Skip to main content

Biomedical Research in Urology

The Biomedical Research in Urology group is interested in the study of hormone-dependent cancers, in particular prostate cancer (but not limited to it).

Our efforts are focused on finding, on the one hand, tools that help us in the early diagnosis of the disease, in the best differentiation of tumors according to their aggressiveness and their response to therapy, and finally in finding effective therapies against it.

From a molecular point of view, we focus our studies mainly on cell signaling processes related to the cell cycle and mitosis (with kinesins, kinases and ubiquitin ligases as main targets).

Our multidisciplinary group is made up of molecular biologists and urologists, and we collaborate with oncologists, pathologists and specialists in other diseases when required.

We work with in silico data obtained with different "omics" techniques, samples and clinical data from patients, in vitro and in vivo models, to answer the questions raised.

Team

Carlos Serrano Burgos

Carlos Serrano Burgos

Research assistant
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
David Ruiz Casajuana

David Ruiz Casajuana

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Jacques Planas Morin

Jacques Planas Morin

Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Maria Carme Altadill Sanchez

Maria Carme Altadill Sanchez

Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Marta Barber Servera

Marta Barber Servera

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Olga Mendez Fernández

Olga Mendez Fernández

Main researcher
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Carlos Serrano Burgos

Carlos Serrano Burgos

Research assistant
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
David Ruiz Casajuana

David Ruiz Casajuana

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Jacques Planas Morin

Jacques Planas Morin

Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Maria Carme Altadill Sanchez

Maria Carme Altadill Sanchez

Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Marta Barber Servera

Marta Barber Servera

Research technician
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more
Olga Mendez Fernández

Olga Mendez Fernández

Main researcher
Biomedical Research in Urology
Read more

Research lines

Early diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer (Clinical research)

This research line evaluates better strategies able to improve the process of Early Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer, detecting significant tumors and avoiding unnecessary biopsies. In addition, this line also studies the outcomes of the Active Surveillance Program and the Robotic Program.

IP: Joan Morote Robles, Ana Celma Domènech

Exosomes as a new source of biomarkers (Translational research in prostate cancer)

Since the prostate is in direct contact with the urethra, desquamated cells and secreted products, including exosomes, are abundant in human urine and serve as potential source for PC biomarkers. We aim to identify protein biomarkers in urinary exosomes for early detection of PC in a non-invasive manner.

IP: -

Experimental laparoscopy (Clinical research)

This is a research and teaching line in porcine model of laparoscopy. The influence of pneumo-peritoneum and ischemia in kidney function has been main objectives in the past. Now, the use of bioengineering materials in bladder substitution is the main objective of this line.  

IP: Carles Xavier Raventós Busquets

Hormone therapy and castrate resistant prostate cancer (Clinical research)

One main objective is the optimization of androgen suppression and to know its safety profile, specifically in the areas of bone mass loss, the metabolic disturbances and cognitive performance. How to perform early diagnosis of CRPC, and how to follow up the new treatments are also objectives of this line.

IP: Jacques Planas Morin

Projects

MnkImmunOnco) - Overcoming therapy resistance and immune evasion with a novel MNK inhibibtor

IP: Santiago Ramon y Cajal Agüeras
Collaborators: Inés de Torres Ramirez, Jordi Temprana Salvador, Vicente Peg Camara, Stefan Hummer
Funding agency: Fundació Institut Bioenginyeria de Catalunya
Funding: 0.01
Reference: M6871
Duration: 02/01/2023 - 31/12/2024

Rercerca biomèdica en urologia

IP: Joan Morote Robles
Collaborators: Fernando Lozano Palacio, Inés de Torres Ramirez, Marta Barber Servera, Enric Trilla Herrera, Olga Méndez Fernández, Ana Celma Domènech, Mercè Cuadras Solé, Carlos Serrano Burgos, Albert Carrión Puig , Maria Eugenia Semidey Raven, Carles Xavier Raventós Busquets, David Ruiz Casajuana, Jacques Planas Morin, Richard Mast, Anna Santamaria Margalef
Funding agency: Agència Gestió Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca
Funding: 0.01
Reference: 2021 SGR 00858
Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2025

Contribución diferencial del epitelio intestinal a la fisiopatología de la diarrea crónica en el síndrome del intestino irritable y la colitis microscópica. Perfil clínico-biológico para el diagnóstico diferencial.

IP: Maria Vicario Perez
Collaborators: Beatriz Lobo Alvarez, Merce Albert Bayo, Inés de Torres Ramirez, Ana Maria Gonzalez Castro, Marc Pigrau Pastor, Xavier Serra Ruiz
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 183920
Reference: PI19/01643
Duration: 01/01/2020 - 30/06/2024

Radiogenomics for the prediction of prostate cancer aggressiveness through artificial intelligence.

