Dr Francesco Nicoli

Country: Italy

Institution: University of Ferrara, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Research Areas: Immune responses to viral infections (especially HIV, HSV1-2, WNV, HCV, HPV),Vaccine development, Immuneageing and Immunobetabolism

Lab Website: www.unife.it

Our research is focused on immune responses toward viral infections (HIV, HSV1-2, WNV, HCV, HPV), including the identification of correlates of protection and of mechanisms of immunopathogenesis. We are interested in the role of viral proteins in immune dysfunctions (e.g. during HIV) and neurodegeneration (e.g. in HSV infection).

We have been involved in several vaccine development studies, especially against HIV and HSV1-2. Recently we joined an European consortium aimed at understanding defects at the level of vaccine responsiveness in elderly individuals.

Indeed, one main aim of our lab is to study T-cell senescence processes in physiological ageing or during premature senescence (such as HIV infection). We identified several metabolic pathways altered, within CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, during ageing. We are currently characterizing the molecular mechanisms as well as exploring metabolic manipulation strategies as tools to restore effective T cell immunity.