Monday, 27 March 2023

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Health and Biotechnology (SaBio)

Logo Grupo Sabio Health and Biotechnology IRECEl Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) contribute to health, animal production and conservation through research, technological development and specialized training.

It has 12 staff researchers and a total of 50 members among its scientific, technical and administrative staff.

The SaBio Group belongs to the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), one of the main European references in the transdisciplinary research between ecology, biotechnology and animal health.

The research activity of SaBio and IREC, which celebrated its 2019th anniversary in 20, has contributed to the fact that the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) has been listed since 2018 among the 50 best universities in the world (XNUMXrd in Spain) in the area of ​​Veterinary Sciences according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities, also known as the Shanghai Ranking.

WordCloud_SaBio_Health and Biotechnology_IREC

The lines of research of the group SaBio cover all aspects of animal health: zoonosis, diagnosis, epidemiology and control. The two main lines of work focus on the epidemiology and control of infections shared with wildlife such as tuberculosis or African swine fever, as well as in vector and transmitted diseases including vaccine development. The group is also a benchmark in reproductive biotechnology and integrated management and monitoring of wildlife, leading the European consortium EnetWild.

The researchers of the SaBio Group have strong national and international collaborations and have generated in the last decade more than 600 articles in Science Citation Index (SCI) journals and about twenty patents.

Sabio_Health and Biotechnology_IREC_2019

Welcome to SaBio SaBio!

El Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) stands out for its high scientific production in internationally prestigious journals. For example, in 2019, the scientists that are part of the Sabio Group published a total of 63 articles in scientific journals whose average impact factor (IF) was 3. To date, these publications have accumulated more than 2000 quotes. Several researchers from the SaBio Group are among the most cited in Veterinary Sciences in Spain.

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

Scientific articles

Between 2013 and 2021, the researchers of the SaBio Group have participated, as authors or co-authors, in more than 650 articles in scientific journals, which makes an average of 81 articles per year [Download list]. Two thirds of his articles are in the Q1 quartile and more than 50% are published in open access journals.

Books and chapters in books

Between 2013 and 2021, the researchers of the SaBio Group have published 7 published books and have participated with 38 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 2021, SaBio members have contributed to the communication and dissemination of the science they develop and in which they participate with almost 60 articles in various types of media [Download list].

Our 10 most cited scientific publications

Other dissemination initiatives

The members of the SaBio Group participate in a wide variety of initiatives aimed at disseminating science and training that they develop at the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and through their collaboration with other institutions. Here you can see a sample of them.

The science carried out by the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) can be framed in the following main lines of research:

  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 wildlife-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 allergic and neurological infectious diseases; Vaccines for the control of vector infestations and pathogen transmission.

Below is a brief summary of the outstanding research projects that the SaBio Group is currently developing.

ADISRA Project: Wild birds as spreaders of antibiotic resistance

ENETWILD project: Harmonization in the collection and use of data on the distribution and abundance of wildlife in Europe

MammalNet project: Can we apply citizen science in monitoring mammals at a European scale?

Production of embryos in deer and sheep by fertilization vitro

SUBINTERACT Project: The Subolesin/Akirin Interactome and its role in the regulation of the immune response in tick and human cells

GALINFEC Project: Characterization of the immune response to the alpha-Gal antigen and its application to the control of infectious diseases

ANTICKUG project: Development of a vaccine against ticks in Uganda

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

E-RTA project: Analysis of new outbreaks of West Nile virus encephalitis (West Nile) in Spain and its geographical expansion

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

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

IMpROVE Project: Impact of the microbiota on the tick and its VEctorial capacity

Management commission agreement to carry out work related to the health management of wildlife in Spain

GOSTU Project: TUberculosis Supraautonomic Operational Group

MYCOTRAINING project: Non-specific 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

BIOGAL Project: Identification and characterization of biomolecules in tick saliva and mechanisms associated with the immune response against alpha-gal

Development of anti-tick vaccines in Uganda (IREC-NARO)

ADISRA Project: Wild birds as spreaders of antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is possibly humanity's biggest global problem. Despite extensive restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the animal production sector and awareness campaigns on the responsible use of antibiotics among the population, the problem continues growing.

Detection of multi-resistant bacteria in wild birds is usually associated with its contact with urban environments, but there are some indications that it could be involved in its dispersal to remote environments far from urban centers. In this context, it is particularly important that many bird species have adapted to exploiting urban waste dumps as a source of food.

Through this project we address the role that wild birds can play in the spread of multi-resistant bacteria using the white stork as a model (Ciconia ciconia), which as a migratory species has the ability to connect near and far environments and even continents, but also environmental samples and isolates from people. With a primary focus on Enterobacteriaceae, we employ a combination of strain isolation and characterization and direct detection of resistance and virulence genes to understand the mechanisms and pathways for the acquisition and spread of multi-resistant strains.

