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Investigation
Viral Biology
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Bacterial Genetics
Our group has been studying for more than 30 years the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn). Our objectives are to understand the molecular basis of antimicrobial action, to search for new targets of action and new compounds. Seconeolitsine (SCN) is one of these new compounds targeting topoisomerase I (Topo I). As for the search for new targets, our research has focused in recent years on the factors that organize the topology of the chromosome, allowing optimal compaction (about 1000-fold) to harmonize its replication, chromosome segregation and gene expression. This compaction is mediated both by the level of DNA supercoiling (Sc) and by association with nucleoid-binding proteins (NAPs). The level of Sc depends mainly on the enzymatic activities of their DNA topoisomerases, reaching a homeostatic equilibrium by the opposite activities of the topoisomerases that relax DNA (Topo I and Topo IV), and of gyrase, which introduces negative Sc. Our group has characterized the three Spn topoisomerases and two NAPs: HU and SatR. In addition, the availability of antimicrobials that inhibit each of the Spn topoisomerases has allowed us to analyze their transcriptome under conditions of local or global change of the Sc level and to define gene domains of coordinated transcription and similar functions. Fluoroquinolones, which inhibit Topo IV and gyrase, produce local changes in Sc that induce alterations in 6% of the transcriptome, altering metabolic pathways that originate an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that contribute to lethality, in accordance with the general mechanism of bactericidal antibiotics. On the other hand, the induction of global changes in Sc by novobiocin (NOV, gyrase inhibitor), or by SCN (Topo I inhibitor), has allowed us to define topological domains. Global changes in Sc include the regulation of topoisomerase genes: its decrease activates the transcription of gyrase genes (gyrA, gyrB) and inhibits those of Topo IV (parEC) and Topo I (topA); the increase in Sc regulates the expression of topA. Decreased Sc affects 37% of the genome, with >68% of genes clustered in 15 domains. Increased Sc affects 10% of the genome, with 25% of the genes clustered in 12 domains. The AT content in the genome correlates with the domains, being higher in UP domains than in DOWN domains. The genes in the different domains have common functional characteristics, indicating that they have been subjected to topological selective pressure to determine the location of genes involved in metabolism, virulence and competition.
The current objectives of the group are:
1. Identification of factors that stabilize chromosome topology: NAPs, ncRNAs, intra-chromosomal interactions.
2. Regulation of transcription in response to topological stress: in vivo localization of DNA topoisomerases, RNA polymerase and NAPs.
3. Topo I as a new antimicrobial target and action of SCN.
4. Design of antisense RNAs and use of the CRISPR system as new antibacterial agents.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1) Project Title: Interaction Between DNA Supercoiling and Transcription in the Human Pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Principal Investigator: Adela González de la Campa
Funding Entity: Ministry of Science and Innovation, State Research Agency (Call for "R&D&I Projects" 2020 – "Research Challenges" and "Knowledge Generation" Modalities).
Reference: PID2021-124738OB-100.
Duration: 2022-2025.
Funding Amount: €108,900.
2) Project Title: Study of the Factors Organizing the Chromosome of Streptococcus pneumoniae: New Antibiotic Targets and Resistance Mechanisms.
Principal Investigator: Adela González de la Campa
Funding Entity: Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness. State Research Agency.
Reference: BIO2017-82951-R.
Duration: 2018-2020.
Funding Amount: €169,400.
3) Project Title: Role of DNA Topoisomerases and Nucleoid-Associated Proteins in the Chromosome Organization of Streptococcus pneumoniae: Response to Antibiotics and Virulence.
Principal Investigator: Adela González de la Campa
Funding Entity: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Secretariat of State for Research, Development, and Innovation.
Reference: BIO2014-55462.
Duration: 2015-2017.
Funding Amount: €193,600.
4) Project Title: The Control of Supercoiling Level in Streptococcus pneumoniae as an Antimicrobial Target.
Principal Investigator: Adela González de la Campa
Funding Entity: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Secretariat of State for Research, Development, and Innovation.
