Immunobiology
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Research Lines:
1. Molecular mechanisms associated to the protection of HIV-1 infection in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy dominant D2 (LGMDD2) patients.
2. Generation of neutralizing antibodies for therapeutic use based on the broad-spectrum neutralizing response against founder viruses.
3. Characterization of the immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 in a population over 65 years of age.
4. Screening and characterization of new anti-latency drugs against HIV-1.
5. Study of viral entry and HIV tropism in viruses of special epidemiological relevance in Spain.
6. Genetic mechanisms of protection and control of HIV-1 infection in populations with extreme phenotypes.
Clinical studies:
1. Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of HIV-1 envelope-based 763SIP8/MPLA-5 vaccine as a preventive vaccine in healthy uninfected adults.
2. ENE-COVID-Senior: Prospective observational study in a cohort of elderly nursing home residents to establish their immune status after receiving a complete vaccination regimen.
Implementation of new technologies:
1. Identification of HIV-1 integration sites by deep sequencing.
2. Single cell transcriptomics with simultaneous TCR/BCR sequencing.
3. Epidemiological intelligence for prediction of SARS-CoV-2 variants likely to emerge in different vaccination settings.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1. Immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection: effect in naïve vaccinees and seropositives against the most transmissible variants and relevance of host genetics.
Principal Investigator: Javier García Pérez.
Funding Agency: Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural 2021(ISCIII)
Funding: 135.000 €
Duration: 2022-2025.
Project Reference: PI21CIII/00025.
2. Design and generation of viral stocks of new SARS-CoV-2 variants (omicron subvariants) and analysis of their susceptibility to antibodies neutralization.
Principal Investigator: Javier García Pérez.
Funding Agency: Hipra Scientific S.L.U.
Funding: 103.771 €
Duration: 2023-2025.
Project Reference: MVP 198/23.
3. Characterization of a mutation in transportin 3 that protects against HIV infection: molecular mechanisms and discovery of new drugs.
Principal Investigator: José Alcamí y Javier García Pérez.
Funding Agency: Proyectos de I+D+I, Generación de Conocimiento y Retos Investigación de la Agencia Estatal de Investigación.
Funding: 240.000 €
Duration: 2022-2026.
Project Reference: PID2021-125978OB-C21 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, UE
4. Generation of immunogens based on HIV-1 envelopes from acutely infected individuals with a broad neutralizing response against founder viruses.
Principal investigator: Nuria González Fernández.
Funding Agency: Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural 2023 (ISCIII)
Funding: 82.000 €
Duration: 2024-2026.
Project Reference: PI23CIII/00039.
5. Phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of HIV-1 envelope-based 763SIP8/MPLA-5 vaccine.
Principal Investigator: Josep Mallolas Masferrer.
Funding Agency: Proyectos de Investigación Clínica Independiente, Acción Estratégica en Salud 2021-2023 (ISCIII).
Funding: 173.200 €
Duration: 2024-2026.
Project Reference: ICI23/00025.
6. Service of immunological determinations of the ENE-COVID SENIOR II protocol.
Principal Investigator: Mayte Pérez Olmeda y Javier García Pérez.
Funding Agency: Fundación para la investigación biomédica del Hospital Universitario La Paz
Funding: 185.037 €
Duration: 2024-2025.
Project Reference: MOTR 219/24.
7. Characterization of the immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 in a population over 65 years of age using single cell transcriptomics.
Principal Investigator: Javier García Pérez y Francisco Díez Fuertes.
Funding Agency: Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural 2021(ISCIII)
Funding: 152.000 €
Duration: 2025-2027.
Project Reference: PI24CIII/00058
8. Evaluation of rimonabant and cannbinooid analogues in HIV infection and viral latency.
Principal Investigator: Luis Miguel Bedoya del Olmo.
Funding Agency: Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Funding: 12.000 €
Duration: 2024-2025.
Project Reference: PR12/24-31553.
9. Discovery of new inhibitors of HIV-1 RNA biogenesis based on blocking the ribonucleoprotein RRE-Rev.
Principal Investigator: José Gallego Sala. Associate Researcher: Luis Miguel Bedoya del Olmo
Funding Agency: Department of Innovation, Universities, Science and Digital Society. Generalitat Valenciana.
Funding: 543,683.84 €
Duration: 2025-2027.
Project Reference: PROMETEO/2021/036.
