Main lines of research
Epidemiological and virological surveillance activities of respiratory virosis, with particular reference to influenza viruses and new emerging viruses with pandemic potential (RespiVirNet surveillance) - Regional Reference Laboratory recognized by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità, within the WHO network.
Activities for Surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis Cases under the "Global Polio Eradication Program" (GPEI) - Regional Reference Laboratory recognized by the National Institute of Health.
Activities for Environmental Surveillance of Non-Polio Polioviruses and Enteroviruses in Wastewater under the "Global Polio Eradication Program" (GPEI) - Regional Reference Laboratory recognized by the National Institute of Health.
Assessment of immune status against poliomyelitis and tetanus.
Assessment of the quality of sanitary, thermal and drinking water, including the detection of Legionella spp. and other environmental opportunists.
Microbiological monitoring of air and surfaces.
Particle sampling of air.
Monitoring of pollen and fungal spores.
Main methodologies applied:
Molecular methods
Extraction of nucleic acids from clinical and environmental biological samples.
PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction.
Real Time RT-PCR.
Gene sequencing.
Culture methods:
Culture culture setup.
Virus isolation in cell cultures.
Bacterial and fungal cultures from active (CFU/m3) and passive (Air Microbial Index, IMA) air and surface sampling.
Bacterial and fungal cultures from water sampling.
Immunological methods:
Cytopathic effect neutralization assays for the detection and titration of specific antibodies in human serum.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the detection and titration of specific antibodies in human serum.
Description of the main equipment qualifying the activity performed
Class I, Class II, Class III biological capsules
Glove box
Nucleic acid extractors
Thermocyclers
Integrated system for extraction, amplification and detection of nucleic acids
Sequencer
Active air samplers
Real-time bioaerosol sampler for aerobiological monitoring of pollen and fungal spores
Air and CO2 incubators
Steam autoclaves
Dry stove
Distiller
Keywords
Influence, SARS-CoV-2, Poliomyelitis, Environment, Surveillance.
