Health and biotechnology (SaBio)

The Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) The Institute for Research on Hunting Resources (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) stands out for its high scientific production in prestigious international magazines. In 2019 alone, the scientists who are part of the Wise Group published a total of 63 articles in scientific journals whose average impact factor (IF) was 3. As of today, these publications have accumulated more than 2000 appointments. Several researchers from the SaBio Group are among the most cited in Veterinary Science in Spain.

The work of scientific production, dissemination and dissemination The SaBio Group can be freely consulted and downloaded in the attached documents provided below.

Scientific articles

Between 2013 and 2019, researchers from IREC's SaBio Group have participated, as authors or co-authors, in more than 400 items in scientific journals, which averages about 57 articles per year [Download list]. Two thirds of their articles are in the Q1 quartile and more than 45% are published in open access magazines.

Books and book chapters

Between 2013 and 2019, researchers from IREC's SaBio Group have published 6 books edited and have participated with almost 20 chapters in books edited by other scientists, in publishers such as Springer, OUP, Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wiley-Blackwell, CABI or Academic Press [Download list].

Communication and dissemination articles

Between 2013 and 2019, SaBio members have contributed to the communication and dissemination of the science they develop and in which they participate with almost 40 articles in the media of various types [Download list].

Our 10 most cited scientific publications

Other dissemination initiatives

The members of the Wise Group We participate in a wide variety of initiatives aimed at disseminating science and training that we carry out at the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and through our collaboration with other institutions. Here you can see a sample of them.

The science developed by the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) can be framed in the following main research lines:

1. Analytical epidemiology: Epidemiology and control of shared infections such as tuberculosis, African swine fever, vector-borne infections and infections of wild birds; Pathology.
2. Animal Science: Biotechnology of reproduction.
3. Ecology and wildlife management: Population's genetics; Ecology and behavior at the fauna-livestock interface; Integrated monitoring of wildlife populations.
4. Epidemiology, ecology and evolution of arthropod vectors and vector-borne pathogens: Genetics and molecular epidemiology of vector-borne diseases; Molecular biology and biology of host systems, vectors, pathogens and their interactions.
5. Immunology: Molecular biology of infectious diseases; Human neurological and allergic infectious diseases; Vaccines for the control of vector infestations and transmission of pathogens.

The following is a brief summary of the most outstanding research projects that the SaBio Group is developing currently.

ADISRA Project: The role of wild birds in the dispersal of antimicrobial resistance

ENETWILD project: Wildlife - Collecting and sharing data on wildlife populations, transmitting animal disease agents

MammalNet Project: Can we apply Citizen Science in monitoring wild mammals at European scale?

Production of deer and sheep embryos using fertilization in vitro

SUBINTERACT Project: Subolesin/Akirin interactome and function in the regulation of immune response in tick and human cells

GALINFEC Project: Characterization of the immune response to alpha-Gal and applications for the control of infectious diseases

ANTICKUG Project: Anti-tick vaccine development in Uganda

WILD DRIVER Project: Effect of deer and wild boar overabundance on emerging diseases

E-RTA Project: Analysis of new West Nile virus encephalitis outbreaks in Spain and spatial spread

CrimeaCaLM Project: Evaluation of the current situation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Castilla-La Mancha: study on vectors and hosts

E-RTA Project: Novel biotechnological tools for the surveillance and control of emerging flaviviruses in avian reservoir

IMpROVE Project: IMpact of the micRObiota on the tick and its VEctorial capacity

Integrated wildlife disease surveillance - Agreement to carry out tasks related to wildlife health management in Spain

GOSTU Proyect: Inter-regional Operational Group Tuberculosis

MYCOTRAINING Project: Nonspecific immunity associated with inactivated mycobacteria: range of pathogens, specificity of the immunogen and molecular mechanisms involved

Pilot project to improve biosecurity in extensive cattle farming in the Alcudia Valley

ADISRA Project: The role of wild birds in the dispersal of antimicrobial resistance

The antibiotic resistance (AR) is the most important global problem that humanity faces currently. Despite significant restrictions on the use of antibiotics in livestock production and intensive campaigns on the correct use of antibiotics among the public the problem keeps growing.

The information on multirresistant bacteria in the environment is scarce, but recent detections of antibiotic resistance in wildlife and in the environment, even in remote locations like the arctic show the important and close interaction between humans, wildlife and domestic animals. In this context, the exploitation of human residues by migratory birds is of particular interest as these could play a role in the short and long distance spread of multirresistant organisms or resistance genes that transmit between different bacteria.

