#IDIBELLfellows: Aintzane Rodriguez & Sara Calvo

Deciphering the role of Ext1-Mediated Protein Glycosylation in shaping Tumor Immunity and stem-like properties in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Aintzane Rodriguez Barrante – Breast Cancer group
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive breast cancer subtypes, characterized by high recurrence and metastasis rates. In this study, we developed the first CRISPR library targeting glycosylation genes, which allowed the identification of twelve essential genes involved in cancer stemness, including EXT1. Silencing EXT1 in TNBC cell lines reduced tumorsphere formation and ALDH+ populations, confirming its role in stem-like maintenance. Furthermore, EXT1 overexpression, associated with poorer patient survival, affected the glycosylation and stability of immune-regulatory proteins such as PD-L1 and galectin-9, suggesting a critical role for EXT1 in modulating immune evasion in TNBC

Genomics of Streptococcus pneumoniae causing meningitis in adults
Sara Calvo Silveria – Epidemiology of bacterial infections
This talk presents a genomic and epidemiological analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains causing meningitis in adults, based on a retrospective study of 387 cases collected at Bellvitge University Hospital (1974–2023). The project explores serotype distribution, clinical outcomes, and molecular markers associated with disease focus and severity. Results reveal distinct serotype patterns linked to infection routes (acute otitis media, CSF leakage, and bacteraemia) with serotype 3 predominating in localized infections and serotype 4 in bacteraemia cases. The study also highlights a post-vaccine shift toward non-PCV13 serotypes (notably 8 and 10A) and a decline in beta-lactam resistance. Despite extensive genomic analysis, no bacterial variants were associated with patient outcomes, suggesting a stronger influence of host factors. These findings underscore the evolving landscape of pneumococcal meningitis and the need for continued genomic surveillance.