IP: Joan Morote Robles
Collaborators: Inés de Torres Ramirez, Marta Barber Servera, Ana Celma Domènech, Jacques Planas Morin, Richard Mast, Lucas Regis Plácido
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 159720
Reference: PI20/01666
Duration: 01/01/2021 - 30/06/2025

Publications

A risk-organised model for clinically significant prostate cancer early detection.

PMID: 37334020
Journal: BJUI compass
Year: 2023
Reference: BJUI Compass. 2023 Mar 7;4(4):420-422. doi: 10.1002/bco2.230. eCollection 2023 Jul.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Abascal, Jose M; Borque-Fernando, Angel; Esteban, Luis M; Mendez, Olga; Morote, Juan; Planas, Jacques; Servian, Pol; Tilla, Enrique; Triquell, Marina et al.
DOI: 10.1002/bco2.230

Comparison of Rotterdam and Barcelona Magnetic Resonance Imaging Risk Calculators for Predicting Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer.

PMID: 37441350
Journal: European urology open science
Year: 2023
Reference: Eur Urol Open Sci. 2023 May 22;53:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2023.03.013. eCollection 2023 Jul.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Abascal, Jose M; Borque-Fernando, Angel; Campistol, Miriam; Esteban, Luis M; Mendez, Olga; Morote, Juan; Planas, Jacques; Servian, Pol; Trilla, Enrique; Triquell, Marina et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2023.03.013

Methods for Evaluating the Efficacy of Medical Castration: A Systematic Review.

PMID: 37444589
Journal: Cancers
Year: 2023
Reference: Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jul 3;15(13):3479. doi: 10.3390/cancers15133479.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Aguilar, Adriana; Morote, Juan; Planas, Jacques; Trilla, Enrique et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133479

A Systematic Review of the Current Status of Magnetic Resonance-Ultrasound Images Fusion Software Platforms for Transperineal Prostate Biopsies.

PMID: 37444439
Journal: Cancers
Year: 2023
Reference: Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jun 24;15(13):3329. doi: 10.3390/cancers15133329.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Catala, Violeta; Morote, Juan; Paesano, Nahuel; Tcholakian, Larisa; Trilla, Enric et al.
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133329

The True Utility of Predictive Models Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Selecting Candidates for Prostate Biopsy.

PMID: 35795075
Journal: European Urology Open Science
Year: 2022
Reference: Eur Urol Open Sci. 2022 Jul 1;42:40-41. doi: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.06.002. eCollection 2022 Aug.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Letter whit IF
Authors: Trilla, Enrique; Esteban, Luis M; Triquell, Marina; Morote, Juan; Borque-Fernando, Angel et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.euros.2022.06.002

Overcoming Paradoxical Kinase Priming by a Novel MNK1 Inhibitor.

PMID: 35417652
Journal: JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Year: 2022
Reference: J Med Chem. 2022 Apr 28;65(8):6070-6087. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01941. Epub 2022 Apr 13.
Impact factor: 7.446
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Alarcon, Helena, Slobodnyuk, Konstantin, Cano-Galietero, Marta, Fuentes, Pedro, Guijarro, Pedro J, Munoz, Maria Jose, Suarez-Cabrera, Leticia, Santamaria, Anna, Estrada-Tejedor, Roger, Borrell, Jose I et al.
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01941

Application of One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) in different cancer entities and usefulness in prostate cancer: a systematic review.

PMID: 35366849
Journal: BMC CANCER
Year: 2022
Reference: BMC Cancer. 2022 Apr 2;22(1):357. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-09355-0.
Impact factor: 4.43
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Planas, Jacques, Celma, Ana, Regis, Lucas, de Torres, Ines M, Semidey, M Eugenia, Trilla, Enrique, Morote, Juan, Cuadras, Merce et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09355-0

Blog

News

A clinical trial with the prototype of the device shows that the use of this technology improves patient monitoring by nurses and reduces post-surgical complications.

One more year, we join the Movember movement to raise awareness of the need for research to improve men's health and, in particular, that of patients with prostate cancer.

On World Cancer Research Day, we highlight the oncology research model of the Vall d'Hebron Campus that allows laboratory results to be transferred as quickly as possible to clinical practice.

Job offers

Licensed Technician - Biomedical research in urology
Start date:
17/08/2023
End date:
31/08/2023
Document: Download
Laboratory Technician - Urology
Start date:
08/08/2023
End date:
22/08/2023
Document: Download
Postdoctoral Researcher BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH IN UROLOGY (Oncology)
Start date:
26/05/2022
End date:
09/06/2022
Document: Download