At the beginning of 2001, the Director of the Carlos III Institute of Health entrusted this Head Researcher with the task of setting up a laboratory to conduct applied research to in the public health field of arthropod- or reservoir-borne viral diseases. This phenomenon was clearly discernable in the group's performance during the initial years of this períod, marked by a higher number of publications stemming from previous lines of research and a still modest presence in projects pertaining to the new lines of research.
In view of the widespread lack of knowledge on these zoonotic dioseases in Spain, when the lines of research were being designed, stress was laid on lending impetus to a series of cross-sectional axes that would boost
This strategic design has been gradually bearing fruit, both in nation- and Europe-wide projects, and through bilateral ties with South America. Some of these avenues of research already have research projects funded by domestic, European or US agencies; others currently lack funding via these channels, though in most cases, their funding is covered by other types of projects or agreements, or are pending resolution.
Carlos III Institute of Health. National Microbiology Centre