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COVID-19 Research at Vall d’Hebron

Assistance and research go hand in hand in the fight against COVID-19 at Vall d’Hebron. From the very beginning, all professionals have joined efforts to face the challenges posed by an unprecedented global epidemic, making us a reference center for COVID-19.

Vall d’Hebron Research Task Force COVID-19

The Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus has been and continues to be a reference center for COVID-19. During the first wave of the pandemic, it was the hospital with the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations in Catalonia and also admitted the largest number of patients in its ICU.

But it is not only a reference in healthcare, as from the outset COVID-19 research became one of the core focuses of the research groups at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). A clear example of this scientific activity is the publication of more than 300 articles on COVID-19 with the participation of Vall d’Hebron professionals since the start of the pandemic.

With the experience gained from these intense recent months and a commitment to continuous improvement, we have created a multidisciplinary working environment (Task Force) of over 190 researchers to provide the best possible service to the public while addressing many of the remaining challenges posed by COVID-19.

These professionals belong to 28 research groups (27 from VHIR and 1 from VHIO), 31 hospital care services, a Scientific-Technical Service of VHIR (Statistics and Bioinformatics Unit), the Hospital Information Systems Directorate, and the Primary Care Center IDIAP Jordi Gol.

Main objectives of the Task Force:

  • Concentrate and coordinate the efforts of all involved professionals.
  • Strengthen horizontal support to implement proposed initiatives and activities.
  • Continue encouraging and facilitating the work of our researchers in publishing COVID-19 studies and achieving competitive projects (several currently underway) to increase scientific output and knowledge. In this sense, coordinating scientific efforts at the institutional level is not new. For example, hospitals belonging to the EUHA (European University Hospitals Alliance) have implemented different strategies to coordinate activities and find synergies within their scientific communities.

Task Force COVID-19 Steering Committee

Dra. Magda Campins

Dr. Magda Campins

Fotografia Dr. Tomàs Pumarola

Dr. Tomàs Pumarola

Fotografia Dr. Benito Almirante

Dr. Benito Almirante

Fotografia Dr. Ricard Ferrer

Dr. Ricard Ferrer

Dr. Jaume Joan Ferrer

Dr. Jaume Joan Ferrer

Dr. Ricardo Pujol

Dr. Ricardo Pujol

Fotografia Dr. Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga

Dr. Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga

Dr. Pere Soler

Dr. Pere Soler

Governance

Our Research

Projects and Clinical Trials

Projects

  • Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild and severe COVID-19 to identify virulence and prognosis factors
  • Identification of repurposed drugs that inhibit the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 using lung organ cultures
  • Pregnancy and COVID-19: clinical and microbiological study (GESTA-COVID19)
  • COVID-19, immunological risk profile
  • Prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with chronic arthritis under treatment
  • Study on the use of personal protective equipment and surface contamination in patients with severe respiratory infection due to CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-CoV-2) treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy
  • MSC1, a therapeutic anti-LIF antibody, as a potential treatment for COVID-19

