After years of working in animal experiments and clinical applications, the Wider-Barcelona Centre team (World Institute for Research in Digestive Endoscopy Barcelona) which is located in Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and supported by "la Caixa" Foundation, the first two patients in the world have been operated using NOTES methodology (in its strictest sense, without needing to resort to surgery and/or laparoscopy), by endoscopy endoluminal and continuous suturing, and the use of flexible video-endoscope, a technique that involves using the natural orifices of the body to perform certain operations. Specifically, to extract kidneys, appendix or vesicles, for example, through the birth canal. This is a process that is undergoing a very fast evolution and is poised to become a very common operation.The benefits of therapeutic procedures performed through natural orifices over the traditional ways allow us to avoid surgical scars, less pain, less inflammation, easier recovery and fewer complications.To apply this technique in humans, as well as experience with advanced therapeutic endoscopy, we must demonstrate extensive experience in animals (which has been achieved in our laboratory by 5 years of animal experimentation of VHIR, adapted by the project Wider-Barcelona Centre) and requires following a protocol that begins by selecting the entrance wound in the abdominal cavity. The gastric, rectal and vaginal canals are the most accessible. The opening is created through an own methodology, through a dot. A catheter with a sharp needle is inserted, using a guide thread, a dilator to enlarge the hole with the help of a dilation balloon without cutting nor coagulation, the endoscope is introduced in the abdominal cavity. After obtaining the therapeutic desired, the hole is closed with continuous suture, the safest we all have experienced. The experimental method involves significant benefits to prevent and treat complications of organ perforation during endoscopic examinations and conventional interventions.In July 2011, for the first time ever, a 64 year-old man was operated on a malignant polyp in the right colon with a resection technique on the whole abdominal wall (developed by our staff), transmural removal of the whole polyp base and posterior continued suture closure, even with fibro- endoluminal endoscopy. This year, in late September, a 72 year-old man was operated on cancer of the submucosa of the stomach, with a 5 cm growth into the abdominal cavity, and by using the same technique a tumor was resected making a complete section of all layers of the stomach wall. Subsequently, the tumor was removed and the opening was sutured, which was more than 7 cm long. One of the worldwide innovations has been applied in these patients due to 5 years of animal experimentation, which is the continuous suture technique overstich with a tool to close the internal opening with a perfect healing without complications and without resorting to surgery or conventional laparoscopic.An International Reference Centre.- In July 2008 "la Caixa" Foundation, the Government of Catalonia, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, signed an agreement to promote and encourage research in advanced endoscopy and endoscopic surgery. Under this agreement a number of new minimally invasive endoscopic techniques are included and therefore resolved interventions avoiding major incisions, with the benefits that this brings to the patient (reducing, for example, postoperative). This collaboration culminated in the creation of the Barcelona-WIDER Centre (World Institute for Research in Digestive Endoscopy Barcelona), led by Dr. Jose Ramon Armengol-Miró.The aims of Wider, which "la Caixa" Foundation spent 10 million Euros until the end of 2014, are:- Research in advanced endoscopic technology and surgical research: materials and tools and test prototypes of several manufacturing companies.- Research in endoscopy experimental NOTES methodology: animal models, therapeutic endoscopic procedures, minimally invasive, anatomical and physiological studies.- Research in clinical innovation: application of NOTES procedures in humans.- Training of surgical endoscopy within the different specialties: surgery Endoscopy, Gastroenterology ...Linked to Vall d'Hebron University Hospital for more than 40 years, Dr. Jose Ramon Armengol-Miró is a specialist in the digestive system, with training and specific dedication to diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Since 1992, he has been the Head of Digestive Endoscopy Department in Vall d'Hebron University Hospital.A Commitment to Research.- The support to Wider-Barcelona Centre demonstrates the commitment of "la Caixa" Foundation to the promotion of scientific research and the advancement in health. Thus, in the same hospital complex, the company promotes the Molecular Cancer Therapy Research Unit - "la Caixa", directed by Dr. Josep Baselga.In this line of action, "la Caixa" was established in 1995, jointly with the Ministry of Health of the Government of Catalonia, IrsiCaixa, a laboratory that has become a reference center for AIDS research on a worldwide scale and develops the HIVACAT Program searching for a vaccine against the disease.And also, "la Caixa" is an institution which collaborates to the development of the National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), led by Dr. Valentin Fuster.The grants of Biomedicine and CiberCaixa hospital installation aimed to minimize the emotional and educational impact of the children stays in the hospital (the first was opened in Vall d'Hebron University Hospital) are other examples of this commitment.One of the most ambitious projects in this area is the promotion of the Global Health Institute - Barcelona (ISGlobal). Its main objective is to improve the health of vulnerable population in breaking the vicious circle of disease and poverty in which they are trapped. Since 2010, the Center addresses this problem with an innovative approach in four areas: research laboratory of ideas, training and consultancy. It is chaired by H.R.H Princess Cristina of Borbon and led by Dr Pedro Alonso.The last major commitment of the organization's research project is RecerCaixa. This is a new Program to support research in Catalonia, organized jointly by "la Caixa" Foundation and the Catalan Association of Public Universities. RecerCaixa aims to promote and take a step forward in the quality and quantity of research in Catalonia and in turn, improve the quality of life of people and the economic competition and technological society. The call is aimed at scientists working in public universities and opens a door to researchers around the world who want to collaborate with Catalan projects referred to in the field. Scientific excellence, capacity and potential for transforming society, awareness of the importance of the advancement of science, are the three essential criteria for evaluating projects.