Legionella
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Classical viral vaccines rely on the induction of neutralizing antibodies. In the case of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the viral spike has evolved to evade recognition by these antibodies. Despite these obstacles, certain monoclonal antibodies capable of neutralizing the majority of primary HIV-1 isolates have been successfully isolated and have demonstrated efficacy both in controlling viremia and in providing protection against infection in animal models. These are known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs).
In order to identify the factors involved in the induction of these antibodies and to develop preventive strategies based on bNAb induction, we are pursuing the following research lines:
- Determination of factors associated with the induction of effective humoral responses in different scenarios: recent infection, chronic infection, co-infection with hepatitis C virus, reinfection, and pediatric infection, among others.
- Study of the effect of feminizing hormone therapy on the immune system of transgender women.
- Development of HIV-1 vaccine prototypes based on viral spike proteins incorporated into Virus-Like Particles (VLPs) from two sources:
a) Selected from a library of randomly mutated spikes to enhance the accessibility of epitopes recognized by bNAbs.
b) Derived from viruses present in individuals with broad neutralizing responses in recent infection. - Isolation and characterization of new bNAbs against HIV-1 from individual B cells of individuals with an efficient neutralizing response. These antibodies could be used in both preventive and therapeutic strategies.
- Isolation of new monoclonal antibodies against other human pathogenic viruses, adapting the technology developed for HIV-1 antibody isolation, in collaboration with researchers from the National Center for Microbiology.
- Use of gene therapy vectors (Recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses; rAAVs) to incorporate bNAbs and apply them in prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.
Líneas de investigación prioritarias
1. Estudio de los procesos de latencia y reactivación del VIH-1: principales mecanismos homeostáticos responsables de la latencia proviral y la generación de los reservorios virales que imposibilitan la erradicación de la enfermedad.
2. Estudio de dianas terapéuticas para impedir la replicación viral activa durante la infección aguda o primaria y para interferir con la renovación del reservorio viral: análisis de fármacos inhibidores de las kinasas de linfocitos PKC o kinasas de la familia Src como p56Lck.
3. Análisis de los mecanismos de transactivación responsables de la replicación viral activa en linfocitos T CD4+: mecanismos virales implicados en reactivación del provirus.
4. Estudio de mecanismos que impidan la infección y replicación viral eficaz en células del reservorio viral secundario como son los monocitos/macrófagos.
5. Análisis de la resistencia a la infección por VIH-1 en linfocitos T CD4+ aislados de pacientes con distrofia muscular de cintura escapulohumeral/pélvica 1F (LGMD1F), que portan un defecto en el gen de la transportina-3 (tnpo3).
6. Estudio de la sinergia NF-B/Tat para la identificación de nuevas dianas terapéuticas.
7. Estudio de cambios de expresión en el transcriptoma y modificaciones postraduccionales en el proteoma de linfocitos T CD4+ que expresan Tat intracelular y su impacto sobre la estructura del citoesqueleto celular: mecanismo potencial de supervivencia de los reservorios virales.
8. Análisis de los mecanismos de degradación de p65/RelA (NF-B) y su importancia en la infección por VIH-1.
9. Estudio de las modificaciones en el metabolismo del RNA inducidas por la expresión intracelular de Tat y su papel en los mecanismos de supervivencia celular y aumento de la replicación viral.
Otras líneas de investigación
1. Estudio de la respuesta humoral y celular desarrollada en pacientes con Long COVID o COVID persistente.
2. Análisis de biomarcadores predictivos de gravedad en pacientes con distintas presentaciones de COVID-19.
3. Estudio de la respuesta inmune frente a la infección natural por SARS-CoV-2 o por la vacunación frente al COVID-19 desarrollada por pacientes con enfermedades oncohematológicas en estado de inmunodeficiencia.
4. Definición de biomarcadores predictivos de recaída en pacientes con leucemia mieloide crónica que hayan interrumpido el tratamiento con inhibidores de tirosina kinasas.
Research
The Molecular Virology group focuses its research on the study of HIV-1 genetic variation and viral evolution using both in vitro and ex vivo approaches, structured around the following research lines:
- Non-progressor patients. These patients maintain control of the disease in the absence of antiretroviral therapy and have therefore been proposed as a model of functional cure. Our objective is to study the contribution of viral factors to disease control through biological characterization and analysis of viral evolution in individuals with undetectable viral loads (elite controllers, EC), compared with individuals showing other patterns of viral control.
- Viral envelope. This viral protein is key in determining viral fitness. Therefore, its functionality significantly affects infection progression. In collaboration with Dr. Blanco and Dr. Valenzuela, we study which specific events (CD4 binding, fusogenicity, etc.) are associated with envelope functionality. To this end, we have analyzed envelopes from individuals with different patterns of disease progression. Some of these have been contributed to the AIDS Research Network envelope biobank for broader use.
- Dual infection. Infection with more than one viral variant (either through co-infection or superinfection) may have consequences for infection pathogenesis. Within our group, different aspects of DI have been analyzed, including its detection in non-progressor patients, its prevalence and incidence in Spain, and its influence on the neutralizing antibody response.
- Molecular Epidemiology. The group has analyzed viral evolution throughout the epidemic in Spain and in other countries (the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Uruguay, Panama, Brazil, etc.).
- Role of amino acid residues in reverse transcriptase. We study the role of specific amino acid residues in HIV-1 reverse transcriptase in enzymatic function and replication capacity using an infectious molecular clone previously obtained by the group.
- “In vitro” variability. Serial passage studies have been used to detect the mechanisms responsible for the gain or loss of viral fitness.
- Antiviral studies. We have analyzed the selection of resistance mutations in vitro against different antivirals, as well as the effect of these mutations on viral fitness, and the activity of new antivirals such as ATR inhibitors.
Virological Diagnosis and Reference in HIV and HTLV Infections
The research group provides diagnostic and reference activities through the service portfolio of the National Center for Microbiology to the entire Spanish National Health System.
These services include:
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Diagnosis and reference of HIV infection (types 1 and 2) through detection of specific antibodies and detection of proviral DNA by PCR.
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Diagnosis and reference of HTLV-I/II infection through detection of specific antibodies and detection of proviral DNA by PCR. Quantification of HTLV-1 proviral load by real-time PCR.
European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) in the field of in vitro diagnostic medical devices for microbiological diagnosis (IVD) of HIV and HTLV (Regulation 2023/2713 of December 5th, 2023). Our role is to confirm the reliability and effectiveness of devices for detecting these pathogens and to ensure their specific performance requirements through laboratory testing before they can be marketed within the European Union.
