Determinants of resistance and pathogenicity in SARS-CoV-2 infection: genomic and biochemical mechanisms

The clinical management of COVID-19 patients and the implementation of measures to prevent, alleviate and eventually eradicate the disease will require not only a complete characterization of the structural and biological features of the virus, but also a deep understanding of the molecular intricacies of the virus-host cell interaction. In this project we will carry out comparative studies aimed at identifying viral and host genomic features involved in pathogenicity and disease susceptibility. We will also study the role of cellular proteases involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection and explore their regulatory mechanisms, their endogenous inhibitors and their potential role in aging-associated disease vulnerability. These studies will be complemented with a CRISPR / Cas9-based screening designed to search for new cellular factors involved in the infection process and host response.