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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

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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Javier Pérez Garreta

Javier Pérez Garreta

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
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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
Javier Pérez Garreta

Javier Pérez Garreta

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
Read more

Projects

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

Pesquisa operativa contra a desnutrição crônica infantil em Angola (Projeto CRESCER)

IP: Israel Molina Romero
Collaborators: Maria Luisa Aznar Ruiz de Alegria, Elena del Carmen Trigo Esteban, Bibiana Planas Ribas, Marta Sanchiz Cruz, Marc Molins Masdefiol, Esperanza Esteban Serna, Josep Roca Grande, Jose Cabral Jamba, Tayná Marques Torres Barboza
Funding agency: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Funding: 3004510.89
Reference: CRESCER_EUROPEAID2019_
Duration: 15/02/2021 - 15/07/2026

Caracterización de Neisseria meningitidis tras la introducción de la vacuna frente al serogrupo B e identificación de factores predisponentes para la enfermedad meningocócica invasiva

IP: Juan Jose Gonzalez Lopez
Collaborators: Manuel Hernández González, Jose Angel Rodrigo Pendás, Maria Belén Viñado Perez, Aina Aguiló Cucurull, Alba Mir Cros, Albert Moreno Mingorance, Andrea Martín Nalda, Nuria Serre Delcor, Josep Roca Grande, Laura Batlle Masó
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 123420
Reference: PI21/00132
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2026

Vigilancia y control de la infección relacionada con la asistencia sanitaria por bacterias multirresistentes a través de la secuenciación de genomas completos. Proyecto IRAS 2

IP: María Nieves Larrosa Escartin
Collaborators: Jose Angel Rodrigo Pendás, Maria Belén Viñado Perez, Mª Carmen Ferrer Barberà, Nuria Fernández Hidalgo, Rosa Alcaraz Peñarrocha, Ma Dolores Rodríguez Pardo, Vanessa Casares Rodríguez, Albert Moreno Mingorance
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 90750
Reference: PI21/01786
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2026

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.