According to an article published in the journal Proteomics (9(4):1004-17), certain human spermatozoon nuclear proteins associated with chromatin have epigenetic potential. This means that it may play a key role in the activation of some genes during initial embryonic development. The study was carried out by Dr. Rafael Oliva and Dr. Sara Mateo of the IDIBAPS-Hospital Clínic Human Genetics Research group, and Dr. Josep María Estanyol of the proteomics unit of the faculty of medicine at the University of Barcelona.
Doctor Manel Esteller, director of the Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program at the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, and Dr. Andrès Esteban de la Torre, head of the intensive care department of Getafe University Hospital and head of one of the CIBER groups on Respiratory Disease (CIBERES), have been awarded the 2009 Biomedical Research Awards in the categories of preclinical and clinical biomedical research, respectively. The award ceremony, which was first held in 2002, was presided over by the Minister for Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia.
Doctor Antoni Torres, head of the respiratory medicine department of Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, an IDIBAPS group and CIBERES, attended the event on 6 May as a 2007 winner and presented the scientific results obtained with the help of the Lilly grant money. The Minister for Science and Innovation stated that the new government plans will encourage biomedical research in public hospitals, particularly translational research with repercussions for the treatment and outcome of patients.
The brain is the most complex organ. We depend on it for the functioning of our body and the way in which we understand and perceive the world. To understand it better the 6th Fira de les Il•lusions del Cervell (Brain Illusions Fair) provides a broad repertoire of educational activities aimed at primary and secondary schools and the public in general. The fair will take place on Friday 8 May at the central Fabra i Coats pavilion (C/. Sant Adrià, 20).
The works to refurbish the Mercat del Ninot will begin on 22 April. Plaça Ferrer i Cajigal will be closed in order to accommodate the marquees that will soon be temporarily housing the Mercat del Ninot for at least two years.
During the period of construction of the provisional market, pedestrian access to the UB Faculty of Medicine and to Hospital Clínic will be via Casanova/Còrsega and Casanova/Provença.
Colon and rectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of death due to cancer in Catalonia, among both men and women, after lung and breast cancer, respectively. A total of 4500 new cases are diagnosed each year and almost 2000 people die each year from this type of tumor. These data are the result of late-stage diagnosis of the disease, as there is little knowledge regarding early diagnosis. In fact, if the cancer is detected at an early stage, it can be cured in 90% of cases. An information campaign is therefore necessary to explain the relevance of this tumor and the possibility of detecting it at an early stage. In this context, Hospital del Mar and Hospital Clínic of Barcelona are taking part, together with the Spanish Alliance for the Prevention of CRC, in the installation of a “giant colon” in Plaça Ferrè i Carrigal (C/. Casanova, 143, in front of the Faculty of Medicine). This is an inflatable structure in the shape of a colon and contains the exhibition “A journey through the colon”, the aim of which is to provide information on the disease and how to prevent it.
Taking part in the inaugural ceremony were Dr. Montserrat Andreu, head of the Hospital del Mar gastroenterology department and coordinator of the Alliance for the Prevention of CRC in Catalonia, Dr. Antoni Trilla. director of Clinical Quality and Safety at Hospital Clínic, and Ms. Dolores de Oya, chairwoman of the AECC in Barcelona. The exhibition will be open to the public on 21 and 22 April.
For 2 days, the capital city of Aragon hosted the 6th National Meeting of Transplant Coordinators and Communication Professionals - a meeting in which 84 journalists and transplant coordinators from all over the country debated on transplants and new cellular therapies. The objective of this annual meeting, organized by the National Association of Health Care Reporters, National Transplant Organization (ONT) and the Government of Aragon, is to exchange knowledge and experience between both groups in order to transmit to society the advances in transplants with the greatest possible scientific rigor.
