Research lines

• Characterization and management of hereditary and familial forms of colorectal cancer

  Directed by Francesc Balaguer

  Dr. Balaguer's research focuses on the clinical and endoscopic characterization of hereditary and familial forms of colorectal cancer. Current projects focus on the study of Lynch syndrome, from the clinical side to the development of new prevention strategies based on immunotherapy.  

• Colorectal cancer screening

  Directed by Antoni Castells

  Dr. Castells’ research focuses on the evaluation of population-based strategies, assessment of risk factors to advance towards personalized approaches, and identification of new biomarkers for colorectal cancer screening in average- and moderate-risk individuals. 

• Endoscopy for prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer

  Directed by Dr. Maria Pellisé

  Dr. Pellisé’s research focuses on the implementation of key performance measures and new technologies for improving the quality of screening and surveillance colonoscopy in average and high-risk individuals, as well as improving the management of neoplasia and early colorectal cancer through minimally invasive endoscopic therapeutic techniques. 

• Innovation and new technologies in gastrointestinal endoscopy

  Directed by Glòria Fernández-Esparrach

  Dr. Fernández-Esparrach’s research focuses on the development and evaluation of new technologies to improve the performance of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Her team has developed an accessory device that can detect and characterize colorectal polyps by using microwaves and is currently evaluating its performance in a real clinical setting. She is also focused on developing intelligent systems to improve diagnostic capabilities of endoscopes and to assess quality performance measures. 

• Physiopathology of pancreatic cancer

  Directed by Dr. Eva Vaquero

  Dr. Vaquero’s research focuses on the study of pancreatic stellate cells as therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer. By using genetically engineered mouse models and orthotopic tumors in syngeneic mice she is currently evaluating the consequences of genetic CFTR deficiency in the development of pancreatic cancer and the effect of CFTR modulators in restraining pancreatic cancer growth and improving response to chemotherapy. 

• Post-translational control of malignant oncogenic transformation in colorectal carcinogenesis, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance

  Directed by Ester Sánchez-Tilló 

  The research led by Dr. Sánchez-Tilló seeks new biomarkers of colorectal malignant progression and therapeutic vulnerabilities by deciphering post-translational ubiquitination processes. Combining patient cohorts, mouse models and organoids, the lab and collaborators focus on the role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and their target proteins in the establishment of KRAS- and BRAF-driven malignant progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metabolic reprogramming and the development of resistance to effective therapies. 

• Gene expression regulators as a source of novel biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for digestive cancers

  Directed by Dr. Meritxell Gironella 

  Dr. Gironella’s research is mainly focused on the study of small non-coding RNAs and their presence in liquid biopsies in pancreatic and colorectal cancer to discover and validate new biomarkers that could be used for early detection, prognosis or prediction of treatment response. Several miRNA-based biomarkers for these malignancies have been described and IP protected in order to transfer this knowledge into the clinics. Moreover, her research also covers the study of the molecular mechanisms of these molecules leading to digestive carcinogenesis in order to discover new therapeutic targets for a more personalized treatment of pancreatic and colorectal cancer. 

• Endoscopic ultrasonography samples for translational research in the diagnosis of cystic and solid lesions of the pancreas

  Directed by Àngels Ginès

  Dr. Ginès’ research focuses on optimizing the obtention of pancreatic samples, either fluid from pancreatic cystic lesions or cytology / small core biopsies from solid tumors, to assess a better diagnosis through molecular determinations. The final aim is to achieve a more specific pathological and molecular diagnosis, that is the first step for a personalized therapy in pancreatic focal lesions.