We protect your health through science

Investigation

Immunobiology

Research Lines

Content with Investigacion Parasitología .

Toxoplasmosis y Protozoos intestinales

null

Referencia e Investigación en Helmintos

null

Malaria y Parasitosis Emergentes

null

Leishmaniasis y Enfermedad de Chagas

null

The Laboratory of Medical Entomology (LME) develops an intense reference and research activity, focused on the field of disease vectors of interest in Public Health. The LME has an insectary where biological cycles of insect vectors are currently maintained, allowing the performance, among others, of vector competence and xenodiagnostic studies. The LME supports the national health system by offering techniques available in the portfolio of services for the taxonomic identification of arthropods of health interest. In addition, it performs entomological surveillance of outbreaks, supporting Surveillance Plans. In particular, the LME plays a leading role in the Entomological Surveillance Plan for Leishmaniasis in the Community of Madrid. On the other hand, the LME offers scientific advice to the CCAES (Centro de Coordinación de Alertas y Emergencias Sanitarias, Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social), and participates in the elaboration of reports and rapid risk assessments.


 

The main research lines of the Laboratory of Medical Entomology are:

1. Maintenance of insect vector colonies: phlebotomine sand flies (Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus argentipes, vectors of Leishmania infantum, Leishmania major and Leishmania donovani, respectively), Culex and Aedes mosquitoes (vectors of various arboviruses) and Rhodnius prolixus (vector of Trypanosoma cruzi). 
2. Biology of disease vectors of public health interest: biology, vector competence, experimental infections. The CNM has a BSL3 safety laboratory to carry out vector competence studies with culicidae and phlebotomine sand flies.
3. Entomological sampling, infectivity of potential reservoirs of leishmaniasis.
4. Insecticides and repellents: evaluation of their efficacy. 
5. Characterization of saliva proteins of hematophagous Diptera: genomics, proteomics, biochemistry and gene editing. Study of salivary proteins as markers of bite exposure, virulence factors and/or vaccines.
6. Xenodiagnosis of leishmaniasis.
7. Molecular biology and taxonomy of phlebotomine sand flies. Molecular detection of Leishmania infantum in phlebotomine sand flies and characterization of Leishmania spp. Molecular identification of blood ingested by vectors.

Babesiosis

null

Research projects

Content with Investigacion Parasitología .

CURRENT PROJECTS

Project title: "Biochemical and functional characterisation of salivary proteins of Phlebotomus perniciosus and their role in infection by Leishmania infantum (PERNIPROT)"
Reference: Project PID2023-147773NA-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, EU.
Start date: 01/09/2024
End date: 31/08/2028
Funding: €175,000
Principal investigator: Inés Elena Martín Martín. 
Funding agency: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Proyecto de Generación del Conocimiento 2023).


 

Project title: "Surveillance of leishmaniasis in the Community of Madrid from a “One Health” perspective: study of the infectious capacity of patients with visceral leishmaniasis and their role as reservoirs"
Reference: PI24CIII/00026
Start date: 01/01/2025
End date: 31/12/2027
Funding: €60,000.00
Principal investigator: Inés Elena Martín Martín. 
Co-principal investigator: Maribel Jiménez Alonso
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Strategic Action in Intramural Health, AESI). 

Service Contract: "Analysis for the surveillance of the vector and wild reservoirs that transmit leishmaniasis in the Community of Madrid"
Reference: file no. 17/2024 (A/SER-008455/2024).
Start date: 26/06/2024
End date: 10/12/25, extendable to 2026
Total funding: €171,084
Principal Investigator: Maribel Jiménez Alonso
Funding agency: Service Contract between the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Directorate-General for Public Health, Regional Ministry of Health of the Community of Madrid 

Project Title: CIBERINFEC Research Group (CB21/13/00110)
Start date: 2021
End date: currently active
Principal Investigator: Dr. Mª Paz Sánchez-Seco, Arbovirus and Imported Viral Diseases Unit. 
Researchers from the Medical Entomology Laboratory: Maribel Jiménez (member), Inés Martín Martín (collaborator).
Funding: €108,134. File number: CB21/13/00110.
Funding agency: Consortium Centre for Biomedical Research in NETWORK (CIBER)


 

