Massimo Palmarini

Professor Massimo Palmarini is a Professor of Virology at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, University of Glasgow. His research focuses on viral pathogenesis, particularly with arboviruses and emerging infectious diseases.

Professor Palmarini's laboratory studies the biology and pathogenesis of livestock diseases induced by emerging arboviruses such as Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV). His research indicates that approximately 30 percent of all infectious diseases that emerged between 1990 and 2000 were caused by arthropod-borne viruses (arbovirus), likely resulting from increased travel and commerce, climate changes, ecological shifts, and intensified livestock production. His work has expanded significantly into coronavirus research, particularly SARS-CoV-2, examining viral evolution, host immune responses, and disease mechanisms. He employs advanced techniques including single-cell analysis, omics approaches, and machine learning frameworks to understand viral pathogenesis.

Analysis of Professor Palmarini's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dual research focus: continued investigation of arboviruses (particularly Bluetongue virus) and extensive work on SARS-CoV-2 and related coronaviruses. His research on SARS-CoV-2 spans viral evolution, immune evasion mechanisms, host-pathogen interactions, and clinical manifestations of disease. His work on arboviruses examines transmission mechanisms, disease severity correlates, and viral determinants of host range.

Professor Palmarini's research is funded by various sources including Wellcome, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the European Union. His laboratory has produced over 150 publications spanning more than three decades, demonstrating sustained contributions to virology research with particular emphasis on retroviruses, arboviruses, and coronaviruses.