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Diabetes and Metabolism

The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Group is search is lead by Dr. Rafael Simó (Hirsch index:54), Head of the Endocrinology Department, Professor of Medicine & Endocrinology at UAB and current President of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes-Eye Complications. The group consists of 7 senior clinical investigators, 4 basic post-doctoral researchers, 4 pre-doc researchers, 3 laboratory technicians and one coordinator of clinical assays.  

The group belongs to “CIBER” of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM. ISCIII) and has been recognized as consolidated group by the Generalitat de Catalunya (AQU/AGAUR).

Since 2014 this group has been qualified as outstanding in the evaluations performed by the ANEP, CIBERDEM and the external Scientific Advisory Board of VHIR. 

The main lines of research are:

  • Complications of diabetes (in particular diabetic retinopathy)
  • Obesity and its co-morbidities
  • Type 2 diabetes and cognitive impairment
  • Thyroid diseases
  • Hospital Nutrition. 

Team

Irene Hernández Hernández

Irene Hernández Hernández

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Judit Amigó Farran

Judit Amigó Farran

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Kathleen Ramirez Tucas

Kathleen Ramirez Tucas

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Lorena Ramos Pérez

Lorena Ramos Pérez

Research technician
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Marc Rivas Agudo

Marc Rivas Agudo

Research technician
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Maria Llorian Salvador

Maria Llorian Salvador

Postdoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Irene Hernández Hernández

Irene Hernández Hernández

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Judit Amigó Farran

Judit Amigó Farran

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Kathleen Ramirez Tucas

Kathleen Ramirez Tucas

Predoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Lorena Ramos Pérez

Lorena Ramos Pérez

Research technician
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Marc Rivas Agudo

Marc Rivas Agudo

Research technician
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Maria Llorian Salvador

Maria Llorian Salvador

Postdoctoral researcher
Diabetes and Metabolism
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Projects

Impacto de la cirugía bariátrica en la hemodinámica portal en pacientes con obesidad mórbida y NAFLD. Estudio HEYMDAL.

IP: Ramón Vilallonga Puy
Collaborators: Mercedes Pérez Lafuente, Nuria Roson Gradaille, Laura Puente Ramo, Carla Gonzalez Junyent, Marta Comas Martínez, Alba Rojano Toimil, Arturo Cirera De Tudela, Jesus Manuel Rivera Esteban
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 171820
Reference: PI22/00880
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

Beques de Formació de Personal Investigador (FPI) Identificación de los mediadores comunes a la neurodegeneracion inducida por la diabetes en retina y cerebro / Unraveling the common mediators of retinal and brain diabetes-induced neurodegeneration (U

IP: Rafael Simó Canonge
Collaborators: Anna Deàs Just, Miriam Izquierdo Sans
Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-MICINN
Funding: 98960
Reference: PRE2020-095747
Duration: 01/09/2021 - 30/08/2025

Ministerio de Ciencia

Retinal and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: unraveling the common pathways and identification of patients at risk of dementia

IP: Rafael Simó Canonge
Collaborators: Marina Jimenez Iglesias, Cristina Hernández Pascual, Jaume Rigo Quera, Julia Vazquez de Sebastian, Queralt Martin Saladich, Helena Brosa Morros, Alejandro López Targa, Patricia Bogdanov Baruj, Gianluca Fatti , Randa Falah , Andreea Ciudin Mihai, Ferran Casals Riera
Funding agency: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Funding: 950410
Reference: RECOGNISED_H2020SC1BHC2019
Duration: 01/01/2020 - 31/12/2024

Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes: unraveling the pathogenic mechanism between organs

IP: José Raul Herance Camacho
Collaborators: Fiorella Dellepiane Clarke, Joan Castell Conesa, Santiago Aguade Bruix, Carina Espinet Coll, Nuria Roson Gradaille, Carolina Aparicio Gomez, Alberto Roque Pérez, Mònica Velasco Nuño, Julia Baguña Torres, Irene Hernández Hernández, Maria Nazarena Pizzi
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 159720
Reference: PI20/01588
Duration: 01/01/2021 - 30/06/2025

Publications

Prospective Assessment of Bone Metabolism Biomarkers and Survival in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Radium-223: The PRORADIUM Study.