Reference: BIO2011-25343.
Duration: 2012-2015.
Funding Amount: €209,000.
5) Project Title: Role of Small Non-Coding RNAs in the Pathogenicity of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Principal Investigator: Mónica Amblar Esteban
Funding Entity: Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Strategic Health Action (AES).
Reference: PI11/00656.
Duration: 2012-2015.
Funding Amount: €198,714.
Publications
HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
10.1186/s40249-021-00894-5. 9. Brochado O, Martínez I (*), Berenguer J, Medrano L, González-García J, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Carrero A, Hontañón V, Navarro J, Guardiola JM, Pérez-Latorre L, Micán R, Fernández-Rodríguez A (‡), Resino S (* ‡). HCV eradication with IFN-based therapy does not completely restore gene expression in PBMCs from HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. J Biomed Sci 2021; 28:23 (A; FI= 12.77; D1, Medicine, Research & Experimental; JCR 2021). PMID: 33785040. DOI: 10.1186/s12929-021-00718-6.
PUBMEDRelationship of vitamin D status with advanced liver fibrosis and response to hepatitis C virus therapy: A meta-analysis.
12. García-Álvarez M, Pineda-Tenor D, Jiménez-Sousa Ma, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Guzmán-Fulgencio M; Resino S (*). Relationship of vitamin D status with advanced liver fibrosis and response to hepatitis C virus therapy: A meta-analysis. Hepatology. 2014, 6(5):1541-1550. (A; FI= 11.05; D1, Gastroenterology & Hepatology; JCR 2014). PMID: 24975775. DOI: 10.1002/hep.27281.
PUBMEDFTO rs9939609 polymorphism is associated with metabolic disturbances and response to HCV therapy in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.
13. Pineda-Tenor D, Berenguer J, Jiménez-Sousa MA, García-Álvarez M, Aldamiz-Echevarría T, Carrero A, Vázquez-Morón S, García-Broncano P, Diez C, Tejerina F, Guzmán-Fulgencio M, Resino S (*). FTO rs9939609 polymorphism is associated with metabolic disturbances and response to HCV therapy in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients. BMC Med. 2014, 12:198. (A; FI= 7.34; D1, Medicine, General & Internal; JCR 2014). PMID: 25367448. DOI: 10.1186/s12916-014-0198-y.
PUBMEDHLA-E variants are associated with sustained virological response in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients on hepatitis C virus therapy.
14. Guzmán-Fulgencio M, Berenguer J; Rallón N, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Miralles P, Soriano V, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Cosin J, Medrano J, García-Álvarez M, López JC, Benito JM, Resino S (*). HLA-E variants are associated with sustained virological response in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients on hepatitis C virus therapy. AIDS 2013; 27(8):1231-1238. (A; FI= 6.55; D1, Infectious Diseases; JCR 2013). PMID: 23811951. DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32835f5b9c.
PUBMEDEva Orviz, Anabel Negredo, Oskar Ayerdi, Ana Vázquez, Ana Muñoz-Gomez, Sara Monzón, Petunia Clavo, Angel Zaballos, Mar Vera, Patricia Sánchez, Noemi Cabello, Pilar Jiménez, Jorge A Pérez-García, Sarai Varona, Jorge Del Romero, Isabel Cuesta, Alberto Delgado-Iribarren, Montse Torres, Iñigo Sagastagoitia, Gustavo Palacios, Vicente Estrada, Maria Paz Sánchez-Seco, Grupo Viruela del Simio Madrid CNM/ISCIII/HCSC/Sandoval.
