Team leader
Prof. Marco Galeotti, professor of veterinary pathology

Scientists and student tutors
Dott. Donatella Volpatti, scientist
Dott. Paola Beraldo, scientist
Dott. Elena Galletti, scientist

Research
The research unit performs investigations on the pathogenesis and prevention of infectious diseases affecting several farmed fish species. The most important studied species are currently rainbow trout, sea bass and gilthead sea bream due to their economically relevant role in Italy and in the Mediterranean basin. Several disciplines are applied: microbiology, parasitology, immunology and anatomopathology. In detail, the activity of the unit concerns: pathogenesis and anatomopathology of major infective/infestive diseases affecting farmed fish; development of formulations/protocols for fish vaccination and immunostimulation; isolation and characterization of bacterial/viral pathogens through the application of microbiology and molecular biology techniques. In addition, the section is involved in a service of diagnostic pathology for fish farms and private fish owners.

Lab facilities
Thermal Cycler, Freezer (-80°C), ELISA reader, light & stereo-microscope, inverted microscope; digital system for histological pictures, autoclave, incubators for cell and bacterial culture, water-bath, chemical air flow cabinets, biological air flow cabinets, microcentrifuge, refrigerated centrifuges, tissue processor for histology, microtomes. 
Aquarium facilities - rearing system composed of 12 tanks (140 l) dedicated to experimental infections (challenge with bacterial fish pathogens). Farm facilities - the research unit collaborates with local fish farms (rainbow trout on-growing and marine fish hatcheries/on-growing).

Topics offered for thesis

• Development of DNA origami based nanodetectors.
• Etiology and pathogenesis of fish diseases
• Insights on sea bass (D. labrax) antimicrobial peptides (AMPs)
• Role of immunostimulants and plant extracts in the prevention of fish infectious diseases.