Agrobiotechnology Institute, IdAB (CSIC-UPNA-Navarra Goverment)Study of pathoadaptative evolution mechanisms in Staphilococcus aureus and Haemophilus influenzae at a DNA, RNA (transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation) and protein level.

Collaborative research grant from the Spanish Government."Molecular adaptation of opportunistic pathogen Haemophilus influenzae with the human respiratory system"Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a Gram negative bacteria encountered in the nasopharynx of most individuals with normal lung function. Moreover, NTHi is an opportunistic pathogen, which reaches the lower airways of respiratory patients suffering chronic diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary… Show more Collaborative research grant from the Spanish Government."Molecular adaptation of opportunistic pathogen Haemophilus influenzae with the human respiratory system"Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a Gram negative bacteria encountered in the nasopharynx of most individuals with normal lung function. Moreover, NTHi is an opportunistic pathogen, which reaches the lower airways of respiratory patients suffering chronic diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In those cases, NTHi contributes worsening the course of the disease and triggering acute exacerbations episodes. The aim of this study has been to characterize a range of aspects related to NTHi patho-adaptation during human respiratory long-term infection. For this purpose, NTHi mutant strains were generated and used to analyze the expression pattern of a panel of genes involved in NTHi central metabolism, together with the effect of changes in oxygen availability in such gene expression. Likewise, we identified a clonal group of NTHi clinical strains isolated from sputum of COPD patients at exacerbation, showing a hyper-invader phenotype in the human respiratory epithelium. These isolates characterization showed that expression of the hmw1A invasin encoding gene is regulated by phase-variation within the hmw1ABC promoter region, therefore regulating Hmw1A translation and having relevant implications in the hyper-invading phenotype of this pathogen. Finally, we analyzed the role of GlpQ, a NTHi phosphodisterase, on pulmonary infection, purified and further characterized in terms of physical and chemical properties the GlpQ enzyme, which constitutes an adequate tool for further antibacterial drug discovery.Overall, our work provides new insights into HiNT pathogenesis in the context COPD related respiratory infections. This study reveals previously unknown HiNT patho-adaptation strategies and provides novel tools for antibacterial drug screening. Show less

Asociación de Biotecnólogos de la Comunidad Valenciana Valencian Biotechnology Association http://www.abiotecvalencia.es/

"Value of morphometric vascular features in renal carcinoma classification"The aim of this project was to study several morphometric features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) related to its vasculature. In order to do so, immunohistochemistry techniques and an image analyzer software was used. For this, we took 10 cases from each 3 histological types of renal cell carcinoma, 30 cases in total. In addition, we compared them with 5 control samples, coming from health renal tissue. In this… Show more "Value of morphometric vascular features in renal carcinoma classification"The aim of this project was to study several morphometric features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) related to its vasculature. In order to do so, immunohistochemistry techniques and an image analyzer software was used. For this, we took 10 cases from each 3 histological types of renal cell carcinoma, 30 cases in total. In addition, we compared them with 5 control samples, coming from health renal tissue. In this way, performing appropriate statistical tests, we were able to connect these vascular morphometric data with the RCC type and various clinical and pathological parameters, such as the stage and grade of the carcinoma. Moreover, we got to establish and assign a different specific vascularization pattern to each RCC type, introducing a new prognosis factor. Show less

Yeast molecular mechanisms against acid stress.