Team
- Principal Researcher: José Antonio Oteo Revuelta
- Unit Manager: Patricia Pérez Matute
- Postdoctoral Researcher: María Íñiguez Martínez
- Predoctoral Researcher: Pablo Villoslada Blanco
- Laboratory Technician: Emma Recio Fernández
- Collaborators:
- Dra. Mª Eugenia Marzo Sola (Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja)
- Dr. Federico Castillo Álvarez (Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja)
- Belinda Matute Tobías (Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja)
- Sara López Álava (Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja)
- Luis Morano (Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Galicia)
- Nathalie Beaucourt Le Barzic (Clean Biotec)
- Angélica García Álvaro (Clean Biotec)
- María Jesús Villanueva Millán (CEDARS-SINAI, Los Ángeles, USA)
- María José Motilva Casado (ICVV)
- Encarnación Núñez-Olivera (Universidad de La Rioja)
- Andra Serrano Pérez (Consejería de Salud (C.A.R.P.A))
Research
The Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism Unit is focused on the investigation of viral infections and their associated metabolic disorders. In fact, it is the reference service to treat and evaluate patients infected by HIV or Hepatitis C virus and other infectious diseases in La Rioja. This Unit was created thanks to the experience of the physicians from the Infectious Diseases Department (Hospital San Pedro) and also with very qualified researchers with years of experience in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Transcriptomics etc. This team, therefore, represents what the XXI century demands: a Translational Research (from the bench to the patient) thanks to the permeability existing between the research area at the CIBIR and the medical assistance in the Hospital San Pedro.
The group is involved in the study of the role of the intestinal microbiota in different pathologies; Specially in infectious diseases, such as HIV infection or Hepatitis C virus infection, but also in other disorders whose origin is still unknown such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis or Obesity. The role of current treatments for these pathologies on the intestinal bacterial composition is also being investigated.
Research Lines
The activities of this Unit include and can be summarized in:
- Identify the cause that can explain the pathophysiological origin of diseases with a great impact on public health or find a possible way to prevent and / or to treat them. More specifically, this group is focused on the analysis of the role of microbiota and the therapies based on microbiota modifications in these pathologies (HIV, Hepatitis C, Multiple Sclerosis, Obesity etc).
- Define whether the existing treatments for these diseases (especially for HIV infection, Hepatitis C or Multiple Sclerosis) are able to restore the observed changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and therefore to definitively cure these pathologies.
- To study the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and its associated metabolic alterations such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, etc.
- Discovery of new biomarkers for metabolic and infectious diseases by using different approaches such as transcriptomics, lipidomics and / or metabolomics.
Other secondary research lines of the group:
- Nutritional studies in the field of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
- Study of the metabolic profile of knock out models
To achieve these objectives / activities, the Unit works with in vitro models, animal models, as well as human cohorts.
Principal Researcher
José Antonio Oteo Revuelta
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Phone: +34 941 278 770 (Ext.: 89871)
Biosketch
José Antonio Oteo (MD, PhD in Medicine and Surgery, University of Navarra, 1990) is a Specialist in Internal Medicine (MIR Program carried out at Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona, Spain). He has been the Head of the Internal Medicine Service of the Hospital of La Rioja and Hospital San Millán-San Pedro- in La Rioja. He is currently the Head of the Infectious Diseases Department (formerly known as Clinical Management Area) at the Hospital San Pedro, La Rioja (Spain). He is also the Head of the Infectious Diseases Department of the Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), which includes three units: the Laboratory of Special Pathogens (Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases); the Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism and the Unit of Infections, Inflammation and Aging. In this research center, he manages and supervises a laboratory equipped with the latest technologies in molecular and cellular biology and a biosafety level-3 facility for handling dangerous and fastidious microorganisms.
In the field of arthropod vectors research, the group that he leads has been pioneer in the description of new tick-borne diseases, such as DEBONEL, and/or non-previously described illnesses in our environment. They have also significantly contributed to the isolation and involvement of new microorganisms in human pathology, such as Rickettsia monacensis or the new Rickettsia rioja. Besides, other Rickettsia spp., such as Rickettsia vinior Rickettsia colombianensi (to date no associated with human diseases), have been characterized. The biggest series of patients with Lyme disease in Spain and studies in the arthropod vectors have been also reported by this group. The first cases of human anaplasmosis in the South of Europe, the first cases of Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae infection, the first implication of Rickettsia massiliae as human pathogen in America, the first case of neurotoxic paralysis after tick-bite, the circulation of ´Ca. Neoehrlichia mikurensis´ in Spain, and the description of tularemia after tick-bite are among other relevant achievements. The first cluster of cases of human Rickettsia felis infection in Spain and the first infestation with trombiculid mites (Neotrombicula inopinata) as causative agents of seasonal dermatitis in the world have been also described by this group. It is also worth mentioning the first description of Crimean-CongoHemorrhagic Fever in ticks from Occidental Europe and in ticks removed from migratory birds in the North of Africa. These findings were essential for a rapid health response to the first two autochthonous cases detected in Spain in August-September 2016.