Eva Orviz, Anabel Negredo, Oskar Ayerdi, Ana Vázquez, Ana Muñoz-Gomez, Sara Monzón, Petunia Clavo, Angel Zaballos, Mar Vera, Patricia Sánchez, Noemi Cabello, Pilar Jiménez, Jorge A Pérez-García, Sarai Varona, Jorge Del Romero, Isabel Cuesta, Alberto Delgado-Iribarren, Montse Torres, Iñigo Sagastagoitia, Gustavo Palacios, Vicente Estrada, Maria Paz Sánchez-Seco, Grupo Viruela del Simio Madrid CNM/ISCIII/HCSC/Sandoval. Monkeypox outbreak in Madrid (Spain): Clinical and virological aspects. J Infect. 2022 Jul 10;S0163-4453(22)00415-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.07.005.
DOIEuropean mitochondrial haplogroups are associated with CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy.
15. Guzmán-Fulgencio M; Berenguer J, Micheloud D, Fernández-Rodríguez A; García–Álvarez M, Jiménez-Sousa MA, Bellón JM, Campos Y, Cosin J, Aldámiz-Echevarría T, Catalán P, López JC, Resino S (*). European mitochondrial haplogroups are associated with CD4+ T-cell recovery in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy. J Antimicrob Chemoth 2013; 68 (10): 2349–2357 (A; FI= 5.44; D1, Infectious Diseases; JCR 2013). PMID: 23749950. DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkt206.
PUBMEDMaría Paz Sánchez-Seco, María José Sierra, Agustín Estrada-Peña, Félix Valcárcel, Ricardo Molina, Eva Ramírez de Arellano, Angeles Sonia Olmeda, Lucía García San Miguel, Maribel Jiménez, Luis J Romero, Anabel Negredo; Group for CCHFv Research. Widespread Detection of Multiple Strains of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks, Spain.
María Paz Sánchez-Seco, María José Sierra, Agustín Estrada-Peña, Félix Valcárcel, Ricardo Molina, Eva Ramírez de Arellano, Angeles Sonia Olmeda, Lucía García San Miguel, Maribel Jiménez, Luis J Romero, Anabel Negredo; Group for CCHFv Research. Widespread Detection of Multiple Strains of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus in Ticks, Spain. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Feb;28(2):394-402. doi: 10.3201/eid2802.211308.
DOINegredo A, Sánchez-Ledesma M, Llorente F, Pérez-Olmeda M, Belhassen-García M, González-Calle D, Sánchez-Seco MP, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ. Retrospective Identification of Early Autochthonous Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Spain, 2013
Negredo A, Sánchez-Ledesma M, Llorente F, Pérez-Olmeda M, Belhassen-García M, González-Calle D, Sánchez-Seco MP, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ. Retrospective Identification of Early Autochthonous Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Spain, 2013. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Jun;27(6):1754-1756. doi: 10.3201/eid2706.204643.
DOINegredo A, Sánchez-Arroyo R, Díez-Fuertes F, de Ory F, Budiño MA, Vázquez A, Garcinuño Á, Hernández L, la Hoz González C, Gutiérrez-Arroyo A, Grande C, Sánchez-Seco P. Fatal Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Caused by Reassortant Virus, Spain, 2018.
Negredo A, Sánchez-Arroyo R, Díez-Fuertes F, de Ory F, Budiño MA, Vázquez A, Garcinuño Á, Hernández L, la Hoz González C, Gutiérrez-Arroyo A, Grande C, Sánchez-Seco P. Fatal Case of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Caused by Reassortant Virus, Spain, 2018. Emerg Infect Dis. 2021 Apr;27(4):1211-1215. doi: 10.3201/eid2704.203462.
DOILaura Davó, Laura Herrero, Maria Paz Sánchez-Seco, Nuria Labiod, David Roiz, Elena Gómez-Díaz, Lourdes Hernandez, Jordi Figuerola and Ana Vázquez. Real-time PCR assay to detect Granada virus and the related Massilia and Arrabida phleboviruses
Laura Davó, Laura Herrero, Maria Paz Sánchez-Seco, Nuria Labiod, David Roiz, Elena Gómez-Díaz, Lourdes Hernandez, Jordi Figuerola and Ana Vázquez. Real-time PCR assay to detect Granada virus and the related Massilia and Arrabida phleboviruses. Davó et al. Parasit Vectors. 2020 May 29;13(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04110-5.
