We protect your health through science
Investigation
Medical Entomology
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella
• Invasive Meningococcal Disease.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
o Study and evaluation of conventional (polysaccharide) and new-generation (protein) vaccines.
• Gonococcal Infection (Gonorrhea).
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
• Listeriosis.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
• Pertussis.
o Development and application of molecular techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. holmessi, and B. bronchiseptica.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1. Project Title: Determination of the degree of identity of common antigens of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using genomic and immunological tools.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII. Program: Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI23CIII/00040
Period: 2024-2026
Amount Awarded: €68,500
2. Project Title: Meningococcal Disease and Molecular Epidemiology (MEMORY).
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca and Julio A. Vázquez Moreno
Funding Entity: Pfizer Inc.
Reference: MVP 352/21
Period: 2022-2024
Amount Awarded: €82,834.50
3. Project Title: Modelling Approaches to Guide Intelligent Surveillance for the Sustainable Introduction of Novel Antibiotics. MAGIcIAN.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / International Joint Action / Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) Program
Reference: AC19CIII/00002
Period: 2020-2024
Amount Awarded: €46,000
4. Project Title: Epidemiological, Microbiological, and Clinical Analysis of the Listeriosis Outbreak in Andalusia. LISMOAN Study.
Principal Investigator: José Miguel Cisneros Herreros
Funding Entity: FISEVI (Andalusian Public Foundation for Health Research Management)/FPS2020 Call for Proposals
Reference: PI-0001-2020
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €114,954
5. Project Title: Population Structure of Neisseria meningitidis Using Massive Sequencing: A Potential Tool for Estimating Vaccine Effectiveness?
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI19CIII/00030
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €67,153
6. Project Title: Management agreement between the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Directorate General of Public Health, Quality and Innovation) and the Carlos III Health Institute, for the laboratory determinations corresponding to the 2nd seroprevalence study in Spain.
Principal Investigator: Fernando de Ory and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health
Reference: MEG151/17
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €565,663
7. Project Title: Effectiveness of the Meningococcal B Vaccine in Immunocompromised Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Foundation (SEHOP)
Reference: MVP 199/18
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €18,285
8. Project Title: Application of Massive Sequencing and Immunological Approaches in the Expression Analysis of New Vaccine Antigens in Meningococcal Populations
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI16CIII/00023
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €115,084
9. Project Title: fHbp variability over time and potential coverage of the new meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (bivalent rLP2086/fHbp) in Spain.
Principal Investigators: Raquel Abad and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Pfizer SLU
Reference: MVP 1273/16
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €125,350
10. Project Title: Estimation of protection of a conjugate vaccine against meningococcus serogroup C based on a mathematical model.
Principal Investigator: Julio A. Vázquez and Javier Díez
Funding Entity: Higher Center for Research in Public Health (CSISP)
Reference: MVP 1116/11
Period: 2011-2017
Amount awarded: €143,750
Publications
Potential implication of azole persistence in the treatment failure of two haematological patients infected with Aspergillus fumigatus
Peláez-García de la Rasilla T, Mato-López A, Pablos-Puertas CE, González-Huerta AJ, Gómez-López A, Mellado E, Amich J. Journal of Fungi, 2023 Jul 30;9(8):805.
PUBMED DOIAspergillus fumigatus can exhibit persistence to the fungicidal drug voriconazole
Valero C., Á Mato-López, I J. Donaldson, A. Roldán, H. Chown, N. Van-Rhijn, S. Gago, T. Furukawa, A. Mogorovsky, R. Ben Ami, P. Bowyer, N. Osherov, T. Fontaine, G.H. Goldman, E. Mellado, M. Bromley and J. Amich. Microbiology Spectrum.2023 13;11(2):e0477022
PUBMED DOICOVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA): Hospital or Home Environment as a source of life-threatening Aspergillus fumigatus infection?
Peláez-García de la Rasilla T, González-Jiménez I, García-Fernández Arroyo A, Roldán A, Carretero-Ares JL, Clemente-García M,, Martínez-Suarez M, Vázquez Valdés F, Melón-Garcia S, Mellado E, Sánchez-Nuñez ML on behalf HUCAPA group. Journal of Fungi, 2022 Mar 19;8(3):316.
PUBMED DOIThe sulfur-related metabolic status of Aspergillus fumigatus during infection reveals cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase as a promising antifungal target
Alharthi R, Sueiro-Olivares M, Storer I, Bin Shuraym H, Scott J, Al-Shidhani R, Fortune-Grant R, Bignell E, Tabernero L, Bromley M and Amich J. 2025. Virulence, 16(1):2449075
PUBMED DOIGuasp, P., E. Lorente, A. Martín-Esteban, E. Barnea, P. Romania, D. Fruci, J. J. W. Kuiper, A. Admon, and J. A. López de Castro. 2019. Redundancy and Complementarity between ERAP1 and ERAP2 Revealed by their Effects on the Behcet's Disease-Associated HLA-B*51 Peptidome. Mol.Cell Proteomics.