PMID: 37838555
Journal: European Urology Oncology
Year: 2023
Reference: Eur Urol Oncol. 2023 Oct 12:S2588-9311(23)00207-9. doi: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.09.015.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Almagro, Elena; Amigo, Judit; Borrega, Pablo; Castellano, Daniel C; Castro, Elena; Chirivella, Isabel; de Velasco, Guillermo; Fernandez, Ovidio; Fernandez-Freire, Ana; Fernandez-Parra, Eva et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.euo.2023.09.015

Leptomeningeal metastasis from solid tumours: EANO-ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

PMID: 37863528
Journal: ESMO Open
Year: 2023
Reference: ESMO Open. 2023 Oct;8(5):101624. doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101624. Epub 2023 Sep 19.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Clinical guide
Authors: Araujo-Castro, Marta; Bernabeu, Ignacio; Berrocal, Victor Rodriguez-; Biagetti, Betina; Brandsma, D; Curigliano, G; Dios, Elena; Furtner, J; Le Rhun, E; Minniti, G et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101624

Amivantamab plus chemotherapy with and without lazertinib in EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC after disease progression on osimertinib: Primary results from the phase 3 MARIPOSA-2 study.

PMID: 37879444
Journal: ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
Year: 2023
Reference: Ann Oncol. 2023 Oct 17:S0923-7534(23)04281-3. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.10.117.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Augustin, Salvador; Azuma, K; Baneras, Jordi; Barala, P; Bauml, J M; Bearz, A; Boixadera, Anna; Bourla, A B; Califano, R; Campelo, R G et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2023.10.117

Impact of hepatitis D reflex testing on the future disease burden: A modelling analysis.

PMID: 37916574
Journal: LIVER INTERNATIONAL
Year: 2023
Reference: Liver Int. 2023 Nov 2. doi: 10.1111/liv.15776.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Aguilar-Riera, Cristina; Biagetti, Betina; Buti, Maria; Campos-Martorell, Ariadna; Casado, Miguel Angel; Clemente, Maria; Dominguez-Hernandez, Raquel; Esteban, Rafael; Fabregas, Anna; Gonzalez-Llorens, Nuria et al.
DOI: 10.1111/liv.15776

Minimum Effective Dose of DPP-4 Inhibitors for Treating Early Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy in an Experimental Model.

PMID: 35203674
Journal: Biomedicines
Year: 2022
Reference: Biomedicines. 2022 Feb 16;10(2). pii: biomedicines10020465. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10020465.
Impact factor: 6.081
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Hernandez, Cristina, Simo, Rafael, Huerta, Jordi, Bogdanov, Patricia, Ramos, Hugo, Valeri, Marta, Deas-Just, Anna et al.
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020465

Implications of Heterogeneity of Epithelial-Mesenchymal States in Acromegaly Therapeutic Pharmacologic Response.

PMID: 35203668
Journal: Biomedicines
Year: 2022
Reference: Biomedicines. 2022 Feb 16;10(2). pii: biomedicines10020460. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10020460.
Impact factor: 6.081
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Marques-Pamies, Montserrat, Valassi, Elena, Garcia-Martinez, Araceli, Serra, Guillermo, Hostalot, Cristina, Fajardo-Montanana, Carmen, Carrato, Cristina, Bernabeu, Ignacio, Marazuela, Monica, Rodriguez-Lloveras, Helena et al.
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020460

The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Muscle Mass in Patients with Obesity: 2-Year Follow-up.

PMID: 34846686
Journal: OBESITY SURGERY
Year: 2022
Reference: Obes Surg. 2022 Mar;32(3):625-633. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05815-x. Epub 2021 Nov 30.
Impact factor: 4.129
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Ciudin, Andreea, Vila, Anna, Martinez, Marta Comas, Meli, Enzamaria Fidilio, Candia, Fiorella Palmas, Filippi, Francesca, Vilallonga, Ramon, Cordero, Efrain, Hernandez, Irene, Eguinoa, Alba Zabalegui et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s11695-021-05815-x

Liraglutide Improves Forced Vital Capacity in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Data From the Randomized Cross-Over LIRALUNG Study.

