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.
People
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.
Clinical trials
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.
Core facilities
We offer specialist support for researchers, internal and external alike, ranging from specific services to preparing complete projects. All this, from a perspective of quality and speed of response.
News
We offer you a gateway for staying up to date on everything going on at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), from the latest news to future solidarity activities and initiatives that we are organising.
Our group aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis to identify new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic targets in cancer. By combining the knowledge and availability of human tumors in the Pathology department with the expertise of the basic molecular cell biology research group, we focus on:
We have postulated that hHAVcr-1 might constitute an important biomarker for early detection of ccRCC and could also be used as a target for therapy of kidney carcinomas, since immunotoxins directed against the monkey homologue of hHAVcr-1 could kill kidney cells.
Specific aims are focused to: i) determine the diagnostic and prognostic potential of hHAVcr-1 expression in renal cell carcinomas, by correlating hHAVcr-1 levels in archive, fresh surgical and TMA tissues with tumor anatomo-pathological characteristics and patients outcome and, ii) determine the function of hHAVcr-1, which remains elusive, in development and progression of kidney carcinomas, using ccRCC derived cell lines with silenced or overexpressed hHAVcr-1. Tumors overexpressing or defective in hHAVcr-1 will be compared with controls, in relation to their behavior and anatomo-pathological characteristics. Differences are being correlated with proteomic and gene expression profiles obtained on each case. Differential expression pathways and target molecules correlating with absence/presence of hHAVcr-1 shall be identified. New strategies for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of ccRCC must be further developed.
(Programa de Recerca en Cancer Renal CIBBIM-IRHUVH. )
IP: Inés de Torres Ramirez
Study of the effect of mast-cell stabilization on mucosal inflammation and the clinical response. Inmunohistochemistry analysis of microinflammation (mast cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and eosinophils) in Irritable Bowel Syndome (IBS) Biological inflammation was evaluated in pooled biopsies by quantitative real time PCR to analyze the expression of preselected genes implicated in innate inmunity (Toll-like receptors (TLR) and defensins (DEF)), mast cell activation and growth and neuronal regulation.. Mucosal eosinophils show restrained activation in the yeyunum od diarrhea –prone irritable bowel sindrome patiens
Pharmacological stabilization of mucosal mast cells effectively reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression profiles in the jejunal mucosa of D-IBS patients and concomitantly improves clinical manifestations.
( Digestive Disease Research Unit)
Aging may be considered as an accumulation of changes in cells and tissues that increases the risk of disease and death. The senescence-accelerated prone mice SAMP8 is an aging model with brain histopathological signs and other aging-related disorders, such as ß-amyloid and tau protein aggregates and increased oxidative stress. If hyperphosphorylated, tau protein contributes to the development of a tauopathy, process linked to neurodegenerative diseases of the aging brain such as Alzheimer disease. Several kinases (PKC, ERK, CDK5 or GSK3ß) perform this tau protein post-transcriptional modification. We plan to determine the effect that inhibitors of these kinases such as lithium, in vivo and in vitro, could have in slowing down the brain neurodegenerative processes. Besides, we will study the role of a newly described protein family, sirtuins.
Sirtuins are ontogenically preserved proteins related to longevity. We will evaluate the gene and protein expression of Sirt 1, 2 and 3 in cultured neurons and in the brain of this mouse strain. We seek to elucidate the participation of sirtuins in cerebral ageing using as a tools resveratrol, a flavonoid described as activator of these proteins, and caloric restriction, two paradigms that lead to an elongation of lifespan and neuroprotection in several animal models. In the in vitro studies, the role of GDNF in maintaining neuronal functionality and its correlation with sirtuins will be investigated because this trophic factor decreases with aging and shows a lesser expression in SAMP8 mice. These studies will contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent age-related neurodegeneratives diseases.
IP: -
The cell signaling pathways downstream of epidermal growth factor receptor family members is tightly regulated in normal epithelial cells, and its alteration induce different cell processes (cell proliferation, cell growth, etc...) which triggers in cellular transformation. Within this family receptors, HER1/EGFR and HER2/neu are the best known, being subject to interest other family members like HER3. The aim of the study is establish de role of HER3 protein expression by Immunohistochemistry in endometrial and breast tumors, and establish any association with clinic-pathological parameters. Furthermore, we would like to know the implication of HER3 in the resistance mechanisms to anti-HER treatment agents.
IP: Javier Hernandez Losa
IP: Matilde Lleonart Pajarin Collaborators: Katerin Ingrid Rojas Laimito, Irene Braña Garcia, David Virós Porcuna, Josep Castellví Vives, Marina Bataller Fernández, Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera, Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 318750 Reference: AC24/00057 Duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
IP: Matilde Lleonart Pajarin Collaborators: Katerin Ingrid Rojas Laimito, Yoelsis Garcia Mayea, Juan Lorente Guerrero, Sergio Benavente Norza, Josep Castellví Vives, Marina Bataller Fernández, Pablo Sanchez Sancho, Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera, Juan Fernando Fuentes Cabrera Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 240000 Reference: PI24/00630 Duration: 01/01/2025 - 31/12/2027
IP: Santiago Ramon y Cajal Agüeras Collaborators: Inés de Torres Ramirez, Sara Garcia Ortega, Elena Muro Blanc, Marta Cano Galietero, Vicente Peg Camara, Stefan Hummer Funding agency: Generalitat de Catalunya - Departament de Salut Funding: 189970 Reference: SLT036/24/000026 Duration: 21/12/2024 - 20/12/2026
IP: Eva Colas Ortega Collaborators: Vicente Bebia Conesa, Francesc Xavier Serra Marin, Josep Castellví Vives, Silvia Cabrera Diaz, Antonio Gil Moreno, Marta Rebull Santamaria, Ana Luzarraga Aznar, Irene De la Calle Fuentes, Lourdes Elena Salazar Huayna Funding agency: Generalitat de Catalunya - Departament de Salut Funding: 99946 Reference: SLT036/24/000059 Duration: 21/12/2024 - 31/12/2026
The grants promote new therapeutic strategies and diagnostic tools in highly complex tumors such as glioblastoma, triple-negative breast cancer, and endometrial cancer.
The Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya grants subsidies for carrying out validation tests on innovative projects in the field of health that are in the early stages of development.
The meeting was an opportunity to get to know projects from both institutions and to promote interaction between professionals.
Check the current rates for the services offered by the Translational Molecular Pathology research group.
Current Rates
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Rates Anatomia Patologica VHIR 2021
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