Parrella Giuseppe

The main areas of expertise are plant virology, with particular reference to bio-molecular characterization, diagnostics and epidemiology. Phytoplasmas and viroids are also included in the study interests. Current research topics include the study of the biological-molecular variability of the main viruses of horticultural, ornamental and aromatic crops; the development and validation of sensitive and highly specific diagnostic methods for the rapid diagnosis of viruses, with particular reference to emerging or recently introduced viruses and spread throughout the national territory (RT-PCR, cold probes, LAMP, real time RT-PCR, etc. .). In this sense, a collaboration is also active with the regional phytosanitary service (SFR) for the monitoring of vegetable viruses considered of particular interest to the region, recently introduced or quarantined. Other interests concern the research and characterization of sources of resistance to viruses in wild or cultivated germplasm; the use of beneficial microorganisms and their metabolites in the control of viroses; the identification and characterization of mitochondrial variants of Bemisia tabaci and of the associated geminiviruses and endosymbionts; the study of the impact of phytoviruses on human health.