In this project, we study the role that wild birds can play in the spread of multirresistant bacteria using the emblematic conspicuous migratory white stork (Ciconia ciconia) as a model. We also employ environmental and human origin samples and use a combination of established and emerging techniques such as direct detection of resistance and virulence genes by qPCR to understand the mechanisms and routes of acquisition and spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Project data

• Call: Research and technology transfer project co-funded by the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM) and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
• Duration: 2020-2023.
• Team: Dra. Ursula Höfle (SaBio Group of the IREC) and Dra. Carmen Torres (Universidad de La Rioja) (principal investigators, IPs) and collaborators. Collaborating with Dr. Andy Green and Dr. Marta Sánchez from the Estación Biológica de Doñana (EBD-CSIC), Dr. R. Carranza and M. A. Asencio (SESCAM), Dr. Julio Álvarez (Veterinary Health Surveillance Center, VISAVET; Universidad Complutense de Madrid), Dr. Mark Taggart (Environmental Research Institute, University of Higlands and Islands, United Kingdom) and Dr. C. Wenker (Basel Zoo, Switzerland).

ENETWILD project: Wildlife - Collecting and sharing data on wildlife populations, transmitting animal disease agents

Through the project carried out by the consortium ENETWILD, the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) aims to improve European capacities to monitor wildlife populations, develop standards for the collection and validation of data and, finally, create and promote a data repository with which to analyze the risks of shared diseases (e. g. African swine fever, ASF) among fauna, livestock and humans.

This information is also essential for the conservation and management of wildlife in Europe. ENETWILD has focused so far on the collection of wild boar abundance and distribution data, which will be complemented with other groups of species during the coming months: migratory birds relevant to bird flu, as well as other ungulates and carnivores

Some relevant milestones have been: (1) the comparative description and proposals for harmonizing of hunting data collection frameworks (exemplified in ungulates) in Europe, (2) the development of a ¡n unique ¡database un ungulate distribution and abundance over Europe, (3) modelling wild boar distribution and abundance models which can be validated, and (4) to disseminate to European organizations the need for a common basis for the management of wildlife in Europe, exemplifying the very variable responses of governments to the emergency created by the spread of ASF in wild boar, that were not always based on scientific knowledge.

Project data

• Official title: Wildlife: collecting and sharing data on wildlife populations, transmitting animal disease agents.
• Call: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) - OC / EFSA / ALPHA / 2016/01.
• Duration: 2017-2022.
• Team: Dr. Joaquín Vicente Baños (SaBio Group of the IREC, principal investigator, PI), Dr. Ramón C. Soriguer Escofet, Dr. Pelayo Acevedo, Dr. José Antonio Blanco, Dr. Javier Fernández López, Carmen Ruiz Rodríguez, Eduardo Laguna, Dra. Roxana Triguero Ocaña, Jordi Martínez Guijosa, Pablo Palencia Mayordomo, Patricia Barroso Seano and 28 researchers from 14 research centers and universities in 9 European countries.

MammalNet Project: Can we apply Citizen Science in monitoring wild mammals at European scale?

EFSA aims to improve European capacities for monitoring wildlife populations. Therefore, it awarded the MammalNet consortium to assess the viability of the application of citizen science in the monitoring of mammals at European level, evaluating possible limitations, advantages and added values, as well as promoting the best practices that would increase the quality of data and the participation of citizens.

The specific objectives of this project are: (1) to look for communication strategies differentiated by countries, languages and cultures to involve citizens in the collection of data on the geographical distribution and abundance of the mammal population in Europe using web platforms and / or mobile devices (such as phones and tablets); (2) to propose and implement citizen communication and participation strategies to encourage the collection of high quality data; (3) propose and apply a method to evaluate the quality of the data collected by citizens and compare them with the data collected by professionals, (4) to evaluate the feasibility of the application of citizen science in the monitoring of wildlife at European level, and provide information on potential limitations, advantages and added values, as well as on the best practices that promote data quality and crowd participation.

The 2-year project is developed in two phases: in the first, the strategies are implemented in 4 pilot countries (Germany, Croatia, Spain and Poland), and later, taking profit from the experience developed, to expand the approach to the rest of Europe, mainly through communication tools and use of social networks.