Clinical trials

  • Whole-genome sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild and severe COVID-19 to identify virulence and prognosis factors
  • Identification of repurposed drugs that inhibit the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 using lung organ cultures
  • Pregnancy and COVID-19: clinical and microbiological study (GESTA-COVID19)
  • COVID-19, immunological risk profile
  • Prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with chronic arthritis under treatment
  • Study on the use of personal protective equipment and surface contamination in patients with severe respiratory infection due to CORONAVIRUS 2 (SARS-CoV-2) treated with high-flow nasal oxygen therapy
  • MSC1, a therapeutic anti-LIF antibody, as a potential treatment for COVID-19
  • Clinical trials
  • Prospective pilot, double-blind, randomised, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of two doses of MSC, WJ in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to COVID-19 infection
  • Phase III, open-label, randomised, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous ravulizumab compared with best supportive care in patients with severe pneumonia, acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19
  • Phase 3 multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in cytokine release syndrome in patients with COVID-19-induced pneumonia (CAN-COVID)
  • Multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel-group pilot study to assess the safety and efficacy of alpha-1 protease (Prolastin®) in combination with standard medical treatment (SMT) compared with SMT alone in hospitalised subjects with COVID-19
  • Clinical trial of anakinra (anti-IL-1) in cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) secondary to COVID-19
  • Open-label phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of vafidemstat combined with standard treatment to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in critically ill adult patients with COVID-19
  • Control of inflammatory parameters with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in adult patients on parenteral nutrition and with SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection: randomised clinical trial COVID-19
  • Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of gastro-resistant capsules of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-FFA) to treat hospitalised subjects with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) lung disease
  • TRISTARDS trial – ThRombolysIS Therapy for ARDS. Phase IIb/III, operationally optimal, open-label, randomised, sequential, parallel-group, adaptive trial to assess the efficacy and safety of daily intravenous alteplase administered for up to 5 days, in addition to standard of care (SOC), compared with SOC alone, in patients with ARDS triggered by COVID-19
  • Phase II, randomised, open-label, controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of combining tocilizumab with pembrolizumab (MK-3475) in patients with pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
  • Phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetics of MK-4482 in adults hospitalised with COVID-19
  • Inhaled corticosteroids in COVID-19 patients with pneumonia
  • Phase 3 randomised study to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of remdesivir (GS-5734) in participants with moderate COVID-19 infection compared with standard of care
  • Phase 3 randomised study to evaluate the safety and antiviral activity of remdesivir (GS-5734) in participants with severe COVID-19 infection
  • Phase III, randomised, double-blind, multicentre study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of remdesivir plus tocilizumab versus remdesivir plus placebo in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia
  • Adaptive phase 2/3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to assess the efficacy and safety of sarilumab in hospitalised patients with COVID-19
  • Phase 2, randomised, single-blind study to assess the activity and safety of low-dose oral selinexor (KPT-330) in patients with severe COVID-19 infection
  • Phase 3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ruxolitinib in patients with COVID-19-associated cytokine release syndrome
  • Multicentre, phase III, double-blind, randomised trial to assess the efficacy and safety of ivermectin plus standard treatment compared with placebo plus standard treatment in hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) not requiring invasive ventilation
  • Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre study to assess the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia

More than 190 professionals involved in this project have been organised into 22 multidisciplinary subgroups, each focusing on a specific aspect of COVID-19. These are divided into blocks according to the type of research they conduct. Below we present each group and the main research areas in which they will focus their work:

Block A: Molecular / Cellular / Mechanistic

Immunological risk profile in COVID-19

Research lines

  • Immunological risk profile in COVID-19
  • Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in COVID-19
  • T-cell response against SARS-CoV-2
  • Role of mast cells in the pathophysiology of COVID-19
  • Participation in the international COVIDHGE consortium
  • LIF as a potential therapeutic target against COVID-19
  • Role of cytokine haemadsorption as a rescue treatment in severe forms of COVID-19

Group leader

  • Hernández González, Manuel

Principal investigators

  • Hernández González, Manuel
  • Martínez Gallo, Mónica
  • Seoane Suarez, Joan
  • Colobran Oriol, Roger
  • Ruiz Rodriguez, Juan Carlos
  • Ramon y Cajal Agüeras, Santiago
  • Soler Palacín, Pere
  • Martín Nalda, Andrea
  • Rivière, Jacques
  • Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
  • Pujol Borrell, Ricardo
  • Sanchez Montalvá, Adrián
  • Labrador Horrillo, Moisés

Gene and cell therapy: development of a hybrid preventive vaccine (genetic and protein-based) using modified AAV vectors

Research lines

  • Development of a hybrid preventive vaccine (genetic and protein-based) using modified AAV vectors
  • The group has experience in the design and use of viral vectors for different therapeutic applications, which we believe could serve as a platform for creating new hybrid preventive vaccines (genetic and protein-based), in this case against COVID-19

Group leader

  • Barquinero Mañez, Jordi

Principal investigators

  • Barquinero Mañez, Jordi
  • Chillon Rodriguez, Miguel
  • Anguela Martínez, Xavier

Host–pathogen interactions

Research lines

  • Identification of SARS-CoV-2 target cells and entry receptors in the human lung (which could extend to other primary cells or tissues)
  • Effect of local conditions and immune mediators (i.e., IFN, IL-6, IL-1b, TNFα, etc.) on receptor expression and SARS-CoV-2 entry
  • Identification of therapeutic agents to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 interaction/entry in the human lung (and possibly other primary cells or tissues)
  • Identification of immune correlates of protection in individuals with mild infection (neutralising antibodies, ADE, tissue-resident T-cell memory)