Project data

  • Call: Scientific research projects and technology transfer co-financed by the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM) and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.
  • Duration: 2020 - 2023.
  • Staff: Dr. Ursula Höfle (IREC SaBio Group) and Dr. Carmen Torres (Universidad de La Rioja) (principal researchers, PIs) and collaborators. Dr. Andy Green and Dr. Marta Sánchez from the Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), doctors R. Carranza and MA Asencio (SESCAM), Dr. Julio Álvarez (Veterinary Health Surveillance Center, VISAVET; Complutense University of Madrid), Dr. Mark Taggart (Environmental Research Institute, University of Highlands and Islands, United Kingdom) and Dr. C. Wenker (Zoo Basel, Switzerland).

ENETWILD project: Harmonization in the collection and use of data on the distribution and abundance of wildlife in Europe

Through the project executed by the consortium ENETWILD, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) aims to improve European capabilities for monitoring wildlife populations, develop standards for data collection and validation and, finally, create and promote a data repository with which to analyze the disease risks shared between wildlife, livestock and humans.

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

Some achievements up to now have been (1) the analysis of hunting data collection systems (exemplified in ungulates) in Spain and in Europe; (2) a harmonized, standardized and unique European database in terms of quantity and quality of records on the abundance and distribution of ungulates, (3) validable models of distribution and abundance of wild boar; and (3) communicate to European organizations the need for common bases for the management of wildlife, exemplifying the response of governments to the emergency created by African swine fever in wild boar, not always based on scientific knowledge. .

Project data

  • Official title: Collection and sharing of data on European wildlife populations relevant to the transmission of shared pathogens with domestic animals.
  • Call: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – OC/EFSA/ALPHA/2016/01.
  • Duration: 2017 - 2022.
  • Staff: Dr. Joaquín Vicente Baños (IREC SaBio Group, principal investigator), 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 from 9 European countries.

MammalNet project: Can we apply citizen science in monitoring mammals at a European scale?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), through the initiative MammalNet (made up of 8 European research groups and their network) aims to improve European capabilities for monitoring wildlife populations, for which the feasibility of applying citizen science in monitoring mammals on a European scale will be evaluated and information will be provided on possible limitations, advantages and added values, as well as best practices that promote data quality and citizen participation.

The variety of specific objectives of this project are: (1) seek different communication strategies differentiated by countries, languages ​​and cultures to involve citizens in collecting data on the geographic distribution and abundance of the mammal population in Europe using web platforms and/or mobile devices ( such as phones and tablets); (2) propose and apply communication and citizen participation strategies to promote the collection of high-quality data; (3) propose and apply a method to assess the quality of data collected by citizens and compare it with professionally collected data; (4) assess the feasibility of applying citizen science to wildlife monitoring at a European level, and provide information on potential limitations, benefits and added values, as well as best practices promoting the quality of data and participation.

The 2-year project takes place in two phases: in the first, the strategies are implemented in 4 pilot countries (Germany, Croatia, Spain and Poland), to later, with the lesson learned, expand to the rest of Europe, mainly through communication tools and the use of social networks.

Project data

  • Official title: Collection and sharing of data on European wildlife populations relevant to the transmission of shared pathogens with domestic animals.
  • Call: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
  • Duration: 2020 - 2021.
  • Staff: Dr. Joaquín Vicente Baños (IREC SaBio Group, principal investigator), 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 embryos in deer and sheep by fertilization vitro

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

In this project we study the main factors that affect the success of this technique and they are carried out actions to improve the quality and number of embryos produced. The possibility of having this type of assisted reproduction 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.
  • Staff: Dr. Ana Josefa Soler Valls and Dr. José Julián Garde López-Brea.

SUBINTERACT Project: The Subolesin/Akirin Interactome and its role in the regulation of the immune response in tick and human cells

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

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

Thus, the objective of this project is to characterize the SUB/AKR interactome and its role in the regulation of the immune response in invertebrate (tick) and vertebrate (human) cells infected with A. phagocytophilum. The characterization of the SUB/ARK interactome in tick and human cells will advance the knowledge of the immune response against A. phagocytophilum At the same time, it will allow a comparative study between tick and human cells, improving the opportunity to identify proteins in both organisms.

Project data

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

GALINFEC Project: Characterization of the immune response to the alpha-Gal antigen and its application to the control of infectious diseases

The alpha-Gal syndrome (AGS) is an allergic disease related to the immune system and with an increasing incidence throughout the world. AGS is related to infectious diseases and is caused by an immune response to the Gal?1-3Gal?1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (alpha-Gal) oligosaccharide structure contained in the tick. Humans do not produce alpha-Gal, and anti-alpha-Gal IgE antibodies induced after tick bites cause anaphylactic reactions, both to tick bites and to the consumption of red meat, which also contains this carbohydrate, leading to the development of alpha-Gal. of the AGS.

Trying to understand how immunity is regulated in response to alpha-Gal present in galactose, produced by pathogens and ticks and the cause of AGS, is essential to prevent AGS, as well as other infectious diseases caused by pathogens that contain alpha-Gal on their surface.