Project data

• Official title: Wildlife: collecting and sharing data on wildlife populations, transmitting animal disease agents.
• Call: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
• Duration: 2020-2021.
• Team: Dr. Joaquín Vicente Baños (SaBio Group of the IREC, principal researcher, PI), Dr. Ramón C. Soriguer Escofet, Dr. José Antonio Blanco, Carmen Ruiz Rodríguez and 10 researchers from 8 research centers and universities in 7 European countries.

Production of deer and sheep embryos using fertilization in vitro

Although different assisted reproductive techniques are highly developed in domestic species, others such as in vitro fertilization, are still little advanced in small ruminant species as deer and sheep due to the low yield offered

In this project, the main factors that affect the success of this technique will be studied and actions will be carried out to improve the quality and number of embryos produced. The development of this assisted reproductive technique will allow not only a higher productive yield but also the conservation of threatened species or breeds.

Project data

• Call: National R + D + i Plan, MINECO.
• Duration: 2018-2021.
• Team: Dr. Ana Josefa Soler Valls and Dr. José Julián Garde López-Brea.

SUBINTERACT Project: Subolesin/Akirin interactome and function in the regulation of immune response in tick and human cells

The long-term goal of our laboratory is to develop methodologies to protect humans and animals against exposure to ticks and tick-borne pathogens. Subolesin/Akirin (SUB/AKR) are recently discovered orthologous proteins conserved in invertebrates and vertebrates. These proteins are involved in the control of gene expression through the interaction with other regulatory proteins that affect immune response among other biological processes.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is transmitted by Ixodes sp. ticks and infects granulocytes causing the emerging diseases, human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and tick-borne fever (TBF) in ruminants. Our hypothesis is that SUB/AKR interactome plays an essential role in the regulation of immune response to A. phagocytophilum in both tick vector and human cells.

Thus, the goal of this project is the characterization of the SUB/AKR interactome and its role in the regulation of immune response in invertebrate (tick) and vertebrate (human) cells infected with A. phagocytophilum. The characterization of the SUB/AKR interactome in tick and human cells will not only advance our understanding of immune response to A. phagocytophilum in these organisms, but allows conducting a comparative functional study between tick and human cells and provides a bettter opportunity for protein identification in both organisms.

Project data

• Call: National R + D + i Plan, MINECO, Spain (BFU2016-79892-P).
• Duration: 2017-2020.
• Team: Dr. José de la Fuente and Dr. Margarita Villar (SaBio Group of the IREC, principal investigators, PIs), members of the group (Dr. Isabel García Fernández de Mera, Dr. Pilar Alberdi, Marinela Contreras, Sara Artigas-Jerónimo) and collaborators ( Dr. Joao Pedra, University of Maryland, USA; Dr. Christine Martitz-Olivier, University of Pretoria, South Africa).

GALINFEC Project: Characterization of the immune response to alpha-Gal and applications for the control of infectious diseases

The alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic immune-related disease with a growing incidence worldwide. The AGS is related to infectious diseases and driven by immune response to the galactose-containing oligosaccharide structure Galα1-3Galβ1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (α-Gal). Humans do not produce α-Gal and anti-α-Gal IgE antibodies induced by tick bites result in anaphylactic reactions to tick bites and the consumption of red meat containing this carbohydrate and leading to the AGS.

Trying to understand how immunity is regulated in response to the galactose-containing oligosaccharide α-Gal structure produced by pathogens and ticks that result in AGS, is essential to prevent AGS and other infectious diseases caused by pathogens containing α-Gal on their surface.

Our hypothesis is that humans evolved with the loss of the capacity to synthesize α Gal because it confers an advantage in the control of certain infectious diseases with trade-off of developing allergies such as the AGS. This antibody response may be effective against different pathogens that contain α-Gal on their surface. Therefore, the probiotics-based vaccines exploiting this major evolutionary adaptation may constitute an effective strategy to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on human health.

Project data

• Call: Regional Plan for R + D + i, Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Spain (CCM17-PIC-036 (SBPLY / 17/180501/000185)).
• Duration: 2019-2021.
• Team: Dr. José de la Fuente and Dra. Margarita Villar (SaBio Group of the IREC, principal investigators, PIs), members of the group (Dra. Pilar Alberdi, Marinela Contreras, Almudena González, Iván Pacheco) and collaborators (Dr. Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Dr. Lourdes Mateos-Hernández, from INRA, France; Dr. Francisco Feo-Brito and Dr. Elisa Gómez, from the Hospital General Universitario de Ciudad Real, Spain).

