Merck Serono Research Grants, 2009
The Merck Serono Research Grants 2009 have been granted by the Fundación Salud 2000 at a ceremony held at the Royal Academy of Medicine, in Madrid. The event was chaired by Mrs. Cristina Garmendia, Minister of Science and Innovation in Spain.
Two new areas of clinical research, Osteoarticular Pathology and Cardiometabolism, have been incorporated this year to the six categories existing from previous editions (Infertility, Multiple Sclerosis, Endocrinology, Psoriasis, Oncology and Rare Diseases Research)
The awarded projects for the different areas of research are:
Clinical research in Infertility
Research Project:
Characterization of the proteome of the endometrial epithelium and differential protein expression in the window of implantation
Main researcher:
Dr. Juan Balasch Cortina
Project Summary:
Spain is the third European country for fertility treatments, with a total of 50,000 assisted reproductive cycles per year. During the fertility process, the endometrial mucosa plays a crucial role for the implantation of the embryo, being this step of the cycle still the most inefficient one.
The aim of the project "Characterization of the proteome of the endometrial epithelium and differential protein expression in the window of implantation", whose main investigator is Dr. Juan Balasch, from the Fundació Clínic per la Recerca Biomédica, Hospital Clínico of Barcelona, is to identify the proteome human endometrium at different phases of the menstrual cycle and to analyze possible differences in protein expression between the endometrial phase of endometrial receptivity and the remaining phases of the cycle studied. The work will contribute to improve knowledge about embryo implantation, which remains the most inefficient of all stages in the treatment of assisted reproduction.
Jury:
Dr. D. Buenaventura Coroleu Lletget, Dr. D. Isidoro Bruna Catalán, Dra. Dña. Rocío Núñez Calonge, Dra. Dña. Montserrat Boada Palá, Dr. D. José Carlos Alberto Bethencourt, Dr. D. Guillermo Antiñolo Gil, Dr. D. Carlos García Ochoa.
Clinical research in Multiple Sclerosis
Research Project:
Characterization transcriptomics and metabolomics profiling of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis. A tool for exploiting diagnosis, prognosis and therapy
Main researcher:
Dr. Guillermo Izquierdo Ayuso
Project Summary:
It is estimated that Multiple Sclerosis affects between 70-80 per 100,000 inhabitants. We now know that 80% of them suffer from neurological deficits throughout their lives, which will result in an accumulation of disability.
Changes in lifestyle and exposure to pathogens might be the cause of the increased incidence of this disease in recent decades.
To learn more about the disease is key for the development of new therapeutic solutions. This has been one of the reasons for the jury to grant with the Merck Serono Research in Multiple Sclerosis the project "Characterization transcriptomics and metabolomics profiling of cerebrospinal fluid in patients with multiple sclerosis. A tool for exploiting diagnosis, prognosis and therapy ", directed by Dr. Guillermo Izquierdo, from the Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena of Seville, whose purpose is the search for transcription profiling and metabolomics profiling to characterize the different stages of the disease, using tools for acquiring global data, allowing its use in clinical trials to study new therapeutic agents, identifying patients at risk of developing side effects or do not respond to specific treatments or to the implementation of tools for personalized medicine.
Jury:
Dra. Dña. Luisa María Villar, Dra. Dña. Ester Moral Fuentes, Dra. Dña. Blanca Pinilla Llorente, Dr. D. Albert Sáiz, Dr. D. Fernando Sánchez López, Dr. D. Francisco Javier Olascoaga Urtaza, Dr. D. Txomín Arbizu.
Clinical research in Endocrinology
Research Project:
Prematurity and glucose metabolism. Role of imprinting gene with ZAC1
Main researcher:
Dr. David Monk y Dra. Isabel Iglesias Platas
Project Summary:
In recent years, advances in neonatology have resulted in increased survival of preterm patients, although controversy persists in the optimal handling of these data to metabolic and nutritional level.
