Page 116 - MemoriaES-Eng

RESEARCH GROUPS

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PROGRAMME:
New Therapeutic Group 25

Targets

Group Members
Lead Researcher
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STAFF MEMBERS
Melero Fontdevila, José A.

Gonzlez Sanz, Rubn
Vzquez Alcaraz, Mnica
Contact:

Unidad de Investigacin ASSOCIATED MEMBERS
Cano Morato, Olga
Centro Nacional de Microbiologia
Campus Majadahonda - Ctra.Majadahonda -Pozuelo km 2.200. Madrid Corral Cant, ngeles Teresa
Delgado Romero, Mara Teresa
Phone: (+34) 91 822 39 08
E.mail: [email protected]
Garca Barreno, Blanca
Herranz Snchez, Cristina

Llorente Rodrguez, Mara Teresa
Main lines of research
Magro de la Plaza, Margarita
Martnez Gonzlez, Isidoro
Our group has been working for more than 30 years with respiratory viruses
Mas Llorente, Vicente
Palomo Sanz, Concepcin of human relevance such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneu-
movirus (MPV) and influenza virus. One of the main aspects of our research
Rawling, Joanna 13
Trento Trento, Mara Alfonsina
has been the antigenic, immunogenic and structural characterization of 20
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some of the viral gene products, as well as the virus-host cells interactions.
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On the one hand, we have presently focused our studies on the RSV and E
MNV fusion glicoproteins. These proteins are the main targets of the neu- L R
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tralizing and protective antibodies. Thus, we are carrying out an exten- NU
sive and detailed analysis of the different conformations adopted by these N
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proteins during the process of membrane fusion and the mechanisms by /
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which neutralizing antibodies interfere with that process. These studies are ER
essential for the development of safe and effective vaccines, which are cur- B
CI
rently lacking.

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On the other hand, we are developing methods to uncover antigenic differ-

ences between hemagglutinins (HAs) from different influenza virus strains.