Marco Gerdol

Marco Gerdol is an Associate Professor of Genetics at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste (UNITS). He serves on the Department's Board, Joint Board of Studies, and Doctoral Studies Boards. As a key member of the Applied and Comparative Genomics research group under Prof. Alberto Pallavicini, his work focuses on marine invertebrate genomics, particularly the adaptive significance of pan-genomes in Mytilus galloprovincialis and molecular diversity of innate immune receptors.

His research spans three main areas:

• Evolutionary immunology of bivalves, including gene family expansions and immune pathway characterization
• Marine ecosystem genetics, investigating biogeochemical cycles and climate change impacts
• Development of genomic tools for haplotype diversity analysis and virus-host mapping

Major projects include:

• Coordinating the PNRA Antarctic adaptation study
• Leading the PNRR iNEST conservation genomics initiative
• Participating in the EU VirHoX virus-ribosome mapping project

He has co-authored foundational studies on mussel pan-genome architecture, C1q domain protein evolution, and mytilin peptide diversity, with publications in Genome Biology, Developmental & Comparative Immunology, and Nature (2013 coelacanth genome study). The laboratory he works with also hosts functional genomics students and collaborates internationally across Italy, Europe, and Antarctica.