The latest edition of La Marató de 3Cat, dedicated to research on respiratory diseases, raised 10 million euros that will be used to support 36 projects led by 60 research teams from across Catalonia. These conditions affect well over two million people in the country, are the second leading cause of hospital admission and the third leading cause of death, and represent one of the main current public health challenges.
In this context, the Institut de Recerca Sant Pau (IR Sant Pau) will participate in five projects funded by the Fundació La Marató de 3Cat, to which more than 800,000 euros will be allocated in total for the research activities carried out at the center. These projects cover a wide range of areas within respiratory health—from basic and preclinical research to public health and clinical research—and reinforce Sant Pau’s contribution to the study of these diseases.
The funded projects linked to Sant Pau involve the participation of researchers David de la Rosa Carrillo, David Ramos Barbón, Otavio Ranzani, Manel Esteller, and Ivan Castellví Barranco. All of whom are engaged in initiatives that will drive high-quality biomedical research in the field of respiratory diseases and foster collaboration between centers.
Among the initiatives led from Sant Pau, the clinical trial coordinated by Dr. David de la Rosa Carrillo stands out. With a budget of 200,000 euros, the study will evaluate the use of inhaled antibiotics in patients with bronchiectasis not associated with cystic fibrosis. The research aims to determine whether this type of treatment can reduce exacerbations and improve patients’ quality of life, as they are often affected by recurrent infections and progressive deterioration of lung function. The study will use a randomized, double-blind design to ensure maximum reliability of the results.
Furthermore, with a budget close to 200,000 euros, Dr. David Ramos Barbón will lead a study focused on the discovery and validation of new molecules capable of reversing airway remodeling in asthma. This structural process, which contributes to the severity and chronicity of the disease, will be addressed using preclinical models that will allow the therapeutic potential of different compounds to be evaluated. The results could pave the way for future clinical trials and new pharmacological approaches.
Dr. Manel Esteller will coordinate the project titled Impact of Vaping on the (Epi)Genome of Adults. With a budget of 200,000 euros, the study will examine the effects of electronic cigarette use on DNA methylation—a key epigenetic mechanism in gene regulation—using sputum samples from vapers, non-vapers, and smokers. The goal is to identify potential molecular alterations associated with vaping and contribute to the early detection of respiratory damage related to this practice.
Researcher Dr. Otavio Ranzani of IR Sant Pau will coordinate the project Protecting Respiratory Health in Catalonia: Climate, Air, and Health (PRISMA-CAT), with funding of approximately 125,000 euros. The study will analyze how air pollution and climate variations affect the respiratory health of the Catalan population. By integrating environmental, epidemiological, and public health data, the project aims to identify risk patterns and develop prevention strategies to protect the most vulnerable groups from the impact of climate change.
Finally, Dr. Ivan Castellví Barranco will take part in a project led by the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), in which IR Sant Pau will receive 90,000 euros. The study will focus on identifying cellular and molecular biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of sarcoidosis. This systemic inflammatory disease, which can impact various organs—particularly the lungs—will be analyzed using advanced techniques that will allow researchers to gain more profound insight into the immune mechanisms that determine its progression and response to treatment.
With these four projects, IR Sant Pau will strengthen its contribution to research on respiratory diseases and its commitment to the transfer of knowledge to improve population health. Collaboration with La Marató de 3Cat will continue to be a key driver in promoting excellent projects that link biomedical research with the real needs of patients.
