The Spanish Association Against Cancer in Barcelona held an event to present the new cancer research projects 2023. In total, €29.4 million in 233 grants were awarded throughout the State. Of these, 44 have been allocated to Barcelona, two of which to the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL).

The awards have been conducted by Dr. Laureano Molins, president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Barcelona, and Dra. Marta Puyol, scientific director of the Association’s Scientific Foundation. Two dialogue tables were also held with the participation of some awarded researchers and patients in order to talk about the translational nature of oncology research. The event ended with a patient’s testimony.

At IDIBELL, thanks to a LAB grant, the team led by Dr. Bárbara Rivera will investigate two syndromes associated with a cancer predisposition, with the aim of identifying miRNAs that act as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and also possible treatment strategies. On the other hand, Dr. Marta Crous, researcher at ICO (Cancer Epidemiology Research Program) and IDIBELL, will receive a Proyectos Estratégicos grant to study how lifestyle, mainly diet and physical exercise, influences the risk and survival of endometrial cancer. In addition, students Emma Gonzalvez and Laura Ros have received a grant for their academic internship at IDIBELL.

The Association Research grants awarded cover every stage of the scientific career and all research phases, from basic research to innovation and clinical phase, in addition to all types of cancer.

The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a biomedical research center created in 2004. It is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Institute of Health, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.

IDIBELL is a member of the Campus of International Excellence of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centers accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the “HR Excellence in Research” program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).