DANIEL
GUTIÉRREZ EXPÓSITO

(2012-2025). I have worked with different apicomplexan parasites that affect domestic and wild ruminants such as Besnoitia spp., Neospora caninum, Toxoplasma gondii, Eimeria spp., Babesia spp. and Theileria annulata as well as bacteria [Mycobacterium avium subp paratuberculosis (Map), Salmonella spp. and Chlamydia spp.]. Studies have been focused on diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogenesis through in-vivo and in-vitro models, host-parasite interactions, and development of vaccines. Specifically, my PhD (2012-2016), carried out within SALUVET-group (UCM), was focused on epidemiology of bovine besnoitiosis. In addition, I spent 3 months in the Kimron Veterinary Institute (Israel) during a predoctoral stay learning about live vaccines against parasitic diseases (e.g., Babesia spp. and B. besnoiti). The predoctoral stage resulted in 21 publications mainly restricted to bovine besnoitiosis and the collaboration in a total of 4 projects. Afterwards, within SANPATRUM research group (ULE) (2016-2025) in Leon I have been included in new research lines focused on T. gondii, N. caninum and Map infections. During this time, two stays have been carried out in (i) Moredun Research Institute (UK) (1 month) and (ii) Justus Liebig Giessen University (Germany) (1 year). The last 7 years resulted in 28 publications SCI and the participation in 30 projects/research contracts (being PI for five out of these 30). Furthermore, more than 50 communications to national (e.g., SEAPV, AVEDILA, SEOC, etc) and international (Apicowplexa, ANEMBE, WAAVP, ESVP, etc) conferences have been done in the last 13 years. Results during these 13 years translate to an improvement over the animal health and economic impact in livestock of these relevant diseases. (i) It has been highlighted the importance of bovine besnoitiosis and ovine neosporosis in Spain, considered as rare in the past. (ii) It has been identified the structure of the European T. gondii population through molecular tools. (iii) Unexpected degree of virulence among T. gondii isolates have been identified through in vitro and in vivo models. (iv) New clinical presentations and lesions in T. gondii infections in sheep have been described. (v) The immune response of small ruminants against Map infections and pathogenesis of bovine neosporosis have been clarified. Regarding scientific and technical capacities, I have been working with different serological (ELISA, Western blot, IFAT and MAT), proteomic (WB 1D and 2D, DIGE) molecular (PCR, qPCR, microsatellites and RNAseq), histopathological and immunohistochemical (HE, DAB, etc) and coprological (flotation, sedimentation, etc) techniques, flow cytometry, as well as with different cell lines (Vero, MARC-145, fibroblasts, primary endothelial cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, etc) and in vitro culture of Besnoitia spp., N. caninum, T. gondii, Tritrichomonas foetus, Giardia duodenalis and Trypanosoma spp. Moreover, the incorporation in SANPATRUM research group in Leon after the PhD, it has allowed me to learn about necropsies, sampling collection and pathological anatomy, above all those lesions caused by apicomplexan parasites. In addition, the experimental infections in which I have been involved have increased my expertise in animal manipulation (mice, rabbits, sheep, goats, and cattle). The stays mentioned above together with the contact with other foreign groups such as USA, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Canada, Germany and Uruguay have established international collaborations with them that results in several publications.