DOIMaría Velasco, María Paz Sánchez-Seco, Carolina Campelo, Fernando de Ory, Oriol Martin, Laura Herrero, Octavio J. Salmerón Béliz, Teodora Minguito, Mª Carmen Campos, Francisca Molero, Alejandro Algora and Ana Vázquez. Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain
María Velasco, María Paz Sánchez-Seco, Carolina Campelo, Fernando de Ory, Oriol Martin, Laura Herrero, Octavio J. Salmerón Béliz, Teodora Minguito, Mª Carmen Campos, Francisca Molero, Alejandro Algora and Ana Vázquez. Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications. Viruses 2020 Jan 29;12(2):156. doi: 10.3390/v12020156.
DOINegredo A, Habela MÁ, Ramírez de Arellano E, Diez F, Lasala F, López P, Sarriá A, Labiod N, Calero-Bernal R, Arenas M, Tenorio A, Estrada-Peña A, Sánchez-Seco MP. Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Enzootic Focus, Spain, 2011-2015
Negredo A, Habela MÁ, Ramírez de Arellano E, Diez F, Lasala F, López P, Sarriá A, Labiod N, Calero-Bernal R, Arenas M, Tenorio A, Estrada-Peña A, Sánchez-Seco MP. Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Enzootic Focus, Spain, 2011-2015. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Jun;25(6):1177-1184. doi: 10.3201/eid2506.180877.
DOIRamírez de Arellano E, Sanchez-Lockhart M, Perteguer MJ, Bartlett M, Ortiz M, Campioli P, Hernández A, Gonzalez J, Garcia K, Ramos M, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Tenorio A, Sánchez-Seco MP, González F, Echevarría JE, Palacios G, Negredo A. First Evidence of Antibodies Against Lloviu Virus in Schreiber's Bent-Winged Insectivorous Bats Demonstrate a Wide Circulation of the Virus in Spain
Ramírez de Arellano E, Sanchez-Lockhart M, Perteguer MJ, Bartlett M, Ortiz M, Campioli P, Hernández A, Gonzalez J, Garcia K, Ramos M, Jiménez-Clavero MÁ, Tenorio A, Sánchez-Seco MP, González F, Echevarría JE, Palacios G, Negredo A. First Evidence of Antibodies Against Lloviu Virus in Schreiber's Bent-Winged Insectivorous Bats Demonstrate a Wide Circulation of the Virus in Spain. Viruses. 2019 Apr 19;11(4):360. doi: 10.3390/v11040360.
DOIMeta-analysis: diagnostic accuracy of hepatitis C core antigen detection during therapy with direct-acting antivirals.
3. Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Treviño-Nakoura A, Bellon JM, Ardizone Jiménez B, Jiménez‑Sousa MA, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Martínez I (‡), Resino S (*‡). Meta-analysis: diagnostic accuracy of hepatitis C core antigen detection during therapy with direct-acting antivirals. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56 (8): 1224-1234 (A; FI= 9.52; D1, Pharmacology & Pharmacy; JCR 2021).
PUBMED DOIAntibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in mothers and children from delivery to six months later.
4. Martin-Vicente M, Carrasco I, Muñoz-Gomez MJ, Lobo AH, Mas V, Vigil-Vázquez S, Vázquez M, Manzanares A, Cano O, Alonso R, Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Tarancón-Díez L, Muñoz-Fernández MÁ, Muñoz-Chapuli M, Resino S#*, Navarro ML#, Martinez I#*. Antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in mothers and children from delivery to six months later. Birth. 2022 Jul 8:10.1111/birt.12667. doi: 10.1111/birt.12667. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35802776.
PUBMEDHepatitis E virus seroprevalence is associated with neurodegenerative disorders in older people with dementia: a case-control study.