Guasp, P., E. Lorente, A. Martín-Esteban, E. Barnea, P. Romania, D. Fruci, J. J. W. Kuiper, A. Admon, and J. A. López de Castro. 2019. Redundancy and Complementarity between ERAP1 and ERAP2 Revealed by their Effects on the Behcet's Disease-Associated HLA-B*51 Peptidome. Mol.Cell Proteomics.
PUBMED DOIProteomics analysis reveals that structural proteins of the virion core and involved in gene expression are the main source for HLA class II ligands in vaccinia virus-infected cells.
Lorente, E., Martin-Galiano, A. J., Barnea, E., Barriga, A., Palomo, C., Garcia-Arriaza, J., Mir, C., Lauzurica, P., Esteban, M., Admon, A., and Lopez, D. (2019) Proteomics analysis reveals that structural proteins of the virion core and involved in gene expression are the main source for HLA class II ligands in vaccinia virus-infected cells. J.Proteome.Res. 18(9):3512-3520
PUBMED DOIComputational characterization of the peptidome in transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-deficient cells.
Martin-Galiano, A. J. and Lopez, D. (2019) Computational characterization of the peptidome in transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP)-deficient cells. PLoS.ONE. 14, e0210583.
PUBMED DOILorente, E., A. Barriga, E. Barnea, C. Palomo, J. Garcia-Arriaza, C. Mir, M. Esteban, A. Admon, and D. López. 2019. Immunoproteomic analysis of a Chikungunya poxvirus-based vaccine reveals high HLA class II immunoprevalence. PLoS.Negl.Trop.Dis. 13:e0007547.
Lorente, E., A. Barriga, E. Barnea, C. Palomo, J. Garcia-Arriaza, C. Mir, M. Esteban, A. Admon, and D. López. 2019. Immunoproteomic analysis of a Chikungunya poxvirus-based vaccine reveals high HLA class II immunoprevalence. PLoS.Negl.Trop.Dis. 13:e0007547.
PUBMED DOILópez, D., A. Barriga, E. Lorente, and C. Mir. 2019. Immunoproteomic Lessons for Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Design. J.Clin.Med. 8.
López, D., A. Barriga, E. Lorente, and C. Mir. 2019. Immunoproteomic Lessons for Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Design. J.Clin.Med. 8.
PUBMED DOIBrait, V. H., F. Miro-Mur, I. Perez-de-Puig, L. Notario, B. Hurtado, J. Pedragosa, M. Gallizioli, F. Jimenez-Altayo, M. Arbaizar-Rovirosa, A. Otxoa-de-Amezaga, J. Monteagudo, M. Ferrer-Ferrer, l. R. de, X, E. Bonfill-Teixidor, A. Salas-Perdomo, A. Hernandez-Vidal, P. Garcia-de-Frutos, P. Lauzurica, and A. M. Planas. 2019. CD69 Plays a Beneficial Role in Ischemic Stroke by Dampening Endothelial Activation. Circ.Res. 124:279-291.
Brait, V. H., F. Miro-Mur, I. Perez-de-Puig, L. Notario, B. Hurtado, J. Pedragosa, M. Gallizioli, F. Jimenez-Altayo, M. Arbaizar-Rovirosa, A. Otxoa-de-Amezaga, J. Monteagudo, M. Ferrer-Ferrer, l. R. de, X, E. Bonfill-Teixidor, A. Salas-Perdomo, A. Hernandez-Vidal, P. Garcia-de-Frutos, P. Lauzurica, and A. M. Planas. 2019. CD69 Plays a Beneficial Role in Ischemic Stroke by Dampening Endothelial Activation. Circ.Res. 124:279-291.
DOILorente, E., J. Redondo-Anton, A. Martín-Esteban, P. Guasp, E. Barnea, P. Lauzurica, A. Admon, and J. A. López de Castro. 2019. Substantial Influence of ERAP2 on the HLA-B*40:02 Peptidome: Implications for HLA-B*27-Negative Ankylosing Spondylitis. Mol.Cell Proteomics. 18:2298-2309.
Lorente, E., J. Redondo-Anton, A. Martín-Esteban, P. Guasp, E. Barnea, P. Lauzurica, A. Admon, and J. A. López de Castro. 2019. Substantial Influence of ERAP2 on the HLA-B*40:02 Peptidome: Implications for HLA-B*27-Negative Ankylosing Spondylitis. Mol.Cell Proteomics. 18:2298-2309.
PUBMED DOILorente, E., C. Palomo, E. Barnea, C. Mir, V. M. Del, A. Admon, and D. López. 2019a. Natural Spleen Cell Ligandome in Transporter Antigen Processing-Deficient Mice. J.Proteome.Res. 18:3512-3520.
Lorente, E., C. Palomo, E. Barnea, C. Mir, V. M. Del, A. Admon, and D. López. 2019a. Natural Spleen Cell Ligandome in Transporter Antigen Processing-Deficient Mice. J.Proteome.Res. 18:3512-3520.
