A group of researchers from the Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (Cnr-Ibb, based in Naples), coordinated by Dr. Rita Berisio, is working on the development of vaccines against severe respiratory diseases. The study is funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie BactiVax (anti-Bacterial Innovative Vaccines) project, and involves a broad European partnership: with this project, researchers have already identified and characterized antigens against melioidosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei endemic to southern Asia (Pakistan, the Philippines and southern China) and north-western Oceania, which in most cases (51%) causes an acute form of pneumonia. New antigens are being developed against other respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis.

The team is also currently working on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Coronavirus COVID-19 virulence for the development of new molecules.

For information:
Rita Berisio
rita.berisio@cnr.it
+39 081 2534507