ANTICKUG Project: Anti-tick vaccine development in Uganda

The loss caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBD) complex in Uganda alone is estimated at over USD 1.1 billion annually. The costs of controlling TBD in Uganda constitute around 80% of the total annual costs to control livestock diseases in the country. The emergence of multi-acaricide resistant ticks and the chaotic management of TBD affect cattle production and productivity that are essential for socio-economic growth in Uganda.

The constitute an environmentally sound intervention with demonstrated efficacy for the control of cattle ticks and TBD. The project between IREC and the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) is focused at developing and implementing the production and application of Subolesin-based vaccines for the control of cattle tick infestations and TBD in combination with a multidisciplinary approach combining other control interventions.

Project data

• Call: Agreement between the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), with financial support from the CSIC Vice-Presidency for International Relations.
• Duration: 2019-2024.
• Team: Dr. José de la Fuente and Marinela Contreras (SaBio Group of the IREC) and Dr. Fredrick Kabi (NARO) (principal investigators, PIs), members of the group (Dr. Christian Gortazar, Dr. José F. Ruiz Fons, from IREC) and collaborators (Dr. Rafael Mateo, from the IREC; and Dr. Paul D. Kasaija, from NARO, Uganda).

WILD DRIVER Project: Effect of deer and wild boar overabundance on emerging diseases

The expansion of wild ungulates constitutes one of the most important changes in the natural environment, with consequences for the conservation of biodiversity, agriculture, livestock and health. Shared pathogens, such as ticks and infections they transmit, or tuberculosis, take advantage of the interactions between livestock, wildlife and humans to proliferate.

Controlling shared infections requires in-depth knowledge of complex systems, with the participation of different host species, vectors and pathogens. We expect to understand and model these relationships and to identify targets for future disease control interventions. The pathogens selected as the main models in this project are the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, its Hyalomma lusitanicum tick vector and the mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Project data

• Call: National R + D + i Plan, MINECO.
• Duration: 2018-2021.
• Team: Dr. Fran Ruiz-Fons and Dr. Christian Gortázar (SaBio Group of the IREC, principal investigator, PI), and collaborators, with the participation of Dr. Andy White, from the Heriot-Watt University (United Kingdom).

E-RTA Project: Analysis of new West Nile virus encephalitis outbreaks in Spain and spatial spread

The emerging vector-borne diseases are currently a severe health problem in human and veterinary medicine worldwide. The West Nile fever virus (WNv) is an emerging pathogen in Iberia; the first notification of human clinical cases was in 2010. Several outbreaks in horses, poultry as well as sporadic clinical cases in wild birds show that WNv is expanding towards west-central Iberia.

This project is the result of the coordination between the Spanish Animal Health Research Center (CISA) of INIA and IREC with the goal of understanding the underlying mechanisms of WNv dispersal, improve surveillance and diagnosis as well as knowledge on the epidemiology of this infection at the wildlife, livestock, human interaction interface. Knowledge on the enzootic dynamics of WNv and other Flavivirus present in Iberia will ease the identification of the risk factors behind the emergency of flavivirus diseases as well as the understanding of the mechanisms modulating expansion.

The section of the Project led by IREC seeks to understand factors underlying WNv, and other flavivirus, prevalence in mosquitoes in enzootic wild scenarios where they circulate among vectors and wild birds, and where other wildlife feed and maintain mosquito populations. It also seeks to understand these mechanisms in scenarios of wildlife-livestock-human interaction. We are analyzing dependency relationships between wildlife and mosquitoes in those scenarios and the effects on WNv, and other Flavivirus , presence with the final goal of picking up major factors driving outbreak occurrence.

Project data

• Call: Projects on fundamental oriented and complementary actions of the Spanish National R+D+I Programme. Ref.: E-RTA2015-00002-C02-02
• Duration: 2018-2021.
• Team: Dr. Francisco Ruiz Fons (SaBio Group of the IREC) and Dr. Miguel Ángel Jiménez Clavero (CISA-INIA) are the principal investigators of the project. Other members of the research team include Dres. Jovita Fernández Piñero (CISA), Francisco Llorente (CISA), Ramón Soriguer (EBD-CSIC), Javier Lucientes Curdi (UZAR), Christian Gortázar (IREC), Mª de los Ángeles Risalde Moya (UCO), Margarita Villar Rayo (IREC), Paloma Forés (UCM) and Ana Vázquez (ISC III-CNM). Laia Casades Martí holds a predoc position and her PhD project is focused on the epidemiology of flavivirus infections shared by wildlife and livestock.