PMID: 34737187
Journal: DIABETES
Year: 2022
Reference: Diabetes. 2022 Feb 1;71(2):315-320. doi: 10.2337/db21-0688.
Impact factor: 9.461
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Lecube, Albert, Carolina, Lopez-Cano, Ciudin, Andreea, Sanchez, Enric, Tinahones, Francisco, Barbe, Ferran, Dalmases, Mireia, Garcia-Ramirez, Marta, Soto, Alfonso, Gaeta, Anna Michaela et al.
DOI: 10.2337/db21-0688

A novel case of diabetes MODY1 and chronic hereditary pancreatitis: coexistence of two infrequent genetic mutations.

PMID: 33846082
Journal: Endocrinologia Diabetes y Nutricion
Year: 2021
Reference: Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr (Engl Ed). 2021 Apr 9. pii: S2530-0164(21)00077-X. doi: 10.1016/j.endinu.2020.11.008.
Impact factor: 1.417
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Cordero-Vazquez, Efrain, Filippi-Arriaga, Francesca, Hernandez, Irene Hernandez, Haman, Stephanie Solange Tasayco, Ciudin, Andreea et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2020.11.008

Pasireotide in the Personalized Treatment of Acromegaly.

PMID: 33796079
Journal: Frontiers in Endocrinology
Year: 2021
Reference: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Mar 16;12:648411. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.648411. eCollection 2021.
Impact factor: 5.555
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Puig-Domingo, Manel, Bernabeu, Ignacio, Pico, Antonio, Biagetti, Betina, Gil, Joan, Alvarez-Escola, Cristina, Jorda, Mireia, Marques-Pamies, Montserrat, Soldevila, Berta, Galvez, Maria-Angeles et al.
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.648411

Hypoglycemia as an onset form of hypophysial infiltration by lymphoma.

PMID: 32423687
Journal: MEDICINA CLINICA
Year: 2021
Reference: Med Clin (Barc). 2021 Apr 9;156(7):362-363. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2020.01.040. Epub 2020 May 16.
Impact factor: 1.725
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Vega-Cano, Sharela, Cordero-Vazquez, Efrain, Mestre-Torres, Jaume et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2020.01.040

HOMA-IR in acromegaly: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID: 33085039
Journal: Pituitary
Year: 2021
Reference: Pituitary. 2021 Apr;24(2):146-158. doi: 10.1007/s11102-020-01092-6. Epub 2020 Oct 21.
Impact factor: 4.107
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Biagetti, Betina, Aulinas, Anna, Casteras, Anna, Perez-Hoyos, Santiago, Simo, Rafael et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s11102-020-01092-6

Calorie restriction prevents diet-induced insulin resistance independently of PGC-1-driven mitochondrial biogenesis in white adipose tissue.

PMID: 30277821
Journal: FASEB JOURNAL
Year: 2019
Reference: FASEB J. 2019 Feb;33(2):2343-2358. doi: 10.1096/fj.201800310R. Epub 2018 Oct 2.
Impact factor: 5.391
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Vila, Maria, Cervela, Luis, de Marco, Marina, Gama-Perez, Pau, Gonzalez-Franquesa, Alba, Statuto, Lucia, Vilallonga, Ramon, Simo, Rafael, Garcia-Roves, Pablo M, Villena, Josep A et al.
DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800310R

Adipocyte MTERF4 regulates non-shivering adaptive thermogenesis and sympathetic-dependent glucose homeostasis.

PMID: 30690068
Journal: BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
Year: 2019
Reference: Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2019 Jun 1;1865(6):1298-1312. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.01.025. Epub 2019 Jan 26.
Impact factor: 4.328
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Villena, Josep A, Nogueiras, Ruben, Simo, Rafael, Marti, Ramon, Morcillo, Miguel A, Castillo, Anna, Vila, Maria, Pedriza, Ines, Pardo, Rosario, Camara, Yolanda et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.01.025

Usefulness of Eye Fixation Assessment for Identifying Type 2 Diabetic Subjects at Risk of Dementia.

PMID: 30626106
Journal: Journal of Clinical Medicine
Year: 2019
Reference: J Clin Med. 2019 Jan 8;8(1). pii: jcm8010059. doi: 10.3390/jcm8010059.
Impact factor: 5.688
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Simo, Rafael, Simo-Servat, Olga, Ciudin, Andreea, Ortiz-Zuniga, Angel M, Hernandez, Cristina et al.
DOI: 10.3390/jcm8010059

Calcium Dobesilate Prevents Neurodegeneration and Vascular Leakage in Experimental Diabetes.

PMID: 28574750
Journal: CURRENT EYE RESEARCH
Year: 2017
Reference: Curr Eye Res. 2017 Sep;42(9):1273-1286. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2017.1302591. Epub 2017 Jun 2.
Impact factor: 2.238
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Sola-Adell, Cristina, Bogdanov, Patricia, Hernandez, Cristina, Sampedro, Joel, Valeri, Marta, Garcia-Ramirez, Marta, Pasquali, Christian, Simo, Rafael et al.
DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2017.1302591

Hepatic CD36 downregulation parallels steatosis improvement in morbidly obese undergoing bariatric surgery.

PMID: 28555086
Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITY
Year: 2017
Reference: Int J Obes (Lond). 2017 Sep;41(9):1388-1393. doi: 10.1038/ijo.2017.115. Epub 2017 May 10.
Impact factor: 5.487
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Pardina, E, Ferrer, R, Rossell, J, Ricart-Jane, D, Mendez-Lara, K A, Baena-Fustegueras, J A, Lecube, A, Julve, J, Peinado-Onsurbe, J et al.
DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2017.115

Type 2 diabetes, risk of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome, and quality of life associated to sleep breathing disorders.

PMID: 28440756
Journal: Endocrinologia, diabetes y nutricion
Year: 2017
Reference: Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr. 2017 Mar;64(3):174-176. doi: 10.1016/j.endinu.2016.10.009. Epub 2017 Feb 13.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: Lecube, Albert, Sanchez, Enric, Lopez-Cano, Carolina, Hernandez, Cristina, Simo, Rafael et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2016.10.009

Advanced glycation end-products in morbid obesity and after bariatric surgery: When glycemic memory starts to fail.

PMID: 28440769
Journal: Endocrinologia, diabetes y nutricion
Year: 2017
Reference: Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr. 2017 Jan;64(1):4-10. doi: 10.1016/j.endinu.2016.09.009. Epub 2017 Jan 18.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: de la Fuente, Maria Cruz, Gutierrez, Liliana, Bueno, Marta, Ros, Susana, Lecube, Albert, Baena-Fustegueras, Juan Antonio, Sanchez, Enric et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.endinu.2016.09.009

Fenofibrate prevents the disruption of the outer blood retinal barrier through downregulation of NF-kappaB activity.

PMID: 25936740
Journal: ACTA DIABETOLOGICA
Year: 2016
Reference: Acta Diabetol. 2016 Feb;53(1):109-18. doi: 10.1007/s00592-015-0759-3. Epub 2015 May 5.
Impact factor: 3.074
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Garcia-Ramirez, Marta, Hernandez, Cristina, Palomer, Xavier, Vazquez-Carrera, Manuel, Simo, Rafael et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s00592-015-0759-3

geoRge: A Computational Tool To Detect the Presence of Stable Isotope Labeling in LC/MS-Based Untargeted Metabolomics.

PMID: 26639619
Journal: ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Year: 2016
Reference: Anal Chem. 2016 Jan 5;88(1):621-8. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03628. Epub 2015 Dec 18.
Impact factor: 5.886
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Yanes, Oscar, Vinaixa, Maria, Capellades, Jordi, Navarro, Miriam, Samino, Sara, Garcia-Ramirez, Marta, Hernandez, Cristina, Simo, Rafael et al.
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b03628

Blog

News

The European project, in which Vall d'Hebron participates, will favor personalized diagnosis and innovative therapeutic strategies in patients with the disease.

This investment from EIT Health in the project will enable D-Sight to progress in the clinical development of its groundbreaking treatment for the early stages of diabetic retinopathy.

This initiative of the ”la Caixa” Foundation offers the selected entrepreneurial scientists financial support and support through individual mentoring and training.

Job offers

Lab Technician Diabetes and Metabolism Research Group
Start date:
13/05/2023
End date:
02/06/2023
Document: Download
Postdoctoral Researcher - Laboratory of Metabolism and Obesity Unit of Diabetes and Metabolism
Start date:
09/03/2023
End date:
23/03/2023
Document: Download
Lab Technician Diabetes and Metabolism Research Group
Start date:
04/03/2023
End date:
18/03/2023
Document: Download