Publications
Botulism in Spain: Epidemiology and Outcomes of Antitoxin Treatment, 1997-2019
Peñuelas M, Guerrero-Vadillo M, Valdezate S, Zamora MJ, Leon-Gomez I, Flores-Cuéllar Á, Carrasco G, Díaz-García O, Varela C. (2022). Botulism in Spain: Epidemiology and Outcomes of Antitoxin Treatment, 1997-2019. Toxins (Basel). 20;15(1):2
PUBMED DOIInvasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Spain: a microbiological and epidemiological study covering the period 2007-2019
Villalón P, Sáez-Nieto JA, Rubio-López V, Medina-Pascual MJ, Garrido N, Carrasco G, Pino-Rosa S, Valdezate S. (2021). Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Spain: a microbiological and epidemiological study covering the period 2007-2019. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Nov;40(11):2295-2303
PUBMED DOIRevisiting the Ancylostoma caninum secretome provides new information on hookworm-host interactions.
Morante T, Shepherd C, Constantinoiu C, Loukas A, Sotillo J. Revisiting the Ancylostoma caninum secretome provides new information on hookworm-host interactions. Proteomics. 2017 Dec;17(23-24).
PUBMED DOIHookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice.
Eichenberger RM, Ryan S, Jones L, Buitrago G, Polster R, Montes de Oca M, Zuvelek J, Giacomin PR, Dent LA, Engwerda CR, Field MA, Sotillo J, Loukas A. Hookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice. Front Immunol. 2018 Apr 30;9:850.
PUBMED DOIHDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans.
Flores MD, Gonzalez LM, Hurtado C, Motta YM, Domínguez-Hidalgo C, Merino FJ, Perteguer MJ, Gárate T. HDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans. Parasit Vectors. 2018 Feb 27;11(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2646-6.
PUBMED DOIAntibody responses to chimeric peptides derived from parasite antigens in mice and other animal species.
Orbegozo-Medina RA, Martínez-Sernández V, Folgueira I, Mezo M, González-Warleta M, Perteguer MJ, Romarís F, Leiro JM, Ubeira FM. Antibody responses to chimeric peptides derived from parasite antigens in mice and other animal species. Mol Immunol. 2018 Dec 17;106:1-11.
PUBMED DOIComparison of T24H-his, GST-T24H and GST-Ts8B2 recombinant antigens in western blot, ELISA and multiplex bead-based assay for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
Hernández-González A, Noh J, Perteguer MJ, Gárate T, Handali S. Comparison of T24H-his, GST-T24H and GST-Ts8B2 recombinant antigens in western blot, ELISA and multiplex bead-based assay for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Parasit Vectors. 2017 May 15;10(1):237.
PUBMED DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Almudena Cascajero Díaz
Técnico de laboratorio
ORCID code: 0000-0002-9654-3100
Técnico Superior de Actividades Técnicas y Profesionales (Unidades de Inmunopatología del SIDA y Legionella, Centro Nacional de Microbiología). Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Technician by IES Renacimiento de Madrid.
Experience in cloning techniques and characterization of neutralizing antibodies and participation in different projects on the pathogenesis of HIV by studying the viral envelope and the mechanisms of resistance to antiretroviral drugs. This experience has subsequently allowed me to participate in 5 multicenter clinical studies studying the immune response against different variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Since 2021, I also participate as a laboratory technician in the Legionella Unit as a support to the Spanish National Health System through the microbiological surveillance of the disease to contribute to the prevention and control of legionellosis.
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Laura del Estal Gómez
Ayudante de investigación
ORCID code: 0009-0000-2773-8986
Graduada en Biología Sanitaria por la Universidad de Alcalá. Máster Universitario en Microbiología Aplicada a la Salud Pública e Investigación en Enfermedades Infecciosas.
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Caroline Stephanie Crisóstomo Vergara
Técnico de Laboratorio
ORCID code: 0009-0008-0525-1737
Técnico de Laboratorio. Técnico superior de Laboratorio Clínico y Biomédico por la Escuela Técnica de Enseñanzas Especializadas de Madrid. Máster en Microbiología Clínica por el Instituto Europeo de Química, Física y Biología de Madrid.
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Fernando González Camacho
Científico Titular
ORCID code: 0000-0003-3175-9004
Licenciado en Ciencias Biológicas por la Universidad de Salamanca y Doctor por la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Actualmente, es Científico Titular de plantilla en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM) del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). Responsable de la Unidad de Legionella del Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Enfermedades Bacterianas transmitidas por agua y alimentos.
A nivel europeo es sustituto (Alternate) al National Focal Point para la enfermedad del legionario en el ECDC y es OCP (Operational Contact Point) en microbiología para la legionelosis en la European Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance Network (ELDSNet).
