Francesco Pacini

Post-doctoral researcher in Plant Pathology at the Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Technologies (DISTAL). I hold a degree in Agricultural and Food Sciences and Technologies and a PhD in Agro-environmental Sciences and Technologies from the University of Bologna. I have conducted research on plant diseases associated with phytoplasmas in various agroecosystems worldwide using molecular methodologies. I worked on the characterization of resistance to fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora in pear, through virulence, pathogenicity tests and QTL analysis. In addition to characterizing Erwinia amylovora strains, I've worked on phytoplasmosis, with a particular interest in pear decline. Currently, my research focuses on RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, such as SIGS and HIGS, aimed at the sustainable control of major fungal pathogens affecting strawberry, grapevine, and pear, including Plasmopara viticola, Erysiphe necator, Botrytis cinerea, and Stemphylium vesicarium. Go to the Curriculum vitae