A project led by Dr. Eva Colas, principal researcher of the Biomedical Research in Gynecology group of the Vall D'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has been chosen by the Leonardo program of the Foundación BBVA. The research aims to design a new non-invasive molecular diagnostic method for endometriosis. The proposed technique would be based on the analysis of protein biomarkers from a sample of cervical fluid from the patient, a much simpler, faster and painless approach than those currently performed. The work has received one of the ten Leonardo grants in the Biology and Biomedicine category awarded by the Fundación BBVA in 2022.

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the implantation and growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Although several studies estimate that 10% of fertile women suffer from it, it is still a very under-diagnosed pathology; therefore, we do not know its real extent. Of those affected, one in ten suffers from the most severe variety, the one called deep endometriosis. Currently, in order to definitively determine that they are suffering from this particular form of the disease, patients have to undergo a laparoscopy or a similar exploratory procedure, which can delay the diagnosis process by four to eleven years. The new method proposed by Dr. Eva Colas would streamline the entire procedure, substantially improving patients' quality of life.

The Fundación BBVA  created in 2014 the Leonardo grants as a support program for research and creation professionals between the ages of 30 and 45. In this edition, the jury of experts has chosen 60 projects among the 884 applications submitted. The selected projects are divided into nine categories: basic science; mathematics; biology and biomedicine; environmental and earth sciences; engineering and information technologies; economics; social and legal sciences, humanities; music and opera; and literary creation and performing arts. Each project will receive funding of up to €40,000 gross.