PAST PROJECTS

Service Contract: "Evaluation of the anti-leishmania effect of the bacteria Tc1 and its derivatives in the intravectorial cycle"
Reference: ISCIII-06896
Start date: 15/12/2022
End date: 15/04/2025
Funding: €71,265.67
Principal Investigator: Inés Elena Martín Martín
Funding agency: Service Contract between the company GlaxoSmithKline R&D (GSK) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Service Contract: "Analysis for the surveillance of the vector and wild reservoirs that transmit leishmaniasis in the Community of Madrid"
Reference: 59/2020 (A/SER-040739/2020)
Start date: 10/12/2021
End date: 10/12/2023.   
Funding: €42,612.17 per year   Total 2021-2023: €127,836.51
Principal Investigators: Ricardo Molina /Maribel Jiménez Alonso
Funding agency: Service contract between the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and the Directorate-General for Public Health, Regional Ministry of Health of the Community of Madrid

Project title: "Research and Integrated Surveillance of Emerging Arboviruses West Nile, Toscana and Dengue in some areas of Spain"
Reference: PI19CIII/00014
Start date: 2020
End date: 2022
Principal Investigator: Ana Vázquez González
Co-Principal Investigator: Ricardo Molina
Funding: €60,000.00
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Strategic Action in Intramural Health, AESI).

Project title: "Characterisation of the concept of ‘asymptomatic carrier’ in leishmaniasis: implications for treatment".
Start date: 01/01/2015
End date: 31/12/2017
Principal investigators: Javier Moreno and Javier García
Funding: €159,940
Funding agency: Study Agreement between Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi), the Spanish Foundation for International Cooperation, Health and Social Policy (FCSAI) and Fuenlabrada Hospital. Subcontractor: ISCIII Medical Entomology Unit (Maribel Jiménez and Ricardo Molina).

Project title: "Biology and control of vector-borne infections in Europe (EDENext Collaborative Project): Sandfly-borne diseases".  
Reference: Subproject (PBD) (EU, FP7-HEALTH-2010-single-stage, contract No. 261504).
Start date: 2011
End date: 2014
Principal investigator: Ricardo Molina     General coordinator: Petr Volf
Funding: €140,000
Funding agency: EU-FP7

Project Title: "Phlebotomus perniciosus saliva as a source in the search for potential targets for the development of vaccines against Leishmania infantum"
Reference: AGL2008-01592/GAN (MICINN)
Start date: 2009
End date: 2011
Principal investigator: Ricardo Molina
Funding: €70,180
Funding agency: Ministry of Science and Innovation

PROYECTOS VIGENTES

Título del proyecto: "Vesículas extracelulares y otras moléculas de parásitos para el tratamiento de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: PARATREAT-IBD"

Referencia: Proyecto PID2022-137661OB-I00 (MPY 341/23) financiado por MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033/ y por FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa
Fecha Inicio:    01/12/2023
Fecha Fin:    31/08/2026
Financiación: 162.500 Euros
Investigador principal: Javier Sotillo
Agencia Financiadora: Agencia Estatal de Investigación. MICINN.


 

Título del proyecto: "Desarrollo de nuevos métodos diagnósticos y de seguimiento de la infección por schistosoma haematobium"

Referencia: PI23CIII00034 / MPY 386/23
Fecha Inicio:    01/01/2024
Fecha Fin:    31/12/2026
Financiación: 131.500 Euros
Investigador principal: Javier Sotillo
Agencia Financiadora: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII/AESI)

 

Título del proyecto: "Desarrollo de herramientas para el control de la teniosis / cisticercosis en zonas endémicas y vigilancia de las helmintosis humanas emergentes en España"

Referencia: PI22CIII/00010
Fecha Inicio: 01/01/2023
Fecha Fin: 31/12/2025
Financiación: 80.000 Euros
Investigador principal: María Jesús Perteguer
Agencia Financiadora: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII/AESI)

 

 

PROYECTOS PASADOS

Título del proyecto: "PERITAS: Molecular epidemiological studies on pathways of transmission and longlasting capacity building to prevent cystic echinococcosis infection."
Coordinador: Adriano Casulli. IP of ISCIII: Maria J. Perteguer.
Entidad financiadora: EULAC Health JOINT CALL on Research and Innovation 016-2017
Periodo: 01/03/2019-31/12/2022.
Cuantía total: 1.083.580 €.