In addition, this group has managed more than 1 million euros in research funding in recent years.
Concerning his activity in the Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism he has focused his interest on the study of gut microbiota composition in different infectious and relevant pathologies through next-generation technologies. He has also been involved in the analyses of data obtained by transcriptomics and lipidomics in order to find out early biomarkers of these pathologies. In addition, he has also participated in several national and international projects in this field and has published several studies in high impact journals.
His experience in lecturing includes the post-graduate training of resident doctors, his involvement in several PhD courses carried out in different Universities as well as his contributions as Invited Professor in several courses in the field of Medicine and Nursing. He is the Professor in charge of the practices of medical students in the Hospital San Pedro and the person in charge of lecturing Physiology-I in the Degree of Nursing of the University of La Rioja. He has supervised several Doctoral Theses, Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEAs), Master Projects and Final-Degree Projects. He is accredited by the ANECA as Profesor Titular de Universidad in the area of Medicine.
As result of his research activity, he has published more than 350 publications in scientific journals, books and monographs. During his professional practice he has participated, as principal investigator (PI) in most cases, in numerous competitive research projects.
He currently leads a clinical group associated with the Spanish Infectious Pathology Research Network (REIPI); his team is also part of the Spanish AIDS Research Network (RIS); he is an expert of the VectorNet network, which depends on the ECDCs, and is member of the European Network for Neglected Vectors and Vector-Borne Infections (EurNegVec Cost Action). Recently, his team has joined the Network of Biological Alert Laboratories (RE-LAB), set up to respond to threats by dangerous biological agents. His contributions frequently appear in official programs of national and international congresses of relevance in the field of infectious diseases. He has been the Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Congress of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) and President of several National and International Study Groups, such as the Special Pathogens group of the SEIMC and the Coxiella, Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Bartonella group from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). He is part of the editorial committee of several scientific journals and acts as evaluator of the National Agency for Evaluation and Prospecting (ANEP) and of different agencies from other countries such as Portugal, Norway and Argentina. He has also the honor of having received numerous scientific and social awards.
Publications
Work Team
Patricia Pérez Matute
Patricia Pérez Matute
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Phone: +34 941 278 855 (Ext.:84871)
Biosketch
Patricia Pérez Matute, PhD in Biochemistry (May 2005, University of Navarra). During her PhD training, she carried out a predoctoral stay at the University of California in Davis (UCDAVIS) granted by the Fullbright program. Her doctoral thesis was awarded by the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain (2006). The scientific journal Clinical Science (2004) also awarded one of her papers presented at the ISSFAL Congress. After her doctorate, Dr. Pérez-Matute joined the Laboratory of Integrative Physiology at the University of Oxford (United Kingdom) as a Postdoctoral Researcher awarded by Rafael del Pino Foundation and Robert-Turner Scholarship of Green Templeton College (Oxford University). After her postdoctoral period at the University of Oxford, Patricia returned to Spain and joined the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Navarra as Assistant Professor. In April 2009, Patricia moved to the Community of La Rioja, Spain, more specifically to the Biomedical Research Center of La Rioja (CIBIR) as a post-doctoral researcher in charge of the laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism headed by Dr. JA Oteo. She also lectures at the University of La Rioja.
As a result of her work carried out along these years, Dr. Pérez Matute has published more than 50 articles in high-impact scientific journals, five book chapters and she has presented more than a hundred communications in national and international congresses. She has participated in more than 20 research projects granted by public and private institutions; national and international organizations and she has been the principal investigator (PI) of four of them (one in progress-RETOS 2019). Patricia has participated in several specialization courses (teaching and research) such as the “14th European Nutrition Leadership Program Seminar” (Luxembourg, 2008). She is member of several Scientific Societies, acts as reviewer for more than twenty journals and is the Head of the journal called:"Zubía" and also the Head of the Natural Sciences Area of the Instituto de Estudios Riojanos (IER). Dr. Pérez-Matute has co-directed 20 final degree projects, 7 master thesis, 4 doctoral theses and is currently supervising another thesis focused on the role of virome on HIV infection and treatments. She has supervised an ADER training grant financed with European Funds, and an EMBO scholarship. Finally, Dr. Pérez-Matute is accredited by ANECA as Profesor Titular de Universidad (2015), Profesor Contratado Doctor, Profesor de Universidad Privada and Profesor Ayudante doctor (2009). She has also license for animal experimentation according to ECC / 566 / 2015- (accreditations D, C and B).
Publications
María Íñiguez Martínez
María Íñiguez Martínez
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Phone: +34 941 278 870 (Ext.:89870)
Biosketch
Graduate in Biology and Biochemistry from the University of Navarra, in 2006 she obtained the PhD degree at the Gene Theraphy and Hepatology Department of the Applied Medicine Research Center (CIMA, University of Navarra) under the supervision of MD PhD Jesús Prieto and PhD Carmen Berasain.
