In our group we develop original projects and collaborations with other research groups. At the clinical and experimental level, our efforts are directed to the study of pancreatic pathology, including pancreatic cancer.

Of interest to ALIPANC, our clinical objectives are the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and the identification of predisposing factors. In this regard, we are coordinating an initiative (Pancreadix) in collaboration with Amadix (Advanced Marker Discovery, SL) that aims to identify serological markers of pancreatic cancer, including microRNAs. In addition, with Amadix we are participating in a multicenter project that seeks to use artificial intelligence to establish an early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

At the basic experimental level, we studied some factors associated with pancreatic oncogenesis and determinants of neoplastic aggressiveness.

We are currently working on a project studying CFTR dysfunction in pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and its implication in fibroinflammatory pancreatic pathology. We isolated CEPs from mice and studied CFTR expression levels. Using CFTR-KO mice, we compared the biological behavior of CEPs (gene expression, proliferation capacity, migration and invasiveness, autophagic flux and resistance to apoptosis, interaction with macrophages, etc.) with CEPs isolated from normal mice.

In collaboration with the group of Dr. Eva Vaquero (IDIBAPS) and Dr. Ibane Abasolo (VHIR) want to study therapeutic alternatives to reverse the pathological effects related to CFTR dysfunction.

At the moment the members of our group are assigned to Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) and to the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), where we are still building a Pancreas Unit in collaboration with other specialists.