The Parvoviridae family includes small, non-enveloped, single-stranded DNA viruses that infect hosts ranging from insects to humans, with effects ranging from asymptomatic to fatal. Beyond the pathogenic species, some parvoviruses hold promise for gene and cancer therapy. Their biology is characterized by a small genome and limited coding capacity. Parvoviruses can only infect actively dividing cells because they lack the ability to induce host cells to enter S-phase. This requirement influences their tropism and restricts infection mainly to tissues with high cell turnover, such as bone marrow, intestinal mucosa and fetal tissue.
In our laboratory, we are particularly interested in the mechanism of parvovirus entry. By studying how parvoviruses recognize specific receptors, undergo structural changes, and interact with the cellular machinery, we aim to elucidate the precise steps by which these viruses enter the cells. Understanding the entry mechanisms of parvoviruses is complex due to their diverse infection pathways and virus-host interactions. However, a deeper insight into these processes is fundamental as it may lead to novel antiviral strategies and improve parvovirus-based gene therapy and cancer treatment.