CrimeaCaLM Project: Evaluation of the current situation of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in Castilla-La Mancha: study on vectors and hosts

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFv) is a tick-borne virus that causes severe hemorrhagic / hemolytic disease in humans. In Spain, CCHF is an emerging disease after the occurrence of three human cases - two of them fatal cases - in recent years. Although vFHCC is known to be present in Castilla-La Mancha (CLM), the available information about its distribution and current prevalence is scarce and, therefore, the main risk areas in the region are unknown. CLM meets all the requirements for CCHFv to be widely distributed, including high wild ungulates densities capable of maintaining abundant populations of ticks, high diversity and distribution of virus hosts, being on the main bird migration path between Africa - origin ofCCHFv - and Europe

Taking into account the high probability that CCHFv is widely distributed in CLM, this scientific research project aims to identify the areas of the region with the highest risk of transmission of the virus to people, to identify the epidemiological factors that determine the presence and prevalence of the virus circulation, and to characterize the genetic diversity of the virus in the region as a potential indicator of the emergency risk of new viral variants.

Project data

• Call: Regional Funds (Aids from Castilla-La Mancha Government for carrying out scientific research projects and technology transfer, with cofinancing byEuropean Regional Development Fund, FEDER).Ref.: SBPLY/19/180501/000321.
• Duration: 2020-2021.
• Team: Dra. María Isabel García Fernández de Mera (principal investigator, IREC-UCLM) and Dr. Francisco Ruiz Fons (Co-PI, IREC-CSIC). Project collaborators: Dras. Mª Paz Sánchez Seco and Ana Isabel Negredo, from CNM-ISC III (Madrid), and Dr. Miguel Ángel Jiménez Clavero, from CISA-INIA (Madrid). The work team includes Alberto Moraga Fernández (JCCM-UCLM Support Technician and predoctoral researcher), Marta Sánchez (Support Technician), Sara Baz Flores (JCCM-UCLM PhD student) and Alfonso Peralbo Moreno (UCLM PhD student).

E-RTA Project: Novel biotechnological tools for the surveillance and control of emerging flaviviruses in avian reservoir

The concurrency of factors, such as globalization and climate change, has led to an increase in the circulation of arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), including flaviviruses that have been associated with neurologic diseases in birds, equines, goats, leading to a significant health risk for both wild and domestic animals, and as many are zoonotic agents, even for the human population. In this context implementation of adequate prevention and control measures requires detailed knowledge of the current eco-epidemiologic scenario.

The objective of this coordinated proposal is to produce a panel of biotechnological tools that facilitate de development of knowledge, methodologies and techniques that could contribute to the establishment of fast, precise, and automatable differential diagnosis of the circulating flaviviruses in our country, solving the current problems derived from the crossreactivity among the flaviviruses. Our subproject focuses on studies aimed at integrating host ecology by determining the most informative avian species for flavivirus surveillance and their role as carriers of invertebrate vectors that transmit these viruses in different habitats, urban vs. rural.

For this, an app for mobile devices will be created and a network of collaborating birdringers built, with the aim of enabling efficient and effective epidemiological surveillance activities taking advantage of scientific banding activities throughout the country that allow the activation of specific and targeted samplings in risk areas (BirdTick: Mobile app already available on GooglePlay). Finally, we will perform the molecular characterization of the flaviviruses identified in birds and in the collected vectors (ticks and mites).

Project data

• Call: Oriented fundamental research projects and complementary actions within the State Program of R + D + i oriented to the challenges of society of the State Plan for scientific and technical research and innovation (E-RTA2017-00003-C02-02).
• Duration: 2018-2020.
• Team: Dra. Isabel García Fernández de Mera (principal investigator, SaBio Group, IREC-UCLM) and Dra. Ursula Höfle (SaBio Group, IREC-UCLM) for the coordinated project; Dr. Juan Carlos Saiz Calahorra (PI, INIA, Madrid); Dra. Ana Mª Balseiro Morales (SERIDA, Asturias); Dr. Tamas Petrovic (Scientific Veterinary Institute, Novi Sad, Serbia).

IMpROVE Project: IMpact of the micRObiota on the tick and its VEctorial capacity

Ticks are vectors of numerous pathogens transmissible to humans and animals, generating public health risks and significant losses in livestock activity. Conscious of the relevance of the topic in our region, the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the IREC has been leading research on tick-pathogen-host interactions nationally and internationally. In this project, we study the associations that ticks maintain with their microbiota to deep understand those biological aspects related to (i) vector competence, because specific microbiota associations with ticks can result advantageous or not for the infection and transmission of pathogens, (ii) its plasticity to adapt to environmental pressures.

To carry out this project, sequencing methods combined with bioinformatics and statistical analyzes will be used to obtain a complete catalog of the tick microbiota as well as the characterization of the microbiota-vector associations and the identification of potential members of the microbiota related to the vector competition of ticks. This project opens a new line of research within the SaBio-IREC group that will contribute to the design of tools to control ticks and their transmitted diseases, as well as the analysis of the epidemiological risks associated with these vectors.

Project data

• Call: Funds of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha for the development of scientific and transfer technology research projects, cofunded by the European Fund for Regional Development. Modality "Proyectos Retención de Talento" (Ref.: SBPLY/19/180501/000342).
• Duration: 2019-2020.
• Team: Dra. Sandra Díaz Sánchez (principal investigator, IREC-CSIC).

Integrated wildlife disease surveillance - Agreement to carry out tasks related to wildlife health management in Spain

The purpose of this partnership is to carry out wildlife health management activities to adapt epidemiological surveillance to changing situations. The activities that are the object of the commission agreement will be carried out at the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) facilities and in field locations. The proposed activities are (i) the improvement of sanitary surveillance in wildlife, (ii) the establishment of a network of pilot study areas for integrated monitoring, and (iii) training and assistance to the administration, for example, in the form of biosafety auditing courses.

Project data

• Call: Partnership between the Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA) and Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).
• Duration: Two years to start in 2020, potentially renewable for another two years.
• Team: SaBio Group of the IREC and Area of Epidemiology of the Subdirección General de Sanidad e Higiene Animal y Trazabilidad, Ministerio de Agricultura.

GOSTU Proyect: Inter-regional Operational Group Tuberculosis

The main objective of the GOSTU Project is to apply innovation to improve the health, profitability, and sustainability of extensive livestock breeding and the hunting subsector in Spain, particularly in relation to animal tuberculosis.

GOSTU proposes to improve the management of infections shared between wildlife and livestock, especially animal tuberculosis, through the transfer and application of innovative solutions.

Project data

• Call: National Program for Rural Development 2014-2020, Government of Spain European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER), European Union.
• Duration: From June 2019 to July 2021.
• Team: SaBio Group of the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and a consortium led by Fundación Artemisan and APROCA-CLM, with the participation of Asociación Agraria Jóvenes Agricultores (ASAJA), Federación Española de Asociaciones de Ganado Selecto (FEAGAS), Asociación Interprofesional de la Carne de Caza (ASICCAZA), Asociación de Propietarios Rurales para la Gestión Cinegética y la Conservación del Medio Ambiente (APROCA-Extremadura), Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (VISAVET), Federación Española de la Dehesa (FEDEHESA), Unión Nacional de Ganaderos de Vacas Nodrizas (UGAVAN) and Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza Ganadera del Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP).

MYCOTRAINING Project: Nonspecific immunity associated with inactivated mycobacteria: range of pathogens, specificity of the immunogen and molecular mechanisms involved

Several international organizations have established the priority of reducing the use of antibiotics. Hence, it is necessary to develop products that act nonspecifically, enhancing the immune response against a wide range of pathogens, without compromising the health of individuals nor diagnostic tests. Vaccines can protect against specific microorganisms, and can also induce heterologous or nonspecific effects.

The starting hypothesis of this project is that immunization with inactivated mycobacteria (Mycobacterium bovis) induces cross-protection against non-mycobacterial pathogens through a protection mechanism compatible with the concept of trained immunity.

Consequently, the objective of this research project is to explore the extent and effectiveness of this nonspecific protection due to inactivated mycobacteria, as well as discovering the molecular mechanisms involved in such protection.

