Author: Simone Giannecchini, Associate Professor in Microbiology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy. Education background: Graduate in Biology, 1993 University of Pisa, Italy; PhD in Immuno-biology of viruses, 1998 University of Pisa, Italy. Work experience: Theoretical and applied knowledge of the main techniques of biochemistry, cellular biology, immunology, and molecular biology applied to the study of the pathogenesis of viral infections. Current and previous research interests: The natural history and immune-pathogenesis of viral infection and the design of new strategies to develop efficacious antiviral molecules. Memberships: Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM); Italian Society of Virology Italian society of Virology (SIV-ISV); European Society of Virology (ESV). Awards: 2006: Best Poster presentation at the National Congress of The Italian Society of Virology; 2004: Best Scientific presentation at the Forum of The Italian Society of Medical Virology; 2002: Award as Best scientific communication published in AIDS Research in Memory of "G.B. Rossi”.