About the VHIR
Here at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) we promote biomedical research, innovation and teaching. Over 1,800 people are seeking to understand diseases today so the treatment can be improved tomorrow.
Research
We are working to understand diseases, to find out how they operate and to create better treatments for patients. Get to know about our groups and their lines of research.
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People are the centre of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). This is why we are bound by the principles of freedom of research, gender equality and professional attitudes that HRS4R promotes.
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Our work is not just basic or translational; we are leaders in clinical research. Enter and find about the clinical trials we are conducting and why we are a world reference in this field.
Progress
Our aim is to make the research carried out at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) a driving force for transformation. How? By identifying new channels and solutions for the promotion of people's health and well-being.
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The group of Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract focuses its research activity on the functioning of the digestive tract as a whole, including the functions of secretion, motility, absorption and barrier both in healthy individuals and in the presence of disease. The application of knowledge to clinical practice is a priority for the group.
Research in digestive motility encompasses disorders of visceral sensitivity, the brain-gut axis and intestinal allergy. Research on inflammation also includes the pancreas.
We have also launched a cross-sectional research program that focuses on the role of the gut microbiota in inflammation and gut function.
The human microbiome is the collective genomes of all microorganisms living at the multiple sites of the human body (oral cavity, skin, nasal cavity, gastrointestinal tract (GI) and vagina). Human (Homo sapiens) and their commensal microorganisms have evolved together over the last 200,000 years and have become dependent on one another. Interaction between humans and their symbiotic bacteria is essential to many aspects of normal ‘mammalian’ physiology, ranging from metabolic activity to immune homeostasis, and ecological or genetic changes that disturb this mutualism can result in disease. It reflects the evolutionary selection pressures acting at both the levels of the host and the microbial cells and has a direct profound impact on human health. This line of research aims at understanding the role of the gut microbiome in intestinal disorders using ‘omics approaches.
Our research group proposes a service-collaboration in Microbiome analysis.
You can find further information on our prices at the following URL.
IP: Chaysavanh Manichanh
Research has been focused on the origin and mechanisms of the disorders of digestive function. Major advancements have been achieved in relation to the diagnostic methods to detect neuro-myopathic disorders of the digestive tract. Specifically, an overload test has been developed that increases the sensitivity of intestinal manometry to the detect small bowel motor dysfunction. Non-invasive evaluation of intestinal motility has been approached using an original program of endoluminal image analysis using computer learning techniques and automatic learning methods to videos obtained by means of capsule endoscopy. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms involved in symptoms without apparent cause have been investigated; specifically, the mechanism of abdominal distention has been identified by means of morpho-volumetric analysis of the abdominal; The effects of food and diet on gut function amnd perception in health and disease have been addressed.
IP: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur
This research programme includes five projects (supported by Spanish and European public research agencies) aimed at the investigation of the cross-talk and effects of live bacteria of the gut microbiota on the intestinal mucosa. In addition, the programme includes four clinical/physiological studies that address the potential application of new knowledge gained in basic research on inflammatory bowel diseases.
IP: Inflammatory pathways in the gut and therapeutic targets
The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the group of microscopical enteritides, food allergy, gastrointestinal eosinophilopaties, and other functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract represent more than 50% of digestive consultations. Clinical course is chronic and recurrent. However, sensitive and specific diagnostic biological markers are lacking and clinical management is suboptimal as well. Interestingly, a common finding in the intestine of these patients is the presence of barrier dysfunction, mucosal inflammation and immune activation. Moreover, this finding may be related to the onset and severity of some major clinical symptoms, particularly in IBS.
Therefore, our group pursues the detailed comprehension (genetic/gender, immunological, metabolic, cellular and molecular basis) of the mechanisms connecting environmental determinants (stress and infections) to the development of intestinal mucosal microscopical inflammation, with special focus in IBS.
Our approach includes experimental studies in animal models and humans as well, yet remains inherently translational in search for better targets helpful for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of IBS and related disorders. In addition, preclinical and clinical assays are also being carried out.
