Biography
Mercedes Dominguez has been the head of the Unit of Microbial Immunology at the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). The research carried out in recent years includes the study of mastocytosis, and leishmaniasis, the development of analytical immunoassays to detect different substances, and the immunoproteomic characterization of antigens from Streptococcus suis, Lactococcus garvieae, and Mycobacterium spp. The mastocytosis studies have focused on developing methods to identify markers for improving the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. The main research line has been the analysis, characterization, and quantification of the complement system in mammals infected by Leishmania, with a particular focus on the early infection mechanisms of mammals by Leishmania and the antigenic characterization of promastigotes. As a result, the Unit has obtained over a hundred monoclonal antibodies against complement proteins from different mammal species. The Unit has also developed immunoassays for the detection and quantification of proteins with relevance to biomedicine (such as human histidine decarboxylase and Laforin) and toxins (Ricin, SEB SEA, TSST-1, DPT, Aflatoxin, Fumonisin, etc.). The sandwich ELISA developed for Ricin detection is included in the services of the Biological Alert Laboratory Network (RELAB). Additionally, the Unit recently obtained a multiprotein complex named P22 (protected under patent), which has been used to develop and validate an indirect ELISA for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in domestic animals (cattle, goat, sheep, pigs, and camelids) and wild animals (white deer, wild boar, and badgers) with high sensitivity (60-100%) and excellent specificity (90-100%). Furthermore, the Unit has generated monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a variety of physiological proteins, some of which are of considerable interest for biomedical research and clinical analysis. For example, as mentioned earlier, monoclonal antibodies against numerous complement components of various species (human, mouse, rabbit, etc.) have been developed, some of which are useful in the development of analytical immunoassays for CV date 05-11-2023 2 medical clinics. The extensive experience in this area led to the creation of a spin-off called BIOHAPTENYC, where Mercedes Dominguez serves as the technical and production manager. As a result of her research, Dr. Mercedes DomÃnguez • Has published 75 papers in international publications. • Has made contributions as an invited speaker at national and international congresses. • Has been the director of 5 Ph.D. students and is currently supervising 2 others. • Has participated in 26 research projects funded by public bodies and private companies. • Holds six patents derived from her teaching and research activities.