5. Pérez-García F, Vázquez-Morón S, Burgueño-García I, José Muñoz-Gómez M, Zea-Sevilla MA, Calero M, Martínez I#, Rábano A#, Resino S#. Hepatitis E virus seroprevalence is associated with neurodegenerative disorders in older people with dementia: a case-control study. J Infect Dis. 2022 Jun 27:jiac268. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiac268. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35759220 (A; FI= 7.759; Q1 Microbiology; JCR 2021).
PUBMEDNegative impact of HIV infection on broad-spectrum anti-HCV neutralizing antibody titers in HCV-infected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis.
6. Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Yélamos MB, Díez C, Gómez J, Hontañón V, Torresano-Felipe F, Berenguer J, González-García J, Ibañez-Samaniego L, Llop E, Olveira A, Martínez J, Resino S (‡ *), Martínez I (‡ *). Negative impact of HIV infection on broad-spectrum anti-HCV neutralizing antibody titers in HCV-infected patients with advanced HCV-related cirrhosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2022, 150: 113024. (A; FI= 7.42; D1, Pharmacology & Pharmacy; JCR 2021).
PUBMED DOI. Environmental factors linked to hospital admissions in young children due to acute viral lower respiratory infections: A bidirectional case-crossover study.
7. Álvaro-Meca A, Goez MDC, Resino R, Matías V, Sepúlveda-Crespo D, Martínez I#, Resino S#. Environmental factors linked to hospital admissions in young children due to acute viral lower respiratory infections: A bidirectional case-crossover study. Environ Res. 2022 Sep; 212(Pt B):113319. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113319. PMID: 35447151. (A; FI= 8.431; D1 Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; JCR 2021).
PUBMEDMisdiagnosis rate of among negative COVID-19 patients in real-life with Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test during 2021.
8. Ryan P, Pérez-García F, Torres-Macho J, Bibiano C, Ignacio Lazo J, Castaño-Ochoa G, Vidal-Alcántara EJ, Muñoz-Gómez MJ, Martínez I#, Resino S#. Misdiagnosis rate of among negative COVID-19 patients in real-life with Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test during 2021. J Infect. 2022 May; 84(5):e42-e44. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.03.013. PMID: 35306106 (L; FI= 38.637; D1 Infectious Diseases; JCR 2021).
PUBMEDSimilar humoral immune responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in HIV and non-HIV individuals after COVID-19.
11. Martín-Vicente M, Berenguer J, Muñoz-Gómez MJ, Díez C, Micán R, Pérez-Elías MJ, García-Fraile LJ, Peraire J, Suárez-García I, Jiménez-Sousa MÁ, Fernández-Rodríguez A, Vázquez M, Ryan P, González-García J, Jarrín I, Mas V, Martínez I#, Resino S#. Similar humoral immune responses against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in HIV and non-HIV individuals after COVID-19. J Infect. 2022 Mar;84(3):418-467. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.11.002. PMID: 34752819 (L; FI= 38.637; D1 Infectious Diseases; JCR 2021).
PUBMEDContent with Investigacion .
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Adela González de la Campa
Scientific Investigator
ORCID code: 0000-0002-3598-2548
Dr. Adela González de la Campa obtained her degree in Biology in 1981 and her PhD in 1985 from the Complutense University of Madrid. She did her doctoral thesis in the laboratory of Dr. Miguel Vicente at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas of CSIC. Subsequently she worked for 2 years at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, USA in the laboratory of Sandford Lacks. After this postdoctoral stage in the USA, she worked for 3 years as a Reincorporation Fellow at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas of CSIC in the laboratory of Dr. Manuel Espinosa. He is a CSIC Senior Scientist since 1990 and Research Scientist since 2007. He participated as group leader of the CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) from 2007 to 2015. Since 1990, she has been the principal investigator of the Bacterial Genetics Unit at the National Centre for Microbiology.
