Dr. Roberto Biassoni

Biography

Pioneering work on the molecular cloning of NK inhibitory receptors (Killer Ig-like Receptors or KIR) involved in the recognition of HLA-C molecules and later the identification and the molecular cloning of different activating receptors (either HLA class I-specific or not) that participate in the fine regulation of the function NK and of some T lymphocyte cells. The proteins of some of these receptors have been crystallized to define their X-ray diffraction structures. More recently, since these receptors appeared recently in evolution since they are absent in rodents and other mammalian species, I studied their molecular evolution in different primate species. In recent years, since I have been puzzled by the HIV-1 subjects (termed Elite Controller) known to control of HIV-1 viremia naturally, I started a project on the possible epistatic role of KIR activating receptors and their HLA class I ligands to control the viremia of HIV-1.

Research Interest

NK cells, HLA, KIR, NCR