Coordina las líneas de investigación del laboratorio que se desarrollan en tres perspectivas diferentes: en las instalaciones colonizadas, estudios sobre la resistencia a los tratamientos y su persistencia; en la clínica, sobre factores de virulencia y su interacción con el sistema inmune; y en la vigilancia microbiológica, sobre la mejorar de los métodos de caracterización del microorganismo.
Es Investigador Principal en el proyecto “Búsqueda de biomarcadores de patogenicidad en Legionella spp con interés predictivo de riesgo de infección".
Es miembro de distintas sociedades científicas como son la Sociedad Española de Salud Ambiental (SESA), Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica (SEIMC) y la European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).
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Juana María González Rubio
Científica Titular
ORCID code: 0000-0001-6979-2964
La Dra. Juana María González Rubio es Licenciada en Bioquímica por la Universidad de Salamanca y Doctora por la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. Actualmente, es Científico Titular de plantilla en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología del Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), donde trabaja en la Unidad de Legionella del Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Enfermedades Bacterianas transmitidas por agua y alimentos.
Dentro del laboratorio, realiza las actividades propias del Programa de Vigilancia Microbiológica de Legionella, y lleva las líneas de investigación del laboratorio sobre la caracterización de biofilms y la puesta a punto de nuevas técnicas para la caracterización de Legionella. También forma parte del equipo investigador del proyecto “Búsqueda de marcadores de patogenicidad para el análisis de riesgos en las instalaciones".
Anteriormente, ha trabajado en la Unidad de Biomonitorización humana del Centro Nacional de Sanidad Ambiental (ISCIII) participando en diferentes proyectos de investigación relacionados con la Sanidad Ambiental, siendo el último más destacado el proyecto “HBM4EU" en el que ha trabajado hasta junio de 2023.
List of staff
Additional Information
Doctoral theses
“Expression and functionality of tlr2 and tlr4 in lymphomyeloid populations present in the lung and lymphoid organs during embryonic and neonatal life in mouse models.” Carolina Ruiz Sánchez. Complutense University of Madrid, 2022
Master's thesis
Detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles of platelet origin in lung supernatants from SPN-infected animals. Marta Paris, Alcalá University, 2024
Study of TLR-dependent activation in the RAW 264.7 macrophage line. Iñigo Merino de Saracho, Alcalá University, 2023
Study of the functionality of TLR receptors in the lung and other lymphoid organs in B cell populations using the neonatal mouse model. Yolanda Campanero, Alcalá University, 2023
Exploratory study of T lymphoid progenitors in the neonatal mouse lung. Alejandro Arrabal, Complutense University of Madrid, 2022
Study of B lymphoid differentiation in mice deficient for CD5 and CD6 molecules. Cristina Martín, Alcalá University, 2022
Role of platelets and their progenitor cells in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Ana de Lucas Rius, Alcalá University, 2020
Pilot study of RSV infection in the mouse model: cellular phenotype of myeloid and lymphoid populations in the lung in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Juan Antonio Martín Quesada, Alcalá University, 2020
B cell response during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Eva Castro, 2020
Study of the hematopoietic potential of neonatal lung cells in the mouse model. Ana Cogollo García, Alcalá University, 2018
Innate immune response to S. pneumoniae in the lung. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2018
Neonatal immunity in the mouse model: localization and function of the innate and adaptive response. Alba Ezequiel Fernández, Alcalá University, 2017
Characterization of immunoglobulin gene diversity in the mouse model of TLR4 homeostasis and activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cristina García Caballero, Alcalá University, 2017
Altered lymphopoiesis and splenic B cell subsets on Telomerase Activity Deficient Mice (TERC-/-). Juliana Manosalva, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017
Study of the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Washings of Infants with Bronchiolitis. Isabel Martín Barrios, Complutense University of Madrid, 2016
Dynamics of B1-REL lymphocytes in the in vivo immunization model with DNP-LPS. Inmaculada Sanz Ramos University Alcalá, 2015
Megakaryocyte differentiation pathways in the mouse model. Marta Cobos Briz, Alcalá University, 2015
Role of megakaryocytes in infectious processes. Melania Guerrero Hue, Complutense University of Madrid, 2015
Final degree projects
Study of new bacterial vaccines in the mouse (Mus musculus) infection model due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Alejandro Arrabal, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 2021
Megakaryocytes and platelets in SPN respiratory infection: Role of TLR4. Óscar González Hervás, Complutense University of Madrid, 2021
Study of the immune response mediated by pseudo-innate B lymphocytes against TLR4-dependent immunization models. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017.
