• The project, led by IDIBGI in collaboration with the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research of the CSIC, studies how Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can damage blood vessel tissue, with the aim of developing 3D models using patient cells to test new treatments.

• The 2022 edition of La Marató de 3Cat is funding this three-year research project.

• The event is part of the “Visit Your Research Center” initiative, organized annually by La Marató de 3Cat to bring research funded by charitable donations closer to the public.

The Girona Biomedical Research Institute Dr. Josep Trueta (IDIBGI) opened its doors to the public on Friday, May 23, as part of the “Visit Your Research Center” initiative, promoted by the La Marató de 3Cat Foundation to bring biomedical research closer to society.

During the visit, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about one of the projects funded by La Marató de 3Cat in its 2022 edition, focused on studying Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and its link to cardiovascular diseases. The project, set to last three years, is led by the Translational Research in Respiratory Cardiovascular Diseases group at IDIBGI in collaboration with the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research of the CSIC.

Dr. Olga Tura, head of this research group, and Dr. Eduardo Oliver, leader of the research team at the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research of the CSIC, explained to visitors what OSA is, how it affects blood vessel tissue, and what research lines are being pursued to better understand the condition. The project will also develop three-dimensional models using patient cells to explore new therapeutic approaches.

Participants were able to tour IDIBGI’s laboratories and get a first-hand look at the daily work of research staff, as well as some of the techniques used in the study.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a disorder that affects around six million people in Spain, although only 10% are diagnosed and treated. This disorder causes repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, reducing oxygen levels in the blood and often triggering sudden awakenings. In the long term, these apneas can cause cellular damage and chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 50%.

Through initiatives like this, IDIBGI reaffirms its commitment to excellence in biomedical research and its dedication to bringing science closer to society.