The Merck Serono Research grant in this area has been granted to the project led by Dr. David Monk, from the Oncology Catalan Institute, Barcelona, in collaboration of Dra. Isabel Iglesias Platas, and entitled "Prematurity and glucose metabolism. Role of imprinting gene with ZAC1". The objective of the project is to examine whether the presence of hyperglycemia with insulin treatment needs of patients in preterm involves alterations in the levels of gene expression ZAC1. In newborns, the over expression of paternal ZAC1 causes Transient Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus is characterized by the presence of severe intrauterine growth restriction and hyperglycemia requiring insulin administration during approximately the first three months of life. Also to investigate whether there are anomalies in epigenetic markers in the regulatory region of the promoter of this gene.
Jury:
Dr. D. José Ignacio Labarta Aizpún, Dra. Dña. Cristina Alvarez Escolá, Dr. D. Ramón Nosás Cuervo, Dr. D. Ramón Cañete Estrada, Dr. D. Rubén Díaz Naderi, Dra. Dña. Sofía Quinteiro González, Dr. D. Rafael Espino Aguilar.
Clinical research in Psoriasis
Research Project:
Psoriasis and immunoregulatory molecules.Their therapeutic implications
Main researcher:
Dra. Silvia Pérez Gala
Project Summary:
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that affects 2% of white population. According to the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (AEDV), more than 800,000 people suffer from this condition in Spain.
To find new therapeutic targets for tackling this important disease is a major challenge and the study of immune regulatory molecules may be an excellent way.
Therefore, the jury responsible for the Merck Serono Research Grant has decided to award the team of researchers of the project "Psoriasis and immunoregulatory molecules.Their therapeutic implications" leaded by Dr. Silvia Pérez Gala, from the Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, in Madrid.
The aim of the project focuses on studying the potential role of immunoregulatory molecules mentioned in the inmunopatogénesis psoriasis. This study addresses the expression and the main functions of these molecules in patients with psoriasis, particularly in dendritic cells residing in the skin, as well as those obtained from peripheral blood monocytes.
Jury:
Dr. D. Esteban Daudén Tello, Dr. D. Manuel Santamaría, Prof. Dr. D. Francisco Camacho Martínez, Dr. D. José Sánchez Carazo, Prof. Dr. D. José Luis Díaz Pérez, Dr. D. Jaime Toribio Pérez, Dr. D. Jordi Peiry Rey.
Clinical research in Oncology
Research Project:
Mapping epigenetic repetitive DNA in cancer
Main researcher:
Dra. Mireia Jordá Ramos
Project Summary:
To identify the causes of cancer, second leading cause of death in the world, has been one of the major goals of science for decades. Although knowledge of the human genome has proved insufficient to tackle the disease, recent developments suggest that epigenetics in combination with genetics play a key role in all phases of the tumor.
This is the scope of the awarded project, "Mapping epigenetic repetitive DNA in cancer", directed by Dr. Mireia Jorda, from the Institute for Personalized and Predictive Cancer Medicine (Barcelona).
The aim of the study is to identify and characterize genomic scale desmethyl Alu elements in human tumor cells and normal colon, using ultrasecuenciación, and study its role during tumor progression
Jury:
Dr. D. Ramón Colomer I Bosch, Dr. D. Emilio Alba Conejo, Dr. D. Andrés García Palomo, Dr. D. Luis Cirera Nogueras, Dra. Dña. Ruth Vera García, Dr. D. Eduardo Díaz Rubio, Dr. D. Jesús Garcia Foncillas.
Clinical research in Rare Diseases
Research Project:
Genomic characterization and post-genomics of Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa Autosomal recessive. Analysis of the CEP290 gene and CERKL
Main researcher:
Dra. Carmen Ayuso García
Project Summary:
Rare disease is defined as one that affects fewer than 5 patients per 10,000 people, is often of early onset, characterized by being accompanied by chronic pain, motor deficits, sensory or intellectual, for which there is no curative treatment and entails high mortality and decline in quality of life and their families.
