Research Unit for Infectious and Tropical Diseases
We combine research and public health action to prevent and control community-acquired infections and respond to emerging infectious threats.
01 / Research Programmes
Our mission: Science in service of global health.
The Unit conducts translational research to identify clinical solutions for community-acquired infections that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, with particular emphasis on Neglected Tropical Diseases, and to foster their integration into national and international health policies.
With an original focus on treponemal infections such as yaws and syphilis, since 2020 our scientific scope has expanded to include the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the global mpox outbreak, extending our methodology in field epidemiology, clinical trials and policy translation to emerging infectious threats.
This research is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant 101171779, and by the generous support of a wide array of other public and private funders. We are hosted by the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute at the Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital.
Since 2020, our scientific scope has expanded to include the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the global mpox outbreak — extending our methodology of field epidemiology, clinical trials and policy translation to emerging infectious threats.
Five active lines of investigation.
Each programme combines basic science, clinical research and field implementation to deliver scalable health solutions.
CONTROL REINFORCEMENT
BREAKFREE-Sy
Unchaining diagnostic and therapeutic tools for syphilis in pregnancy, neurosyphilis and treatment failure
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CONTROL REINFORCEMENT
DISEASE ERADICATION
PANDEMIC RESPONSE
OUTBREAK CONTROL
How we work: Four interlocking pillars from discovery to policy.
Our work spans the full continuum of translational medicine — from molecular research to national health systems implementation.
01
Infectious Disease Research
Investigator-initiated clinical trials and laboratory studies focused on treponematoses and emerging pathogens.
02
Field Epidemiology
Population-level surveillance and intervention studies in endemic regions across Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
03
Diagnostics & Treatment
Drug repurposing, point-of-care diagnostic validation, and development of accessible treatment protocols.
04
Eradication & Policy
Translation of scientific evidence into WHO guidelines and national disease eradication strategies.
04 / Collaborating Institutions
Public funders and scientific partners.
Support Independent Research
Sustaining science where it is most needed.
Philanthropic support enables long-term research on neglected diseases, ensuring continuity from clinical discovery to public health implementation.
