“Hipersensitivity and dismotility in the digestive tract”
Principal investigator: Fernando Azpiroz Vidaur.
In this field we have developed original working hypothesis and methodology that allow us to identify the physiopathology (sensitive-reflexes alterations) of certain symptoms affecting different levels of the digestive tract (functional dyspepsia, irritable gut and anus-rectal functions alterations).
“Gastrointestinal inflammation mechanisms and therapeutic approachs”
Principal investigator: Francisco Guarner Aguilar.
Our research involve five basic projects (sponsored by national or European public agencies) that study interaction of bacteria with the intestinal mucosa, and four clinical or physiologic studies that investigate possible therapeutic applications of the results of our research in the context of intestinal inflammatory diseases and alimentary allergies.
“Pancreatic physiology and pathophysiology”
Principal investigator: Xavier Molero Richard and Luisa Guarner Aguilar.
At the experimental level, we have established pancreatic stellate cell primary cultures to be used to examine drug pro-apoptotic effects and design new treatments. At the clinical level we have analyzed mutations in genes that could predispose to chronic pancreatitits. A new treatment for pain associated to chronic pancreatitis has been developed.
“Mucus barrier, angiogenesis and digestive hemorrhage”
Principal investigator: Esteban Saperas Franch.
Our working hypothesis allowed us to identify new mechanisms that explain the appearance of the digestive angiodysplasia. Digestive haemorrhage due to these vascular lesions very often represents a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Our clinical studies allowed us to determine the efficiency of new diagnostic and treatment techniques.
«Neuroimmunogastroenterology ».
Principal investigator: Javier Santos Vicente.
Main aim in our research is to understand the regulation and mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of gastrointestinal mucosa micro-inflammation, trying to explain the different sensitivity in male and female for chronic inflammation. Special attention will be directed towards epithelial barrier dysfunction and to identify key factors involved in the pathogenesis of digestive diseases with a functional component such as chronic stress and gastrointestinal infections. To achieve this task we will use rat experimental models as well as human models and we will look for correlation in patients suffering intestinal micro- inflammation in order to generate diagnostic and monitoring protocols for these pathologies.