IP: Fco Javier Santos Vicente
IP: Ariadna Laguna Tuset Collaborators: Silvia Enriquez Calzada, Sara Belmonte Calderon, Adriana Zucchiatti Llanos, Sabrina Ayelen Gatti Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 265000 Reference: PI24/00253 Duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
IP: Maria Clemente Leon Collaborators: María Antolín Mate, Diego Yeste Fernandez, Nuria Gonzalez Llorens, Ariadna Campos Martorell, Cristina Aguilar Riera, Eduard Mogas Viñas Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 106250 Reference: PI24/01376 Duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
IP: Cristina Martínez Martínez Collaborators: Alejandro Cruz Gual, Alvaro Domingo Madrid Aris, Ana Maria Gonzalez Castro Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 38585.07 Reference: PI21/00757 Duration: 01/01/2022 - 30/06/2026
IP: Chaysavanh Manichanh Collaborators: Zaida Soler Luque, Laura Campderros Traver, Sara Vega Abellaneda, Luis Fernando Mayorga Ayala Funding agency: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-MICINN Funding: 237500 Reference: PID2023-147387OB-I00 Duration: 01/09/2024 - 31/08/2028
PhD student: Merce Albert Bayo, Merce Albert Bayo Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2023
PhD student: Claudia Barber Caselles Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2023
PhD student: Zixuan Xie Director/s: Chaysavanh Manichanh , Victor Manuel Vargas Blasco University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2023
PhD student: Luis Gerardo Alcala Gonzalez, Luis Gerardo Alcala Gonzalez Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur, Carolina Malagelada Prats University: Year: 2022
PhD student: Luis Gerardo Alcala Gonzalez, Luis Gerardo Alcala Gonzalez Director/s: Carolina Malagelada Prats, Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Year: 2022
PhD student: Francisca Yañez Araya Director/s: Chaysavanh Manichanh University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2022
PhD student: Claudia Maria Herrera de Guise Director/s: Francisco Guarner Aguilar University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2021
PhD student: Monder Abu-Suboh Abadia Director/s: Manuel Armengol Carrasco, Manuel Armengol Carrasco University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Xavier Martínez Serrano Director/s: Chaysavanh Manichanh University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Marina Fortea Guillamon Director/s: Maria Vicario Perez, Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: José Wálter Huamán Ríos Director/s: Ana María Accarino Garaventa, Ana María Accarino Garaventa, Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2020
PhD student: Marta Pozuelo Del Rio Director/s: Chaysavanh Manichanh University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2019
PhD student: Eloisa Salvo Romero Director/s: Fco Javier Santos Vicente, Maria Vicario Perez University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2018
PhD student: Alba Santiago Badenas Director/s: Chaysavanh Manichanh University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2018
PhD student: Marc Pigrau Pastor Director/s: Fco Javier Santos Vicente, Carmen Alonso Cotoner, Maria Vicario Perez University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2018
PhD student: Rogger Alvaro Bendezú García Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2016
PhD student: Elizabeth Barba Orozco, Elizabeth Barba Orozco Director/s: Ana María Accarino Garaventa, Ana María Accarino Garaventa, Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur, Elizabeth Barba Orozco University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2015
PhD student: Marianela Mego Silva Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2015
PhD student: Beatriz Lobo Alvarez Director/s: Fco Javier Santos Vicente, Maria Vicario Perez University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2013
PhD student: Carolina Malagelada Prats, Carolina Malagelada Prats Director/s: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2010
PhD student: Carmen Alonso Cotoner Director/s: Fco Javier Santos Vicente, Joan Ramón Malagelada Benaprés, Joan Ramón Malagelada Benaprés University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2010
PhD student: Natalia Borruel Sainz, Natalia Borruel Sainz Director/s: University: Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2005
Funding has been obtained for 43 projects under the calls for Health R&D&I Projects, Health Technology Development, and Independent Clinical Research
The European project DISCOvERIE, led by Vall d’Hebron, paves the way for more personalized diagnoses and new treatment strategies to improve patients’ quality of life.
15 researchers from the Rheumatology, Systemic Diseases and the Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract groups gave around 25 presentations.
