Gene and Cell Therapy – VHIR Annual Report 2023

In 2023, we started a research line, in collaboration with the Pediatric Neurology group, consisting of a gene therapy strategy targeting mesenchymal cells to treat congenital muscular dystrophy due to merosin deficiency (MDC1A), project for which we obtained funding (FIS PI22/01027), as well as the incorporation of a postdoctoral researcher (Maria Pallarés) who has obtained a Juan de la Cierva grant. In addition, in a second line of work in which we are investigating a new family of peptides with pro-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity, we have developed a new product, which allows us to optimize ex vivo gene therapy, for which we are applying for a patent. All this research, as well as the development of this product, which has been done in collaboration with other VHIR groups, has been part of the doctoral thesis of a predoctoral researcher (Rocío Piñera). Related to this project, we received a grant within the Llavor program (AGAUR).

eCORE

Advanced Therapies and Advanced Interventions, Nanomedicine, Transplant & Donation

Team

Group Leader
Jordi Barquinero Mañez

Principal Investigator (PI)
Jordi Barquinero Máñez

Researchers
María Pallarés Masmitjà

PhD Students
Rocío Piñera Moreno

Publications

50.0

%Q1

Impact Factor

Average Impact Factor

Projects

Congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A: inhibition of fibrosis and gene editing-based therapy
Principal Investigator: Jordi Barquinero / Francina Munell
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 117,370 €
Period: 2023-2025

Gene Therapy for MDC1A
Principal Investigator: Francina Munell / Jordi Barquinero
Agency: Ajuntament de Castellbisbal / Associació Impulsa'T
Funding: 36,000 €
Period: 2023

New peptides as transduction enhancers for gene therapy vectors
Principal Investigator: Jordi Barquinero
Agency: AGAUR
Funding: 20,000 €
Period: 2023