In this area of research, the jury has awarded the project led by Dr. Carmen Ayuso, of the Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, entitled “Genomic characterization and post-genomics of Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa Autosomal recessive. Analysis of the CEP290 gene and CERKL".
The project aims to conduct a thorough and well designed study on the genetic and molecular bases of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) and autosomal recessive Retinitis Pigmentosa (ARRP) by genotyping the samples using a specific microarray genotyping, followed by a classic screening in the laboratory. Following this analysis, families with mutations in the CEP290 gene and CERKL will be selected to carry out an analysis of expression microarrays. The ultimate goal is to understand both the epidemiology of mutations in Spain and their functional implication and phenotypic correlation.
Jury:
Dr. D. Moisés Abascal Alonso, Dr. D. Manuel Posada de la Paz, Prof. Dr. D. Santiago Grisolía García, Dr. D. Manuel Pérez Fernández, Dra. Dña. Carmen García Sabadell, Prof. Dr. D. Josep Torrent-Farnell, Dr. D. José Luis Poveda Andrés.
Clinical research in Cardiometabolism
Research Project:
Study of the lipid composition of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with cardiovascular disease. Characterization of the role that sphingolipids (lipids and other species) associated with HDL particles play in regulating the major functions attributed to antiatherogenic HDL particles
Main researcher:
Dra. Mónica Tous Márquez
Project Summary:
According to the OMS, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. Identification of key risk factors that cause the initiation and development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease is a major challenge for primary prevention of this group of pathologies.
Dra. Mónica Tous, from the Centro de Investigación Cardiovascular CSIC-ICCC, in Barcelona, and her team have taken up the challenge, and they have been awarded with the grant for the project: "Study of the lipid composition of high density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with cardiovascular disease. Characterization of the role that sphingolipids (lipids and other species) associated with HDL particles play in regulating the major functions attributed to antiatherogenic HDL particles”. The aim of the project is to characterize the lipid composition of the HDLs in patients with CVD, in order to determine what species of lipids contribute significantly to a more antiatherogenic properties attributed to the HDLs.
Jury:
Dr. D. Francisco Javier Chorro Gascó, Dr. D. Lucio Cabrerizo García, Dra. Dña. Olga González Albarrán, Dr. D. Jordi Brugera Cortada, Dr. D. Edelmiro Menéndez Torres, Dra. Dña. Angelines Alonso, Dr. D. Francisco Piñón Sellés.
Osteoarticular Pathology research and its clinical implications
Research Project:
Effect of glucosamine and alendronate treatment on cartilage and bone in the joint subcondral healthy and arthrosis in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis
Main researcher:
Dr. José Ramón Caeiro Rey
Project Summary:
Osteoarthritis is the most common disease in our country and one of the most common diseases in humans. It affects over 7 million people, being women the most prevalent and its incidence increases progressively with age. Given the progressive aging of the world population it is expected the prevalence of the disease to increase significantly throughout this century.
Dr. José Ramón Caeiro, from the Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología del Complexo Hospitalario Universitario, Santiago de Compostela, has been awareded for the project entitled "Effect of glucosamine and alendronate treatment on cartilage and bone in the joint subcondral healthy and arthrosis in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis" focused on the analysis of changes in bone and cartilage subcondral in the early stages of osteoarthritis.
The study aims to determine the magnitude of changes in bone and cartilage subcondral in the early stages of osteoarthritis, and assess the effects of administration of glucosamine and risendronato in the structure of bone and cartilage by subcondral μ -TC in a rabbit model of arthrosis. In addition, to confirm whether the glucosamine in combination with antiresorptive therapy, such as the risendronato, improve or not the results obtained only with the administration of glucosamine or risendronato.
Jury:
Dr. D. Manuel Sosa Henríquez, Dra. Dña. Rosario García de Vicuña Pinedo, Prof. Dr. D. Enric Cáceres Palou, Prof. Dr. D. Manuel Díaz Curiel, Dra. Dña. Nuria Guañabens, Dr. D. Luis Carreño Pérez, Dr. D. Manuel Mesa Ramos.