Molecular Epidemiology (UV-FISABIO)

The Molecular Epidemiology (EpiMol) group is part of the Evolution and Health group of the Universitat de València and the FISABIO Salud Pública, led by Prof. Fernando González-Candelas who is Professor at the Department of Genetics. The research group is integrated in the Joint Research Unit «Infección y Salud Pública» FISABIO-Universitat de València and the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology, I2SysBio (CSIC-UV). We use evolutionary theory, bioinformatics and the latest sequencing technologies in the genomic surveillance of a wide range of bacteria and viruses, in close collaboration with Public Health and Clinical Microbiology laboratories in the Comunidad Valenciana.

Current research projects include genomic and molecular epidemiology of STIs (Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, Chlamydia trachomatis), antimicrobial resistance (ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococus aureus), opportunistic pathogens (Legionella pneumophila, Vibrio), nosocomial pathogens (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Lactococcus garviae),  foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica), and a wide range of virus (HCV, HAV, HBV, HIV, mumps, CMV, EVs, HPV, among others). We are frequently involved in the analysis of transmission and outbreaks, and we have a strong interest in the application of molecular epidemiology and evolution in forensic settings (Microbial Forensics).