Study of the diversity in the immunoglobulin repertoire in healthy individuals. Isabel Martín, Francisco de Vitoria University, 2015.
Dynamics of hematopoietic populations in the perinatal spleen. Inmaculada Sanz, Alcalá University, 2014
Teaching in training courses
Training course: Introduction to Flow Cytometry (from 2015 to present)
Training Course: Flow Cytometry Data Analysis (2018 to present)
Outreach / Citizen Science
• Collaboration in the 4th+Company CAM program.
• Collaboration with the ISCIII Scientific Culture Unit in Science Week at the ISCIII
• Scientific Dissemination Project "Talking about Science", carried out in Majadahonda primary, secondary and high school schools, since 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth of the Majadahonda City Council: “How your Immune System works and healthy lifestyle habits to take care of it”
Doctoral theses
“Expression and functionality of tlr2 and tlr4 in lymphomyeloid populations present in the lung and lymphoid organs during embryonic and neonatal life in mouse models.” Carolina Ruiz Sánchez. Complutense University of Madrid, 2022
Master's thesis
Detection and characterization of extracellular vesicles of platelet origin in lung supernatants from SPN-infected animals. Marta Paris, Alcalá University, 2024
Study of TLR-dependent activation in the RAW 264.7 macrophage line. Iñigo Merino de Saracho, Alcalá University, 2023
Study of the functionality of TLR receptors in the lung and other lymphoid organs in B cell populations using the neonatal mouse model. Yolanda Campanero, Alcalá University, 2023
Exploratory study of T lymphoid progenitors in the neonatal mouse lung. Alejandro Arrabal, Complutense University of Madrid, 2022
Study of B lymphoid differentiation in mice deficient for CD5 and CD6 molecules. Cristina Martín, Alcalá University, 2022
Role of platelets and their progenitor cells in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Ana de Lucas Rius, Alcalá University, 2020
Pilot study of RSV infection in the mouse model: cellular phenotype of myeloid and lymphoid populations in the lung in two animal models of infection: SPN and RSV. Juan Antonio Martín Quesada, Alcalá University, 2020
B cell response during Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. Eva Castro, 2020
Study of the hematopoietic potential of neonatal lung cells in the mouse model. Ana Cogollo García, Alcalá University, 2018
Innate immune response to S. pneumoniae in the lung. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2018
Neonatal immunity in the mouse model: localization and function of the innate and adaptive response. Alba Ezequiel Fernández, Alcalá University, 2017
Characterization of immunoglobulin gene diversity in the mouse model of TLR4 homeostasis and activation by bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Cristina García Caballero, Alcalá University, 2017
Altered lymphopoiesis and splenic B cell subsets on Telomerase Activity Deficient Mice (TERC-/-). Juliana Manosalva, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017
Study of the Immune Response in Nasopharyngeal Washings of Infants with Bronchiolitis. Isabel Martín Barrios, Complutense University of Madrid, 2016
Dynamics of B1-REL lymphocytes in the in vivo immunization model with DNP-LPS. Inmaculada Sanz Ramos University Alcalá, 2015
Megakaryocyte differentiation pathways in the mouse model. Marta Cobos Briz, Alcalá University, 2015
Role of megakaryocytes in infectious processes. Melania Guerrero Hue, Complutense University of Madrid, 2015
Final degree projects
Study of new bacterial vaccines in the mouse (Mus musculus) infection model due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Alejandro Arrabal, Polytechnic University of Madrid, 2021
Megakaryocytes and platelets in SPN respiratory infection: Role of TLR4. Óscar González Hervás, Complutense University of Madrid, 2021
Study of the immune response mediated by pseudo-innate B lymphocytes against TLR4-dependent immunization models. Rodrigo Sánchez, Complutense University of Madrid, 2017.
Study of the diversity in the immunoglobulin repertoire in healthy individuals. Isabel Martín, Francisco de Vitoria University, 2015.
Dynamics of hematopoietic populations in the perinatal spleen. Inmaculada Sanz, Alcalá University, 2014
Teaching in training courses
Training course: Introduction to Flow Cytometry (from 2015 to present)
Training Course: Flow Cytometry Data Analysis (2018 to present)
Outreach / Citizen Science
• Collaboration in the 4th+Company CAM program.
• Collaboration with the ISCIII Scientific Culture Unit in Science Week at the ISCIII
• Scientific Dissemination Project "Talking about Science", carried out in Majadahonda primary, secondary and high school schools, since 2015 in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth of the Majadahonda City Council: “How your Immune System works and healthy lifestyle habits to take care of it”