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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

Maria Eugènia Agustí Carol

Maria Eugènia Agustí Carol

Research technician
Microbiology
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González Sánchez Alejandra

González Sánchez Alejandra

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
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Mª Teresa Tórtola Fernández

Mª Teresa Tórtola Fernández

Microbiology
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Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Research technician
Microbiology
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Alisa Davtyan Avetisyan

Alisa Davtyan Avetisyan

Research technician
Microbiology
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Dantas De Oliveira, Allisson

Dantas De Oliveira, Allisson

Research technician
Microbiology
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Maria Eugènia Agustí Carol

Maria Eugènia Agustí Carol

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
González Sánchez Alejandra

González Sánchez Alejandra

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
Read more
Mª Teresa Tórtola Fernández

Mª Teresa Tórtola Fernández

Microbiology
Read more
Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Alicia Barberan Masegosa

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Alisa Davtyan Avetisyan

Alisa Davtyan Avetisyan

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Dantas De Oliveira, Allisson

Dantas De Oliveira, Allisson

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more

Projects

Búsqueda de biomarcadores (inmunológicos y/o celulares) predictivos de respuesta virológica o de control de la infección en la hepatitis crónica D.

IP: Maria Buti Ferret
Collaborators: Maria Francesca Cortese
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 220000
Reference: PI23/01065
Duration: 01/01/2024 - 31/12/2026

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

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.