Enrico Lavezzo, PhD
Associate Professor at the
Department of Molecular Medicine
University of Padova
Via U. Bassi 58/b
35131 Padova, Italy
Tel: +390498276230
Email: enrico.lavezzo[at]unipd.it
Research
My research activity focuses on the bioinformatics analysis of pathogens and host–microbe interactions, integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and computational modeling to study variability, pathogenicity, and evolutionary dynamics.
I work on bacterial and viral genomics to investigate mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including genome sequencing and comparative genomics of multidrug-resistant strains, as well as the detection and characterization of resistance determinants.
Another major research line concerns metagenomic approaches, including both 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics as well as metatranscriptomics, applied to human diseases, pathogens, and vectors. These studies aim to characterize microbial communities, understand their dynamics under pathological or environmental conditions, and explore microbiome signatures linked to infection or disease states.
I am also involved in the study of non-coding RNAs, including circular RNAs (circRNAs), and in the bioinformatics characterization of nucleic acid secondary structures (such as G-quadruplexes and hairpins) and their potential regulatory roles in transcription and replication.
Finally, as part of the Argot2 team, I contribute to the development of bioinformatics and AI-based tools for protein function prediction, which have consistently ranked among the best in the international CAFA (Critical Assessment of Functional Annotation) challenges.
Teaching
2017 – 2019 “Microbiology” course, Bachelor Degree in Prevention techniques in the environment and in the workplaces.
2017 – current “Medical Biotechnologies” course, Master Degree in Bioengineering (course held in English).
2017 – current “Microbiology” course, degree in Medicine and Surgery.
2021 – current “Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology” course, Medical Specialty Schools (Interna Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Palliative Medicine, Geriatric Medicine)