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.
Biología y Variabilidad del VIH
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Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
- Towards a functional cure: Implications of early antiretroviral therapy and hormonal changes on the HIV reservoir in perinatally infected adolescents. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2026 – 31/12/2028). €72,000. PI: María Pernas, Concepción Casado.
- Determination of factors associated with protection against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 reinfection: Identification of correlates of protection. 9th Gilead Fellowship Program for Biomedical Research, Gilead Sciences, S.L. (01/07/2023 – 30/06/2025). €16,330. PI: María Pernas.
- Impact of the envelope on HIV viral replication: New avenues for vaccine development. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2020 – 31/12/2023). €53,000. PI: María Pernas, Concepción Casado.
- Study of HIV-1 virulence in recently infected patients and its contribution, together with clinical and epidemiological factors, to disease progression. Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. State Program for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (30/12/2016 – 30/06/2021). €145,000. PI: Concepción Casado, Cecilio López-Galíndez.
-Contribution of HIV-1 dual infection to virological and clinical evolution in homo/bisexual men. Health Research Fund (FIS) – Carlos III Health Institute (01/01/2014 – 31/01/2016). €74,410. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez.
- Characterization of non-pathogenic HIV variants obtained “ex vivo” and “in vitro” for the study of disease pathogenesis. Ministry of Science and Innovation (01/01/2011 – 31/01/2014). €169,400. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez.
- Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS-RETIC). Carlos III Health Institute (02/01/2017 – 02/01/2022). €195,212. PI: Cecilio López-Galíndez, Concepción Casado.
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.
Research Projects as Principal Investigators
Effect of Feminizing Hormone Therapy on the Immune Response in Transgender Women
Principal Investigator: Víctor Sánchez-Merino
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €117,000
Participating Institutions: ISCIII, IRSICAIXA, 7 Infectious diseases units (Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (HGUGM-INF), Hospital Universitario La Paz (HULP), Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor (HUIL), Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz (FJD), Fundación Universitario la Princesa (HUP), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (HURyC) y Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre (HU12O), Centro Sandoval, 1 Gender Identity Unit, Facultad de psicología (UAM), Facultad de Geografía e Historia (UCM) and three ONGs
Duration: 01/01/2025- 31/12/2027
Project Reference: PI24CIII/00031
Design of Vaccine Prototypes based on HIV-1 Envelope presented on Virus-Like Particles and Nanodiscs
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding agency: Knowledge Generation Projects. State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation.
Funding: €125,000
Participating Institutions: ISCIII and University of UNSW (Sydney, Australia)
Duration: 01/09/24–31/12/28
Reference: Project PID2023-148729OB-100 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, UE.
Funding for Research Assistant Position. Project: New Approaches to Immunogen Design for the Induction of Anti-HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Based on Viral Envelope Proteins Presented on VLPs
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Youth Employment Plan (Community of Madrid)
Funding: Hiring of a senior graduate for 2 years
Participating Institutions: ISCIII
Duration: 01/04/2024 – 31/03/2026
Project Reference: SAL-GL-28125
Generation of an Adenovirus-Associated Vector for the Delivery of a Broadly Neutralizing Antibody (bNAb) Against HIV-1 That Does Not Induce Anti-Antibody Responses. Funding for Research Assistant Position.
Principal Investigator: Víctor Sánchez Merino
Funding Agency: FUAX-Santander
Funding: €90,000
Participating Institutions: Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio and ISCIII
Duration: 01/04/2022 – 01/04/2025
Project Reference: 1.013.008
New Approaches to Immunogen Design for the Induction of Anti-HIV-1 Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Based on Viral Envelope Proteins Presented on Virus-Like Particles (VLPs).
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €77,000
Participating Institutions: Fraunhofer Institute (Germany) and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2024
Project Reference: PI20CIII/00039
Development of Immunogens and Vaccination Strategies to Optimize the Induction of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bNAbs) Against HIV-1.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Intramural Health Strategic Action
Funding: €117,000
Participating Institutions: Fraunhofer Institute (Germany) and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2018 – 31/12/2021
Personnel Hiring: One postdoctoral researcher for 3 years
Project Reference: PI17/00049
Isolation and Characterization of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Against HIV-1 from Recently Infected Patients.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Health Strategic Action (ISCIII)
Funding: €57,475
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS, Fraunhofer Institute (Germany), and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2014 – 30/04/2017
Project Reference: PI13/01528
Development of an HIV Vaccine: Isolation and Characterization of New Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Health Research Fund (ISCIII)
Funding: €116,765
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2010 – 31/12/2012
Project Reference: PI09/1459
Optimization of the HIV-1 Envelope Protein as an Immunogen.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Spanish Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention (FIPSE)
Funding: €141,845
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS
Duration: 30/10/2008 – 31/08/2012
Personnel Hiring: One senior graduate for 3 years
Project Reference: 36780/08
Optimization of the HIV-1 Envelope Protein as an Immunogen.
Principal Investigator: Eloísa Yuste Herranz
Funding Agency: Ramón y Cajal Program (Ministry of Education and Science)
Funding: 5-year Ramón y Cajal Researcher contract + 3 years as I3
Participating Institutions: IDIBAPS
Duration: 2008 – 2016
Project Reference: RYC-2007-00788
R&D projects as part of the research team
Determination of factors associated with protection against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 Reinfection: Identification of protection correlates.
Principal Investigator: María Pernas Escario
Funding Agency: Gilead Sciences
Funding: €16,630
Participating Entities: Centro Sandoval and ISCIII
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2023
Contract/Project File: GLD22/001144
EAVI2020: European AIDS Vaccine Initiative 2020
Principal Investigator: José Alcamí Pertejo
Funding Agency: Horizon 2020 (European Union; EU)
Funding: €403,829
Participating Entities: ISCIII and an EU consortium
Duration: 01/01/2015 - 30/04/2021
Contract/Project File: MPY1398/15
EHVA, European HIV Vaccine Alliance (EHVA): an EU platform for the discovery and evaluation of novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates.
