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Investigation
Bacterial Genetics
Research Lines
Content with Investigacion .
Neisseria, Listeria y Bordetella
• Invasive Meningococcal Disease.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
o Study and evaluation of conventional (polysaccharide) and new-generation (protein) vaccines.
• Gonococcal Infection (Gonorrhea).
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
o Study and characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
• Listeriosis.
o Laboratory surveillance based on whole-genome sequencing and its application in Public Health.
• Pertussis.
o Development and application of molecular techniques for the diagnosis and characterization of Bordetella pertussis, B. parapertussis, B. holmessi, and B. bronchiseptica.
Research projects
Content with Investigacion .
1. Project Title: Determination of the degree of identity of common antigens of N. meningitidis and N. gonorrhoeae using genomic and immunological tools.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII. Program: Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI23CIII/00040
Period: 2024-2026
Amount Awarded: €68,500
2. Project Title: Meningococcal Disease and Molecular Epidemiology (MEMORY).
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca and Julio A. Vázquez Moreno
Funding Entity: Pfizer Inc.
Reference: MVP 352/21
Period: 2022-2024
Amount Awarded: €82,834.50
3. Project Title: Modelling Approaches to Guide Intelligent Surveillance for the Sustainable Introduction of Novel Antibiotics. MAGIcIAN.
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / International Joint Action / Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) Program
Reference: AC19CIII/00002
Period: 2020-2024
Amount Awarded: €46,000
4. Project Title: Epidemiological, Microbiological, and Clinical Analysis of the Listeriosis Outbreak in Andalusia. LISMOAN Study.
Principal Investigator: José Miguel Cisneros Herreros
Funding Entity: FISEVI (Andalusian Public Foundation for Health Research Management)/FPS2020 Call for Proposals
Reference: PI-0001-2020
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €114,954
5. Project Title: Population Structure of Neisseria meningitidis Using Massive Sequencing: A Potential Tool for Estimating Vaccine Effectiveness?
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI19CIII/00030
Period: 2020-2023
Amount Awarded: €67,153
6. Project Title: Management agreement between the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality (Directorate General of Public Health, Quality and Innovation) and the Carlos III Health Institute, for the laboratory determinations corresponding to the 2nd seroprevalence study in Spain.
Principal Investigator: Fernando de Ory and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Directorate General of Public Health, Ministry of Health
Reference: MEG151/17
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €565,663
7. Project Title: Effectiveness of the Meningococcal B Vaccine in Immunocompromised Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: Spanish Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Foundation (SEHOP)
Reference: MVP 199/18
Period: 2018-2020
Amount Awarded: €18,285
8. Project Title: Application of Massive Sequencing and Immunological Approaches in the Expression Analysis of New Vaccine Antigens in Meningococcal Populations
Principal Investigator: Raquel Abad Torreblanca
Funding Entity: ISCIII / Strategic Action in Intramural Health
Reference: PI16CIII/00023
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €115,084
9. Project Title: fHbp variability over time and potential coverage of the new meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (bivalent rLP2086/fHbp) in Spain.
Principal Investigators: Raquel Abad and Julio A. Vázquez
Funding Entity: Pfizer SLU
Reference: MVP 1273/16
Period: 2017-2020
Amount Awarded: €125,350
10. Project Title: Estimation of protection of a conjugate vaccine against meningococcus serogroup C based on a mathematical model.
Principal Investigator: Julio A. Vázquez and Javier Díez
Funding Entity: Higher Center for Research in Public Health (CSISP)
Reference: MVP 1116/11
Period: 2011-2017
Amount awarded: €143,750
Publications
Epidemiology of the Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase, carbapenem-hydrolysing oxacillinase and metallo-beta-lactamase genes, and of common insertion sequences, in epidemic clones of Acinetobacter baumannii from Spain
Villalón P, Valdezate S, Medina-Pascual MJ, Carrasco G, Vindel A, Saez-Nieto JA. Epidemiology of the Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinase, carbapenem-hydrolysing oxacillinase and metallo-beta-lactamase genes, and of common insertion sequences, in epidemic clones of Acinetobacter baumannii from Spain. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2013;68(3):550-3.
PUBMED DOIShortcomings of the commercial MALDI-TOF MS database and use of MLSA as an arbiter in the identification of Nocardia species
Carrasco G, de Dios Caballero J, Garrido N, Valdezate S, Cantón R, Sáez-Nieto JA. Shortcomings of the commercial MALDI-TOF MS database and use of MLSA as an arbiter in the identification of Nocardia species. Front Microbiol. 2016 21;7:542.
PUBMED DOIKinetics of the invasion and egress processes of Babesia divergens, observed by time-lapse video microscopy.
Sevilla E; González LM; Luque D; Gray J; Montero E. 2018. Kinetics of the invasion and egress processes of Babesia divergens, observed by time-lapse video microscopy. Scientific Reports. 8:14116.DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32349-7
PUBMED DOIMisdiagnosis of Babesiosis as Malaria, Equatorial Guinea, 2014.
2. Arsuaga M; González LM; Salvador Padial E; Woubshet Dinkessa A; Sevilla E; Trigo E; Puente S; Gray J; Montero E. 2018. Misdiagnosis of Babesiosis as Malaria, Equatorial Guinea, 2014. Emerging Infectious Diseases.24-8, pp.1588-1589.
PUBMED DOIA fatal case of Babesia divergens infection in Northwestern Spain
3. Asensi V; González LM; Fernández-Suárez J; Sevilla E; Navascués RÁ; Suárez ML; Lauret ME; Bernardo A; Carton JA; Montero E. 2018. A fatal case of Babesia divergens infection in Northwestern Spain. Ticks Tick Borne Dis.9-3, pp.730-734.
PUBMED DOIFirst report of Babesia microti-caused babesiosis in Spain.
Arsuaga M*; Gonzalez LM*; Lobo CA; Calle F; Bautista JM; Azcárate IG; Puente S; Montero E. 2016. First report of Babesia microti-caused babesiosis in Spain. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis.16-10, pp.677-679. (*)= contribuyeron igualmente en este trabajo.
PUBMED DOIThe efficacy of the ultraviolet C pathogen inactivation system in the reduction of Babesia divergens in pooled buffy coat platelets
Castro E, González LM, Rubio JM, Ramiro R, Gironés N, Montero E. 2014. The efficacy of the ultraviolet C pathogen inactivation system in the reduction of Babesia divergens in pooled buffy coat platelets. Transfusion. 54(9): 2207-2216.
PUBMED DOIPneumoviridae 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 DOIHigh-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 DOIHorizontal gene transmission of the cfr gene to MRSA and Enterococcus: role of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a reservoir and alternative pathway for the spread of linezolid resistance.
Horizontal gene transmission of the cfr gene to MRSA and Enterococcus: role of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a reservoir and alternative pathway for the spread of linezolid resistance. Cafini F, Nguyen le TT, Higashide M, Román F, Prieto J, Morikawa K. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2016 Mar;71(3):587-92.
PUBMEDEmergence 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.
PUBMEDClinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak
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. Clinical, microbiological, and molecular characterization of pediatric invasive infections by Streptococcus pyogenes in Spain in a context of global outbreak. mSphere. 2024 Mar 26;9(3):e0072923
PUBMED DOICo-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 DOIExploring 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 DOIFocusing on Gordonia Infections: Distribution, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities and Phylogeny
Pino-Rosa S, Medina-Pascual MJ, Carrasco G, Garrido N, Villalón P, Valiente M, Valdezate S. (2023). Focusing on Gordonia Infections: Distribution, Antimicrobial Susceptibilities and Phylogeny. Antibiotics (Basel). 26;12(11):1568
PUBMED DOIBotulism in Spain: Epidemiology and Outcomes of Antitoxin Treatment, 1997-2019
Peñuelas M, Guerrero-Vadillo M, Valdezate S, Zamora MJ, Leon-Gomez I, Flores-Cuéllar Á, Carrasco G, Díaz-García O, Varela C. (2022). Botulism in Spain: Epidemiology and Outcomes of Antitoxin Treatment, 1997-2019. Toxins (Basel). 20;15(1):2
PUBMED DOIInvasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Spain: a microbiological and epidemiological study covering the period 2007-2019
Villalón P, Sáez-Nieto JA, Rubio-López V, Medina-Pascual MJ, Garrido N, Carrasco G, Pino-Rosa S, Valdezate S. (2021). Invasive Streptococcus pyogenes disease in Spain: a microbiological and epidemiological study covering the period 2007-2019. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2021 Nov;40(11):2295-2303
PUBMED DOIRevisiting the Ancylostoma caninum secretome provides new information on hookworm-host interactions.
Morante T, Shepherd C, Constantinoiu C, Loukas A, Sotillo J. Revisiting the Ancylostoma caninum secretome provides new information on hookworm-host interactions. Proteomics. 2017 Dec;17(23-24).
PUBMED DOIHookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice.
Eichenberger RM, Ryan S, Jones L, Buitrago G, Polster R, Montes de Oca M, Zuvelek J, Giacomin PR, Dent LA, Engwerda CR, Field MA, Sotillo J, Loukas A. Hookworm secreted extracellular vesicles interact with host cells and prevent inducible colitis in mice. Front Immunol. 2018 Apr 30;9:850.
PUBMED DOIHDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans.
Flores MD, Gonzalez LM, Hurtado C, Motta YM, Domínguez-Hidalgo C, Merino FJ, Perteguer MJ, Gárate T. HDP2: a ribosomal DNA (NTS-ETS) sequence as a target for species-specific molecular diagnosis of intestinal taeniasis in humans. Parasit Vectors. 2018 Feb 27;11(1):117. doi: 10.1186/s13071-018-2646-6.
PUBMED DOIAntibody responses to chimeric peptides derived from parasite antigens in mice and other animal species.
Orbegozo-Medina RA, Martínez-Sernández V, Folgueira I, Mezo M, González-Warleta M, Perteguer MJ, Romarís F, Leiro JM, Ubeira FM. Antibody responses to chimeric peptides derived from parasite antigens in mice and other animal species. Mol Immunol. 2018 Dec 17;106:1-11.
PUBMED DOIComparison of T24H-his, GST-T24H and GST-Ts8B2 recombinant antigens in western blot, ELISA and multiplex bead-based assay for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis.
Hernández-González A, Noh J, Perteguer MJ, Gárate T, Handali S. Comparison of T24H-his, GST-T24H and GST-Ts8B2 recombinant antigens in western blot, ELISA and multiplex bead-based assay for diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Parasit Vectors. 2017 May 15;10(1):237.
PUBMED DOICharacterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host-parasite communication.
Eichenberger RM, Talukder MH, Field MA, Wangchuk P, Giacomin P, Loukas A, Sotillo J. Characterization of Trichuris muris secreted proteins and extracellular vesicles provides new insights into host-parasite communication. J Extracell Vesicles. 2018 Jan 21;7(1):1428004.
PUBMED DOIEvaluation of onchocerciasis seroprevalence in Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) after years of disease control programmes.
Hernández-González A, Moya L, Perteguer MJ, Herrador Z, Nguema R, Nguema J, Aparicio P, Benito A, Gárate T. Evaluation of onchocerciasis seroprevalence in Bioko Island (Equatorial Guinea) after years of disease control programmes. Parasit Vectors. 2016 Sep 20;9(1):509.
PUBMED DOIChanges in protein expression after treatment with Ancylostoma caninum excretory/secretory products in a mouse model of colitis.
Sotillo J, Ferreira I, Potriquet J, Laha T, Navarro S, Loukas A, Mulvenna J. Changes in protein expression after treatment with Ancylostoma caninum excretory/secretory products in a mouse model of colitis. Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 13;7:41883.
PUBMED DOIFasciola spp: Mapping of the MF6 epitope and antigenic analysis of the MF6p/HDM family of heme-binding proteins.
Martínez-Sernández V, Perteguer MJ, Mezo M, González-Warleta M, Gárate T, Valero MA, Ubeira FM. Fasciola spp: Mapping of the MF6 epitope and antigenic analysis of the MF6p/HDM family of heme-binding proteins. PLoS One. 2017 Nov 21;12(11):e0188520.
PUBMED DOIAn alternative host model of a mixed fungal infection by azole susceptible and resistant Aspergillus spp strains
15. Alcazar-Fuoli L, Buitrago M, Gomez-Lopez A, Mellado E. An alternative host model of a mixed fungal infection by azole susceptible and resistant Aspergillus spp strains. Virulence. 2015;6(4):376-84. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2015.1025192. PMID: 26065322.
PUBMED DOIEffect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 on antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes with reduced susceptibility in Spain, 2004-20: a national surveillance study
Sempere J, Llamosí M, López Ruiz B, Del Río I, Pérez-García C, Lago D, Gimeno M, Coronel P, González-Camacho F, Domenech M, Yuste J. Effect of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 on antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes with reduced susceptibility in Spain, 2004-20: a national surveillance study. Lancet Microbe. 2022 Oct;3(10):e744-e752.
PUBMED DOISeconeolitsine, the Novel Inhibitor of DNA Topoisomerase I, Protects against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Caused by Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Strains
Tirado-Vélez JM, Carreño D, Sevillano D, Alou L, Yuste J, de la Campa AG. Seconeolitsine, the Novel Inhibitor of DNA Topoisomerase I, Protects against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease Caused by Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Strains. Antibiotics. 2021 May 13;10(5):573.
PUBMED DOIMinilungs from Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Study the Interaction of Streptococcus pneumoniae with the Respiratory Tract
Sempere J, Rossi SA, Chamorro-Herrero I, González-Camacho F, de Lucas MP, Rojas-Cabañeros JM, Taborda CP, Zaragoza Ó, Yuste J, Zambrano A. Minilungs from Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Study the Interaction of Streptococcus pneumoniae with the Respiratory Tract. Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Jun 29;10(3):e0045322
PUBMED DOIA national longitudinal study evaluating the activity of cefditoren and other antibiotics against non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae strains during the period 2004-20 in Spain
Sempere J, González-Camacho F, Domenech M, Llamosí M, Del Río I, López-Ruiz B, Gimeno M, Coronel P, Yuste J. A national longitudinal study evaluating the activity of cefditoren and other antibiotics against non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae strains during the period 2004-20 in Spain. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2022 Mar 31;77(4):1045-1051.
PUBMED DOINationwide Trends of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Spain From 2009 Through 2019 in Children and Adults During the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era
de Miguel S, Domenech M, González-Camacho F, Sempere J, Vicioso D, Sanz JC, Comas LG, Ardanuy C, Fenoll A, Yuste J. Nationwide Trends of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Spain From 2009 Through 2019 in Children and Adults During the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Era. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Dec 6;73(11):e3778-e3787
PUBMED DOIPulmonary BCG induces lung-resident macrophage activation and confers long-term protection against tuberculosis
7. Mata E, Tarancón R, Guerrero C, Moreo E, Moreau F, Uranga S, Gomez AB, Marinova D, Domenech M, Gonzalez-Camacho F, Monzon M, Badiola J, Dominguez-Andres J, Yuste J, Anel A, Peixoto A, Martin C, Aguilo N. Pulmonary BCG induces lung-resident macrophage activation and confers long-term protection against tuberculosis. Sci Immunol. 2021 Sep 24;6(63):eabc2934
PUBMED DOIVaccination with LytA, LytC, or Pce of Streptococcus pneumoniae Protects against Sepsis by Inducing IgGs That Activate the Complement System
Corsini B, Aguinagalde L, Ruiz S, Domenech M, Yuste J. Vaccination with LytA, LytC, or Pce of Streptococcus pneumoniae Protects against Sepsis by Inducing IgGs That Activate the Complement System. Vaccines. 2021 Feb 23;9(2):186.
PUBMED DOIAn increase in negative supercoiling in bacteria reveals topology-reacting gene clusters and a homeostatic response mediated by the DNA topoisomerase I gene
Ferrándiz MJ, Martín-Galiano AJ, Arnanz C, Camacho-Soguero I, Tirado-Vélez JM, de la Campa AG. 2016. Nucl Acids Res. 44:7292-7303 (2016).
PUBMED DOITyrosine kinase 2 modulates splenic B cells through type I IFN and TLR7 signaling.
Bodega-Mayor I, Delgado-Wicke P, Arrabal A, Alegría-Carrasco E, Nicolao-Gómez A, Jaén-Castaño M, Espadas C, Dopazo A, Martín-Gayo E, Gaspar ML, de Andrés B, Fernández-Ruiz E. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2024 Apr 29;81(1):199.
PUBMED DOIContent with Investigacion .
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Carmen Marcos Moreno
Ayudante de Investigación de OPIs
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Antonio Javier Martín Galiano
Investigador Miguel Servet II
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Mireia López Siles
Investigadora Posdoctoral
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Andrés Corral Lugo
Investigador Posdoctoral
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Ana Tajuelo Moreno-Palancas
Investigadora predoctoral
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Marta Vicente Pazos
Investigador predoctoral
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Astrid Pérez Gomez
Investigador posdoctoral
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Mar Cordero Alba
Investigador posdoctoral
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Sonia Prieto Martín Gil
Investigador predoctoral
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Beatriz Cano Castaño
Investigador predoctoral
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Michael McConnell
Científico Titular
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Federico Román Alonso
Científico Titular de OPIs
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Miriam García López
Contratada predoctoral pFIS
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María Dolores Pérez Vázquez
Científica Titular OPI
Licenciada y doctora en Farmacia (Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Universidad Complutense de Madrid). Especialista en Microbiología y Parasitología clínicas (F.I.R.). Mi trayectoria investigadora se ha centrado en la resistencia a los antibióticos y la epidemiología de patógenos resistentes, desarrollándose principalmente en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología (ISCIII), así como en el ámbito hospitalario (HU Ramón y Cajal) y en el Wellcome Sanger Institute (Cambridge). Desde 2012, tras mi formación en bioinformática, he consolidado una línea de investigación basada en la secuenciación masiva (WGS) aplicada a la vigilancia microbiológica, promoviendo la creación de la RedLabRA para la vigilancia nacional de bacterias multirresistentes. Mi producción científica alcanza 111 publicaciones (7056 citas; h-index 39/36) y he destacado por integrar investigación, vigilancia y transferencia al Sistema Nacional de Salud, junto con una sólida actividad docente y formadora.
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Noelia Lara Fuella
Técnico Superior
ORCID code: 0009-0004-8912-7741
Noelia Lara Fuella (NLF) es Técnica Superior Especialista en Anatomía Patológica y Citología, con amplia experiencia en técnicas fenotípicas y genotípicas de identificación de mecanismos de resistencia en enterobacterias y gran positivos, amplia experiencia en técnicas de biología molecular, incluyendo aislamiento de ADN, PCR, RT-Y qPCR, campo Pulsante, preparación de librerías para su posterior análisis por secuenciación masiva, análisis de secuencias mediante herramienta Galaxy. Posee experiencia en manipulación de animales, realizando técnicas de inoculación y posterior sangrado para realización de posteriores ensayos, cultivo de células tumorales y mantenimiento de líneas celulares. Su trayectoria investigadora abarca un periodo de 22 años llevados a cabo en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología, en el Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Resistencia a Antibióticos e IRAS, durante todo este tiempo NLF ha sido clave para la realización y puesta a punto de diversas técnicas moleculares y pruebas diagnósticas del programa de vigilancia de Haemophilus Influenzae y Programa de Vigilancia de Resistencia a Antibióticos donde permanece en la actualidad.
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Verónica Casquero García
Técnico Superior Especializado de OPIs
ORCID code: 0000-0002-2365-394X
Verónica Casquero García es Licenciada en Bioquímica y en Biología, con amplia experiencia en técnicas de biología molecular, incluyendo aislamiento de ADN y ARN, PCR, RT- y qPCR, clonaje, mutagénesis dirigida, silenciamiento génico mediante shRNA y edición génica con CRISPR-Cas9. Posee experiencia en cultivo y manipulación de células madre embrionarias de ratón, células primarias de ratón y humano y líneas celulares, así como en técnicas de bioquímica de proteínas y en microscopía. Su trayectoria investigadora abarca varios centros incluyendo CSIC, CNIC y CNIO. Desde su incorporación al CNM en el Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación en Resistencia a Antibióticos e IRAS ha sido clave en la actualización y desarrollo de técnicas moleculares y pruebas diagnósticas del Programa de Vigilancia en Infecciones Estafilocócicas. Domina la extracción de ADN/ARN bacteriano de distintos tipos de muestras y la preparación de librerías para secuenciación genómica, metagenómica y metatranscriptómica.
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Jesús Oteo Iglesias
Investigador Científico OPI
ORCID code: 0000-0003-3327-8263
Licenciado en Medicina y Cirugía en 1992 y Doctor en 2005 por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Realizó la especialidad en Microbiología y Parasitología en el Hospital de Móstoles (2000) y desde 2001 ha desarrollado su carrera profesional en el CNM del ISCIII, del cual fue Director entre 2019-2021 liderando el plan de acción del CNM-ISCIII frente a la pandemia de COVID-19. Es profesor de investigación de OPIs, director científico del CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), coordinador de la Red Nacional de Laboratorios para la Vigilancia de Microorganismos Resistentes (RedLabRA) y National Focal Point español en resistencia a antimicrobianos. Su actividad investigadora está centrada en el campo de la resistencia a antibióticos, ha publicado más de 200 artículos en revistas con índice de impacto y ha sido investigador principal de numerosos proyectos. Ha sido secretario científico de la Junta Directiva de la SEIMC, y presidente de su grupo para el estudio de los mecanismos de acción y resistencia a antibióticos (GEMARA).
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Silvia García Cobos
Investigador Posdoctoral
ORCID code: 0000-0002-1417-5691
Doctora en Biología por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2009), realizó su tesis en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM) del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, donde investigó los mecanismos de resistencia a antibióticos β-lactámicos en Haemophilus influenzae. Continuó su investigación en el mismo centro hasta el 2013, especializándose en la caracterización molecular de mecanismos de resistencia a antibióticos y su vigilancia epidemiológica, colaborando en redes nacionales como REIPI. Entre 2013 y 2019 desarrolló su labor en el University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Países Bajos, donde aplicó la secuenciación completa de genomas en el estudio de la diseminación de bacterias resistentes a los antibióticos bajo el enfoque One Health y la colaboración transfronteriza (programa INTERREG), además de investigar el resistoma intestinal humano en proyectos europeos de investigación. En 2019 regresó a España con financiación del programa Atracción de Talento de la Comunidad de Madrid para iniciar una línea de investigación sobre el papel del microbioma humano en las enfermedades infecciosas bacterianas y la resistencia a antibióticos, mediante secuenciación y análisis de datos metagenómicos y metatranscriptómicos.
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María Belén Aracil García
Científica Titular OPI
ORCID code: 0000-0002-6156-8252
Licenciada y doctora en Medicina y Cirugía (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, y Universidad Complutense de Madrid, respectivamente). Especialista en Microbiología y Parasitología clínicas (M.I.R.). Experiencia clínica en enfermedades infecciosas y microbiología desarrollada en el ámbito hospitalario (HU de Móstoles y HM Hospitales- Madrid-Montepríncipe) y en el Laboratorio de Referencia e Investigación de .Resistencia a Antibióticos y Enfermedades Relacionadas con la Asistencia Sanitaria (IRAS) del Centro Nacional de Microbiología del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, donde desde 2000 se ha desarrollado también mi actividad investigadora, enfocada en el estudio de la resistencia a los antibióticos esencialmente en patógenos multirresistentes gnosocomiales desde el punto de vista de la epidemiología molecular y la salud pública. Desde 2012, responsable de calidad del laboratorio, punto focal alternate de resistencia a antibióticos en España y coordinadora de la red EARS-Net en España, red del ECDC para la vigilancia de la resistencia a antibióticos en infecciones invasivas causadas por los principales microorganismos involucrados en la multirresistencia. Labor formativa de posgrado en la Universidad de Alcalá y la UNED y en otros ciclos formativos relacionados. Destacada producción científica con 114 publicaciones e informes técnicos y 30 proyectos de investigación.
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Isabela Alonzo González
Dra.
ORCID code: 0009-0007-4291-4870
La Dra. Isabela Alonso González es licenciada en Biología por la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, en 2002. Realizó su tesis doctoral en el ámbito de la regulación de la expresión génica en células de mamífero en el Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO-UAM), donde concluyó su doctorado en Biología Molecular en 2009. Tras varias estancias posdoctorales, se especializó mediante un Máster en Gestión de Proyectos de I+D y es experta en la coordinación y gestión de redes de investigación. Desde 2023 trabaja como Project Manager del proyecto MePRAM, contratada por el CIBER y, en paralelo, desarrolla su labor en el Centro Nacional de Microbiología (CNM) en el grupo de investigación del Dr. Jesús Oteo, explorando oportunidades en una nueva línea de trabajo relacionada con la proteómica y la resistencia a antimicrobianos en patógenos de interés para el Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS), así como en el estudio de nuevas terapias celulares frente a las infecciones producidas por bacterias multirresistentes.
List of staff
Additional Information
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen that, despite the development of vaccines, continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity. We investigate the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. On the one hand by identifying new therapeutic targets and on the other hand by investigating the molecular basis of the action of antibiotics already used in clinical practice (the fluoroquinolones levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) or not yet used (seconeolitsine). For this purpose, we used a multidisciplinary analysis involving genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to understand the organization of the S. pneumoniae chromosome and the identification of the factors that stabilize this organization, including ncRNAs. Changes in the level of global supercoiling, either by inhibition of gyrase (decrease) or by inhibition of topoisomerase I (increase) alter the transcriptome. The modulated genes are located in domains, whose genes show specific functional characteristics. The aim is to identify new factors essential for S. pneumoniae physiology and to characterize transcriptional regulation in response to topological stress. In addition, RNA interference technology and CRISPR systems will be used as novel antibacterials. These studies will establish the bases for translational research aimed at the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen that, despite the development of vaccines, continues to be an important cause of mortality and morbidity. We investigate the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this bacterium. On the one hand by identifying new therapeutic targets and on the other hand by investigating the molecular basis of the action of antibiotics already used in clinical practice (the fluoroquinolones levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) or not yet used (seconeolitsine). For this purpose, we used a multidisciplinary analysis involving genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics to understand the organization of the S. pneumoniae chromosome and the identification of the factors that stabilize this organization, including ncRNAs. Changes in the level of global supercoiling, either by inhibition of gyrase (decrease) or by inhibition of topoisomerase I (increase) alter the transcriptome. The modulated genes are located in domains, whose genes show specific functional characteristics. The aim is to identify new factors essential for S. pneumoniae physiology and to characterize transcriptional regulation in response to topological stress. In addition, RNA interference technology and CRISPR systems will be used as novel antibacterials. These studies will establish the bases for translational research aimed at the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.