Our hypothesis is that humans have evolved with the loss of the ability to synthesize alpha-Gal because this confers an advantage over the control of certain infectious diseases at the cost of developing allergies such as AGS. This antibody response can be effective against different pathogens that contain alpha-Gal on their surface. Therefore, the vaccines based on probiotic bacteria that take advantage of this important evolutionary adaptation may constitute an effective strategy to reduce the impact of infectious diseases on human health.

Project data

  • Call: Regional R+D+i Plan, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM), Spain (CCM17-PIC-036 (SBPLY/17/180501/000185)).
  • Duration: 2019 - 2021.
  • Staff: Dr. José de la Fuente and Dra. Margarita Villar (SaBio Group of IREC, principal investigators), members of the group (Dr. 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 General University Hospital of Ciudad Real, Spain).

ANTICKUG project: Development of a vaccine against ticks in Uganda

The losses caused by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TDs) in Uganda is estimated at USD 1.1 trillion per year. The cost of TGD control in Uganda constitutes about 80% of the total annual costs of livestock disease control in the country. The emergence of multi-miticide resistant ticks and chaotic management of TSGs affect livestock production and productivity, which are essential for socio-economic growth in Uganda.

Our tick vaccines They constitute a sustained environmental intervention with proven efficacy for the control of ticks and TSG in cattle. He project between IREC and the Ugandan National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) is focused on the development, production and application of Subolesin-based vaccines for the control of ticks and TSG in cattle in combination with a multidisciplinary approach by combining different control measures.

Project data

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

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

The spread 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 the infections they transmit, or tuberculosis, take advantage of interactions between livestock, wildlife and humans to proliferate.

Controling shared infections requires a deep understanding of complex systems, involving different host species, vectors and pathogens. Understanding and modeling these relationships will allow the identification of targets for future sanitary control interventions. The pathogens selected as main models in this project are the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, its tick vector Hyalomma lusitanicum and the mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis.

Project data

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

E-RTA project: Analysis of new outbreaks of West Nile virus encephalitis (West Nile) in Spain and its geographical expansion

Our vector-borne emerging diseases They are a serious health problem in human and veterinary medicine worldwide. the virus West Nile fever (vFNO) it is an emerging virus in the Iberian Peninsula; the first human outbreaks occurred in 2010. Numerous outbreaks in horses, domestic birds, and clinical cases in wild birds indicate the expansion of the vFNO towards the center and west of the Iberian Peninsula.

This coordinated project between the Animal Health Research Center (CISA) of INIA and the IREC aims to understand the mechanisms of spatial dispersion of vFNO, improve health surveillance, diagnosis and knowledge of the epidemiology of this infectious process at the interaction interface between wildlife, livestock and humans. Knowledge of the enzootic dynamics of vFNO and other circulating flaviviruses in the Iberian Peninsula will allow estimating the risk factors for the emergence of these diseases and understanding the mechanisms that modulate their spread.

The IREC subproject pursues understand the mechanisms that modulate the prevalence of vNOV and other flaviviruses in mosquito populations in wild settings where the virus circulates enzootically between mosquitoes and wild birds and where other wildlife may maintain mosquito populations, and in scenarios of variable wildlife/domestic animal-human interaction with risk of mosquito-mediated transmission. The interdependence relationships between wild hosts and mosquito populations in these scenarios and their effect on the circulation dynamics of vFNO and others are being studied. Flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes in order to identify risk factors that lead to the appearance of outbreaks.

Project data

  • Call: Subsidies for 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, 2013-2016 (Ref.: E-RTA2015 -00002-C02-02).
  • Duration: 2018 - 2021.
  • Staff: Dr. Francisco Ruiz Fons (Senior Scientist of the CSIC, Grupo SaBio, IREC) and Dr. Miguel Ángel Jiménez Clavero (CISA-INIA) are the main researchers of the project. Members of the research team are Drs. 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 is a predoctoral researcher at IREC with her Doctoral Thesis project focused on the line of epidemiology of flavivirosis shared between wildlife and livestock.

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

The Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (vFHCC) is a tick-borne virus that causes a severe hemorrhagic/hemolytic disease in humans that is highly lethal. In Spain, FHCC is an emerging disease after the appearance of three human cases – two of them fatal – in recent years. Although it is known that vFHCC is present in Castilla-La Mancha (CLM), the existing information on its distribution and current prevalence is scarce and, therefore, the main risk areas in the region are not known. CLM meets all the requirements for vFHCC to be widely distributed, including high densities of wild ungulates capable of maintaining abundant tick populations, high diversity and distribution of virus hosts, and being on the main inter-African bird migratory route – origin of vFHCC – and Europe.

Considering the high probability that vFHCC is widely distributed in CLM, this Scientific Research project aims to identify which are the areas of the region with the highest risk of transmission of the virus people, identify the epidemiological factors determining the presence and prevalence of virus circulation, and characterize the genetic diversity of the virus in the region as a potential indicator of the risk of emergence of new viral variants.

