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Microbiology

The Microbiology research group of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) focuses on the study of microbiological aspects —in basic, translational and clinical research— that could improve the outcome of patients with infectious diseases.

Our priority research areas are:

  • Microbiological surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
    • Diseases due to viral infections of the respiratory tract
    • Microorganisms that cause vaccine-preventable diseases
    • Infectious diseases of sexual transmission
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Sepsis
  • Development and validation of rapid microbiological diagnostic devices.
  • International Health
  • Hepatitis 

We actively collaborate with other microbiology laboratories, health services, national and international centres and organizations, as well as with the different research networks of the Carlos III Health Institute in Spain.

In addition, we carry out an important activity in the surveillance of the genotypic and phenotypic evolution of microorganisms present in the community in terms of their virulence, transmissibility, antigenic escape and antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with public administrations, both at the national and international level.
 

Team

Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Research technician
Microbiology
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Eric Romera Carvajal

Eric Romera Carvajal

Research technician
Microbiology
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Ester del Barrio Tofiño

Ester del Barrio Tofiño

Research technician
Microbiology
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Eva Balada Prades

Eva Balada Prades

Senior researcher
Microbiology
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Guillem Puigsech Boixeda

Guillem Puigsech Boixeda

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
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Jana Rovira Plujà

Jana Rovira Plujà

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
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Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Eric Romera Carvajal

Eric Romera Carvajal

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Ester del Barrio Tofiño

Ester del Barrio Tofiño

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Eva Balada Prades

Eva Balada Prades

Senior researcher
Microbiology
Read more
Guillem Puigsech Boixeda

Guillem Puigsech Boixeda

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
Read more
Jana Rovira Plujà

Jana Rovira Plujà

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
Read more

Projects

Clinical Efficacy of oral Cefixime and Fosfomycin-Trometamol in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Prostatitis (CEFOSPROST): a pilot, comparative, randomized, open, multicenter trial.

IP: Joaquin Burgos Cibrian
Collaborators: Ester del Barrio Tofiño, Bibiana Planas Ribas, Marta Sanchiz Cruz, Paula Suanzes Diez
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 190000
Reference: PI23/01184
Duration: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2026

Antimicrobianos nebulizados en receptores de trasplante pulmonar

IP: Ibai Los Arcos Bertiz
Collaborators: M Teresa Martin Gomez, Yolanda Villena Ortiz, Javier Gomis Rodriguez, Joan Gavaldà Santapau, Judith Sacanell Lacasa, Marta Zapata Ortega, Leire Sanchez Corujo
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 37500
Reference: PI23/01467
Duration: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2026

CATMAL - Compact Analytical Tool for robust MALaria decentralized diagnosis and community surveillance

IP: Eva Baldrich Rubio
Collaborators: Francesc Zarzuela Serrat, Israel Molina Romero, Maria Urpí Castany, Adrián Sánchez Montalvá, Elena Sulleiro Igual, Judit Prat Trunas, Ines Mercedes Oliveira Souto, Briza Pérez López
Funding agency: Fundació "La Caixa"
Funding: 392205
Reference: HR23-00679
Duration: 01/12/2023 - 30/11/2026

AMBROSIA: Multiplexed Plasmo-Photonic Biosensing Platform For Rapid And Intelligent Sepsis Diagnosis At The PointOf-Care

IP: Juan Jose Gonzalez Lopez
Collaborators: Juan Carlos Ruiz Rodriguez
Funding agency: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Funding: 269812
Reference: AMBROSIA_HE-CL4_22_DIGI-EMERG01
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2026

Blog

News

The study results show that the local presence of IL-1β promotes the development of myeloid cells with an immunosuppressive function.

The project has developed a low-cost system to diagnose malaria and schistosomiasis using artificial intelligence and a robotic microscope.

The collaboration will focus on several key areas of mutual interest in microbiology in particular antimicrobial resistance and stewardship.