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RESEARCH GROUPS
Group 25
Programme: Host-Pathogen Interactions
Lead Researcher: Melero Fontdevila, José Antonio Group members
STAFF MEMBERS: González Sanz, Rubén | Vázquez Alcaraz, Mónica .
ASSOCIATED MEMBERS: Cano Morato, Olga | Delgado Romero, María Teresa | García Barreno, Blanca | Herránz Sánchez, Cristina | Llorente Rodríguez, María Teresa | Magro de la Plaza, Margarita | Martínez Gon- zález, Isidoro | Mas Lloret, Vicente | Palomo Sanz, Concepción | Trento Trento, María Alfonsina
Main lines of research
Our group has been working for more than 30 years with respiratory viruses of human relevance such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), metapneumovirus (MPV) and influenza virus . One of the main aspects of our research has been the antigenic, immunogenic and structural characterization of some of the viral gene products, as well as the virus-host cells interactions .
On the one hand, we have presently focused our studies on the RSV and MNV fusion glicoproteins . These proteins are the main targets of the neutralizing and protective antibodies . Thus, we are carrying out an extensive and detailed analysis of the different conformations adopted by these proteins during the process of membrane fusion and the mechanisms by which neutralizing antibodies interfere with that process . These studies are essential for the development of safe and effective vaccines, which are currently lacking .
On the other hand, we are developing methods to uncover antigenic differences between hemagglutinins (HAs) from different influenza virus strains . The new methods are allowing us to unveil antigenic differences that were undetected by traditional methods, such as the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay . In addition, amino acid changes associated to the noted antigenic differences could be identified . Thus, the new methods will allow a more detailed study of the antigenic evolution of human influenza virus .
Finally, we are also interested in the regulation of the intracellular signaling cascade associated to the antiviral response triggered in RSV infected cells . Fine modulation of these routes is essential not only to control virus
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