Project data

  • Call: Aid from the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha to carry out scientific research and technology transfer projects, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (Feder) (Ref.: SBPLY/19/180501/000321)
  • Duration: 2020 - 2021.
  • Staff: Dr. María Isabel García Fernández de Mera (principal investigator, IREC-UCLM) and Dr. Francisco Ruiz Fons (Co-IP, Senior Scientist CSIC, IREC). Collaborators of the project are Drs. Mª Paz Sánchez Seco and Ana Isabel Negredo from CNM-ISC III (Madrid) and Dr. Miguel Ángel Jiménez Clavero from CISA-INIA (Madrid). Alberto Moraga Fernández (JCCM-UCLM support technician and predoctoral researcher), Marta Sánchez (Support technician), Sara Baz Flores (JCCM-UCLM predoctoral researcher) and Alfonso Peralbo Moreno (UCLM predoctoral researcher) participate in the work team.

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

Due to a combination of factors, such as globalization and climate change, the world is experiencing a increased circulation of vector-borne viruses (arbovirus, arthropod-borne virus), including flaviviruses which are associated with neurological diseases and mortality in birds, equines, and goats, which entails a risk for wildlife, livestock and, as it is a zoonosis, even the human population. Detailed knowledge of the current eco-epemiological scenario is necessary to implement the appropriate prevention and control measures.

In this coordinated project it is intended develop a series of biotechnological tools to originate knowledge and develop methodologies and techniques for a rapid, accurate and automatable differential diagnosis of the infection of the different flaviviruses currently circulating in our country, solving the problems derived from the cross-reactivity that they present. Our subproject focuses on studies aimed at integrating the ecology of the hosts 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.

We will create a tool for mobile devices and a network of collaborating banders with the objective of allowing efficient and effective epidemiological surveillance activities, taking advantage of scientific ringing activities throughout the country that allow the activation of specific and directed sampling in risk areas (BirdTick: Mobile app now available on GooglePlay). In addition, it is intended to carry out the molecular characterization of the flaviviruses identified in birds and in the vectors collected (ticks and mites).

Project data

  • Call: Fundamental research projects oriented and complementary actions within the State R&D Program 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.
  • Staff: Dr. Isabel García Fernández de Mera (IP, SaBio Group, IREC-UCLM) and Dr. Ursula Höfle (SaBio Group, IREC-UCLM) of the coordinated project; Dr. Juan Carlos Saiz Calahorra (IP, INIA, Madrid); Dr. 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 act as vectors of numerous pathogens transmissible to humans and animals, generating risks to public health and significant losses in livestock activity. Aware of the relevance of the issue for our region, the IREC Health and Biotechnology Research Group (SaBio) has been leading research on tick-pathogen-host interactions at a national and international level. In this project we study the associations that ticks maintain with their microbiota for understand in a deeper way those biological aspects related to (i) vector competence, the specific associations of the microbiota with the tick may or may not be advantageous for infection and pathogen transmission, (ii) its plasticity to adapt to environmental pressures.

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

Project data

  • Call: Aid from the Castilla-La Mancha Community Board for carrying out scientific research and technology transfer projects, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Talent Retention Projects Modality (Ref.: SBPLY/19/180501/000342).
  • Duration: 2019 - 2020.
  • Staff: Dr. Sandra Díaz Sánchez (main investigator, IREC-CSIC).

Management commission agreement to carry out work related to the health management of wildlife in Spain

The purpose of this agreement is the conducting wildlife health management activities to adapt epidemiological surveillance to the changing situation. The activities object of the commission agreement will be carried out at the facilities of the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and in field locations. It is proposed (i) the improvement of sanitary surveillance in wildlife, (ii) the establishment of a network of integrated monitoring pilot points, as well as (iii) training and assistance to the administration, for example, in the form of biosafety audit courses.

Project data

  • Call: Commendation agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).
  • Duration: Two years starting in 2020, potentially extendable for another two years.
  • Staff: SaBio Group of IREC and Epidemiology Area of ​​the General Subdirectorate of Animal Health and Hygiene and Traceability, Ministry of Agriculture.

 

GOSTU Project: TUberculosis Supraautonomic Operational Group

The main objective of the GOSTÚ project es apply innovation to improve the health, profitability and sustainability of the extensive livestock and hunting subsector in Spain, particularly in relation to animal tuberculosis.

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

Project data

  • Call: National Rural Development Program 2014-2020, Government of Spain. Aid from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), European Union.
  • Duration: From June 2019 to July 2021.
  • Staff: SaBio Group of the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and consortium led by the Artemisan Foundation and APROCA-CLM, with the participation of the Young Farmers Agrarian Association (ASAJA), the Spanish Federation of Livestock Associations Selecto (FEAGAS), the Interprofessional Association of Game Meat (ASICCAZA), the Association of Rural Owners for Hunting Management and Environmental Conservation (APROCA-Extremadura), the Veterinary Health Surveillance Center of the Complutense University of Madrid (VISAVET), the Spanish Federation of the Dehesa (FEDEHESA), the National Union of Suckler Cow Breeders (UGAVAN) and the Andalusian Livestock Cooperative Society of Valle de los Pedroches (COVAP).