From 2007 until mid 2010 she worked as Scientific Project Manager at Digna Biotech, biotechnological company dedicated to the development and exploitation of the research products generated by the Center of Applied Medical Research (Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, CIMA) in Pamplona. In this period she also combined this activity with scientific work in the CIMA on the field of hepatic transplant and liver regeneration. From 2010 to 2016 she worked at the CIBIR Genomics Platform, coordinating the development of genomics and transcriptomics analyses by next generation sequencing. Since 2017 Dr. Iñiguez is a researcher of the HIV, Infectious Diseases and Metabolism Unit. She has participated in several national and international research projects and published several articles in first decile journals. She is also a lecturer in Genomics and Proteomics at the Master of Chemistry and Biotecnology of the University of La Rioja.
María Íñiguez won the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize at University of Navarra 2006) and has been awarded with several fellowships (2000. PhD fellowship funded by Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (Spanish Health Ministry), 2007. Torres-Quevedo contract funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO).
Publications
Pablo Villoslada Blanco
Pablo Villoslada Blanco
Biosketch
Pablo Villoslada Blanco got his Degree in Biochemistry (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 2017) with a work focused on “cerebral ischemia” carried out at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” under de supervision of Dra. Margarita Díaz-Guerra González. Afterwards, he returned to Logroño, his native city, where he brought out the Master degree in Chemistry and Biotechnology from Universidad de La Rioja, with a rating of 9.07. His end-of-Master’s project was focused on “genomics applied to the grapevine” and was supervised by Dr. José Miguel Martínez Zapater and Dr. Pablo Carbonell Bejerano from Instituto de Ciencias de la Vid y el Vino (ICVV). In October 2018, he got a student grant from Consejería de Desarollo Económico e Innovación de La Rioja in order to carry out the doctoral thesis entitled “Characterization of the intestinal viroma of HIV-infected patients: relationship whit their inflammatory state and cardiovascular risk” in the group of “Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism” (CIBIR) and under the supervision of Dr. José Antonio Oteo Revuelta and Dra. Patricia Pérez Matute.
Emma Recio Fernández
Emma Recio Fernández
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: +34 941 278 870 (Ext.:89870)
Biosketch
She studied Laboratory Technician at Zabálburu School (Bilbao, Vizcaya) obtaining the certificate in March 2001. The training during her studies was carried out in an Analysis & Cytology Private Laboratory, directed by MD. Adolfo García-Riego. In 2014, she obtained the B certificate for animal experimentation.
In 2004, she continued her vocational training participating in the development of a non-invasive technology for bladder cancer detection, looking for markers in urine samples by 2D-electrophoresis technique, Proteomics Unit (Medplants Genetics, S.L.).
From 2004 to 2009, she worked at Genetics Laboratory in CIC-bioGUNE (Derio), managed by PhD. David Gubb, using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as animal model for the study of metabolic disorders of Serpins, a large group of proteins, capable of inhibiting other proteins (enzymes of the protease group). She worked mutating by inserting plasmids using the technique of embryo microinjections, establishing and maintaining genetic fruit-fly lines, and analyzing the disorders previously mentionated.
From 2009 to 2011 she iniciated her work at CIBIR (Logroño), in Infectious Diseases Department, under the direction of MD-PhD. José Antonio Oteo. She worked in the Arthropod Vectors Unit until 2011, managed by PhD. Arantza Portillo, using different techniques required for infectious diseases diagnosis, using human samples and cell cultures, under containment level 2 and 3 facilities.
Since 2011, she is currently working in the Infectious Diseases, Microbiota and Metabolism Unit managed by PhD. Patricia Pérez Matute, handling mouse samples, human samples & cell cultures (under containment Level 2). In this team, she has enriched her competences working research techniques such as Western Blot, ELISA, Multiplex, DNA & RNA extraction, qPCR, Histologycal Analysis, Bioanalyzer, Cell cultures, Freeze-drying, Bioimpedance, Microscopy, etc., as well as participate in Seminars and Congresses such as SEBBM.
Publications
Mª Eugenia Marzo Sola
Dra. Mª Eugenia Marzo Sola
Phone: +34 941 278 855
Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja
Federico Castillo Álvarez
Dr. Federico Castillo Álvarez
Phone: +34 941 278 855
Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja
Belinda Matute Tobías
Dra. Belinda Matute Tobías
Phone: +34 941 278 855
Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja
Sara López Álava
Dra. Sara López Álava
Phone: +34 941 278 855
Servicio de Neurología H.S.P. La Rioja
Collaborators
Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro, Galicia. Servicio de Medicina Interna
- Dr. Luis Morano
CLEAN BIOTEC. La Rioja
- Dra. Nathalie Beaucourt Le Barzic
- Dra. Angélica García Álvaro
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CEDARS-SINAI. Los Angeles (USA)
- Dra. María Jesús Villanueva Millán
ICVV
- Dra. María José Motilva Casado
Universidad de La Rioja
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Andra Serrano Pérez
Andra Serrano Pérez
Phone: +34 941 278 855
Consejería de Salud. (C.A.R.P.A) Dirección General de Prestaciones y Farmacia Servicio de Ordenación Farmacéutica y Medicamentos.