Project data

• Call: Project of scientific research and technology transfer. Call 2018 of Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM).
• Duration: 2020-2023.
• Team: Dr. Christian Gortázar, Chair UCLM and leader of the SaBio Group of the IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM); Dr. Jose Ángel Barasona García-Arévalo, researcher with a postdoctoral fellowship Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (UCLM); Dra. Marinela Contreras, postdoctoral researcher (UCLM); Dra. Mercedes Domínguez Rodríguez, senior researcher and Director of Unidad de Inmunología Microbiana (Instituto de Salud Carlos III); Dra. María de los Ángeles Risalde Moya, assistant researcher and lecturer, Universidad de Córdoba (UCO); Dr. Jose Carlos Gómez Villamandos, Chair UCO; Dr. Ignacio García Bocanegra, senior researcher of University (UCO); Dra. Verónica Molina Hernández, researcher with a postdoctoral fellowship Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (UCLM).

Pilot project to improve biosecurity in extensive cattle farming in the Alcudia Valley

Bovine livestock on an extensive-type regime show limited biosecurity conditions, as the livestock share pastures and other resources with other animal species. In the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, and especially in the south of the province of Ciudad Real, the main health limitation of bovine cattle farms is animal tuberculosis (TB).

This pilot project proposes to apply innovation to contribute to the control of TB and other indirectly transmitted diseases in bovine cattle farms in extensive regime in Castilla-La Mancha. By acting on the ways to provide food, we propose to reduce the TB risk and other health problems (e.g. paratuberculosis). To measure these risks, innovative methods of environmental DNA detection will be applied. To mitigate these risks, experimental modifications will be carried out in the ways of feed provision, including a new innovative and selective model of hopper.

The project will be coordinated by the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) in collaboration with Sabiotec, with the participation of 50 ranchers through the ADS La Unión and the associations FEDEHESA and GAL Valle de Alcudia.

Project data

• Call: Pilot Proyects, PDR Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM).
• Duration: 2018-2022.
• Team: SaBio Groupo of the IREC, Ana Balseiro (Universidad de León), José Ramón Montoya (Federación Española de la Dehesa, FEDEHESA), Pablo Toledano Dorado (Asociación para el desarrollo sostenible del Valle de Alcudia, GAL Alcudia), José Ignacio de la Serna (ADSG La Unión), Mariana Boadella (Sabiotec spin-off).

Scientists have a moral duty to contribute to making a better society. Therefore, in order to fulfill part of our social responsibility, from the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute of Research in Hunting Resources (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) we offer society and market innovation and the results derived from our science and research. Our developments are categorized into 3 main areas, aimed at different sectors:

• Reproductive biology: As part of the transfer of our research results to the private sector and to society in general, we offer various services, all related to the area of ​​animal reproduction.
• Genomics and proteomics: The line of genomics and proteomics works on the application of functional genomics and proteomics to the characterization of markers of resistance and susceptibility to diseases, identification of vector antigens and pathogens capable of contributing to its control and the development of vaccines.
• animal health: The Animal Health line works on the development and transfer of tools focused on the diagnosis and control of diseases shared with wildlife.

Technological offer

In addition to our general R&D capabilities, we have specific technological results protected by patent. We can establish various collaborations with your company or institution in the following areas:

• Development and application of the latest technologies in integrated wildlife monitoring: censuses, health surveillance, etc.
• Reproductive technology: germplasm bank, artificial insemination and other technologies applied to livestock production and conservation.
• Identification of new antigens and vaccine development.
• Applications of proteomics, metabolomics and systems biology in the health field and in animal production.
• Development of new tools for diagnosing infections in wildlife.
• Population genetics and its application to the solution of health and management needs.

Transfer through contracts and activities

The transfer and management of knowledge constitutes one of the six priority axes of the Spanish Strategy for Science and Technology and Innovation. At Grupo SaBio we are open to establishment of contracts and agreements with public or private institutions for the development of scientific and / or technical work, as well as the design and execution of various specific training tasks.

• Contracts with administrations: The SaBio Group collaborates continuously with the central administration and with many Autonomous Communities, as well as with the administrations of other countries and international organizations, offering specialized consulting services in ecology and management of wildlife and epidemiology and control of shared infections.
• Contracts and collaborations with companies: Many of the R&D projects on the development of diagnostics, vaccines and other technologies are carried out in collaboration with, or at the initiative of, national and international companies, through CDTI contracts or the application of article 83 of the Organic Law of Universities.

Sabiotec - The spin-off of the SaBio Group

SABIOTEC is a spin-off of the University of Castilla la Mancha (UCLM) dedicated to the transfer in health and biotechnology applied to wildlife and extensive livestock. It was born in 2014 to build a bridge from the research carried out in IREC's SaBio Group and provide innovative solutions to real problems. SABIOTEC wants to contribute to health, production and conservation through research and technology transfer.

