Gerardo Puopolo

- Since October 2019: Associate Professor at University of Trento
- 2015-2019: Researcher at Fondazione Edmund Mach
- 01/03/2016-02/09/2016: Visiting Scientist at Gembloux Agro Bio-Tech of University of Liège, Belgium
-04/07/2012-31/08/2012: Visiting Scientist at Gembloux Agro Bio-Tech of University of Liège, Belgium
- 2011-2015: Post-doc at Fondazione Edmund Mach, funded by European projects Envirochange, Cofree and Innova.
- 2008: Master degre in Agroindustrial Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II"
- 2006-2011: Post-doc at Plant Pathology Division of Department of Fruit tree crop production, Botany and Plant Pathology,  University of Studi di Naples “Federico II”
- 20/05/2004-31/10/2005: Visiting Scholar at Microbiology Laboratory, Plant Pathology Division of University of Arizona, Tucson (AZ) USA
- 2003-2006: PhD in Plant Pathology, University of Naples “Federico II"
- 1997-2002: Bachelor  Degree in Agriculture Biotechnology, University of Naples “Federico II"

His major interests are in the field of Plant Pathology and Applied Microbiology as:

• Use of microorganisms to control the major plant diseases (i.e. grape diseases)
• Development of new biopesticides to be applied in agriculture as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides

To make more sustainable the control of plant pathogens in agriculture through the development of eco-friendly strategies is the main aim of the research activity. At the same time, the development of eco-friendly strategies will make up to the withdrawal of chemical fungicides from the market (i.e. copper) in the future.

Thus, the research activity is focused on the selection, identification, and biochemical and molecular characterization of bacterial strains (Bacillus, Lysobacter, Pseudomonas)  and fungal isolates (Ampelomyces, Trichoderma) able to control plant pathogens. The main works are aimed at dissecting molecular mechanisms involved in the control of plant pathogens through metabolomics, genomics, and transcriptomics. Emphasis is also given to the multiple interactions (plant-microbe, microbe-microbe) that may occur in the agro-ecosystems to make the application of bacterial biocontrol agents more reliable. In particular, studies allowed to provide more information on the physiology and ecology of the bacterial genus Lysobacter. 

- Member of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) 

- Member of IOBC-WRPS International Organisation for Biological Control and integrated pest management

• XV Meeting of the Working Group Biological and integrated control of plant pathogens “Biocontrol products: from lab testing to product development” (Lleida, Spain, 23-26 April 2018). Title of the oral presentation: Designing a dual RNA-Seq approach to dissect the mode of action of biocontrol bacteria against phytopathogenic eukaryotes
• Future IPM 3.0: towards a sustainable agriculture (Riva del Garda, Italy; 15-20 October 2017). Title of the oral presentation: RNA-Seq unveiled the bacterial mycophagy mechanisms implemented by Lysobacter capsici AZ78 interacting with Phytophthora infestans
• XXII National Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) (Rome, Italy; 19-22 September 2016). Title of the oral presentation: Design of a prototype formulation for the improvement of leaf colonization and plant protection efficacy of the biocontrol agent Lysobacter capsici AZ78 under field conditions
• XIV Meeting of the Working Group Biological Control of Fungal and Bacterial Plant Pathogens (Berlin, Germany; 12-13 May 2016). Title of the oral presentation: Pea broth promotes cell motility and biocontrol activity of Lysobacter capsici AZ78 and upregulates genes related to biogenesis of type IV pili.
• 10th International PGPR Workshop (Liege, Belgium; 16-19 June 2015). Title of the oral presentation: First insights on the impact of temperature on the survival and biocontrol efficacy of a member of the Lysobacter genus.
• XX National Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) (Pisa, Italy; 22-24 September 2014) Title of the oral presentation: Mining the genome of Lysobacter capsici AZ78 to identify the mechanisms involved in the biological control of Phytophthora infestans and Plasmopara viticola.
• XIII Meeting of the IOBC Working Group Biological control of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens: “From the field to the laboratory and back again” (Uppsala, Sweden; 15-18 June 2014) Title of the oral presentation: Draft genome sequence of Lysobacter capsici AZ78, a first step in unraveling the potential of Lysobacter as biological control agents.
• XIX National Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) (Padova, Italy; 23-25 September 2013) Title of the oral presentation: Combination of copper with Lysobacter capsici AZ78: towards new strategies for the biological control of Plasmopara viticola.
• IOBC Working Group Induced resistance in plants against insects and diseases “Leaping from success in the lab to success in the field” (Avignon, France; 09-13 June 2013) Title of the oral presentation: Effects of temperature on the protocooperation between plants and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499.
• XII Meeting of the IOBC Working Group Biological control of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens: “Biocontrol of plant pathogens in sustainable agriculture” (Reims, France; 24-27 June 2012) Title of the oral presentation: First evidence of a Lysobacter member as a biological control agent of Plasmopara viticola.
• XVI National Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) (Firenze, Italy; 14-17 September 2010) Title of the oral presentation: Insights on the antifungal activity of phenazine molecules produced by strain Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens M71.
• Meeting “A universal language: decoding the communication among living organisms to develop new biotechnological control strategies for diseases” (Firenze, Italy; 12 March 2008) Title of the oral presentation: How Quorum Sensing controls the activation of phenazine operon promoter in Pseudomonas aureofaciens strain 30-84.
• XIV National Congress of the Italian Phytopathological Society (S.I.Pa.V.) (Perugia, Italy; 19-21 September 2007) Title of the oral presentation: Identification of a lytic Gram-negative bacterium showing appreciable antagonistic activity toward a broad range of fungal species.

- Decrypting the role of bacterial signals in microbial interactions to enhance  Lysobacter establishment in the rhizosphere – Rhizotalk  H2020- Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship (MSCA-IF-2017)

- From microbial interactions to new-concept biopesticides and biofertilizers - H2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN-EID) - INTERFUTURE

- Replacement of contentious inputs in organic farming systems - H2020 Research and Innovation Programme - RELACS.