CIBBIM-Nanomedicine Diagnostic Nanotools (DINA) : VHIR Annual Report 2020

Infectious Diseases

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Overview

The groups of this area aim to improve the outcomes of patients with infectious diseases. During 2020, we have developed basic, translational and clinical research in the field of the COVID-19 infection, including the virus characterization, the study of the mechanisms of pathogenesis, the diagnosis, the epidemiology, the prevention of the disease and the therapeutics and management options to improve the outcome of the infected people. Additionally, we have continued working on the development of strategies to diagnose, prevent and solve clinical problems related to other infectious diseases and in the characterization of the mechanisms of pathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance of different infectious disease agents. Likewise, we have advanced in the research in critical care and sepsis as well as in aspects related to children’s infectious diseases and primary immunodeficiencies.

Publications

298
total
1734
impact factor
5.82
average impact factor

Group Leader: Eva Baldrich Rubio

Diagnostic Nanotools develops new diagnostic tools for detection of circulating disease biomarkers. In 2020, we worked in two main research lines. In the context of project 2019PROD00086, funded by AGAUR, we worked in the development of a synthetic reagent to replace erythrocytes in classical haemagglutination assays used worldwide to track the annual flu epidemics (patent pending). This product detects several influenza virus types and could be mass produced for global distribution. Over 2021, we will improve its performance, reduce its production cost, and carry out a field validation. In project DTS17/00145, we produced a cheap colorimetric point-of-care diagnostic device for the fast, simple and quantitative detection of malaria, showing that assay automation using paper devices provides efficient biomarker detection with little user intervention. Over 2021 we will implement fluorescent and electrochemical readouts to improve detection sensitivity further.

VHIR Annual Report 2020