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María José Ferrándiz Avellano
Research Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0003-1428-9506
Dr. María José Ferrández obtained her degree in Biology in 1990 and her PhD in 1997 from the Complutense University of Madrid. She completed her doctoral thesis at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas of CSIC in the laboratory of Dr. Miguel Vicente. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Centro Nacional de Microbiología of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (1998-2001 and 2003-2006) and at the Institute of Infection and Immunity (University of Nottingham) from 2001- 2003. From 2007 to 2015, she participated as a researcher of the CIBER of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES). Since 2006, she is a Full Scientist at the National Microbiology Center of the ISCIII.
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Mónica Amblar Esteban
Research Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0003-3530-615X
Dr. Mónica Amblar obtained her degree in Biology in 1993 and her PhD in 2000 from the Complutense University of Madrid. She did her doctoral thesis in the laboratory of Dr. Paloma López at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas of CSIC. Subsequently, she worked for 5 and half years at the Instituto de Tecnología Química e Biológica/Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras (Portugal) in the laboratory of Prof. Cecilia M. Arraiano. After this postdoctoral stage he rejoined the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del CSIC where he worked for 2 years as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the laboratory of Dr. Paloma López. Subsequently, he joined the National Microbiology Center of the ISCIII with a Ramón y Cajal contract and in 2010 he obtained a position as a Full Scientist at the same center.
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Pablo Herrera Marcelino
Research Assistant
ORCID code: 0009-0003-5137-3712
Graduated in Biochemistry in 2022 from the University of Malaga, and in Master's degrees in Microbiology and Parasitology (2024) and Virology (2025) from the Complutense University of Madrid. He also holds degrees in Clinical Laboratory Science (2023) from the same university and in Biotechnology Applied to Health (2023) from the UNED. He currently has a research assistant contract focusing on the study of pneumococcal proteins involved in RNA interaction.
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Laura Alfonso Alarcón
PhD student
ORCID code: 0000-0003-1560-1100
Degree in Biochemistry in 2020 from National University of Asunción (Paraguay). Master in Microbiology and Health in 2024 from Pais Vasco University (Spain). Stays in Paraguay in Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud; Facultad de Ciencias Químicas and Hospital Nacional de Itaugua. She is actually a predoctoral student of the Microbiología y Parasitología program of Complutense University of Madrid, with a “Don Carlos Antonio López” (BECAL) fellowship from Paraguay Goverment.
List of staff
Additional Information
The research activity of the Viral Biology group since its beginnings in the 1980s has focused on respiratory viruses, especially on the study of the mechanisms of virus entry into the cell, evolutionary aspects, antigenic properties and vaccine development.
Currently, the group's objectives are focused on the characterisation of the immune response and the development of vaccines against human pneumoviruses: human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Both viruses are considered to be important respiratory pathogens of high clinical relevance, especially in the paediatric population.
Safe and effective vaccines against these viruses are currently not available. Soluble protein subunits based on the fusion protein (F-protein) of hRSV and hMPV are being developed in the laboratory by protein engineering for use as vaccines against human pneumoviruses.
On the other hand, and thanks to the characterisation of the type of humoral response induced by the F proteins of these viruses, the laboratory is also involved in the isolation of monoclonal antibodies and nanoantibodies for use as treatments against these viruses.
The research activity of the Viral Biology group since its beginnings in the 1980s has focused on respiratory viruses, especially on the study of the mechanisms of virus entry into the cell, evolutionary aspects, antigenic properties and vaccine development.
Currently, the group's objectives are focused on the characterisation of the immune response and the development of vaccines against human pneumoviruses: human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Both viruses are considered to be important respiratory pathogens of high clinical relevance, especially in the paediatric population.
Safe and effective vaccines against these viruses are currently not available. Soluble protein subunits based on the fusion protein (F-protein) of hRSV and hMPV are being developed in the laboratory by protein engineering for use as vaccines against human pneumoviruses.
On the other hand, and thanks to the characterisation of the type of humoral response induced by the F proteins of these viruses, the laboratory is also involved in the isolation of monoclonal antibodies and nanoantibodies for use as treatments against these viruses.