The Dr. Josep Trueta Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI) held the second edition of its Open House Day on Friday, February 14. Nearly 130 attendees got a firsthand look at IDIBGI's research activities from the laboratories at the Martí i Julià Hospital Park in Salt.
Forty volunteers from IDIBGI, most of them researchers at the centre, presented various projects and research lines currently underway. Specifically, the Mental Health and Addictions Research Group (IDIBGI-IAS) introduced the European OPADE project, which aims to identify clear biomarkers in people with major depression to help make personalized clinical decisions. Meanwhile, attendees participated in a small practical exercise with musical instruments related to the European FALCO project, which investigates the treatment of substance use disorders through music therapy.
Researchers from the Nutrition, Eumetabolism, and Health Research Group and the Integrative Systems Medicine and Biology Research Group presented the collaborative ADGUT project. This project seeks to understand the microbiota-gut-brain axis and cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease through research with fruit flies. Another stop on the visit featured the Integrative Systems Medicine and Biology Research Group, which used a card game to demonstrate the importance of gut microbiota in aging, cognitive performance, and metabolic and mental health. Additionally, the Metabolism and Cancer Research Group (IDIBGI-ICO) explained its work in understanding the role of metabolism in tumorigenesis, metabolic mechanisms of drug resistance in cancer, and other research lines.
Regarding projects funded by La Marató de TV3, visitors learned about two specific studies. The first focused on research into the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) by the Metabolic and Maternal-Fetal Research Group and the Pediatric Endocrinology Research Group. The second study examined the link between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and cardiovascular diseases, conducted by the Translational Research on Cardiovascular Respiratory Diseases Group in collaboration with the Margarita Salas Biological Research Centre of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
Several of IDIBGI’s scientific platforms also participated in the Open House Day, including the Clinical Research Unit, which explained how clinical trials are conducted in healthcare institutions such as the Dr. Josep Trueta University Hospital – Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) and the Santa Caterina Hospital – Healthcare Institute (IAS).
Visitors also had the opportunity to discover the Biobank, which manages human biological samples and associated data for research purposes.
The Innovation Department, which coordinates the Innovation Support Unit in the Girona region within the ITEMAS platform, explained its role in promoting the transfer of biomedical research knowledge to patients. Through an interactive activity, they explored concepts such as patents and technology transfer.
At the end of the event, attendees had the opportunity to purchase the children's book "I em parles d’unes coses on m’ha caigut l’oblit" (published by Llibres del Segle), written by Pilarín Bayés and Josep M. Fonalleras. This book was made possible thanks to the Joan Oró Grant from the Catalan Foundation for Research and Innovation (FCRI) 2024.
Commitment to Gender Equality in Research
The Open House Day was part of the activities scheduled for Women and Girls in Science Week, an initiative promoted by the Girona City Council to highlight female scientific role models and break gender stereotypes in research. In this regard, IDIBGI continues to progress toward gender equality within the institution. Currently, 6 out of the 25 research group leaders are women, compared to only one in 2021. Nevertheless, women make up the majority of IDIBGI’s personnel, representing 66% of the total.
To address gender inequality in science, IDIBGI actively works to promote gender parity in research. This effort is reflected in its Equality Plan, which includes over 20 actions aimed at increasing the presence of women in leadership positions and fostering more equitable work environments. Additionally, the institute has a Diversity Plan to ensure inclusion and equity across all areas.
This outreach activity is part of IDIBGI’s commitment to bringing science closer to society as a Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit (UCC+I Network) under the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT).