Título del proyecto: "Producción de antígenos y controles positivos recombinantes para el desarrollo y la estandarización de nuevos ensayos serológicos aplicados al diagnóstico y control de helmintosis olvidadas. "
Investigador principal: María Jesús Perteguer.
Entidad financiadora: ISCIII-AESI. Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Periodo: 02/11/2018 - 31/06/2022.
Cuantía total: 78.050 €.

Título del proyecto: "Diagnóstico serológico diferencial de helmintiasis asociadas a eosinofilia: desarrollo de ensayos multianalito (xMAP) con antígenos recombinantes de especies de interés clínico"
Investigador principal: María Jesús Perteguer.
Entidad financiadora: ISCIII-AESI. Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Periodo: 01/01/2015 - 31/12/2018 .
Cuantía total: 91.000 €.

Publications

Sort
Category

Viruses from a cluster of HIV-1 Elite controllers inherit viral characteristics associated with the clinical non-progressor phenotype

Casado C, Marrero-Hernández S, Márquez-Arce D, Pernas M, Marfil S, Borràs-Grañana F, Olivares I, Cabrera-Rodríguez R, Valera M-S, de Armas-Rillo L, Lemey P, Blanco J, Valenzuela-Fernández A, Lopez-Galíndez C. 2018. mBio 9:e02338-17.

PUBMED DOI

Permanent control of HIV-1 pathogenesis in exceptional elite controllers: a model of spontaneous cure

Casado C, Galvez C, Pernas M, Tarancon-Diez L, Rodriguez C, Sanchez-Merino V, Vera M, Olivares I, De Pablo-Bernal R, Merino-Mansilla A, Del Romero J, Lorenzo-Redondo R, Ruiz-Mateos E, Salgado M, Martinez-Picado J, Lopez-Galindez C. Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 5,10(1):1902

PUBMED DOI

High-Risk Sexual Practices Contribute to HIV-1 Double Infection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Madrid

Casado C, Pernas M, Rava M, Ayerdi O, Vera M, Alenda R, Jiménez P, Docando F, Olivares I, Zaballos A, Vicario JL, Rodríguez C, Del Romero J, Lopez-Galindez C. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2020 Nov, 36(11):896-904

PUBMED DOI

Identification of a Spanish HIV-1 Long Term Non-Progressor cluster infected with a low replicating virus

Concepción Casado, Maria Pernas, Virginia Sandonis, Tamara Alvaro-Cifuentes, Isabel Olivares, Rosa Fuentes, Lorena Martínez Prats, Eulalia Grau, Lidia Ruiz, Rafael Delgado, Carmen Rodríguez, Jorge del Romero, and Cecilio López-Galíndez. (2013). PLoS One. 8 (10):e77663.

PUBMED DOI

Evidence of Ongoing Replication in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Persistently Infected Cell Line

Isabel Olivares, Carmen Sánchez-Jiménez, Catarina Reis Vieira, Víctor Toledano, Mónica Gutiérrez-Rivas, and Cecilio López-Galíndez. Journal of General Virology. 94, 944-954.

PUBMED DOI

Immunoescape of HIV-1 in Env-EL9 CD8 + T cell response restricted by HLA-B*14:02 in a Non progressor who lost twenty-seven years of HIV-1 control

Moyano A, Blanch-Lombarte O, Tarancon-Diez L, Pedreño-Lopez N, Arenas M, Alvaro T, Casado C, Olivares I, Vera M, Rodriguez C, Del Romero J, López-Galíndez C, Ruiz-Mateos E, Prado JG, Pernas M. Retrovirology. 2022 Mar 26,19(1):6

PUBMED DOI

The Characteristics of the HIV-1 Env Glycoprotein Are Linked with Viral Pathogenesis

Pérez-Yanes S, Pernas M, Marfil S, Cabrera-Rodríguez R, Ortiz R, Urrea V, Rovirosa C, Estévez-Herrera J, Olivares I, Casado C, Lopez-Galindez C, Blanco J, Valenzuela-Fernández A. Front Microbiol. 2022 Mar 24, 3:763039.

PUBMED DOI

Analysis of HIV-1 “in vitro” evolution through 3D real fitness landscapes constructed by Self Organizing Maps.

