Overview

Preclinical models are necessary to evaluate new therapeutic strategies against emerging infections. Besides, they can be used to understand pathogenesis and immune response to these infections. In our lab, we use different small animal models to understand the pathogenesis of emerging viral infections. Our current focus is the recently emerged coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 is the causing agent of COVID19 (COronaVIrus Disease 2019), a severe acute respiratory syndrome responsible for an unprecedent pandemic of the 21st century.
We mainly work with humanized models engrafted with human immune cells, human tissues (i.e. Liver) or expressing human receptors (i.e. ACE2).