular and animal models to test viral-derived molecules as tools for controlling tumour growth and aggressiveness.
-    Understanding the cell-virus interaction mechanisms that lead to viral persistence.
-    Developing methodologies for assessing the bactericidal activity of treatments for metallic, polymeric and biocompatible surfaces.
-    To understand the mechanisms of action of immunomodulatory molecules.
Most of the staff attached to the Section also provide healthcare services under an agreement with the ASST Spedali Civili di Brescia. The results of routine diagnostics are further investigated through studies aimed at gaining a better understanding of the local epidemiology of microorganisms and their mechanisms of pathogenicity.
The Section’s lecturers and researchers focus in particular on:
-    Molecular analysis to identify the genes underlying antibiotic resistance.
-    Analysis of epidemiology and molecular phylogeny, in both bacteria and viruses.
-    Molecular and antigenic analysis using mass spectrometry of fungal strains, particularly filamentous fungi, to improve the ability to distinguish between fungal species isolated from patients.
-    Culturomics and genetic analysis of the microbiome to assess bacterial populations residing in frail patients, particularly those with cystic fibrosis.