Ramón Lorenzo‐Redondo, Soledad Delgado, Federico Morán, and Cecilio Lopez‐Galindez. Analysis of HIV-1 “in vitro” evolution through 3D real fitness landscapes constructed by Self Organizing Maps. (2014) PLoS One. 9(2): e88579.

PUBMED DOI

Influence of Mutation and Recombination on HIV-1 in vitro Fitness Recovery

Ramón Lorenzo-Redondo, Miguel Arenas, and Cecilio Lopez-Galindez. (2015) Mol Phylogenet Evol. Sep 7. pii: S1055-7903(15)00259-6

PUBMED DOI

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of IMP-producing Enterobacterales in Spain: Predominance of IMP-8 in Klebsiella pneumoniae and IMP-22 in Enterobacter roggenkampii.

5. Phenotypic and molecular characterization of IMP-producing Enterobacterales in Spain: Predominance of IMP-8 in Klebsiella pneumoniae and IMP-22 in Enterobacter roggenkampii. Autores: Cañada-García JE, Grippo N, de Arellano ER, Bautista V, Lara N, Navarro AM, Cabezas T, Martínez-Ramírez NM, García-Cobos S, Calvo J, Cercenado E, Aracil B, Pérez-Vázquez M, Oteo-Iglesias J; Spanish IMP Study Group. Revista: Front Microbiol. 2022 Sep 28;13:1000787.

DOI

HCV eradication with DAAs differently affects HIV males and females: A whole miRNA sequencing characterization

Valle-Millares D; Brochado-Kith O; Gómez-Sanz A; et al; Fernández-Rodríguez A (AC). (17/17). 2021. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. Elsevier.

DOI

Antiretroviral Therapy with Ritonavir-Boosted Atazanavir- and Lopinavir-Containing Regimens Correlates with Diminished HIV-1 Neutralization.

Yuste E, Gil H, Garcia F, Sanchez-Merino V; Vaccines (Basel). 2024 Oct 17;12(10):1176.

PUBMED DOI

Toward the consensus of definitions for the phenomena of antifungal tolerance and persistence in filamentous fungi.

Amich J, Bromley M, Goldman GH, Valero C. mBio. 2025 Feb 25:e0347524

PUBMED DOI

Outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease caused by a meningococcus serogroup B expressing a rare porA genosubtype (19-54, 15), Spain, March to April 2024.

Abad R, Navarro C, García-Amil C, Montes M, Castañeda-García A, Cuadros JA, Galar A, Martin F, Mena E, Pérez de Madrid S, Román C, Soler M, Vázquez JA. Euro Surveill. 2025 Nov;30(44):2500222

PUBMED DOI

Distribution of DNA gyrase cleavage sites across the Streptococcus pneumoniae genome: relation to transcription and methylation at GATC sites

Ferrándiz MJ, Hernández P, de la Campa AG. Nucleic Acids Res. 2025; 53(21):gkaf1183.

PUBMED DOI

T-Cell-Specific Loss of the PI-3-Kinase p110α Catalytic Subunit Results in Enhanced Cytokine Production and Antitumor Response.

1. Aragoneses-Fenoll L, Ojeda G, Montes-Casado M, Acosta-Ampudia Y, Dianzani U, Portolés P, Rojo JM. T-Cell-Specific Loss of the PI-3-Kinase p110α Catalytic Subunit Results in Enhanced Cytokine Production and Antitumor Response. Front. Immunol. 2018 Feb 27;9:332.

PUBMED DOI

Essential in vitro diagnostics for advanced HIV and serious fungal diseases: international experts' consensus recommendations. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Sep

Bongomin F, Govender NP, Chakrabarti A, Robert-Gangneux F, Boulware DR, Zafar A, Oladele RO, Richardson MD, Gangneux JP, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Bazira J, Boyles TH, Sarcarlal J, Nacher M, Obayashi T, Worodria W, Pasqualotto AC, Meya DB, Cheng B, Sriruttan C, Muzoora C, Kambugu A, Rodriguez Tudela JL, Jordan A, Chiller TM, Denning DW. Essential in vitro diagnostics for advanced HIV and serious fungal diseases: international experts' consensus recommendations. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019 Sep;38(9):1581-1584. doi: 10.1007/s10096-019-03600-4. PMID: 31175479.

PUBMED DOI

Pneumoviridae fusion proteins as immunogens to induce cross-neutralizing antibody responses

Olmedillas E, Cano O, Martinez I, Luque D, Terron MC, McLellan JS, et al. Chimeric Pneumoviridae fusion proteins as immunogens to induce cross-neutralizing antibody responses. EMBO Mol Med. 2018;10(2):175-87.

PUBMED DOI

High-Quality Draft Genome of Babesia divergens, the Etiological Agent of Cattle and Human Babesiosis.

8. Cuesta I; González LM; Estrada K; Grande R; Zaballos A; Lobo CA; Barrera J; Sanchez-Flores A; Montero E. 2014. High-Quality Draft Genome of Babesia divergens, the Etiological Agent of Cattle and Human Babesiosis. Genome Announcement. 2: e01194-14.

PUBMED DOI

Emergence of linezolid-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in an intensive care unit.

Emergence of linezolid-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci in an intensive care unit. Balandin B, Lobo B, Orden B, Román F, García E, Martínez R, Valdivia M, Ortega A, Fernández I, Galdos P. Infect Dis (Lond). 2016;48(5):343-9.

PUBMED

Co-occurrence of the cephalosporinase cepA and carbapenemase cfiA genes in a Bacteroides fragilis division II strain, an unexpected finding

Valdezate S, Medina-Pascual MJ, Villalón P, Garrido N, Monzón S, Cuesta I, Cobo F (2024). Co-occurrence of the cephalosporinase cepA and carbapenemase cfiA genes in a Bacteroides fragilis division II strain, an unexpected finding. J Antimicrobial Chem. 2024 Jul 1;79(7):1683-1687

PUBMED DOI

Hookworm 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 DOI

StaR Is a positive regulator of topoisomerase I activity involved in supercoiling maintenance in Streptococcus pneumoniae

de Vasconcelos Junior AA, Tirado-Vélez JM, Martín-Galiano AJ, Megias D, Ferrándiz MJ, Hernández P, Amblar M, de la Campa AG. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24:5973.

PUBMED DOI

Toll-like receptor signaling-deficient cells enhance antitumor activity of cell-based immunotherapy by increasing tumor homing

A. Morales-Molina, M.A. Rodríguez-Milla, S,. Gambera, T. Cejalvo, B. de Andrés M.L. Gaspar, J. Garcia-Castro. Cancer Res Commun 2023 Mar 1;3(3):347-360. eCollection 2023 Mar

PUBMED DOI

Characterizing carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Spain: high genetic heterogeneity and wide geographical spread.

1. Characterizing carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli isolates from Spain: high genetic heterogeneity and wide geographical spread. Dahdouh E, Gómez-Marcos L, Cañada-García JE, de Arellano ER, Sánchez-García A, Sánchez-Romero I, López-Urrutia L, de la Iglesia P, Gonzalez-Praetorius A, Sotelo J, Valle-Millares D, Alonso-González I, Bautista V, Lara N, García-Cobos S, Cercenado E, Aracil B, Oteo-Iglesias J, Pérez-Vázquez M; Spanish Eco-Carba Study Group. Revista: Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024 May 16;14:1390966.

PUBMED DOI

The Association of HIV-1 Neutralization in Aviremic Children and Adults with Time to ART Initiation and CD4+/CD8+ Ratios

Sanchez-Merino V, Martin-Serrano M, Beltran M, Lazaro-Martin B, Cervantes E, Oltra M, Sainz T, Garcia F, Navarro ML, Yuste E; Vaccines (Basel). 2023 Dec 20;12(1):8;

PUBMED DOI

The 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 DOI

The importance of microbiology reference laboratories and adequate funding for infectious disease surveillance