Group leader

  • Buzón Gómez, Mª José

Principal investigators

  • Buzón Gómez, Mª José
  • Genescà Ferrer, Meritxell
  • Chillón Rodríguez, Miguel
  • Jauregui Abularach, Alberto
  • Rosado Rodríguez, Joel
  • Soler Romero, Mª José

Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system in COVID-19

Research lines

  • Analysis of the RAAS pathway status in patients with COVID-19
  • Study of the influence of ACE inhibitors/ARBs on ACE2 expression in different tissues (kidney, lung, heart) in humans, animal models and cell models

Group leader

  • Soler Romeo, Maria Jose

Principal investigators

  • Soler Romeo, Maria Jose
  • Jacobs Cachá, Concepció
  • Serón Micas, Daniel
  • Trilla Herrera, Enric
  • Rosado Rodríguez, Joel
  • Genesca Ferrer, Meritxell
  • Buzón Gómez, María José
  • Ribera Sole, Aida
  • Benito Villabriga, Begoña
  • Hernández González, Manuel
  • Ferrer Costa, Roser
  • Rodríguez Frías, Francisco
  • Gabriel Medina, Pablo
  • Román Broto, Antonio

Block B: Global care

SARS-CoV-2: microbiological diagnosis, seroprevalence of infection, genetic characterisation and evolution, and vaccine

Research lines

  • Molecular epidemiology, surveillance and outbreak monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 (Dr Andrés Antón)
  • SARS-CoV-2 variability (Dr Josep Quer)
  • Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Catalonia (Dr Juliana Esperalba)
  • VLP-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 (Dr Joan Joseph / Dr Narcís Saubí)

Group leader

  • Antón Pagarolas, Andres

Principal investigators

  • Antón Pagarolas, Andres
  • Pumarola Suñé, Tomàs
  • Quer Sivila, Josep
  • Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
  • Sulleiro Igual, Elena
  • Rando Segura, Ariadna
  • Joseph Munné, Joan
  • Andrés Vargés, Cristina
  • Rodríguez Frias, Francisco
  • Cortese, Maria Francesca
  • Saubí Roca, Narcís
  • Piñana Moro, Maria
  • Silgado Gimenez, Aroa
  • Fernandez Naval, Candela
  • Guerrero Murillo, Mercedes
  • Garcia Cehic, Damir

SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients

Research lines

  • Factors associated with patients’ clinical evolution, including modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Among the modifiable factors, we will study pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions
  • Long-term complications. The acquisition of early and lasting immunity after natural or artificial exposure is of vital importance for disease dynamics at community level

Group leader

  • Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián

Principal investigators

  • Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián
  • Fernández Hidalgo, Nuria
  • Burgos Cibrian, Joaquin
  • Espinosa Pereiro, Juan
  • Salvador Velez, Fernando M
  • Pujol Borrell, Ricardo
  • Antón Pagarolas, Andres

Clinical pharmacology of the VH COVID-19 TASK FORCE

Research lines

  • Treatment with hydroxychloroquine is associated with faster PCR negativisation and greater symptom improvement in hospital staff with mild infection (without initial hospitalisation criteria) due to COVID-19
  • Severity of COVID-19 patients is associated with outpatient treatment with drugs that may worsen the disease through mechanisms other than the ACE2 receptor
  • Incidence, types and severity of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitalised patients during the pandemic
  • International collaborative COVID-19 cohort network for optimal treatment and prevention, Horizon2020 call (H2020-SC1-PHE-Coronavirus-2020-2), proposal number 1010115994, acronym: CONNECTION
  • COVID-19 infection and medicines during pregnancy (CONSIGN), proposal from the EU PE & PV Research Network under a framework contract following EMA procurement procedure EMA/2017/09/PE/11 (lot 4). Study on the impact of COVID-19 infection and medicines during pregnancy

