The laboratory of Aquatic animal Disease of the Department of Biology

University Federico II, in collaboration with ISMAR-CNR has started the activity to define the status of the population in the sanctuary area of the Venice lagoon. The group is studying the immune system of the population over the seasons related to the viral infection on PnPV (Pinna nobilis Picornavirus) that is affecting animals’ immune cells. These actions are vital for the conservation purpose of the LIFE PINNACARE (LIFE24-NAT-ES-PINNACARE/101216239) and to define how animals cope with the infection related to individual response.

The group is involved in characterizing the virus in the mediterranean population and defining the host-pathogen interaction along with the other secondary opportunistic infection related to Hapolosporidium pinnae and Mycobacterium sherrisi-like.