Molecular virology of arenaviruses and baculoviruses with applications in human health, agriculture and technological developments.
Overview
The Molecular Virology Laboratory (LVM) was founded by Dr. Víctor Romanowski, whose initial interest focused on the molecular genetics of Junín virus (JUNV), the etiological agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever (AHF). His research contributed to the development of rapid, highly specific diagnostic assays based on nucleic-acid amplification by RT-PCR and enzyme immunoassays using recombinant antigens. Molecular and cellular biology tools were also used to study pathogenic mechanisms of this emerging infection, including its effects on autophagy, macrophage function and platelet production, among other processes.
From its beginnings, the LVM has closely linked research and teaching. Expertise in molecular biology and a commitment to knowledge transfer through national and international courses developed in a mutually reinforcing manner. The international theoretical and experimental courses on eukaryotic expression systems held in 1988 and 1994 incorporated baculovirus-based vectors and laid the foundations both for studying the biology of this virus family and for using these vectors to express and transduce heterologous genes in productive collaborations with other research groups.
Later, in collaboration with Agricultural Engineer Alicia Sciocco of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), the laboratory incorporated the study of baculoviruses of agronomic interest for biological pest control. The exceptional biotechnological properties of these viruses were also harnessed to develop recombinant-baculovirus applications, including the expression of JUNV proteins in insect cells. Today, the team uses these tools to address problems related to human health and agriculture.
Dr. Romanowski particularly acknowledges Prof. Dr. Oscar Grau for his vision in introducing molecular approaches to virus research at UNLP and the use of viruses as tools to investigate gene-expression regulation before the advent of recombinant-DNA methodologies. He also recognizes Grau’s strong encouragement and support for young students and researchers at the Faculty of Exact Sciences of UNLP and throughout the region.
Research lines
Baculoviruses for biological pest control
Characterization of native baculoviruses as specific, safe biological control agents with low environmental impact.
Baculoviruses are highly specific for their insect hosts, cause a lethal disease in the pest, persist in the environment and are harmless to humans and beneficial insects. They therefore constitute an alternative to chemical insecticides within integrated pest management.
We characterize Argentine isolates SfMNPV and SfGV that infect Spodoptera frugiperda, the main pest of maize, through molecular, biological, genomic, proteomic and small RNA studies. The work ranges from the virus–insect interaction to evaluation and application trials in collaboration with researchers at INTA Hurlingham.
Responsible: María Leticia Ferrelli. Contact: lferrelli@biol.unlp.edu.ar.
Genetic improvement of AcMNPV as an expression vector in mammalian cells
Development of more efficient and specific recombinant baculoviruses for biotechnological and gene therapy applications.
AcMNPV can transduce mammalian cells without replicating or completing its infective cycle in them, although its efficiency varies by cell type. We work on improving these vectors to increase their expression capacity and specificity.
We develop a modular system for generating recombinant baculoviruses by Golden Gate assembly, also used in the High-Level Technological Service “Generation of plasmid and baculoviral vectors by modular assembly”. We also explore regulatory RNAs, expression episomes, inducible systems and epigenetic silencing.
Responsible: Matías Luis Pidre. Contact: mlpidre@biol.unlp.edu.ar.
Identification of new therapeutic targets against highly malignant tumors and development of baculovirus-based gene therapy vectors
Search for antitumor strategies that modulate cell-death pathways using baculoviral vectors.
We study apoptosis, necroptosis and pyroptosis pathways, whose imbalance contributes to tumor progression. The work focuses on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), tumors with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options.
We combine in silico analysis of transcriptomic, genomic and clinical databases with the development of vectors directed at new therapeutic targets. Constructs are validated in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models, in collaboration with INBIOMED, FLENI and COMTra.
Responsible: Matías Luis Pidre. Contact: mlpidre@biol.unlp.edu.ar.
Team
- Dr. Víctor RomanowskiSenior Researcher (CONICET); Emeritus Professor FCE–UNLP; Global Virus Network
- Dra. María Leticia FerrelliAssociate Investigator (CONICET); Practical Work Head FCE–UNLP
- Dr. Matías Luis PidreAssociate Researcher (CONICET); Practical Work Head FCE–UNLP
- Dra. Leslie AmorósPostdoctoral Fellow (CONICET)
- Doctoral fellows and traineesSantiago Gómez Bergna; Melani Pérez; Josefina Vilches; Joaquín Cepero; Abril González Abad; Joel Szczerba; Martina Cairo
Projects and funding
| Project | Code / period | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| Bioinsecticide development: molecular studies of baculoviruses for biological pest control | PICT 2020–SERIEA–02466 · 2020–present | FONCyT–ANPCyT |
| Study of native baculoviruses for Spodoptera frugiperda control | PICT 2021–I–A–00969 · 2021–present | FONCyT–ANPCyT |
| Inducible and specific baculoviral vectors for antitumor gene therapy | PICT GRF–T1 2021–00296 · 2021–present | FONCyT–ANPCyT |
| microRNA and circRNA expression in baculovirus–lepidopteran interactions | RESOL–2021–1639–APN–DIR–CONICET · 2021–present | CONICET |
| Molecular biology of host–pathogen interaction | Project X991 · 2023–2026 · 2023–2026 | UNLP |
Selected scientific output
- Silica-coated magnetic particles for efficient RNA extraction for SARS-CoV-2 detection
- PluriBAC: A Versatile Baculovirus-Based Modular System to Express Heterologous Genes in Different Biotechnological Platforms
- Effects of Mixed Baculovirus Infections in Biological Control: A Comprehensive Historical and Technical Analysis
- Evaluation of Baculoviruses as Gene Therapy Vectors for Brain Cancer
- The Magic Staff: A Comprehensive Overview of Baculovirus-Based Technologies Applied to Human and Animal Health
Collaborations
- Ricardo Salvador (IMyZA, INTA)
- Marianela Candolfi (INBIOMED, UBA, CONICET)
- Gabriela Jaita (INBIOMED, UBA, CONICET)
- Adriana Seilicovich (INBIOMED, UBA, CONICET)
- M. Florencia Gottardo (COMTra, UNQ)
- Claudia Rodríguez Torres (IFLP, UNLP, CONICET)
- Sheila Ons (CREG, UNLP)
- Guillermo Videla-Richardson (Fleni)
Capabilities, developments and transfer
Plasmid and baculoviral vector generation through modular Golden Gate assembly (STAN).
Characterization of native entomopathogenic baculoviruses and bioinsecticide development.
RNA extraction with functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (documented development for diagnostics).
Technological developments
The institutional source describes agreements and developments of rapid RNA extraction kits with magnetic nanoparticles and the STAN modular assembly service for baculoviral vectors.
- Specific agreement — rapid RNA extraction kits (magnetic nanoparticles, SARS-CoV-2). Ministerio de Salud PBA · MINCyT PBA · CONICET · UNLP · start 2020
- Technology transfer with INBIO HIGHWAY — rapid RNA extraction kits. Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (SARS-CoV-2) · 2022–2023
- Technology transfer with EBT MAGNOLIA — rapid RNA extraction kits. Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (SARS-CoV-2) · 2022–present (per source)
- STAN — Generation of plasmid and baculoviral vectors by modular assembly. High-Level Technological Service IBBM · Golden Gate system (Dr. Matías Luis Pidre)
Institutional contact
Institutional channels of the Institute.