BioMS Centre:
Country: Spain
City: Barcelona
Institution: Hospital Clinic Barcelona and Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS)
Website: https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/unit/neuroinmunologia-y-esclerosis-multiple https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/idibaps/research-areas/clinical-and-experimental-neuroscience/advanced-imaging-in-neuroimmunological-diseases-imaginem
PI/Co-PI: Dr. Sara Llufriu and Dr. Yolanda Blanco
Team members (name, position and contact e-mail):
Dr. Sara Llufriu, MD, PhD. Neurologist and head of the Advanced Imaging in Neuorimmunological Diseases research group (ImaginEM), sllufriu@clinic.cat
Dr. Yolanda Blanco, MD, PhD. Neurologist and Associated Professor University Barcelona, yblanco@clinic.cat
Dr. Albert Saiz, MD, PhD. Former head of the Neuroimmunology-Multiple Sclerosis Unit, asaiz@clinic.cat
Dr. Maria Sepúlveda, MD, PhD, neurologist, msepulve@clinic.cat
Dr. Eugenia Martínez, MD, PhD, neurologist, emmartinez@clinic.cat
Dr. Jose Maria Cabrera, MD, neurologist, jmcabrera@clinic.cat
Dr. Eloy Martínez-Heras, PhD, engineer, emartind@clinic.cat.
Dr. Elisabeth Solana, PhD, neuropsychologist, elisabeth.solana@clinic.cat
The research of the Neuroimmunology-Multiple Sclerosis Unit and the Advanced Imaging in Neuroimmunological Diseases laboratory (ImaginEM) is focused in the development and application of imaging and antibody biomarkers to the study of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neuroimmune diseases. We have a large repository of biological samples including DNA, serum, CSF and PBMCs.
Our studies using neuroimage biomarkers (advanced magnetic resonance imaging and retinal imaging-optic coherence tomography) aim to understand the basis of physical and cognitive disability in patients with MS, and to predict disease evolution and guide personalized medicine approaches. One of the major research lines is focused on the study of the basis of disease progression and the development of predictive biomarkers by combining imaging information with serum neurofilament quantification and genetic data through machine learning approaches.
Regarding antibody biomarkers, we have large experience in studies centered in the analysis of prevalence, serostatus, isotypes characterization and prognosis of AQP4-Ig and anti-MOG antibodies in neuromyelitis spectrum disorders and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.
We are members of the MAGNIMS network, IMSVISUAL, MSBase registry and ERN-Rita of autoimmune diseases.