MYCOTRAINING project: Non-specific immunity associated with inactivated mycobacteria: range of pathogens, specificity of the immunogen and molecular mechanisms involved

Various international organizations have established the priority of reducing the use of antibiotics. Therefore, it is necessary to develop products that act in a non-specific way, enhancing the immune response against a wide range of pathogens, without compromising the health of the individual or performing diagnostic tests. Vaccines, in addition to protecting against specific microorganisms, can induce heterologous or non-specific effects.

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

Therefore, the objective of this research project is explore the extent and efficacy of this non-specific protection due to inactivated mycobacteria, as well as discover the molecular mechanisms involved in said protection.

Project data

  • Call: Scientific research and technology transfer project. Call 2018 of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM).
  • Duration: 2020 - 2023.
  • Staff: Dr. Christian Gortázar, Professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) and Head of the SaBio Group at IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM); Dr. Jose Ángel Barasona García-Arévalo, researcher with postdoctoral contract Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (UCLM); Dr. Marinela Contreras, postdoctoral researcher under the project (UCLM); Dr. Mercedes Domínguez Rodríguez, senior researcher and director of the Microbial Immunology Unit (Carlos III Health Institute); Dr. María de los Ángeles Risalde Moya, PhD Assistant Professor at the University of Córdoba (UCO); Dr. Jose Carlos Gómez Villamandos, Professor at the University of Córdoba (UCO); Dr. Ignacio García Bocanegra, Professor at the University of Córdoba (UCO); Dr. Verónica Molina Hernández, Researcher with postdoctoral contract Juan de la Cierva Incorporación (UCLM).

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

Extensive cattle have limited biosecurity since they 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 sanitary limitation of beef cattle farms is animal tuberculosis (TB).

This pilot project proposes applying innovation to contribute to the control of TB and other indirectly transmitted diseases in extensive cattle farms in Castilla-La Mancha. By acting on the way of administering food, we propose to reduce the risk of TB and other health problems (eg paratuberculosis). Innovative environmental DNA detection methods will be applied to measure these risks. To mitigate them, experimental modifications will be made in the forms of feed administration, including a new innovative model of selective 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 farmers through ADS La Unión and the associations FEDEHESA and GAL Valle de Alcudia.

Project data

  • Call: Pilot Projects of the PDR of Castilla-La Mancha (JCCM).
  • Duration: 2018 - 2022.
  • Staff: SaBio Group of IREC, Ana Balseiro (University of León), José Ramón Montoya (Spanish Federation of the Dehesa, FEDEHESA), Pablo Toledano Dorado (Association for the sustainable development of the Valley of Alcudia, GAL Alcudia), José Ignacio de la Serna (ADSG La Union), Mariana Boadella (Sabiotec spin-off).

BIOGAL Project: Identification and characterization of biomolecules in tick saliva and mechanisms associated with the immune response against alpha-gal

The long-term goal of this research is protect humans and animals against ticks and infectious diseases. Ticks are arthropod ectoparasites that are vectors of pathogens and cause allergic reactions that affect human and animal health worldwide. In humans, tick bites can induce high levels of IgE antibodies against the carbohydrate alpha-Gal present in tick saliva biomolecules that mediate allergic reactions to tick bites and mammalian meat known as alpha-syndrome. Gal (AGS).

Recently, a new animal model for AGS using zebrafish was developed in our laboratory to study allergic reactions and immune mechanisms in response to tick salivary biogenic substances and red meat consumption. The results showed allergic reactions in response to salivary biomolecules from ticks with and without consumption of alpha-Gal and red meat. These allergic reactions were associated with tissue-specific TLR-mediated responses in Th1 and Th2 cells. However, Little information exists on the biomolecules of tick saliva and the host immune response mechanisms in response to alpha-Gal and associated with AGS..

Trying to understand how immunity is regulated in response to alpha-Gal produced by ticks is essential for the diagnosis and prevention of AGS and other infectious diseases caused by pathogens containing alpha-Gal on their surface.. Considering the present results, we hypothesized that tick salivary biomolecules, such as proteins and lipids with and without alpha-Gal modifications, are involved in modulating the host immune response to alpha-Gal. Therefore, the identification of tick salivary biomolecules with alpha-Gal modifications and recognized by human sera is critical to understanding the immune mechanisms involved in the response to alpha-Gal, and the treatment and prevention of AGS before it converts. in a pandemic disease.

Our hypothesis is that tick salivary biomolecules with and without alpha-Gal modifications are involved in the modulation of the human immune response against this carbohydrate. The aim of our study is to identify and characterize the mechanisms mediated by tick proteins with alpha-Gal modifications (alphagalactoma) and biomolecules with and without this modification that are associated with the immune response to alpha-Gal and differentially recognized by human AGS antibodies.

The variety of objectives and experimental approach of this research are: (1) Characterize the sialoma, lipidoma and alphagalactoma of the tick. (2) Identify tick salivary biomolecules involved in the host response to alpha-Gal and with possible involvement in AGS. (3) Characterize the function of tick salivary biomolecules involved in the host response to alpha-Gal and with possible involvement in AGS. (4) Characterize the immune-mediated and metabolic mechanisms induced by alpha-Gal and associated with AGS.

