M. Pitino

Plant-derived, nodule-specific cysteine rich peptides inhibit growth and psyllid acquisition of 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', the citrus Huanglongbing bacterium

The paper identifies plant-derived NCR peptides that inhibit CLas growth in citrus leaves and reduce its acquisition by the psyllid vector.

Plant production of high affinity nanobodies that block SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding with its receptor, human angiotensin converting enzyme

This study produces nanobodies in plants that block SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binding to ACE2, offering a scalable method for therapeutic development.