| Hospital Clínic Barcelona

Immunology Service

In the Immunology Service, research has a translational approach. The aim is to improve basic knowledge in this field and provide proposals that improve the diagnosis and treatment of immune-based diseases. Researchers in the service are also working to develop their own immunotherapies that will improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients with immunomediated diseases.

The clinical and basic research activity of the Immunology Service is carried out at the August Pi Sunyer Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBAPS), in the areas of Biological Aggression and Response Mechanisms and Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Renal Biopathology and Bioengineering.

And specifically, in the following group:

Immune receptors of the innate and adaptive system

In this group, basic research is developed with a translational approach to identify and characterize the genetic variations of immunoreceptors that regulate innate and / or adaptive immune responses.
Immunogenetics of the autoinflammatory response

The group's research involves defining the molecular basis of certain diseases (especially genetic problems), proposing a better diagnosis and developing strategies for cellular immunotherapy (the use of cells as a treatment) in order to resolve abnormal functioning of patients' immune system. In the case of cancer, the group aims to restore the antitumor response of patients, being able to control and even cure certain tumors. Some of the proposals use gene therapy to improve lymphocyte function, with CART cells being the prime example.
Clinical and experimental respiratory immunoallergy

The group is focused on evaluating the anti-inflammatory power of new drugs, knowing the pathophysiology of some clinical problems (asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, food allergy, urticaria, NSAID intolerance) and the mechanism of action of existing medications (corticosteroids, biological) and new therapies (post-traumatic olfactory training and cell therapy).

The translational nature of immunology means that the research contribution extends to other areas and groups, even outside of IDIBAPS, with outstanding activity in fields such as immunodeficiencies or autoimmune or infectious diseases.