CaixaResearch Announces Funding for Groundbreaking Health Research Projects in Spain and Portugal

November 28, 2024 | In Cataluña / Health

In a significant boost to biomedical research in Spain and Portugal, the “la Caixa” Foundation has announced the selection of 29 innovative health research projects under the CaixaResearch Health Research 2024 Programme. This seventh edition of the programme is endowed with a substantial €25.7 million, aiming to address some of the most pressing health challenges.

Ceremony and Recognition

The awards ceremony, held on November 12 at the CaixaForum in Madrid, marked the public recognition of these projects. The event highlighted the collaborative efforts between research centres, hospitals, and universities in Spain and Portugal, as well as international institutions.

Focus Areas and Selected Projects

The selected projects span a wide range of critical health areas, including infectious diseases, oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and neuroscience. Here are some of the notable projects:

Innovative Therapies Against Malaria

Xavier Fernàndez-Busquets, principal investigator of the Nanomalaria group at the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), is leading a project to design new drugs that can bypass the resistance of the malaria parasite. Collaborating with teams from the University of Barcelona and the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, the aim is to identify molecules that inhibit Plasmodium aggregate proteins essential for parasite survival.

New Approaches in the Fight Against Colorectal Cancer

Xavier Trepat, ICREA Research Professor at IBEC and Professor at the University of Barcelona, is heading a project to develop a model-on-chip and its digital twin to replicate the microenvironment of a colon tumour. This initiative, in collaboration with Eduard Batlle from IRB Barcelona and Marino Arroyo from CIMNE, will facilitate the study of mechanical and chemical interactions between tumour cells and their environment, aiding in the development and testing of immunotherapies.

Bacterial Therapy to Combat Lung Metastasis

Luis Serrano, director of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and head of the Design of Biological Systems group, is working on genetically modified bacteria to deliver the LCOR protein and immunotherapy directly to lung tumours. This approach, in collaboration with Toni Celià Terrassa from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, aims to enhance treatment efficacy and minimize autoimmune side effects associated with systemic therapies.

Understanding Metastatic Tumour Cells in Breast Cancer

Roger Gomis, who leads the Growth Control and Cancer Metastasis group at IRB Barcelona, is leading a study on the plasticity of metastatic breast cancer cells. The goal is to understand how these cells adapt and spread, with the ultimate aim of developing therapies that block metastases and reduce mortality rates from breast cancer.

Participation and Impact

Seven researchers from the BIST Community, including those from IBEC, CRG, and IRB Barcelona, have been awarded funding for their projects, which make up 24% of the total projects funded. The University of Barcelona is also actively involved, participating in four research projects on neurodegenerative diseases, antimalarial drugs, minority pathologies, and vascular malformations.

International Collaboration and Social Impact

The CaixaResearch Health Research 2024 Programme underscores the importance of international collaboration, with projects involving institutions from Spain, Portugal, and other countries like Singapore and Australia. The programme's focus on basic, clinical, and translational research ensures that the outcomes will have a significant social impact, contributing to improved health and well-being.

This initiative by the “la Caixa” Foundation is a testament to the commitment to advancing biomedical research and addressing critical health challenges, offering hope for innovative solutions and better healthcare outcomes in the future.

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