Molecular identification of microorganisms and molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases

This research line focuses on the genetic analysis and molecular characterization of microorganisms involved in infectious diseases in humans and animals. Characterization of Clostridium difficile: In collaboration with the microbiology group at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Zaragoza, strains of Clostridium difficile from animal, human, and environmental sources have been analyzed. Studies include conserved gene sequencing (MLST), whole-genome sequencing, antibiotic resistance, and toxinotyping. Identification of cryptic microorganisms: In collaboration with veterinary pathologists, molecular genetics is applied to identify bacteria and fungi responsible for animal pathologies using 16S-rRNA or ITS region analysis.