PUBMEDLorente, E., M. G. Fontela, E. Barnea, A. J. Martín-Galiano, C. Mir, B. Galocha, A. Admon, P. Lauzurica, and D. López. 2020. Modulation of Natural HLA-B*27:05 Ligandome by Ankylosing Spondylitis-associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2). Mol.Cell Proteomics. 19:994-1004.
Lorente, E., M. G. Fontela, E. Barnea, A. J. Martín-Galiano, C. Mir, B. Galocha, A. Admon, P. Lauzurica, and D. López. 2020. Modulation of Natural HLA-B*27:05 Ligandome by Ankylosing Spondylitis-associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Aminopeptidase 2 (ERAP2). Mol.Cell Proteomics. 19:994-1004.
PUBMED DOIRedondo-Anton, J., M. G. Fontela, L. Notario, R. Torres-Ruiz, S. Rodriguez-Perales, E. Lorente, and P. Lauzurica. 2020. Functional Characterization of a Dual Enhancer/Promoter Regulatory Element Leading Human CD69 Expression. Front Genet. 11:552949.
Redondo-Anton, J., M. G. Fontela, L. Notario, R. Torres-Ruiz, S. Rodriguez-Perales, E. Lorente, and P. Lauzurica. 2020. Functional Characterization of a Dual Enhancer/Promoter Regulatory Element Leading Human CD69 Expression. Front Genet. 11:552949.
PUBMED DOIFontela, M. G., L. Notario, E. Alari-Pahissa, E. Lorente, and P. Lauzurica. 2019
Fontela, M. G., L. Notario, E. Alari-Pahissa, E. Lorente, and P. Lauzurica. 2019. The Conserved Non-Coding Sequence 2 (CNS2) Enhances CD69 Transcription through Cooperation between the Transcription Factors Oct1 and RUNX1. Genes (Basel) 10.
PUBMED DOIAdditional Information
The Medical Entomology Laboratory has accumulated extensive experience in this field, especially in entomological field studies, biology of arthropods of medical interest, vector competence and vector control. Also, in the molecular detection of Leishmania infantum promastigotes in naturally parasitized phlebotomine sand flies, in the molecular identification of blood ingested by hematophagous arthropods and in the study of the immunomodulatory properties of proteins present in the saliva of phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes. Our laboratory is currently co-leading the studies of vectors and wild reservoirs of leishmaniasis in the leishmaniasis focus of Fuenlabrada, Madrid. In this sense, we have studied the role of asymptomatic individuals as reservoirs in the outbreak by xenodiagnosis. On the other hand, we have participated since 2007 in the Entomological Surveillance Program in Airports and Ports against Potential Vectors of Exotic Infectious Diseases, a program that is allowing to develop the expansion map in Spain of Aedes albopictus. In 2016-2017, we carried out surveillance of Ae. albopictus in the Community of Castilla-La Mancha. On the other hand, we conducted studies on the role of patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the transmission of the parasite in Bangladesh and Sudan. In addition, we participate in research studying ticks transmitting Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Spain.
Currently, it maintains confidentiality agreements with several companies participating in the evaluation of molecules with activity against pathogens in vectors (GSK), in the development of vector traps using artificial intelligence algorithms (Irideon, Spain), and in the evaluation of repellents against phlebotomine sand flies (IRSEA, France).
The laboratory actively participates in outreach activities such as the Science Week or the European Researchers' Night, among others, making medical entomology science available to the general population.
The Medical Entomology Laboratory has accumulated extensive experience in this field, especially in entomological field studies, biology of arthropods of medical interest, vector competence and vector control. Also, in the molecular detection of Leishmania infantum promastigotes in naturally parasitized phlebotomine sand flies, in the molecular identification of blood ingested by hematophagous arthropods and in the study of the immunomodulatory properties of proteins present in the saliva of phlebotomine sand flies and mosquitoes. Our laboratory is currently co-leading the studies of vectors and wild reservoirs of leishmaniasis in the leishmaniasis focus of Fuenlabrada, Madrid. In this sense, we have studied the role of asymptomatic individuals as reservoirs in the outbreak by xenodiagnosis. On the other hand, we have participated since 2007 in the Entomological Surveillance Program in Airports and Ports against Potential Vectors of Exotic Infectious Diseases, a program that is allowing to develop the expansion map in Spain of Aedes albopictus. In 2016-2017, we carried out surveillance of Ae. albopictus in the Community of Castilla-La Mancha. On the other hand, we conducted studies on the role of patients with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in the transmission of the parasite in Bangladesh and Sudan. In addition, we participate in research studying ticks transmitting Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Spain.
Currently, it maintains confidentiality agreements with several companies participating in the evaluation of molecules with activity against pathogens in vectors (GSK), in the development of vector traps using artificial intelligence algorithms (Irideon, Spain), and in the evaluation of repellents against phlebotomine sand flies (IRSEA, France).
The laboratory actively participates in outreach activities such as the Science Week or the European Researchers' Night, among others, making medical entomology science available to the general population.