These studies will provide Fundamental understanding of molecular tick-host interactions and the mechanisms involved in the host immune response to alpha-Gal and AGS. These results will improve the possibilities of assessing the risks of developing AGS after tick bite and the objectives for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of these allergies. This project addresses important questions related to vector-borne diseases of increasing global importance, and the possibility of using the immune response to alpha-Gal for the control of infectious diseases caused by pathogens carrying this modification.

Project data

  • Call: National Plan 2020 -R&D Projects/ State subprogram for the generation of knowledge- State program for the generation of knowledge and scientific and technological strengthening of the R+D+i system. PEICTI 2017-2020.
  • Duration: 2021 - 2025.
  • Staff: Dr. José de Jesús de la Fuente García (SaBio Group of IREC) (principal investigator, PI). Dr. Marinela Contreras Rojo and Ms. Almudena González García (members of the research team). With the collaboration of Dr. Margarita María Villar Rayo (Associate Professor at the University of Castilla La Mancha), Professor D. Kopacek (Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center Czech Academy of Sciences, CAS), Dr. Agustín Estrada-Peña (Universities of Zaragoza, Spain), Dr. Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz (INRAE, France), Dr. Ard Nijhof (Freie Universität Berlin, Germany), Professor Ala Tabor (University of Queensland, Australia) and Professors Katherine Kocan and Ed Blouin (Oklahoma State University, USA).

Development of anti-tick vaccines in Uganda (IREC-NARO)

The objective of this project is the development, production and other interventions of vaccines for tick control at the national level in Uganda, born from the collaboration between the Institute for Research in Hunting Resources (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) and the National Organization for Agricultural Research of Uganda. The cost of controlling tick-borne diseases in Uganda accounts for around 80% of the total annual budget associated with curbing diseases affecting livestock, making it a barrier to economic growth. These diseases include, but are not limited to, East Coast Fever, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Hydrocardia, all of which are serious. Control of ticks and the diseases they transmit is a priority for the Ugandan government in promoting economic growth. Our priority is to take the results of the research beyond the scientific advancement that represents the practical application, as this benefits the entire Ugandan society. A characterization of the protective capacity of the vaccine will be carried out in field conditions, development of the production plant and registration of vaccines, research for the control of other diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes, such as tuberculosis, and reduction of the negative effects of acaricides in humans and animal health.

Project data

  • Call: Government of the Republic of Uganda
  • Duration: 2018 - 2022.
  • Staff: Dr. Frederick Kabi (National Livestock Resources Research Institute .NaLIRRI/NARO) and Dr. José de Jesús de la Fuente García (IREC SaBio Group) (principal investigators, PIs). Dr. Marinela Contreras Rojo and Researcher Paul Davies Kasaija (research team members). Doctors D.Christian Gortaza (SaBio Group of IREC) and Ms. Margarita María Villar Rayo (Associate Professor at the University of Castilla La Mancha) collaborate.

El Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) participates teaching in a master's degree and in a PhD program, organizes its own postgraduate course and offers specialized and tailored training through different training formats.

Master's Degree in Basic and Applied Research in Game Resources (MUIBARC)

It is a own master's degreeof the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), accredited by ANECA, in which researchers from the SaBio Group coordinate a total of 8 subjects.

Its general objective is the training of graduates capable of developing scientific research tasks in the field of wildlife, particularly hunting, and is considered as a specific offer of knowledge on wild and hunting species at a specialized level and complementary to the bachelor's degrees of various qualifications.

Own Course «Wildlife Epidemiology and Disease Control«

Annual international course coordinated with the two-week master's degree, open to wildlife and animal health professionals who want to specialize in epidemiology and control of diseases shared with wildlife.

The course has the participation of internationally renowned specialists in epidemiology.

It consists of two parts (with a week duration each). The first part is descriptive and reviews current knowledge about the main diseases shared with wildlife and the peculiarities of diagnosis and research on shared diseases. The second part is applied, and details sampling techniques and epidemiological analysis, surveillance programs and control possibilities.

doctorate_agrarian_and_environmental_sciences

Training of researchers in the PhD Program in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

PhD program verified by ANECA, made up of several centers of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) that combine personal and material efforts for an offer of the highest quality and guarantee. Within the program, researchers from the SaBio Group have directed in the last 5 years more than 20 PhD theses to students of 10 different nationalities.

List of PhD theses of the SaBio Group

The participating centers have in common their approach to agrarian and environmental issues. The research lines of the program integrate, complementing each other, contents of agricultural production, forestry production, animal production and health, biology, ecology, study of global change, biodiversity, biotechnology and genetics or engineering.

course-epidemiology-inside

Tailor-made specialized training

Would you be interested in us organizing a specialized course or seminar to cover the information or training needs of your group or institution? In it SaBio Group designs and delivers tailor-made training courses and elaborate training materials on various matters related to Health and Biotechnology.

