SECOND DEGREE BIOSAFETY LABORATORY DEPARTMENT
The department combines excellence in genetic and bioinformatics research, with a focus on understanding evolutionary processes, monitoring pathogens, and protecting aquatic biodiversity. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it contributes to public health through environmental surveillance, with a focus on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, and to the conservation of natural heritage through advanced analysis of the sturgeon genome. The work of the department is based on the use of state-of-the-art technologies, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and mutation analysis, to provide essential data in support of strategic and scientific decisions.
Area Of Competence
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Development of molecular techniques for the detection of emerging pathogens in complex environments (primary processing, nucleic acid isolation, amplification of genes of interest by dPCR, next generation sequencing techniques).
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Epidemiological monitoring of emerging pathogens in water/wastewater/surface water samples.
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Development of studies and strategies to inform authorities and decision-makers.
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Integration of bioinformatics data to analyze genetic evolution and identify relevant mutations.
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Genetics and phylogeny of aquatic species.
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Identification of genetic markers for population and phylogenetic studies.
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Application of genomic and metagenomic sequencing.
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Investigation of phylogenetic relationships between different species.
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Isolation of nucleic acids from biological tissue samples.
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Amplification and quantification of genes of interest by dPCR.
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Preparation of detailed scientific reports based on genomic and molecular analysis, including interpretations of genetic dynamics, identification of significant mutations and correlation of these data with epidemiological and environmental trends.
Activities
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Molecular analysis of wastewater samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.
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Evaluation of viral loads and their variability.
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Complete sequencing of the viral genome to identify new variants.
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Study the frequency and geographical distribution of SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Generate reports for authorities on SARS-CoV-2 dynamics in wastewater.
