14/10/2015 - Press release
An international study led by researchers from IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute) published in the journal Nature Communications has revealed that the intensity or efficiency of the activation of a protein called Notch, which is involved in the different phases of embryonic development, determines the fate of cells, i.e. if cells will form the aorta artery or blood (hematopoietic) stem cells. For artery cells, many Notch molecules need to be activated, whereas for hematopoietic cells many fewer are needed. According to Dr. Anna Bigas, the coordinator of the group on stem cells and cancer at IMIM “to reach these levels of activation, we have proven that there is a competition between two proteins that activate the Notch molecule, i.e. between two ligands, in a way that one limits the activation generated by the other to form hematopoietic stem cells”. Until now it was known, thanks to the studies conducted by this same group and others, that the Notch activation was essential to form arteries and hematopoietic stem cells. It was also known that the proteins responsible for this activation were ligands Delta4 and Jagged1, respectively. With this study, researchers have shown how this signal works to reach a certain level of activation and form the two different types of cells.
Més informació "A step forward in obtaining blood stem cells in laboratory"
04/10/2012 - Press release
Researchers from IMIM, have succeeded in determining the function of a new variant of enzyme IKKalpha (IKKα) to activate some of the genes taking part in the tumor progressions of colorectal cancer. In the future, this fact will make it possible to design new drugs that inhibit this enzyme specifically and are less toxic for the remaining body cells, hence improving the treatment for this disease.
Més informació "New function of a protein involved in colon cancer is identified"
25/07/2012 - Press release
Researchers from IMIM have deciphered the function executed by a protein called ?-catenin in generating blood tissue stem cells. These cells, also called haematopoietic, are used as a source for transplants that form part of the therapies to fight different types of leukaemia. The results obtained will open the doors to produce these stem cells in the laboratory and, thus, improve the quality and quantity of these surgical procedures. This will let patients with no compatible donors be able to benefit from this discovery in the future.
19/06/2012 - Press release
Researchers at the IMIM (Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar) have proven that the absence of the 14-3-3 protein sigma in breast cancer cells is directly associated with these cells’ capacity to activate the signalling of a protein complex called NF-kB, which is related to tumour progression. The activation of NF-kB in tumours was also identified as the best indicator for relapse in breast cancer patients, compared to other parameters currently used, such as the presence of affected ganglions or the tumour’s size and degree.
Més informació "A new indicator for breast cancer relapse identified"
12/04/2012 - Press release
Researchers at the Hospital de Mar Research Institute (IMIM) have discovered that the protein LOXL2 has a function within the cell nucleus thus far unknown. They have also described a new chemical reaction of this protein on histone H3 that would be involved in gene silencing, one of which would be involved in the progression of breast, larynx, lung and skin tumours.
Més informació "New advances in the understanding of cancer progression"
23/01/2012 - Press release
Doctors and researchers of Hospital del Mar and IMIM point to an acquired mutation during treatment as the causative mechanism of therapeutic failure. This discovery leads to new perspectives to improve the efficiency of treatments, the survival of patients and to advance in customized treatments against cancer
Més informació "Identified a cause of resistance to colon cancer treatment"
04/12/2011 - Press release
Nature Medicine publishes a pioneering study about a protein that regulates the expression of hundreds of genes that have a crucial role in the progression of pancreatic cancer, gliomas and possibly many other kinds of tumor. The study is directed by Pilar Navarro at the IMIM (Institut de Recerca Hospital del Mar, Barcelona) and Raúl Méndez, ICREA Research Professor at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona).
Més informació "Discovery of a new reprogramming mechanism for tumor cells"
19/09/2011 - Press release
A team of researchers from the Hospital del Mar and IMIM, as well as from CIBER for Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) – Carlos III Health Institute – Ministry of Science and Innovation- has lead a study proving that patients with severe COPD do not present muscular destruction until very advanced stages of the disease, especially when they still maintain a good muscle mass.
9/09/2011 - Press release
Researchers from the Hospital del Mar Oncology Department and the Cancer Research Programme of its research Institute, the ‘IMIM’, have confirmed the prognostic value of a new therapeutic target, the PARP1 protein, in breast cancer patients. This finding, which was published today in the Annals of Oncology, was achieved in partnership with the Jiménez-Díaz Foundation in Madrid and the Hospital Clínico in Valencia
21th december 2010 - Press release
Triple-negative breast cancer (Estrogen Receptor-Negative, Progesterone Receptor-Negative, and HER-Negative) is a type of breast cancer with clinical characteristics and specific pathologies that represents a relevant clinic problem, as it affects around 20% of all women with breast cancer, and especially those who are young.
© Institut Hospital del Mar
d'Investigacions MèdiquesLegal Notice and Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Site Index | Accessibility | Find Us | Contact
