The Ministry of Health and Consumption of Andalusia will finance three research projects related to Leishmaniasis, West Nile Virus and Multiple Sclerosis. A total budget of 250,000 euros will be allocated for this purpose.
This investment The call for proposals is carried out through the General Secretariat for Public Health and R&D&I in Health. The non-competitive call, published on October 14, 2024, allowed for the selection of projects in the areas of zoonoses and emerging risks, as well as in multiple sclerosis. After evaluating the applications, the funds were allocated for three projects that will be developed over the next two years.
Research on Multiple Sclerosis
The first project has 125,000 euros in funding and is managed by the Foundation for Health Research Management of Seville (FISEVIA). This study is being carried out at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) and seeks to identify the molecular targets of the protective action of melatonin in the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis.
Principal investigators Antonio Carrillo Vico and Ana Isabel Álvarez López will analyze the cellular and molecular effects of melatonin to better understand the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective mechanisms of this molecule, which is widely linked to immunity but whose molecular targets are still unclear. This breakthrough could allow the development of new therapies.
'LeishAndalus' project
The second project, called 'LeishAndalus', will receive funding of 65,000 euros. It is led by the Foundation for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (FIBICO) and will analyse the circulation of Leishmania spp. in humans and domestic and wild animal reservoirs in Andalusia. This analysis seeks to improve surveillance and prevention strategies for human leishmaniasis. The principal investigators are Antonio Rivero Juárez and Moisés Gonzálvez Juan.
Westinlealert project
The third project, called 'Westinlealert', has a budget of 60,000 euros and will also be carried out by FIBICO. This study is being carried out by the Competitive Research Unit on Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM). The objective is to evaluate the role of birds in the ecoepidemiology of the West Nile Virus in Andalusia. In addition, it seeks to develop an early warning tool to predict outbreaks. The project leaders are María de los Ángeles Risalde Moya and Ignacio García Bocanegra, researchers with extensive experience in the study of this virus.
These projects reflect Andalusia's commitment to public health research, addressing diseases relevant to the region and developing innovative prevention and treatment tools.