Principal Investigator: Felipe García Alcaide
Funding Agency: Horizon 2020 (European Union; EU)
Funding: €1,000,000
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS and an EU consortium
Duration: 01/01/2018 - 31/12/2020
Contract/Project File: 681032
Grup de Recerca VIH/SIDA
Principal Investigator: José María Gatell
Funding Agency: AGAUR_SGR14 (Generalitat de Catalunya-projects)
Funding: €63,000
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS
Duration: 01/01/2014 - 30/04/2017
Contract/Project File: 214_SGR_706
SIDA Vaccine Research Project (HIVACAT)
Principal Investigator: José María Gatell
Funding Agency: MINECO (INNPACTO Program)
Funding: €288,740
Participating Entities: IDIBAPS and Irsicaixa
Duration: 01/01/2013 - 31/03/2020
Contract/Project File: PT-2012-0325-010000
Design, synthesis, and anti-HIV-1 study of peptide domains of GB virus B
Principal Investigator: Isabel Haro
Funding Agency: Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention (FIPSE)
Funding: €33,000
Participating Entities: IQAC-CSIC and IDIBAPS
Duration: 09/03/2010 - 30/11/2014
Contract/Project File: 36-0735-09
Expresion
1. Título del proyecto: Estudio del efecto de la inmunoterapia y el tratamiento antirretroviral a largo plazo sobre la evolución del reservorio del VIH durante la infección crónica: Búsqueda de nuevas estrategias para una cura funcional.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Plan Estatal de Investigación Científica, Técnica y de Innovación 2021-2023.
Financiación: 275.000€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/09/2023 – 31/08/2027
Expediente contrato/proyecto: PID2022-141317OB-I00 (MPY 345/23)
2. Título del proyecto: Estudio longitudinal de la evolución de parámetros inmunológicos en personas con COVID persistente: definición de biomarcadores de persistencia.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Acción Estratégica en Salud Intramural.
Financiación: 92.000€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/01/2023 – 31/12/2025
Expediente contrato/proyecto: PI22CIII/00059 (MPY 354/22)
3. Título del proyecto: Nuevas estrategias terapéuticas basadas en inhibidores de tirosina kinasas para la eliminación del reservorio latente del VIH-1.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Convocatoria del Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad.
Financiación: 157.300€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/06/2020 – 31/05/2023
Contratación de personal: 1 licenciado en prácticas (2 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: PID2019-110275RB-I00 (MPY 274/20)
4. Título del proyecto: Identification of predictive biomarkers associated with immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 (Work Package 4, dentro de la Coordinación de actividades de investigación en el CNM para realizar una respuesta integradora frente a la pandemia por SARS-CoV2 en España).
Investigadoras principales: María Teresa Coiras López (Investigadora principal Work package 4); Inmaculada Casas Flecha (coordinadora proyecto general).
Agencia financiadora: FONDO–COVID19, en el marco del Real Decreto-ley 8/2020, de 17 de marzo, de medidas urgentes extraordinarias para hacer frente al impacto económico y social de la enfermedad COVID-19
Financiación: 23.000€ (WP4); 325.909€ (proyecto general)
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 31/03/2020 – 01/11/2021
Contratación de personal: 1 licenciado por obra y servicio (6 meses)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: COV20_00679 (MPY 222/20)
5. Título del proyecto: Identification of predictive biomarkers associated with immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 (Work Package 4, dentro de la Coordinación de actividades de investigación en el CNM para realizar una respuesta integradora frente a la pandemia por SARS-CoV2 en España).
Investigadoras principales: María Teresa Coiras López (Investigadora principal Work package 4); Inmaculada Casas Flecha (coordinadora proyecto general).
Agencia financiadora: CHIESI ESPAÑA, S.A.U.
Financiación: 50.000€ (donación específica al WP4, aceptada por el ISCIII el 09/07/2020)
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 09/07/20 – 01/11/2021
Expediente contrato/proyecto: COV20_00679 (MPY 222/20)
6. Título del proyecto: Tyrosine Kinase inhibition: The New Front in HIV Cure Efforts
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: NIH Research Project Grant Program (R01).
Financiación: 598.181,47€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII/Universidad de Utah
Duración: 31/10/2018 - 31/10/2024
Contratación de personal: 1 contrato de doctor por la Ley de la Ciencia (4,5 años); 1 contrato de licenciado por obra y servicio (3 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: R01-AI143567 (MPY 230/19)
7. Título del proyecto: Estudio de compuestos inhibidores de tirosina kinasas para impedir la formación del reservorio latente del VIH-1 en linfocitos T CD4+
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Convocatoria del Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad.
Financiación: 157.300€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 31/12/2016 - 31/12/2019
Contratación de personal: un técnico de laboratorio por obra y servicio (2,5 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: SAF2016-78480-R (MPY 1361/16)
8. Título del proyecto: PKC theta y Lck como potenciales dianas terapéuticas para la disminución del reservorio viral durante la infección aguda por VIH-1 en linfocitos T CD4.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Convocatoria del Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad.
Financiación: 163.350€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/01/2014 - hasta: 30/09/2017
Contratación de personal: un técnico de laboratorio por obra y servicio (2 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: SAF2013-44677-R (MPY 1250/14)
9. Título del proyecto: Dasatinib preserves the activity of the antiviral factor SAMHD1 in human CD4+ T cells: potential use for the control of HIV-1 replication in patients with acute (primary) infection and prevention of the establishment of viral reservoirs.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS). Non-Clinical Research Proposal
Financiación: 74.000€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII, BMS
Duración: 01-01-14 - 31-12-14
Expediente contrato/proyecto: AI471-041
10. Título del proyecto: Análisis de fármacos inhibidores selectivos de la protein kinasa C (PKC) theta para el bloqueo de la replicación del VIH durante la infección primaria.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: ISCIII
Financiación: 63.104€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 31/12/2012 - hasta: 30/09/2015
Contratación de personal: un técnico de laboratorio por obra y servicio (2 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: MPY 1371/12
11. Título del proyecto: Análisis de fármacos inhibidores selectivos de la protein kinasa C (PKC) theta para el bloqueo de la replicación del VIH durante la infección primaria.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Ministerio de Sanidad, Servicios Sociales e Igualdad.
Financiación: 51.510€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/03/2012 - hasta: 01/10/2013
Contratación de personal: un técnico de laboratorio por obra y servicio (1 año)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: EC11-285 (MPY 1046/12)
12. Título del proyecto: Papel de PKC theta en la infección por VIH-1 y búsqueda de nuevas dianas terapéuticas.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Fundación para la Investigación y Prevención del SIDA en España (FIPSE), convocatoria XI. Premio FIPSE como joven investigadora del año, (30/05/11)
Financiación: 129.746€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII/Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC)
Duración: 15/01/2011 - 15/07/2014
Contratación de personal: un técnico de laboratorio por obra y servicio (3 años)
Expediente contrato/proyecto: 360924/10 (MPY 1044/11)
13. Título del proyecto: Análisis de las modificaciones postraduccionales inducidas por la expresión intracelular de la proteina Tat del VIH-1 en linfocitos T y efecto sobre el metabolismo del RNA.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, convocatoria 2010.
Financiación: 67.760€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 31/12/2010 - 31/12/2013
Expediente contrato/proyecto: SAF2010-18388 (MPY 1401/10)
14. Título del proyecto: Papel de PKC theta en la infección por VIH-1 y búsqueda de nuevas dianas terapéuticas
Investigadoras principales: María Teresa Coiras López (ISCIII); Gema Díaz Gil (URJC)
Agencia financiadora: CAM-URJC (Programa de creación y consolidación de grupos de investigación cofinanciada por la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos y la Comunidad de Madrid, convocatoria 2009)
Financiación: 18.900€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII y URJC
Duración: 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2011
Expediente contrato/proyecto: CCG10-URJC/SAL-5020.
15. Título del proyecto: Estudio de la degradación de p65/RelA en linfocitos T humanos.
Investigadora principal: María Teresa Coiras López
Agencia financiadora: Fundación para la Investigación y Prevención del SIDA en España (FIPSE), convocatoria VIII.
Financiación: 36.139€
Entidades participantes: ISCIII
Duración: 01/01/2008 – 01/01/2011
Expediente contrato/proyecto: 36633/07 (MPY 1471/07)
Publications
Isolation of Functional SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Specific T-Cells with Specific Viral Cytotoxic Activity for Adoptive Therapy of COVID-19. García-Ríos, E.; Leivas, A.; Mancebo, F.J.; Sánchez-Vega, L.; Lanzarot, D.; Aguado, J.M.; Martínez-López, J.; Paciello, M.L.; Pérez-Romero, P. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 630. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10030630.
Isolation of Functional SARS-CoV-2 Antigen-Specific T-Cells with Specific Viral Cytotoxic Activity for Adoptive Therapy of COVID-19. García-Ríos, E.; Leivas, A.; Mancebo, F.J.; Sánchez-Vega, L.; Lanzarot, D.; Aguado, J.M.; Martínez-López, J.; Paciello, M.L.; Pérez-Romero, P. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 630. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10030630.
Deciphering the Potential Coding of Human Cytomegalovirus: New Predicted Transmembrane Proteome. Mancebo, F.J., Parras-Moltó, M., García-Ríos, E., Pérez-Romero, P. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23(5), 2768. doi: 10.3390/ijms23052768.
Deciphering the Potential Coding of Human Cytomegalovirus: New Predicted Transmembrane Proteome. Mancebo, F.J., Parras-Moltó, M., García-Ríos, E., Pérez-Romero, P. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23(5), 2768. doi: 10.3390/ijms23052768.
Detection of cytomegalovirus drug resistance mutations in solid organ transplant recipients with suspected resistance
Cross-Recognition of SARS-CoV-2 B-Cell Epitopes with Other Betacoronavirus Nucleoproteins. Tajuelo, A.; López-Siles, M.; Más, V.; Pérez-Romero, P.; Aguado, J.M.; Briz, V.; McConnell, M.J.; Martín-Galiano, A.J.; López, D. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 2977. doi: 10.3390/ijms23062977.
PUBMEDDetection of cytomegalovirus drug resistance mutations in solid organ transplant recipients with suspected resistance
Immunogenicity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Common Variable Immunodeficiency. Arroyo-Sánchez D, Cabrera-Marante O, Laguna-Goya R, Almendro-Vázquez P, Carretero O, Gil-Etayo FJ, Suàrez-Fernández P, Pérez-Romero, P, Rodríguez de Frías E, Serrano A, Allende LM, Pleguezuelo D, Paz-Artal E. J Clin Immunol. 2022 Feb;42(2):240-252. doi: 10.1007/s10875-021-01174-5. PMID: 34787773.
PUBMEDOptimization of a Lambda-RED Recombination Method for Rapid Gene Deletion in Human Cytomegalovirus
Optimization of a Lambda-RED Recombination Method for Rapid Gene Deletion in Human Cytomegalovirus. García-Ríos E, Gata-de-Benito J, López-Siles M, McConnell MJ, Pérez-Romero, P. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Sep 29;22(19):10558. doi: 10.3390/ijms221910558. PMID: 34638896.
PUBMEDCirculatory follicular helper T lymphocytes associate with lower incidence of CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients
Circulatory follicular helper T lymphocytes associate with lower incidence of CMV infection in kidney transplant recipients. Suàrez-Fernández P, Utrero-Rico A, Sandonis V, García-Ríos E, Arroyo-Sánchez D, Fernández-Ruiz M, Andrés A, Polanco N, González-Cuadrado C, Almendro-Vázquez P, Pérez-Romero P, Aguado JM, Paz-Artal E, Laguna-Goya R. Am J Transplant. 2021 Dec;21(12):3946-3957. doi: 10.1111/ajt.16725. PMID: 34153157.
PUBMEDIs It Feasible to Use CMV-Specific T-Cell Adoptive Transfer as Treatment Against Infection in SOT Recipients?
Is It Feasible to Use CMV-Specific T-Cell Adoptive Transfer as Treatment Against Infection in SOT Recipients? García-Ríos E, Nuévalos M, Mancebo FJ, Pérez-Romero P. Front Immunol. 2021 Apr 23;12:657144. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.657144. PMID: 33968058.
PUBMEDCytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection
Cytotoxic cell populations developed during treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors protect autologous CD4+ T cells from HIV-1 infection. Vigón L, Rodríguez-Mora S, Luna A, Sandonís V, Mateos E, Bautista G, Steegmann JL, Climent N, Plana M, Pérez-Romero P, de Ory F, Alcamí J, García-Gutierrez V, Planelles V, López-Huertas MR, Coiras M. Biochem Pharmacol. 2020 Aug 20;182:114203. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114203. PMID: 32828803
PUBMEDRole of Neutralizing Antibodies in CMV Infection: Implications for New Therapeutic Approaches
Role of Neutralizing Antibodies in CMV Infection: Implications for New Therapeutic Approaches. Sandonís V, García-Ríos E, McConnell MJ, Pérez-Romero P.Sandonís V, et al. Trends Microbiol. 2020 Nov;28(11):900-912. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2020.04.003. PMID: 32448762 Review.
PUBMEDPre-existing Hemagglutinin Stalk Antibodies Correlate with Protection of Lower Respiratory Symptoms in Flu-Infected Transplant Patients
Pre-existing Hemagglutinin Stalk Antibodies Correlate with Protection of Lower Respiratory Symptoms in Flu-Infected Transplant Patients. Aydillo T, Escalera A, Strohmeier S, Aslam S, Sanchez-Cespedes J, Ayllon J, Roca-Oporto C, Pérez-Romero P, Montejo M, Gavalda J, Munoz P, Lopez-Medrano F, Carratala J, Krammer F, García-Sastre A, Cordero E. Cell Rep Med. 2020 Nov 3;1(8):100130. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2020.100130. PMID: 33294855
PUBMEDEffect of Influenza Vaccination Inducing Antibody Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Cordero E, Bulnes-Ramos A, Aguilar-Guisado M, González Escribano F, Olivas I, Torre-Cisneros J, Gavaldá J, Aydillo T, Moreno A, Montejo M, Fariñas MC, Carratalá J, Muñoz P, Blanes M, Fortún J, Suárez-Benjumea A, López-Medrano F, Roca C, Lara R, Pérez-Romero P. Front Immunol. 2020 Oct 6;11:1917. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01917. PMID: 33123119
Effect of Influenza Vaccination Inducing Antibody Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients. Cordero E, Bulnes-Ramos A, Aguilar-Guisado M, González Escribano F, Olivas I, Torre-Cisneros J, Gavaldá J, Aydillo T, Moreno A, Montejo M, Fariñas MC, Carratalá J, Muñoz P, Blanes M, Fortún J, Suárez-Benjumea A, López-Medrano F, Roca C, Lara R, Pérez-Romero P. Front Immunol. 2020 Oct 6;11:1917. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01917. PMID: 33123119
Humoral response to natural influenza infection in solid organ transplant recipients
Humoral response to natural influenza infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Hirzel C, Ferreira VH, L'Huillier AG, Hoschler K, Cordero E, Limaye AP, Englund JA, Reid G, Humar A, Kumar D; Influenza in Transplant Study Group.Hirzel C, et al. Am J Transplant. 2019 Aug;19(8):2318-2328. doi: 10.1111/ajt.15296. Epub 2019 Mar 18.Am J Transplant. 2019. PMID: 30748090 Clinical Trial.
PUBMEDA 5-Year Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of Influenza Infection in Transplant Recipients
A 5-Year Prospective Multicenter Evaluation of Influenza Infection in Transplant Recipients. Kumar D, Ferreira VH, Blumberg E, Silveira F, Cordero E, Perez-Romero P, Aydillo T, Danziger-Isakov L, Limaye AP, Carratala J, Munoz P, Montejo M, Lopez-Medrano F, Farinas MC, Gavalda J, Moreno A, Levi M, Fortun J, Torre-Cisneros J, Englund JA, Natori Y, Husain S, Reid G, Sharma TS, Humar A.Kumar D, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2018 Oct 15;67(9):1322-1329. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciy294.Clin Infect Dis. 2018. PMID: 29635437 Clinical Trial.
PUBMEDImpact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study
Impact of pretransplant CMV-specific T-cell immune response in the control of CMV infection after solid organ transplantation: a prospective cohort study. Molina-Ortega A, Martín-Gandul C, Mena-Romo JD, Rodríguez-Hernández MJ, Suñer M, Bernal C, Sánchez M, Sánchez-Céspedes J, Pérez Romero P, Cordero E.Molina-Ortega A, et al. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2019 Jun;25(6):753-758. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2018.09.019. PMID: 30292792 Clinical Trial.
PUBMEDTwo Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.
Two Doses of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Improve Immune Response in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Results of TRANSGRIPE 1-2, a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. Cordero E, Roca-Oporto C, Bulnes-Ramos A, Aydillo T, Gavaldà J, Moreno A, Torre-Cisneros J, Montejo JM, Fortun J, Muñoz P, Sabé N, Fariñas MC, Blanes-Julia M, López-Medrano F, Suárez-Benjumea A, Martinez-Atienza J, Rosso-Fernández C, Pérez-Romero P. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Apr 1;64(7):829-838. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw855.Clin Infect Dis. 2017. PMID: 28362949 Clinical Trial.
PUBMEDUse of antibodies neutralizing epithelial cell infection to diagnose patients at risk for CMV Disease after transplantation
Use of antibodies neutralizing epithelial cell infection to diagnose patients at risk for CMV Disease after transplantation. Blanco-Lobo P, Cordero E, Martín-Gandul C, Gentil MA, Suárez-Artacho G, Sobrino M, Aznar J, Pérez-Romero P.Blanco-Lobo P, et al. J Infect. 2016 May;72(5):597-607. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.02.008. Epub 2016 Feb 24.J Infect. 2016. PMID: 26920791 Clinical Trial.
PUBMEDIdentification and Analysis of Unstructured, Linear B-Cell Epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 Virion Proteins for Vaccine Development
Identification and Analysis of Unstructured, Linear B-Cell Epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 Virion Proteins for Vaccine Development. Corral-Lugo A, López-Siles M, López D, McConnell MJ, Martin-Galiano AJ. Vaccines. 2020 Jul 20;8(3):397. doi: 10.3390/vaccines8030397.
PUBMEDUsing Omics Technologies and Systems Biology to Identify Epitope Targets for the Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Using Omics Technologies and Systems Biology to Identify Epitope Targets for the Development of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Martín-Galiano AJ, McConnell MJ.Front Immunol. 2019 Dec 10;10:2841. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02841. eCollection 2019.
PUBMEDA lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane vesicle vaccine protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection
A lipopolysaccharide-free outer membrane vesicle vaccine protects against Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Pulido MR, García-Quintanilla M, Pachón J, McConnell MJ.Vaccine. 2020 Jan 22;38(4):719-724. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.11.043.
PUBMEDA Live Salmonella Vaccine Delivering PcrV through the Type III Secretion System Protects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
A Live Salmonella Vaccine Delivering PcrV through the Type III Secretion System Protects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Aguilera-Herce J, García-Quintanilla M, Romero-Flores R, McConnell MJ, Ramos-Morales F. mSphere. 2019 Apr 17;4(2):e00116-19. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00116-19.
PUBMEDContent with Investigacion .
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Concepción Casado Herrero
Tenure Scientist of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)
ORCID code: 0000-0003-3412-2877
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Javier García Pérez
Investigador Doctor
ORCID code: 0000-0001-7551-7803
Graduated in Biochemistry (1999) and Molecular Biology (2000) from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), he obtained a predoctoral fellowship “ISCIII” in the AIDS Immunopathology laboratory, where he developed new techniques based on recombinant viruses. His doctoral thesis focused on the application of this technological development to the study of the replicative capacity of HIV-1 and its resistance to antiretroviral drugs, obtaining the degree of Doctor of Science from the UAM in 2007.
Thanks to a short postdoc in 2008 and several stays between 2009 and 2015 at the Viral Pathogenesis Unit of the Institut Pasteur in Paris he extended his training in the study of HIV-1 envelope and tropism. Between 2015 and 2019 he rejoins the AIDS Immunopathology Unit at ISCIII, focusing his work on the study of the functional capacity of founder viruses, as well as variants of the virus with interest in Public Health due to its recent expansion in our country. He is currently leading a project on the study of a mutation in transportin 3 observed in patients with a very rare muscular dystrophy (LGMDD2) that confers protection against HIV-1 infection.
During the last 5 years he combines this activity in HIV-1 with the participation and leadership of different clinical trials and studies investigating the immunity generated in people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Since 2024 he is a “Investigador Doctor fuera de Convenio” at the Spanish National Centre of Microbiology and he currently coordinates together with Dr. Francisco Díez Fuertes the AIDS Immunopathology Unit.
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Miguel Thomson
Research Professor. Head of Unit
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Eloisa Yuste Herranz
Staff Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0002-9484-9974
She holds a Bachelor's and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid. She completed her first postdoctoral stay (1998–2001) at the “Severo Ochoa” Molecular Biology Center (Madrid). In 2001, she undertook a second postdoctoral stay at Harvard Medical School (USA), where she was promoted to Associate Researcher in 2005.
In 2008, she joined the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Barcelona) as a Ramón y Cajal Researcher, later being promoted to I3 Researcher in 2011 at the same institution. In 2016, she joined the National Center for Microbiology at the Carlos III Health Institute (Madrid) as a Distinguished Researcher. In 2018, she was promoted to Tenured Scientist at the same institution.
Her research has focused on the study of humoral immunity against HIV-1 and the development of preventive HIV-1 vaccine prototypes. She is currently co-leading, alongside Dr. Víctor Sánchez Merino, the newly established Humoral Immunity and HIV Vaccines Unit.
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Francisco Díez Fuertes
Investigador Doctor Indefinido
ORCID code: 0000-0003-2413-9229
Degree in Biology from the University of León, PhD specialized in molecular virology from the Complutense University of Madrid in 2010 and master's degree in bioinformatics and computational biology from the same university in 2012. He has done research stays at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (USA) in 2010, Nebraska Center for Virology (USA) in 2011, Institut Pasteur (France) in 2013 and J. Craig Venter Institute (USA) in 2015-2016.
He joined the AIDS Immunopathology Unit in 2013 with a contract from the “Sara Borrell” postdoctoral program. After a period at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona he rejoins the AIDS Immunopathology Unit in 2020 as a PhD researcher.
His lines of research have focused on the genomic and transcriptomic characterization of extreme phenotypes in HIV-1 infection, including long-term non-progressors and elite controllers. He collaborates with other laboratories of the center in the analysis of outbreaks caused by viruses with interest in Public Health, as well as in evolutionary studies on genomic epidemiology. Since 2020 he has led different clinical studies on COVID-19. Currently, he combines omics sciences with different bioinformatics tools to answer different scientific questions in the field of virology, especially in HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 research. He currently coordinates together with Dr. Javier García Pérez the AIDS Immunopathology Unit.
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María Pernas Escario
Senior Specialized Technician of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)
ORCID code: 0000-0003-2966-0160
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Victor Sánchez Merino
Distinguished Scientist
ORCID code: 0000-0001-9400-427X
He holds a Bachelor's and a Ph.D. in Pharmacy from the Complutense University of Madrid, specializing in virology and molecular biology. His research has focused on the study of HIV and EBV. His doctoral thesis addressed the evolution of HIV-1 and the restoration of mutant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase function.
He completed a postdoctoral stay at Harvard University, investigating new viral interactions (2001–2003). At the University of Massachusetts, he explored CD8+ T lymphocyte responses in vertical HIV transmission (2003–2008).
In Spain, at the Hospital Clínico-IDIBAPS (Barcelona; 2008–2017) and the Carlos III Health Institute (Madrid; 2017–Present), he has led research on HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and the design of preventive vaccines.He is currently co-leading, alongside Dr. Eloísa Yuste Herranz, the newly established Humoral Immunity and HIV Vaccines Unit. Additionally, he is a professor and principal investigator at Alfonso X el Sabio University (Madrid).
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Nuria González Fernández
Investigadora Contratada indefinida
ORCID code: 0000-0002-0087-5144
She completed her PhD in 2007 (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), focused on the development of an envelope recombinant virus system to characterize HIV-1 tropism, as well as on the study of the role of the chemokine CXCL12 in virus propagation at the infectious synapse. Part of this work was carried out in the laboratory of Dr. Quentin Sattentau at the University of Oxford.
During her postdoctoral period, she expanded her research on the mechanisms of HIV entry and specialized in the study of the neutralizing response. She developed a system to measure neutralizing activity, which has been used in clinical trials of HIV vaccine candidates. During a stay at the Vaccine Research Center, NIH (USA), she acquired experience in various techniques for the characterization of broadly neutralizing antibodies, leading to new collaborations and research projects, which she is currently developing in the AIDS Immunopathology Unit of the Carlos III Health Institute.
She has participated in research networks such as EAVI2020 (co-PI), CIBERINFEC, RIS and EUROPRISE (EU). Since 2014 she is a professor of the Master in Microbiology applied to Public Health and Infectious Diseases Research at the University of the University of Alcalá and, since 2023, of the Master in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection at the University Rey Juan Carlos.
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Almudena Rubio Perez
Research Assistant
ORCID code: 0009-0006-4687-7555
Graduated in Biochemistry from the University of Córdoba (Andalusia, Spain) with a master's degree in Biomedicine from the University of Cádiz (Andalusia, Spain). She is currently part of the Humoral Immunity and HIV Vaccines Unit (IHV) at the National Center for Microbiology (CNM) under a Youth Guarantee contract funded by the Community of Madrid and is pursuing a Ph.D. in the Microbiology and Parasitology program at the Complutense University of Madrid.
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Virginia Sandonís Martín
Senior Specialized Technician of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)
ORCID code: 0000-0001-5762-7531
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Mercedes Bermejo Herrero
Investigadora post-doctoral contratada
ORCID code: 0000-0001-9909-8578
Degree and PhD in Biological Sciences (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) from the Autonoma University of Madrid. Her doctoral thesis studied the expression of CXCR4 and SDF-1/CXCL12 in lymphocytes and dendritic cells and their implications in HIV-1 infection.
She has completed internships in various laboratories: the Immunology Department of the Gregorio Marañón University Hospital in Madrid, the Research Center of the 12 de Octubre University Hospital in Madrid (where she was head of the flow cytometry service) and is currently at the CNM (National Research Center) of the Carlos III Health Institute.
Her research interests have focused on the study of HIV biology and its interaction with the immune system. She has currently participated in clinical trials, CombiVacs and ENE-Covid Senior, and in collaboration with Hipra.
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Rosa Fuentes Fernández
Laboratory Technician
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Rubén Ayala Suárez
Técnico Superior Especializado OPI
ORCID code: 0000-0002-1271-646.
Graduated in Biotechnology from the University of Cadiz (2015), Master in Microbiology of Infectious Diseases (2016) and PhD in Functional Biology from the University of Alcalá (2023). He carried out his PhD Thesis at the AIDS Immunopathology laboratory (CNM) on post-translational epigenetic mechanisms of natural control of HIV infection. In the same period, he completed a Diploma in Bioinformatics at Pablo de Olavide University (2021).
In 2023 he joined as a postdoctoral researcher in the HIV and AIDS research group at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (Barcelona), where he worked on the relationship of HIV and senescence until his incorporation as a Técnico Superior Especializado in the AIDS Immunopathology unit of the Spanish National Center of Microbiology (ISCIII) in 2025.
The main research projects in which he participates focus on resistance and natural control to HIV infection, as well as the evaluation of the immune response in vaccine trials, using mainly bioinformatics techniques focused on massive sequencing (RNA-Seq, single-cell, genome sequencing), the application of biostatistics and machine learning in data management.
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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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Manuela Beltrán Vicente
Técnico de Laboratorio Indefinido
ORCID code: 0000-0001-6185-2280
Senior Technician of Technical and Professional Activities (AIDS Immunopathology Unit, Spanish National Center of Microbiology).
Clinical Analysis Laboratory Specialist Technician by IES Las Musas (Madrid, 1996). Demonstrated experience in the development of strategies against HIV, focused on the screening of compounds of both natural and synthetic origin with antiviral activity and identification and evaluation of potential therapeutic agents, as well as the screening of serological samples for the study of immunity for the identification of possible strategies for the development of vaccines against HIV. -

Silvia Jara Herrera
Técnico de Laboratorio Contratado CIBERINFEC
ORCID code: 0009-0001-2842-2040
Clinical and Biomedical Diagnostic Laboratory Technician.
She is currently working in the AIDS Immunopathology Unit of the Spanish National Center of Microbiology (ISCIII) with a contract through the Spanish Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Infectious Diseases (CIBER-INFEC).
She worked from March 2020 to September 2024 at the Department of Animal Health (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
She has experience in serological techniques (ELISA, Western Blot and IFA), cell culture and molecular biology.
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Irene Díaz Marín
Técnico de laboratorio contratado
Clinical and Biomedical Diagnostics laboratory technician by CIFP Politécnico de Murcia-CESUR and graduated in Journalism from the Complutense University of Madrid.
She is currently at the AIDS Immunopathology Unit of the Spanish National Center of Microbiology with a contract of the “Garantía Juvenil” program (Community of Madrid), where she performs technical tasks in several research projects about HIV-1 and COVID-19.
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Lorena Vigón Hernandez
Tenured Specialized Technician from OPIs
ORCID code: 0000-0002-6405-4054
Graduate in Health Biology and PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Alcalá de Henares. In 2016, she joined the CNM-ISCIII under a Youth Guarantee contract funded by the Community of Madrid, and in 2018 she was awarded a pFIS fellowship, which enabled her to remain at the same institution. Subsequently, in 2022, she was appointed as a Tenured Specialized Technical Staff of the Spanish Public Research Organizations (OPIs).
Her research has primarily focused on elucidating the mechanism of action of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in HIV-1 infection (PMID: 32828803; PMID: 34186065), as well as on the identification of biomarkers that could predict COVID-19 severity (PMID: 34616404; PMID: 34122423; PMID: 35960731).
She is currently a member of the recently established Humoral Immunity and HIV Vaccines Unit, led by Dr. Eloisa Yuste and Dr. Victor Sanchez-Merino.
Actualmente forma parte de la recientemente creada Unidad de Inmunidad Humoral y Vacunas frente al VIH, liderada por la Dra. Eloísa Yuste Herranz y el Dr. Víctor Sánchez Merino.
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Laura Capa Muñoz
Investigadora post-doctoral contratada
ORCID code: 0000-0002-0234-331X
Degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and PhD from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, she has a master's degree in AIDS (Universidad Complutense de Madrid) and a master's degree in HIV infection (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid).
Professional activity developed mainly in the study of infectious diseases, both in the field of basic research in public research centers and in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as in the field of public health and scientific management. She has worked in the international response to the HIV pandemic, representing the Ministry of Health as an expert in meetings of the European Commission and collaborated with the WHO. At the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, she has led the scientific management of national and European projects in the AIDS Immunopathology Unit and has been part of the Institute's Data Protection Working Group. Currently, she continues to coordinate the Cohort of Long-Term Non-Progressing Patients created by the Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS), is part of the coordination team of the PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences and Public Health IMIENS-UNED-ISCIII and of the Institute's Working Group on Equality.
List of staff
Additional Information
The current director of CNM is Dr. José Miguel Rubio Muñoz.
Dr. José Miguel Rubio has a degree in Biological Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1986) and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the same university (1992). He carried out his doctoral thesis at the Department of Genetics of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, as Associate Professor (1988-1989), and at the School of Biology of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, as Senior Research Assistant (1989-1992).
During his postdoctoral period he obtained a grant from the European Commission within the Human Capital and Mobility Program to be carried out at the University of “La Sapienza” in Rome, Italy and the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in Crete, Greece (1993-1994). Subsequently, he made a further stay funded by the WHO and the university itself at the Department of Entomology, Wageningen University, The Netherlands (1994-1996).
Since 1997 he has been a member of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), where he joined the Department of Parasitology of the National Center of Microbiology, as an EU-INCO postdoctoral fellow and later with a grant from the Autonomous Community of Madrid (CAM). She was part of the founding group of the National Center for Tropical Medicine (2003-2006) and of the 24/7 Alerts and Emergencies Unit (2006-2018) and is currently Head of the Malaria and Emerging Parasitosis Unit of the National Microbiology Center and is part, as research staff, of the Center for Biomedical Research Network on Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC/ISCIII).
During his scientific career he has been Visiting Scientist at the Leonidas e Marie Dean Center (FIOCRUZ-AMAZONAS, Manaus, Brazil) and is an External Consultant of the Parasitology Departments of Cairo University (Egypt) and the Medical Research Center (MRC) of Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). He also belongs or has belonged to different national and international committees: Member of the expert group for malaria control of the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) since 2011; Expert-Evaluator for health programs of the European Commission since 2004; Spanish Representative (commissioned by ISCIII and MSC) in the Technical Scientific Committee of the TDR (WHO) 2007-2008; Spanish Deputy Focal Point for microbiology at the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) from 2012 to 2020; and, member of the Research Ethics Committee of ISCIII until 2019.
In this period he has published more than 100 articles in international indexed journals, 10 book chapters and has been co-editor of two books in the area of malaria, tropical medicine and neglected diseases. He has participated in 58 competitively funded research projects, 20 of them international, having been the principal investigator in 8 national and 11 international projects as PI of the project or WP leader. In addition, he has led five agreements with companies. Currently he has been awarded four sexenios of research, being presented this year 2025 to the fifth. In the teaching field, he participates in different postgraduate programs in the areas of microbiology and parasitology, having directed seven doctoral theses and more than 20 Master's or Degree final projects, both nationally and internationally.
El laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Resistencia a Antibióticos ofrece una amplia cartera de servicios al Sistema Nacional de Salud, las cuales pueden solicitarse en cnm-laboratorios.isciii.es. Jefe del Laboratorio: Jesús Oteo Iglesias (Punto focal Nacional de Resistencia antibiótica).
Dispone de dos programas de Vigilancia oficiales y gratuitos que engloban los ensayos ofertados ya sea como aislamientos individuales o mediante estudio de brotes. El Laboratorio utiliza asimismo técnicas de PCR en tiempo real para la detección de genes de resistencia, estas técnicas se han adaptado a un formato multiplex que permite detectar varios genes en la misma reacción. En los últimos años se han incluido metodologías basadas en la secuenciación de genomas completos para el análisis de bacterias multiresistentes (WGS).
Programa de vigilancia de Haemophilus influenzae. Responsables: María Pérez Vázquez (Punto focal Nacional de Haemophilus influenzae) y Belén Aracil. Laboratorio encargado de la identificación, estudio de sensibilidad y análisis genotípico de aislados de Haemophilus influenzae, centrándose esencialmente en la patología invasiva debida este patógeno.
Programa de vigilancia de Resistencia a Antibióticos. Responsables: María Pérez Vázquez y Belén Aracil (Punto focal Nacional de Resistencia antibiótica). Laboratorio encargado de la identificación, el estudio de sensibilidad antibiótica, y el diagnóstico fenotípico y genotípico de los diferentes mecanismos de resistencia a antibióticos fundamentalmente en enterobacterias y gram-negativos no fermentadores y Enterococcus spp.
Estudio de brotes. Responsables: Belén Aracil y María Pérez Vázquez. El programa incluye la caracterización de brotes nosocomiales y clones emergentes de alto riesgo mediante diferentes técnicas moleculares (tabla resumen). Éstas, nos permiten realizar estudios filogenéticos con el fin de obtener una información detallada acerca la relación entre los diferentes aislados y su trazabilidad. El objetivo final es generar datos que se transfieren a los hospitales como ayuda para la prevención o control de la propagación del brote.
Acreditación y Calidad. Responsable: Belén Aracil. El laboratorio Referencia e Investigación en Resistencia a Antibióticos ha sido de los primeros en el ISCIII en la utilización de técnicas acreditadas por la Entidad Nacional de Acreditaciones (ENAC). Este laboratorio consiguió la primera acreditación homologada de técnicas diagnósticas en 2012, programa que ha sido ampliado, de manera que en la actualidad más de la mitad de las técnicas ofrecidas al Sistema Nacional de Salud están debidamente acreditadas por ENAC.
Técnicos responsables de las técnicas realizadas en el Laboratorio: Noelia Lara Fuella y Verónica Bautista Sánchez.
En la siguiente imagen se resumen las técnicas ofrecidas al Sistema Nacional de Salud.
| PROGRAMAS | NOMBRE CARTERA SERVICIO | PATÓGENO | DETERMINACIÓN, DETECCIÓN, ANÁLISIS | MÉTODOS |
|
Programa de vigilancia de Haemophilus Programa de vigilancia de resistencia a antibióticos. |
Identificación bacteriana |
Haemophilus sp. Enterobacterias, gram-negativos no fermentadores, Enterococcus spp |
Identificación bacteriana |
Bioquímicos MALDI TOF Secuenciación de RNAr |
| | Identificación capsular |
Haemophilus influenzae
|
Identificación capsular fenotípica y genotípica |
Aglutinación serológica en latex PCR ind/multiplex |
| | Determinación de Sensibilidad |
Haemophilus sp. Enterobacterias, gram-negativos no fermentadores, Enterococcus
|
Determinación de Sensibilidad |
Microdilución Tiras epsilon Kirby Bauer |
| | Métodos fenotípicos de detección de mecanismos de resistencia |
Enterobacterias, gram-negativos no fermentadores,
|
Métodos fenotípicos de detección de mecanismos de resistencia |
Discos y tabletas combinados con inhibidores Tiras combinadas Test de Hodge modificado CabaNP Inmunocromatografía CBP |
| | Métodos genotípicos de detección de mecanismos de resistencia |
Haemophilus sp. Enterobacterias, gram-negativos no fermentadores, Enterococcus
|
ADN, PCR y secuenciación |
PCR ind/multiplex Análisis comparativo de las secuencias |
| | Tipificación molecular/análisis filogenéticos |
Haemophilus sp. Enterobacterias, gram-negativos no fermentadores, Enterococcus
|
Corte enzimas de restricción, electroforesis ADN, PCR y secuenciación Preparación de librerías y secuenciación y análisis de genomas completos |
PFGE
MLST
WGS |