Some examples within this line of training work include the following:

Scientists have a moral duty to contribute to making a better society. Therefore, with the aim of fulfilling part of our social responsibility, from the Research Group in Health and Biotechnology (SaBio) of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM) we make innovation and the results derived from our science and research available to society and the market. 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 several services, all of them related to the area of ​​animal reproduction.
  • Genomics and proteomics: The genomics and proteomics line 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 likely to contribute to their 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.

Technology offer

In addition to our general capabilities in R+D+i, 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 monitoring of wildlife: 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 field of health and animal production.
  • Development of new tools for the diagnosis of 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+i projects on the development of diagnostics, vaccines and other technologies are developed 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 of health and biotechnology applied to wildlife and extensive livestock. It was born in 2014 to build a bridge from the research developed in the SaBio Group of IREC and provide innovative solutions to real problems. SABIOTEC wants to contribute to health, production and conservation through research and technology transfer.

Sabiotec Spin-Off, SL 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 Chamber of Ciudad Real. 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) of the Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC – CSIC, UCLM, JCCM).

Acevedo Lavandera, Pelayo

Tenured scientist - CSIC

pelayo.acevedo@uclm.es

Phone: 926052731

Baz Flores, Sara

Predoctoral researcher - UCLM

sara.baz@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96784

Blanco Aguiar, Jose Antonio

Postdoctoral researcher - UCLM

JoseAntonio.Blanco@uclm.es

Phone: 926052327

Carniato, Davide

Research support technician - UCLM

davide.carniato@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96030

Carpio Camargo, Jose Antonio

Postdoctoral researcher - UCLM

Antonio.Carpio@uclm.es

Phone: 926295452

Casades Martí, Laia

Predoctoral researcher - UCLM

laia.casades@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96784

Contreras Rojo, Marinela

Postdoctoral researcher - CSIC

marinela.contreras@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 6253

Cuadrado Matías, Raúl

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

raul.cuadrado@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96784

de la Fuente Garcia, Jose de Jesus

Deputy Director | Research Professor - CSIC

josedejesus.fuente@uclm.es

Phone: 926052339

Delgado Delgado, Encarnacion

Research support technician - UCLM

encarnacion.delgado@uclm.es

Phone: 926052142

Fernández Castellanos, David

Research support technician - UCLM

david.fcastellanos@uclm.es

Phone: 926052104

Fernández Santos, Mª del Rocío

Tenured professor - UCLM

mrocio.fernandez@uclm.es

Phone: 926053539

Ferrer Ferrando, David

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

David.Ferrer@uclm.es

Phone: 926295443

Ferreras Colino, Elisa

Predoctoral researcher - UCLM

Elisa.Ferreras@uclm.es

Phone: 926052706

Garcia Alvarez, Olga

Postdoctoral Researcher - UCLM

olga.garcia@uclm.es

Phone: 926052341

García Fernández de Mera, Mª Isabel

Tenured scientist - CSIC

mariaisabel.garcia@uclm.es

Phone: 926052583

Garde López-Brea, José Julián

Professor - UCLM

julian.garde@uclm.es

Phone: 926053343

Gomez Molina, Azahara

Research support technician - UCLM

Azahara.gomez@uclm.es

Phone: 926052409

Gonzalez Garcia, Almudena

Research support technician - CSIC

almudena.gonzalez@csic.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96635

Gortázar Schmidt, Christian

Professor - UCLM

christian.gortazar@uclm.es

Phone: 926052083

Herraiz Fernandez, Cesar

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

cesar.herraiz@uclm.es

Phone: 926295421

Hofle Hansen, Ursula

Contracted professor doctor - UCLM

ursula.hofle@uclm.es

Phone: 926052857

Illanas Calvo, Sonia

Research support technician - UCLM

Sonia.illanas@uclm.es

Phone: 926295443

Jurado Campos, Alejandro

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

alejandro.jurado@uclm.es

Phone: 967599200; Ext: 96129

Klaas Fabregas, Marina

Technical staff - CSIC

marina.klaas@uclm.es

Phone: 926052731

Laborda Gomariz, Juan Angel

Research Support Technician - UCLM

JuanAngel.Laborda@uclm.es

Phone: 926053515

Laguna Fernandez, Eduardo

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

eduardo.laguna@uclm.es

Phone: 926295440

Lopez Padilla, Sergio

Technical staff - CSIC

sergio.lopez@uclm.es

Phone: 926295443

Mazuecos Fernández Pacheco, Lorena

Postdoctoral researcher - UCLM

Lorena.mazuecos@uclm.es

Phone:

Medina Chavez, Daniela Alejandra

Predoctoral researcher - UCLM

Daniela.Medina@uclm.es

Phone: 967599200 - Ext: 96129

Minayo Martin, Sara

Technical staff - CSIC

sara.minayo@uclm.es

Phone: 926052857

Montoro Angulo, Vidal

Tenured professor - UCLM

vidal.montoro@uclm.es

Phone: 926052868

Moraga Fernandez, Alberto

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

alberto.moraga@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96684

Muela Trujillo, Yolanda

Research support technician - CSIC

yolanda.muela@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96393

Munoz Hernandez, Clara

Postdoctoral researcher - UCLM

clara.munoz@uclm.es

Phone: 926295452

Pascual Rico, Robert

Research support technician - UCLM

Roberto.pascual@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96015.

