The 2023 La Marató de 3Cat, dedicated to sexual and reproductive diseases, will fund two research projects on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), led by researchers from the Biomedical Research Institute of Girona (IDIBGI) and the Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital. The announcement was made during the official presentation of the selected projects, which will be developed thanks to the funds raised during the 2023 edition of La Marató. These two studies, involving researchers from Girona, aim to find new diagnostic strategies and treatments for this condition, which affects 10% of women of reproductive age and is associated with significant metabolic and endocrine alterations.
Ovarian Dysfunction and Metabolic Interrelations
One of the projects is coordinated by IDIBGI and explores the molecular connections between the liver, adipose tissue, and intestinal microbiota in relation to ovarian dysfunction. The study is led by Dr. José Manuel Fernández-Real, head of the Nutrition, Eumetabolism, and Health research group at IDIBGI and CIBERObn, head of the Endocrinology Section at Hospital Trueta, and professor at the University of Girona. This project seeks to understand how these systems interact to contribute to PCOS, identifying molecular targets to improve diagnosis and treatment.
To achieve this, innovative techniques such as omics analyses in various human cohorts, animal models, and population studies will be used to identify molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The results are expected to enable the development of personalized treatments and biomarkers to evaluate the progression of PCOS. The project is funded with €399,333.75 and will be carried out over three years by a multidisciplinary research team coordinated by IDIBGI, including collaborators from the University of Barcelona and the Ramon y Cajal Institute..
Genetic Models for Early Diagnosis
The second project is coordinated by Dr. Lourdes Ibáñez from the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, with the participation of Dr. Abel López-Bermejo, head of the Pediatric Endocrinology research group at IDIBGI and pediatrician at Hospital Trueta, and Dr. Judit Bassols, head of the Maternal-Fetal Metabolic Research group at IDIBGI. It focuses on deciphering the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), that is, how this condition develops within the body, from the initial imbalances to clinical symptoms. Specifically, hormonal and metabolic interaction alterations that characterize this condition will be studied. This research will combine the use of animal models (Drosophila melanogaster) with molecular and clinical analyses in adolescents and young women to identify biomarkers for early diagnosis of PCOS.
This study, funded with €399,650, aims to improve the understanding of the endocrine and metabolic alterations involved in PCOS, paving the way for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The project also includes participation of researchers from the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) of Alicante.
About IDIBGI
The Dr. Josep Trueta Biomedical Research Institute of Girona (IDIBGI) conducts translational research to improve health and patient care. IDIBGI is organized into 24 research groups distributed across five scientific areas (Cardiovascular and Respiratory, Metabolism and Inflammation, Neurosciences, Oncohematology, and Mental Health), encompassing over 400 professionals, including healthcare workers and basic researchers, in the Girona region.
IDIBGI is a private foundation in the public sector of the Government of Catalonia, and its board includes representatives from the Departments of Health and Research, the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) Girona, the Institute of Health Assistance (IAS), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) Girona, and the University of Girona. IDIBGI is a CERCA center (Catalonia Research Centers).
