The research program at Applied and Functional Genomics is focused on the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and infectious diseases (HCV, dengue, SARS-COV-2). The group is aimed at finding disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These molecular studies seek to define novel interactions between viral proteins and cellular targets and address basic mechanisms such as viral persistence and antiviral resistance.

The other major goal of the group is to find medicinal plants with antiviral and anticancer activity that can help treat these deadly diseases. We are not only screening the plants but also studying their molecular route of action (both at coding and non-coding RNA levels) so that it can be effectively proposed as a potential drug. The discovery of alternative and complementary regimens for the treatment of infectious diseases and cancer is a need of time from clinical as well as economic points of view. The cost-effective bioactive natural compounds production, high biochemical diversity, and inexistent/ milder side effects contribute to the new alternative therapies.