Group leader

  • Agustí Escasany, Maria Antònia

Principal investigators

  • Agustí Escasany, Maria Antònia
  • Diogène Fadini, Eduard
  • Danes Carreras, Immaculada
  • Vidal Guitart, Xavier
  • Sabaté Gallego, Mònica
  • Aguilera Martin, Cristina
  • Ballarin Alins, Maria Elena
  • Riera Arnau, Judit
  • Ribera Pascuet, Esteve
  • Sánchez Montalvá, Adrián
  • Cossio Gil, Yolima
  • Aller Hernández, Marta Beatriz
  • Gorgas Torner, Maria Queralt
  • Miarons Font, Marta
  • Far Ruíz, Marc
  • Aragón, Maria

Epidemiology and prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

Research lines

  • Prevention of infection through safe, effective and efficient vaccines and prophylactic drugs against SARS-CoV-2 infection
  • Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and transmission dynamics in vulnerable populations (care homes for the elderly, institutionalised populations, healthcare workers)

Group leader

  • Otero Romero, Susana

Principal investigators

  • Otero Romero, Susana
  • Martínez Gómez, Xavier
  • Rodrigo Pendás, Jose Angel
  • Uriona Tuma, Sonia Maria
  • Borras Bermejo, Blanca
  • Campins Martí, Magda
  • Llorente Parrado, Cesar
  • Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
  • Antón Pagarolas, Andres
  • Soriano Arandes, Antoni
  • Melendo Perez, Susana
  • Almirante Gragera, Benito

Management, complications and sequelae in critically ill patients with COVID-19

Research lines

  • Study of environmental contamination of surfaces and personal protective equipment in patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) treated with high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy.
  • Study of the incidence of superinfections in patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
  • Study of the long-term morpho-functional alterations in patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) meeting criteria for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Effect of inhaled nitric oxide therapy in patients with respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) meeting criteria for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Analysis of the immunological profile of patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome.
  • Analysis of pregnant patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared with non-pregnant patients with the same condition.
  • Analysis of the clinical profile of paediatric patients with severe respiratory infection due to coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Group leader

  • Oriol Roca

Principal investigators

  • Roca, Oriol
  • Ferrer, Ricard
  • Ruiz, Juan Carlos
  • Nuvials, Xavier
  • Cruz, Maria Jesús
  • Muñoz, Xavier
  • Rodríguez, Virginia
  • Antón, Andrés
  • Martínez, Mònica
  • Pujol, Ricardo
  • Balcells, Joan
  • Suy, Anna
  • Pacheco, Andrés
  • García-de-Acilu, Marina
  • Ramos, Francisco J.
  • Martínez, María

Phenotypes and precision medicine

Research lines

  • Precision medicine requires the identification of different phenotypes and biomarkers to allow individualisation of treatments and comparison of disease progression and complications. Research questions focus on clarifying the interaction between the virus and the host.
  • The group has contributed to the identification of phenotypes and raises research questions on biomarkers in different subpopulations and in database analyses. The identification of different biomarkers allows characterisation of these phenotypes, prognostic stratification, and comparisons with other viruses (RSV, influenza virus, etc.).
  • This research line is patient-centred and covers the outpatient, hospitalisation, ICU and post-COVID follow-up phases.

Group leader

  • Jordi Rello Condomines

Principal investigators

  • Rello Condomines, Jordi
  • Balcells Ramirez, Joan
  • Mazo Torre, Cristopher Alan
  • Peña Lopez, Yolanda
  • Pont Castellana, Teresa
  • Sandiumenge Camps, Alberto
  • Tejada Magraner, Sofia

Block C: COVID-19 in relation to specific themes

Impact of COVID-19 on solid organ transplantation

Research lines

  • Investigation of the effect of COVID-19 infection in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. SOT recipients (kidney, lung, liver) share, in addition to immunosuppression, other features that make them a population with unique characteristics.

Group leader

  • Manuel López Meseguer

Principal investigators

  • López Meseguer, Manuel
  • Campos Varela, Isabel
  • Moreso Mateos, Francesc
  • Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
  • Gómez Olles, Susana

COVID-19 research in paediatrics

Research lines

  • Study of SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility in paediatric patients (CO-PEDIA-CAT study).
  • Utility of treatments against SARS-CoV-2 in paediatrics.
  • Study of multisystem inflammatory syndrome associated with COVID-19 in paediatrics.
  • Mother-to-child transmission of COVID-19 (together with Obstetrics groups).

