Study of biomarkers and tools for monitoring TB disease course and prognosis

The lack of a validated correlator of protection as well as biomarkers to monitor the disease course or prognosis is still one of the main impairements on improving the clinical management of TB. Our objective is to identify and validate biomarkers able to monitor treatment response and to predict TB disease course and outcomes (prognosis). We also aim to develop and evaluate tools and strategies to improve the clinical management of patients and their quality of life. The final aim of this strategic objective is to be able to stratify patients during clinical management. We are leading several cohorts' studies which have allowed us to build a large unique collection of samples (lung tissue, blood and urine) to perform these studies.

Evaluation of new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against TB

The UTE has more than 15 years of expertise on evaluating new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against TB, both in experimental models (in vivo, in vitro and in silico) and in clinical trials and studies. Because of this experience, the UTE has become an international reference to evaluate new drug and vaccine candidates and has been included in several international consortia (funded by the EC and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation). The UTE has also been contracted by several research institutes and biotech & pharma companies. Depending on the final aim of the contractor, the unit has a wide portfolio of experimental animal models and services, as well as expertise to lead and coordinate Randomized Clinical Trials in the context of tuberculosis research. For this research line, our link to the Microbiology Dept. of the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital and the access to the unique Centre for Comparative Medicine and Bioimage of Catalonia (CMCiB) facility are key.

Study of health dimensions and quality of life in the context of infectious diseases

Because TB is a disease linked to socio-economic factors and vulnerable populations, and with the belief that there are several dimensions of health (physical, social, emotional, environmental, etc.) and changes in one affects the others, we aim not only to study TB as a disease, but also to understand the individual with TB. Within this research line, we study the impact of TB on the health dimensions and quality of life of TB patients in the context of all our clinical studies and trials. We also conduct community outreach activities to increase TB awareness and decrease TB diagnostic delay in which patients and public are involved, specially in socio-economic deprived areas and among vulnerable populations.

Búsqueda de biomarcadores pronósticos para personalizar el tratamiento de la tuberculosis

PI: Dra. Cristina Vilaplana
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Agency code: PI20/01424
Start date: 2021
End date: 2023

Estudio de las bases biológicas de la susceptibilidad a la tuberculosis según el sexo. Importancia del eje hipotalámico-pituitarioadrenal

PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Agency code: PI20/01431
Start date: 2021
End date: 2023

EpiPose: Epidemic intelligence to minimize COVID-19's public health, societal and economical impact

PI: Dra. Cristina Vilaplana
Funding agency: H2020 - European Commission
Agency code: 101003688
Start date: 2020
End date: 2023

SMA-TB: A novel Stratified Medicine Algorithm to predict treatment responses to host-directed therapy in TB Patients. (H2020-SC1-BHC-2018-2020)

PI: Dra. Cristina Vilaplana
Funding agency: H2020 - European Commission
Agency code: 847762
Start date: 2020
End date: 2024

New Research and Innovation on Tuberculosis: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment

PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES)
Agency code: CB06/06/0031
Start date: 2016

In Silico Trial for Tuberculosis Vaccine Development (STRITUVAD)

CO-PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: H2020-SC1-2017-CNECT-2 - European Commission
Agency code: 777123
Start date: 2018
End date: 2022
 

Programme for the progressive substitution of laboratory animals in the Center for Comparative Medicine (IGTP) (CMCiB-3R)

PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: La Caixa
Agency code: LCF/PR/GN17/50300003
Start date: 2018
End date: 2022

Unitat de Tuberculosi Experimental

PI: Dra. Cristina Vilaplana
Funding agency: Agencia de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris de Recerca (AGAUR)
Agency code: 2021 SGR 00920
Start date: 2023
End date: 2025

ITHEMYC: Novel immunotherapies for tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases

PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: European Commission
Agency code: proposal nº 101080462-2
Start date: 2023
End date: 2026

Towards a better understanding and control of tuberculosis

PI: Dr. Pere-Joan Cardona
Funding agency: CIBER ENFERMEDADES RESPIRATORIAS (CIBERES)
Agency code: CIBERESTB2325
Start date: 2023
End date: 2025

Ajuts Margarita Salas Modalitat de 2 anys

PI: Dr. Cristina Vilaplana
Funding agency: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Agency code: 720452
Start date: 2022
End date: 2024