Infections and Immunology
- About the area
- Groups
The research area in Infections and Immunology is created to bring together translational research in inflammatory and infectious diseases, clinical microbiology and immunology, with the aim of optimizing the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of infectious diseases. This area actively contributes to the surveillance of health problems arising from infection and its prevention.
This area is made up of four groups, which investigate infectology, inflammatory diseases, critically ill patients and airway pathology.
The Study Group on Community and Healthcare Related Infections aims to study the pathogenic mechanisms of infections prevalent in our environment, and, specifically, zoonoses, HIV infection, infectious endocarditis, infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms and health-related diseases.
The Research Group on Inflammatory Joint Disease, Bone Metabolism and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases is made up of professionals from various medical specialties who collaborate in the study of joint and autoimmune diseases. The Group's research focuses on the mechanisms of inflammation and their repercussions. The Group works in psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, articular cartilage abnormalities, bone metabolism, inflammatory bowel disease and systemic disease.
The Critical Patient Translational Research Group studies the respiratory and cardiovascular pathophysiology of the critical patient. It approaches the study of this subject from an integral and patient-centered perspective. The Group develops preclinical and clinical research projects, and incorporates engineers, with whom it develops technology applied to monitoring.
The Research Group on Airway Inflammation and Sleep Pathology is made up of researchers specializing in pulmonology, microbiologists and biologists involved in individual and multicenter projects, both nationally and internationally. The group has lines of research active in COPD, lung cancer, respiratory microbiome, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation in asthma, and comorbidities and multidisciplinary care in respiratory sleep disorders.
Strategic lines of the area
- Application of genomics, microbiology and proteomics in clinical research.
- Application of new technologies such as artificial intelligence or Big Data analysis to develop techniques for early diagnosis and support for clinical decision making.
- New methodologies of network research work at different levels of care.
- Search for new biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious, immune and inflammatory diseases.
- Group A8G1 - Study of community and healthcare-associated infections
- Group A8G2 - Inflammatory joint disease, bone metabolism and systemic autoimmune diseases
- Group A8G3 - Translational research in the critically ill patient
- Group A8G4 - Airway inflammation, sleep and ventilation pathology
- Group A8G5 - Hemodynamics, microcirculation and tissue oxygenation research in the critically ill patient (MiTOCrit)
Group A8G1 - Study group on community and healthcare-related infections
Accreditation level: Consolidated group
GRC 2021 SGR 01439
The Community and Healthcare-Associated Infections Research Group's mission is to generate translational knowledge to improve the diagnosis, prevention, clinical management and prognosis of the main infections that affect the population, both in the community and in the healthcare context. The group approaches these pathologies from an integrated perspective that combines advanced epidemiology, clinical practice, microbiology, omics sciences and computational analysis, with the aim of improving the quality of healthcare and health outcomes.
The group's scientific activity is structured around several interconnected lines of research, focused on diagnostic innovation, infection prevention, the rational use of antimicrobials and the personalization of clinical management. Within this framework, the group develops research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infections associated with healthcare and medical devices, including the study of biofilms and the optimization of clinical management of pathologies such as infective endocarditis and staphylococcal bacteremia. In parallel, it investigates the mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial virulence, including genetic factors and mobile elements, as well as their epidemiology using omics techniques, environmental surveillance and computational analysis aimed at identifying risk factors and prognosis.
The group also promotes the development of new diagnostic tools based on advanced molecular techniques, with the aim of improving early detection and clinical decision-making. It also studies the role of the human microbiome in susceptibility, evolution and response to infections, as well as community-acquired infections of particular relevance, including sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
The group is made up of a multidisciplinary team made up of professionals from medicine, pharmacy, biology, microbiology and bioinformatics, mostly linked to Parc Taulí. Its research laboratory is located at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, which facilitates the development of translational research and the training of new professionals and researchers in the field of infectious diseases.
The group has continuously obtained competitive public funding for the development of research projects and is co-led by Dr. Oriol Gasch and Dr. Òscar Quijada. In addition, it is accredited as a Consolidated Research Group by the Generalitat de Catalunya (GRC 2021 SGR 01439), a recognition that endorses its trajectory, scientific capacity and impact in the field of infections.
Lines of research
- Infections associated with healthcare and medical devices.
- Antimicrobial resistance, molecular mechanisms of virulence and advanced epidemiology.
- Advanced diagnosis of infections: new tools using advanced molecular techniques.
- Microbiome and community infections.
Composition of the group
Oriol Gasch Blasi (co-group leader) | ORCID
Oscar Quijada Pich (co-group leader) | ORCID
Doctoral research staff
- Badia Cebada, Laia
- Calzado Isbert, Sònia
- Capilla Rubio, Silvia
- Diaz Santos, Emilio
- Forqué Rodríguez, Lorena
- Gomila Grange, Aina
- Guitart Matas, Judith
- Marrón Puigdueta, Anna
- Mujal Martínez, Abel
- Navarro Rubio, Gema
- Navarro Vilasaró, Marta
- Sánchez Osuna, Miquel
- Van den Eynde Otero, Eva
Predoctoral
- Monsálvez Martínez, Víctor
- Navarro Sáez, Maria del Carmen
- Nuez Zaragoza, Elisa
- Perez Ugarte, Arantxa
Non-doctoral research staff
- Casabella Pernas, Antonio
- Gómez Sánchez, Immaculada
- Machado Sicilia, M. Luisa
- Pedrosa Aragón, Marc
- Vargas Durán, Maria Paula
Group A8G2- Inflammatory joint disease, bone metabolism and systemic autoimmune diseases (RheIMID)
Accreditation level: Consolidated group
GRC 2021 SGR 01363
The research group is made up of professionals from various medical specialties who collaborate in the study of joint and autoimmune diseases from a multidisciplinary perspective.
Its research activity focuses on the study of the mechanisms of inflammation in the different systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases and their repercussions on joint destruction and bone metabolism. In this context, the group analyzes prognostic and predictive factors of response to treatment with the aim of improving the evolution of these pathologies, as well as the response to biological therapies. It also has multidisciplinary teams oriented to the evaluation and development of care and research protocols in areas such as psoriatic arthritis, hidradenitis, uveitis and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) in dermatology. Overall, its research focuses on the identification of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic response in rheumatic and dermatological diseases.
At the same time, the group participates in research projects aimed at the application of artificial intelligence tools in the field of medicine, with the aim of improving control, monitoring and connectivity between the healthcare system and patients.
Research lines
- Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases
- Spondyloarthritis
- Inflammation and articular cartilage
- Inflammation and bone metabolism
- Inflammation and skin (hidrosadenitis and psoriasis)
Composition of the group
Jordi Gratacós Masmitjà (co-group leader) | ORCID
Joan Calvet Fontova (co-group leader) | ORCID
Doctoral research staff
- Arévalo Salaet, Marta | ORCID
- Feijoo Massó, Carlos | ORCID
- Garcia Cirera, Sílvia | ORCID
- García Manríquez, María | ORCID
- Gómez Centeno, Antonio | ORCID
- Graell Martín, Eduard | ORCID
- Julià Agulló, Germà | ORCID
- Llop Vilaltella, Maria | ORCID
- Marí Alfonso, Begoña | ORCID
- Mercadé Torras, Joan Maria | ORCID
- Moreno Martínez-Losa, Mireia | ORCID
- Orellana Garrido, Cristobal | ORCID
- Oristrell Salvà, Joaquim – Investigador emèrit
- Ribera Pibernat, Miquel | ORCID
Non-doctoral research staff
- Álvarez Costa, Ariadna | ORCID
- Aymerich Mañas, Cristina | ORCID
- Bou Aragonès, Núria
- | ORCID
- Casado Burgos, Enrique | ORCID
- Fernández Valmaña, Andrea | ORCID
- Galisteo Lencastre, Carlos | ORCID
- Gómez Gallego, Rafael | ORCID
- Navarro Ricos, Noemí | ORCID
- Ortiz-Santamaría, Vera | ORCID
- Piqué Menéndez, Cristina | ORCID
- Riera Martí, Núria | ORCID
- Rusiñol Gonzalez, Menna | ORCID
Outstanding projects
MOMPRUAA
MOMPRUAA is a national, multicenter project that aims to increase the predictive capacity to anticipate the risk of recurrent uveitis (acute anterior uveitis UAA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).
BARITONE
The BARITONE project aims to promote the digitization of the health care value chain, with special emphasis on the exploitation of data by clinical staff, researchers and Artificial Intelligence scientists, to improve patient care .
OASIS
The OASIS project aims to develop a high-capacity tool integrating a large amount of information from multiple and diverse sources, based on artificial intelligence, to comprehensively obtain a better diagnostic and prognostic approach in patients with osteoarthritis .
SERHA
The SERHA project aims to study senescence, that is, cellular aging in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and its influence on the pathophysiology of the disease. This study will help us look for a new approach to the treatment of the disease based on the patients' own serum, enriched in cytokines.
Group A8G3 – Translational research in the critically ill patient
Accreditation level: Consolidated group
The research lines are oriented towards translational research in the field of pathophysiology associated with the critically ill patient, with special interest in the study of respiratory and cardiovascular pathophysiology, sepsis and its management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The group's challenge in the coming years is to approach the study of the pathology of the critically ill patient from a broad, comprehensive, multidisciplinary and humanized perspective, centered on the patient. Within this framework, strategies are promoted that allow treatments to be adjusted to individual needs and improve the monitoring of these patients beyond discharge from the ICU, including the post-ICU syndrome.
The research team is multidisciplinary and is made up of professionals with different profiles, which allows the development of both clinical and preclinical research projects. At the same time, and thanks to the incorporation of engineers, work is carried out in a transversal manner on the development of new technological solutions applied to monitoring and therapeutic innovation. In this context, digital transformation, the analysis of large volumes of data and the use of artificial intelligence tools are common elements in the group's different projects.
Preclinical research complements and is developed in parallel with clinical studies carried out on ICU patients, favoring a translational perspective. In this area, work is being done on the development of experimental models that recreate pathologies associated with the critically ill, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute lung injury (ALI) and sepsis, both in vivo (animal) and in vitro (cell culture) models.
Lines of research
- Respiratory pathophysiology in the critical patient.
- Cardiovascular dysfunction, hemodynamic monitoring and sepsis in the critically ill patient.
- Characterization and management of Intensive Post-Care Syndrome (PICS).
- Capture and processing of biomedical signals. Artificial intelligence applied to dynamic physiological signals.
- Experimental models and treatments associated with critical pathology.
Composition of the group
Josefina López Aguilar (group leader) | ORCID
Doctoral research staff
- Areny Balaguero, Aina
- Artigas Raventós, Antoni
- Blanch Torra Lluís
- Camprubí Rimblas, Marta
- Ceccato, Adrian
- From Haro López, Candelaria
- Fernández Gonzalo, M. Soledad
- Navarra Ventura, Guillem
- Navas Perez, Ana Mª
- Roca Gas, Oriol
- Sarlabous Uranga, Leonardo
Predoctoral
- Campaign Duel, Elena
- Estela Esteve, Julia
- Godoy González, Marta
Non-doctoral research staff
- Doña Lopez, Elisabet
- Martí Hereu, Lídia
- Santafé Colomina, Manel
Support professionals
- Fernandez Olivares, Aida
- Gomà Fernández, Gemma
- Monforte Pizarro, Veronica
Outstanding projects
PICS COVID-19
Characterization of the profile of Post Intensive Care Syndrome or PICS (from the English Post Intensive Care Syndrome) in the survivor of critical illness due to COVID-19.
THESAUS Dear
TESAI Care is a spin-off of the VHIR and the I3PT that has designed heecap which is a system to promote the respiratory recovery of patients under invasive mechanical ventilation. heecap provides non-invasive electrical stimulation of the respiratory muscles in synchronization with the patients breathing.
Better Care
Better Care is a spin-off incorporated in 2010 that offers medical device integration and clinical data analysis solutions. BC Link® is a software that allows you to connect, integrate and analyze the data of monitored patients. It provides a continuous flow of data between medical devices and information systems.
Group A8G4 – Airway inflammation, sleep and ventilation pathology
Accreditation level: Consolidated group
GRC 2021 SGR 01547 (I3PT - IGTP)
Lines of research
- Respiratory signal analysis and AI applied to non-invasive mechanical ventilation.
- Microbiome in chronic respiratory diseases.
- Ventilatory sleep disorders.
- COPD and chronic bronchial infection.
o Treatment with chronic macrolides in COPD with recurrent exacerbations.
o Nebulized/inhaled antibiotic treatment in COPD/Bronchiectasis.
o Treatment with new modulators of the CFTR gene in Cystic Fibrosis. - Characterization of pulmonary hypertension in respiratory diseases.
Composition of the group
Manel Luján Torné (group leader) | ORCID
Doctoral research staff
- Cardesín Revilla, Alda
- Domingo Ribas, Christian
- Galician Diaz, Miguel
- Lalmolda Puyol, Cristina
- Masdeu Margalef, M. José
- Montón Soler, Concepción
- Monserrate Mitchell, Daniel-Ross
- Monsó Molas, Eduard - Researcher Emeritus
- Moreno Gómez de Bonilla, Amàlia
- Pomares Amigo, Xavier
- I want Blanca, Sara
- Sogo Sagardia, Ana
- Vigil Giménez, Laura
Predoctoral
- Bullich Ramon, Miriam
- Flórez Solarana, Pablo
- Grimau Chapinal, Carles
- Lloret Puig, Berta
- Ruiz Gemar, Inés
Group A8G5 – Hemodynamics, microcirculation and tissue oxygenation research group in the critically ill patient (MiTOCrit)
Accreditation level: Consolidated group
Lines of research
- Tissue oxygenation in the critically ill patient with cardiovascular failure.
- Study of endothelial function in different populations of critically ill patients.
- Microcirculatory study in the process of disconnecting mechanical ventilation.
- Evaluation of microcirculation in the hemodynamic resuscitation process.
Composition of the group
Jaume Mesquida February (group leader) | ORCID
Doctoral research staff
- Gruartmoner, Guillem
- Mesquida, James
Predoctoral
- Knight, Alba
- Nuts, Sara
- Espinal, Cristina
Non-doctoral research staff
- Domenech, Javier
- Gil, Aurora
- Cortes, Edgar
- Sala Prim, Maria
- Oller, Ferran
Outstanding projects
VASCOVID
VASCOVID is a project funded by the Horizon 2020 program of the European Commission, whose main objective is to develop a device based on diffuse optics that allows the study of endothelial and microvascular function in patients with COVID19.
To achieve its goal, the VASCOVID consortium is made up of academic, industrial and clinical partners.
ACCOMMODATED
The project ACME Cat approaches the study of the detection of tissue hypoxia in the initial hours of handling critical patients with cardiovascular failure caused by a infectious process hard.
With its multicentric nature, and the inclusion of a high number of patients, it aims deepen the ability to discriminate between pathological metabolic states, thus helping to improve the therapeutic approach of critically ill patients.
Networks
The research group is a member of the Barcelona Medical Photonics Network, whose mission is to promote the research and development activities in photonics that are being carried out in the Barcelona region through long-term collaborations between the ICFO and its biomedical and clinical partners.
The network annually holds conferences with its partners in order to share the development of research and innovation projects, and to create spaces for debate on photonics issues.
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