Group leader

  • Antoni Soriano Arandes

Principal investigators

  • Soriano Arandes, Antoni
  • Melendo Perez, Susana
  • Martín Nalda, Andrea
  • Frick , Marie Antoinette
  • Rivière, Jacques
  • Soler Palacín, Pere
  • Campins Martí, Magda
  • Otero Romero, Susana
  • Esperalba Esquerra, Juliana
  • Sulleiro Igual, Elena
  • Antón Pagarolas, Andres
  • Colobran Oriol, Roger
  • Suy Franch, Anna
  • Camba Longueira, Fátima
  • Wörner Tomasa, Núria
  • Casquero Cossío, Alejandro
  • Rodríguez Losada, Olalla
  • González Peris, Sebastià
  • Velasco Puyó, Pablo

ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)

Research lines

  • During the pandemic, ECMO has been shown to rescue patients with hypoxaemia and/or shock refractory to conventional supportive measures.

Group leader

  • Jordi Riera del Brío

Principal investigators

  • Riera del Brío, Jordi
  • Argudo Serra, Eduard
  • Martinez Martinez, Maria
  • Diaz Lagares, Candido
  • Contreras Medina, Sofia
  • García Roche, Sandra
  • Rodríguez Lecoq, Rafael
  • Castro Alba, Miguel Angel

COVID-19 and neuromuscular disease

Research lines

  • Investigation of the onset of neuromuscular diseases secondary to infection of the peripheral nervous system by the virus and the immune response against the virus (e.g. post-COVID Guillain-Barré syndrome and Miller Fisher syndrome).
  • Study of exacerbations of pre-existing neuromuscular diseases such as myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other myopathies.
  • Identification of the consequences of COVID-19 treatments in patients with neuromuscular diseases or other patients with prolonged ICU stays (critical illness neuromyopathy).
  • Study of the impact on clinical management of neuromuscular unit patients due to disruptions in healthcare system functioning (issues with hospital access for proper follow-up, diagnostic delays of neuromuscular diseases).
  • Identification of genetic susceptibility factors predisposing to the development of neuromuscular diseases associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Study of how lockdown situations have a psychological impact that alters the quality of life of people affected by neuromuscular disease.

Group leader

  • Raul Juntas Morales

Principal investigators

  • Juntas Morales, Raul
  • González Martínez, María Victoria
  • Palasi Franco, Antonio
  • Sánchez-Tejerin San José, Daniel
  • Salvadó Figueras, Maria
  • Vidal Taboada, José Manuel
  • Canovas Segura, Anna Belen

Cardiology within the VH Task Force on COVID-19

Research lines

  • Effect of renin–angiotensin system inhibitor drugs on COVID-19 infection in patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or hypertension.
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the care of patients with cardiovascular disease: current dynamics and future projections (IMPACAR).
  • Influence of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the development of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with structural heart disease carrying implantable cardiac devices.
  • One-year cardiovascular impact of COVID-19 infection. The aim is to conduct a one-year follow-up and record cardiovascular clinical events in this population.
  • Morphological cardiac involvement in COVID-19 infection characterised using echocardiography with strain and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
  • Long-term myocardial fibrosis in patients with COVID-19. Calpain inhibition as an antifibrotic strategy. ACE-2 receptors play a key role in the pathogenesis of the virus. Disruption of this receptor leads, in the long term, to cardiac remodelling involving hypertrophy and fibrosis, cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. New calpain inhibitors prevent fibroblast activation and interstitial collagen deposition, and improve ventricular function in experimental models of ACE-2 activation.
  • Therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiac injury secondary to the inflammatory cytokine storm in COVID-19.

Group leader

  • Jordi Bañeras Rius

Principal investigators

  • Bañeras Rius, Jordi
  • Clau-Terré, Fernando
  • García García de Acilu, Marina
  • Cossio Gil, Yolima
  • Aller Hernández, Marta Beatriz
  • Soler Romeo, Maria José
  • Ribera Sole, Aida
  • Rivas Gandara, Nuria
  • Inserte Igual, Javier
  • Rodríguez Sinovas, Antonio
  • Rodríguez Palomares, Jose Fernando
  • Ferreira González, Ignacio

Maternal–fetal medicine research group / COVID-19 and pregnancy

Research lines

  • Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant women.
  • Foetal impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy.
  • Vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Group leader