Shaw D, Torreblanca RA, Amin-Chowdhury Z, Bautista A, Bennett D, Broughton K, Casanova C, Choi EH, Claus H, Corcoran M, Cottrell S, Cunney R, Cuypers L, Dalby T, Davies H, de Gouveia L, Deghmane AE, Desmet S, Domenech M, Drew R, Plessis MD, Duarte C, Fuursted K, Golden A, Almeida SCG, Henares D, Henriques-Normark B, Hilty M, Hoffmann S, Humphreys H, Jacobsson S, Johnson C, Jolley KA, Kawabata A, Kozakova J, Kristinsson KG, Krizova P, Kuch A, Ladhani S, Lâm TT, Ayala MEL, Lindholm L, Litt D, Maiden MCJ, Martin I, Martiny D, Mattheus W, McCarthy ND, Meehan M, Meiring S, Mölling P, Morfeldt E, Morgan J, Mulhall R, Muñoz-Almagro C, Murdoch D, Musilek M, Novakova L, Oftadeh S, Perez-Arguello A, Pérez-Vázquez MD, Perrin M, Prevost B, Roberts M, Rokney A, Ron M, Sanabria OM, Scott KJ, Sempere J, Siira L, de Lemos APS, Sintchenko V, Skoczyńska A, Slotved HC, Smith AJ, Taha MK, Toropainen M, Tzanakaki G, Vainio A, van der Linden MPG, van Sorge NM, Varon E, Moreno JV, Vohrnova S, von Gottberg A, Yuste J, Brueggemann AB. Lancet Digit Health. 2025 Apr;7(4):e275-e281.

PUBMED DOI

ETP-46321, a dual p110α/δ class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor modulates T lymphocyte activation and collagen-induced arthritis.

2. Aragoneses-Fenoll L, Montes-CasadoM, Ojeda G, Acosta YY, Herranz J, Martínez S, Blanco-Aparicio C, Criado G, Pastor J, Dianzani U, Portolés P, Rojo JM. ETP-46321, a dual p110α/δ class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor modulates T lymphocyte activation and collagen-induced arthritis. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2016 Apr 15;106:56-69. Epub 2016 Feb 13.

PUBMED DOI

Structure and Immunogenicity of the Human Metapneumovirus F Protein in the Postfusion Conformation.

5. Mas V, Rodriguez L, Olmedillas E, Cano O, Palomo C, Terron MC, et al. Engineering, Structure and Immunogenicity of the Human Metapneumovirus F Protein in the Postfusion Conformation. PLoS Pathog. 2016;12(9):e1005859.

PUBMED DOI

Godet C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Flick H, Hennequin C, Mikilps-Mikgelbs R, Munteanu O, Page I, Seidel D, Salzer HJF. A CPAnet consensus statement on research priorities for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a neglected fungal infection that requires attention. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 ​

Godet C, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Flick H, Hennequin C, Mikilps-Mikgelbs R, Munteanu O, Page I, Seidel D, Salzer HJF. A CPAnet consensus statement on research priorities for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a neglected fungal infection that requires attention. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2018 Feb 1;73(2):280-286. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx390. PMID: 29126309.​

PUBMED DOI

Ultrastructure of the Babesia divergens free merozoite

Terrón M.C, González-Camacho F., González L.M., Luque D.*, Montero E. 2016. Ultrastructure of the Babesia divergens free merozoite. Ticks Tick Borne Diseases. 7(6):1274-1279. *Corresponding author. IF: 3.23, Q1.

PUBMED DOI

Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain

Valdezate S, Carrasco G, Medina MJ, Garrido N, Del Pino S, Valiente M, Pallarés MP, Villalon P. (2023). Exploring the genetic background of the botulism neurotoxin BoNT/B2 in Spain. Microbiol Spectr. Sep 26;11(5):e0238023

PUBMED DOI

HDP2: 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 DOI

The balance between gyrase and topoisomerase I activities determines levels of supercoiling, nucleoid compaction, and viability in bacteria

García-López M, Megias D, Ferrándiz MJ, de la Campa AG. Front Microbiol. 2023; 11;1094692.

PUBMED DOI

Immune stress suppresses innate immune signaling in preleukemic precursor B-cells to provoke leukemia in predisposed mice

Isidro-Hernández M, Casado-García A, Oak N, Alemán-Arteaga S, Ruiz-Corzo B, Martínez-Cano J, Mayado A, G. Sánchez E, Blanco O, Gaspar ML, Orfao A, Alonso-López D, De las Rivas J, Riesco S, Prieto-Matos P, González-Murilo A, García Criado FJ, García Cenador MB, Ramírez-Orellana M, De Andrés B, Vicente-Dueñas C, Cobaleda C, Nichols KE, Sánchez-García I. Nat Commun 2023 Aug 24;14(1):5159.

PUBMED DOI

Clinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak.

2. Clinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak. Autores: Ramírez de Arellano E, Saavedra-Lozano J, Villalón P, Jové-Blanco A, Grandioso D, Sotelo J, Gamell A, González-López JJ, Cervantes E, Gónzalez MJ, Rello-Saltor V, Esteva C, Sanz-Santaeufemia F, Yagüe G, Manzanares Á, Brañas P, Ruiz de Gopegui E, Carrasco-Colom J, García F, Cercenado E, Mellado I, Del Castillo E, Pérez-Vazquez M, Oteo-Iglesias J, Calvo C; Spanish PedGAS-Net/CIBERINFEC GAS Study Group. Revista: mSphere. 2024 Mar 26;9(3):e0072923.

PUBMED DOI

Potent Induction of Envelope-Specific Antibody Responses by Virus-Like Particle Immunogens Based on HIV-1 Envelopes from Patients with Early Broadly Neutralizing Responses

Beltran-Pavez C, Bontjer I, Gonzalez N, Pernas M, Merino-Mansilla A, Olvera A, Miro JM, Brander C, Alcami J, Sanders RW, Sanchez-Merino V, Yuste E; J Virol. 2022 Jan 12;96(1):e0134321.

PUBMED DOI

Fungal burden assessment in hospital zones with different protection degrees

García-Gutiérrez L, Baena Rojas B, Ruiz M, Hernández Egido S, Ruiz-Gaitán AC, Laiz L, Pemán J, Cuétara-García MS, Mellado E & Martin-Sanchez PM. Build Environ, Volume 269, 1 February 2025, 112454

DOI

Antimicrobial resistance and epidemiological aspects of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the province of Lleida, Spain (2017-2024).

Cumplido A, Aramburu J, Font M, Montes M, Abad R, López E, Bernet A, Mormeneo S, Prats I, García M, Sánchez E, Bellés A. Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin (Engl Ed). 2025 Mar;43(3):156-161.

PUBMED DOI

Content with Investigacion Parasitología .

List of staff

Additional Information

Our group is interested in the mechanisms of generation of hematopoietic cells throughout ontogeny and the influence that the first hematopoietic cells, belonging to the innate/pseudoinnate immune system, exert on the adaptive immune system in the adult individual. Our lines of research include the analysis of pseudoinnate lymphoid populations, which connect the innate and adaptive immune systems, and whose origin is in progenitors of early ontogeny. We are trying to understand its role in the immune response through TLR receptors (“Toll-like receptors”) throughout life, particularly in animal models of bacterial infection, with the aim of designing new vaccine therapies. We analyze immune diversity in animal models and in human samples of children and elderly people diagnosed with respiratory disease, by: a) analyzing the lymphoid subpopulations of the local response. b) the study of the genetic rearrangements of the immunoglobulins that are produced. c) the systemic effector response and in peripheral organs. These approaches, carried out both in the mouse model and in human samples, will facilitate the design of more effective therapies and the characterization of biomarkers, adapted to the pediatric and elderly population, useful for the health field and technological innovation.rupo está interesado en los mecanismos de generación de células hematopoyéticas a lo largo de la ontogenia y la influencia que las primeras células hematopoyéticas, pertenecientes al sistema inmune innato/pseudoinnato, ejercen sobre el sistema inmune adaptativo en el individuo adulto. Nuestras líneas de investigación incluyen el análisis de poblaciones linfoides pseudoinnatas, que conectan el sistema inmune innato y adaptativo, y cuyo origen está en progenitores de la ontogenia temprana. Intentamos entender su papel en la respuesta inmune a través de receptores TLR (“Toll-like receptors”) a lo largo de la vida, en particular en modelos animales de infección bacteriana, con objeto de diseñar nuevas terapias vacunales. Analizamos la diversidad inmune en modelos animales y en muestras humanas de niños y ancianos diagnosticados de enfermedad respiratoria, mediante: a) el análisis de las subpoblaciones linfoides de la respuesta local. b) el estudio de los reordenamientos genéticos de las inmunoglobulinas que se producen. c) la respuesta efectora sistémica y en órganos periféricos. Estas aproximaciones, realizadas tanto en el modelo de ratón como en muestras humanas, facilitarán el diseño de terapias más eficaces y la caracterización de biomarcadores, adaptados a la población infantil y envejecida, de utilidad para el ámbito sanitario y de innovación tecnológica.

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”

Content with Investigacion Terapias Farmacológicas .