Diabetes Research at the Clínic

Research in the field of diabetes is mostly done at the Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Specifically, in two groups in the "Liver, digestive system and metabolism" Area: "Translational Research in Diabetes, Lipids and Obesity" and "Diabetes Pathogenesis and Prevention".

The lines of experimental research are as follows: 

• Mechanisms of apoptosis and regeneration of the beta cell of the pancreas.
• Transcriptional circuits that regulate beta cell function.
• Formation of amylin deposits and beta cell dysfunction.
• Epigenetics and microRNA in type 2 Diabetes.
• Application of nanovaccines in diabetes.
• Mechanisms and treatment of endothelial dysfunction in type 1 diabetes.

For clinical research, the Unit focuses on the following:

• Technological treatment in diabetes: continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion systems, continuous glucose monitoring systems, integrated systems, hybrid artificial pancreas systems, diabetes decision support systems, artificial intelligence and diabetes.
• Study of the cardiovascular risk profile of patients with type 1 diabetes.
• Hypoglycaemia and its consequences in diabetes.
• Pancreas transplant.
• Monogenic diabetes.
• Cardiovascular disease in recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
• Angiography associated with optical coherence tomography in diabetes.

In 2020, members of the Diabetes Unit participated in more than 10 clinical trials and carried out more than 15 research projects. 

Several members of the Unit are part of the Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders Network (CIBERDEM) and the Spanish Diabetes Association, the Catalan Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (ESAD). The Unit is also a Centre of Excellence for the International Diabetes Federation.