Peralbo Moreno, Alfonso

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

alfonso.peralbo@uclm.es

Phone: 926295421

Relimpio Peral, David

Research support technician - UCLM

david.relimpio@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96393

Ruiz Fons, Jose Francisco

Tenured scientist - CSIC

josefrancisco.ruiz@uclm.es

Phone: 926052341

Ruiz Rodriguez, Carmen

Predoctoral researcher - UCLM

carmen.ruizrodriguez@uclm.es

Phone: 926295493

Sanchez Sanchez, Marta

Research support technician - UCLM

marta.SanchezSanchez@uclm.es

Phone: 926295211

Sánchez-Cano Moreno de Redrojo, Alberto

Research support technician - UCLM

Alberto.SanchezCano@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96030

Sebastian Pardo, Mario

Research support technician - UCLM

mario.sebastian@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450 ext.: 96030

Sereno Cadierno, Jorge

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

Jorge.Sereno@uclm.es

Phone: 926295443

Serralle Gallego, Marta

Technical staff - CSIC

marta.serralle@uclm.es

Phone:

Soler Valls, Ana Josefa

Tenured professor - UCLM

anajosefa.soler@uclm.es

Phone: 926052922

Soria Meneses, Pedro Javier

Pre-doctoral researcher - UCLM

pedrojavier.soria@uclm.es

Phone: 967599200; Ext: 96129

Talavera Benitez, Francisca Maria

Research support technician - UCLM

franciscam.talavera@uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96393

Vaz Rodrigues, Rita

Research support technician - UCLM

Rita.vaz@alu.uclm.es

Phone: 926295450; Ext: 96684

Vicente Baños, Joaquín

Tenured professor - UCLM

joaquin.vicente@uclm.es

Phone: 926052305

Villar Rayo, M. Margarita

PhD contracted researcher - UCLM

margaritam.villar@uclm.es

Phone: 926052530

Former members of the SaBio Group

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

  • Dr. Mariana Boadella Caminal. CEO and director of Sabiotec Spin-Off, SL
  • Dr. Mª Cruz Camacho Sánchez Camacho. Compulsory Secondary Education Teacher.
  • Dr Azlan Bin Che Amat. Professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University Putra Malaysia (Malaysian).
  • Dr. Iratxe Díez Delgado.
  • Dr. Pedro José Espinosa Prados.
  • Dr. Angélica María Hernández Jarguín. teacher at the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (Mexico).
  • Dr. Lourdes Mateos Hernández. Postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) of France.
  • Dr. Roxana Triguero Ocaña. Postdoctoral researcher at the Veterinary Health Surveillance Center (VISAVET) from the Complutense University of Madrid.
  • Dr Jobin Thomas. Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Kerala (India).
  • Dr. José Francisco Lima Barbero. vet in Selwo Adventure (Malaga).
  • Dr. Octavio Merino Charrez. Researcher at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (Mexico).
  • Dr. Valdimir López Aispuro. Researcher at the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (Mexico).
  • Dr. Juan Antonio Moreno-Cid Cruz. Chemical engineer in BIONET.
  • Dr. Marina Popara.
  • Dr. Beatriz Beltrán-Beck. Veterinary in the Spanish Veterinary Collegiate Organization (COLVET) in Madrid.
  • Dr. Caterina Falconi.
  • Dr. Virginia Gamino Rodríguez. Veterinary pathology laboratory VetPathologists.
  • Dr. Maria de las Nieves Ayllón Peña. Compulsory Secondary Education Teacher.
  • Dr. Alejandro Cabezas Cruz. Researcher at the National Institute for Agronomic Research (INRA) of France.
  • Dr. Antonia Elena Peña.
  • Dr. Álvaro Oleaga Ruiz de Escudero. Veterinarian in charge of the Wildlife Health Surveillance Network of the Principality of Asturias and care and management of wildlife 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 Complutense University of Madrid.
  • Dr. Luis Anel Lopez.
  • Dr. Enrique del Olmo de Medina.
  • Dr. Marta Muñoz Mendoza. Head of the Epidemiology area of ​​the Animal Health Service of the Ministry of Rural Affairs of Galicia.
  • Dr. Ricardo Carrasco García de León. Self employed vet.
  • Dr. Adriana Cabal Rosel. Austrian National Reference Center for Listeria, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria.
  • Dr. 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 at the University of Porto (Portugal).
  • Dr. Olalla Torrontegui Vega.
  • Dr. Elisa Pérez Ramírez. Researcher hired at the Animal Health Research Center (CISA) of the National Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA).
  • Dr. Virginia Gamino Rodríguez. veterinary pathologist at VetPathologists and associate professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).
  • Dr. Maria Dolors Vidal Roig. Contracted Professor Doctor in the Department of Microbiology of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM).

Collaborating entities of the SaBio Group

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

In addition, the researchers of the IREC 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: