Viral Biology
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.
Publications
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.
DOIIdentification of HIV-1 circulating BF1 recombinant form (CRF75_BF1) of Brazilian origin that also circulates in Southwestern Europe
Bacqué J, Delgado E, Gil H, Ibarra S, Benito S, García-Arata I, Moreno-Lorenzo M, Sáez de Arana E, Gómez-González C, Sánchez M, Montero V and Thomson MM. Front Microbiol. 2023. 14: 1301374
PUBMED DOIFactors associated with HIV-1 resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitors in Spain: Implications for dolutegravir-containing regimens.
Gil H, Delgado E, Benito S, Moreno-Lorenzo M, Thomson MM and Spanish Group for the study of antirretroviral drug Resistance. Front Microbiol. 2022. 13:1051096
PUBMED DOIContent 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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María Pernas Escario
Senior Specialized Technician of Public Research Organizations (OPIs)
ORCID code: 0000-0003-2966-0160
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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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Rosa Fuentes Fernández
Laboratory Technician
List of staff
Additional Information
The research activity of the Viral Biology group since its beginnings in the 1980s has focused on respiratory viruses, especially on the study of the mechanisms of virus entry into the cell, evolutionary aspects, antigenic properties and vaccine development.
Currently, the group's objectives are focused on the characterisation of the immune response and the development of vaccines against human pneumoviruses: human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Both viruses are considered to be important respiratory pathogens of high clinical relevance, especially in the paediatric population.
Safe and effective vaccines against these viruses are currently not available. Soluble protein subunits based on the fusion protein (F-protein) of hRSV and hMPV are being developed in the laboratory by protein engineering for use as vaccines against human pneumoviruses.
On the other hand, and thanks to the characterisation of the type of humoral response induced by the F proteins of these viruses, the laboratory is also involved in the isolation of monoclonal antibodies and nanoantibodies for use as treatments against these viruses.
The research activity of the Viral Biology group since its beginnings in the 1980s has focused on respiratory viruses, especially on the study of the mechanisms of virus entry into the cell, evolutionary aspects, antigenic properties and vaccine development.
Currently, the group's objectives are focused on the characterisation of the immune response and the development of vaccines against human pneumoviruses: human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
Both viruses are considered to be important respiratory pathogens of high clinical relevance, especially in the paediatric population.
Safe and effective vaccines against these viruses are currently not available. Soluble protein subunits based on the fusion protein (F-protein) of hRSV and hMPV are being developed in the laboratory by protein engineering for use as vaccines against human pneumoviruses.
On the other hand, and thanks to the characterisation of the type of humoral response induced by the F proteins of these viruses, the laboratory is also involved in the isolation of monoclonal antibodies and nanoantibodies for use as treatments against these viruses.