  • Anna Suy Franch

Principal investigators

  • Suy Franch, Anna
  • Maiz Elizaran, Nerea
  • Garcia Ruiz de Gordejuela, Itziar
  • Rodó Rodríguez, Carlota
  • Fernández Hidalgo, Núria
  • Sacanell Lacasa, Judith
  • Balcells Ramirez, Joan
  • Sulleiro Igual, Elena
  • Navarro Jiménez, Alexandra
  • Ribes Bautista, Carmen
  • Frick, Marie Antoinette
  • Campins Martí, Magda

Impact of COVID-19 sequelae

Research lines

  • Influence of fatigue and muscle dysfunction in patients with COVID-19 and functional capacity.
  • Effectiveness of early mobilisation in reducing complications from ICU admission in patients with COVID-19.
  • Impact of physical inactivity on comorbidity in wheelchair users during the pandemic.
  • Effects of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention on physical inactivity in patients with spinal cord injury during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Neurological complications in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia and neurorehabilitation approaches.
  • Prevalence study of sequelae related to dysphagia and voice in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 pneumonia.
  • Medium-term telematic follow-up programme after hospital discharge for patient functional assessment.
  • Impact of the high-resolution consultation on the assessment of post-COVID sequelae.
  • PROMs and PREMs after treatment with the ReHab platform in patients with motor and respiratory sequelae following COVID-19.

Group leader

  • Lluïsa Montesinos

Principal investigators

  • Gómez Garrido, Alba
  • Montesinos Magraner, Lluïsa
  • Rodríguez González, Susana
  • Velasco Zarzuelo, Mercedes
  • Crespo Fresno, Almudena
  • Sánchez Raya, Judith

Block D: Cross-cutting themes

Governance, standardisation and data analysis

Research lines

  • Data governance.
  • Standardisation and integration of databases.
  • Data exploitation.

Group leader

  • Àlex Sánchez Pla

Principal investigators

  • Sánchez Pla, Àlex
  • Mota Foix, Miriam
  • Pérez Hoyos, Santi

Molecular medical imaging (clinical and preclinical) and metabolomics

Research lines

  • Molecular medical imaging studies (clinical – based on PET/CT or SPECT/CT – and preclinical in any imaging discipline) and metabolomics of any type of sample (plasma, serum, peripheral blood cells (RBC, PBMC, PMN…), tissues, faeces, etc.) in order to:
  • Find new diagnostic approaches (either 100% imaging-based or through artificial intelligence).
  • Identify new diagnostic biomarkers.

Discover new therapeutic targets.

  • Study the effects of the virus on the physiology and metabolism of certain organs or tissues.

Group leader

  • José Raul Herance Camacho

Principal investigators

  • Herance Camacho, José Raul
  • Castell Conesa, Joan
  • Aguade Bruix, Santiago
  • Baguña Torres, Julia
  • Xiao, Xingpeng
  • Aparicio Gomez, Carolina
  • Ferrer Costa, Roser
  • Giralt Arnaiz, Marina

Mental health and COVID-19 clinical and functional impact of the disease and prevention

Research lines

  • Impact of COVID-19 on mental disorders.
  • Mental disorders as a risk factor for COVID-19 immunological profile.
  • COVID-19 mental health impact on professionals.
  • End-of-life processes.
  • Evolution of mental health in patients with COVID-19.

Group leaders

  • Ana Beneria / Mireia Forner

Principal investigators

  • Beneria González, Ana
  • Fidel Kinori, Sara Guila
  • Forner Puntonet, Mireia
  • Gisbert Gustemps, Laura
  • Lugo Marín, Jorge
  • Inzitari, Marco

Biological samples

Research lines

  • Processing of biological samples.
  • Access to biological samples.
  • Biosafety in sample handling.

Group leader

  • Isabel Novoa

Principal investigators

  • Hernández González, Manuel
  • Roger Colobran Oriol
  • Cruz, Mª Jesús
  • Antón, Andrés
  • Esperalba, Juliana

Block E: Looking for collaboration

Study on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in patients with multiple sclerosis or other phenotypes (optic neuromyelitis and MOG)

Research lines

  • Study on the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in patients with multiple sclerosis or other phenotypes (optic neuromyelitis and MOG).

Group leader

  • Xavier Montalbán

Principal investigators

  • Montalbán, Xavier
  • Arrambide, Georgina
  • Zabalza, Ana