Sabiotec Spin-Off, S. L. It has been a beneficiary of the European Regional Development Fund whose objective is to promote research, technological development and innovation. For this, it has had the support of the INNOCámaras and TICCámaras program of the Ciudad Real Chamber. In addition, it has obtained the seal Innovative SME granted by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness.

Members of the SaBio Group

Professional profiles of the scientific staff of the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM).

Former members of the SaBio Group

Scientists trained in the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute of Research in Hunting Resources (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), which currently carry out their professional work in other institutions.

• Dra. Mariana Boadella Caminal. CEO and director of Sabiotec Spin-Off, S. L.
• Dra. Mª Cruz Camacho Sánchez Camacho. Teacher of Compulsory Secondary Education.
• Dr. Azlan Bin Che Amat |. Professor at the Veterinary Faculty of the University Putra Malaysia (Malaysia).
• Dra. Iratxe Díez Delgado.
• Dr. Pedro José Espinosa Prados.
• Dra. Angélica María Hernández Jarguín. Professor at Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico).
• Dra. Lourdes Mateos Hernández. Postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) from France.
• Dra. Roxana Triguero Ocaña. Postdoctoral researcher at the Veterinary Health Surveillance Center (VISAVET) from the Complutense University of Madrid.
• Dr. Jobin Thomas. Veterinary Professor at the Kerala University (India).
• Dr. José Francisco Lima Barbero. Veterinary in Selwo Adventure (Málaga).
• Dr. Octavio Merino Charrez. Researcher at the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (Mexico).
• Dr. Valdimir López Aispuro. Researcher at the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (Mexico).
• Dr. Juan Antonio Moreno-Cid Cruz. Chemical Engineer in BIONET.
• Dra. Marina Popara.
• Dra. Beatriz Beltrán-Beck. Veterinary in the Spanish Veterinary College Organization (COLVET) in Madrid.
• Dra. Caterina Falconi.
• Dra. Virginia Gamino Rodríguez. Veterinary pathology laboratory VetPatólogos.
• Dra. María de las Nieves Ayllón Peña. Teacher of Compulsory Secondary Education.
• Dr. Alejandro Cabezas Cruz. Researcher at the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) from France.
• Dra. Antonia Elena Peña.
• Dr. Álvaro Oleaga Ruiz de Escudero. Veterinarian at the head of the Health Surveillance Network of Wild Fauna of the Principality of Asturias and care and management of wild fauna in Recovery Centers of the Principality.
• Dr. José Ángel Barasona García-Arévalo. Researcher at the Viral Immunology and Preventive Medicine Service (SUAT) of the Veterinary Health Surveillance Center (VISAVET) from the Complutense University of Madrid.
• Dr. João Pedro Valente e Santos. Palombar - Conservation of Nature and Rural Heritage (Portugal).
• Dr. David González Barrio. Researcher at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
• Dr. Luis Anel López.
• Dr. Enrique del Olmo de Medina.
• Dra. Marta Muñoz Mendoza. Head of the Epidemiology area of ​​the Animal Health Service of the Department of Rural Environment of Galicia.
• Dr. Ricardo Carrasco García de León. Vet on your own.
• Dra. Adriana Cabal Rosel. Austrian National Reference Centre for Listeria, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria.
• Dra. Ana Maria Pinheiro Rombert Pinhão.
• Dr. Nuno Gonçalo Carvalho Caroços dos Santos.
• Dr. Joao Luis Teixeira de Queiros. Department of Biology of the Faculty of Sciences in Universidade do Porto (Portugal).
• Dra. Olalla Torrontegui Vega.
• Dra. Elisa Pérez Ramírez. Researcher hired at the Animal Health Research Center (CISA) of the National Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA).
• Dra. Virginia Gamino Rodríguez. Veterinary pathologist in VetPatólogos and associate professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).

Collaborating entities of the SaBio Group

The Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) The Institute for Research in Hunting Resources (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) is part of the Animal Health Research Network (RISA) which, coordinated by the High Biological Safety Laboratory Network (RLASB), has the participation of various universities, research centers and the Vet + i Foundation, the Spanish Technological Platform for Animal Health, in order to promote technology transfer and scientific dissemination in animal health.

In addition, researchers from IREC's SaBio Group have strong national and international collaborations. Currently, the SaBio Group works in collaboration with more than 100 co-authors, mainly from the following institutions: