Gastroenterology Service

Research - Gastroenterology Service

The Gastroenterology Department carries out an important and relevant research programme at the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), with the aim of improving care for patients with gastrointestinal disorders. Members of the Department hold positions of international leadership in various gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer prevention, biliopancreatic pathology, functional digestive pathology, oesophageal-gastric and small bowel pathology, and advanced digestive endoscopy.

Members of the Department are part of the Cancer and Liver, Digestive System and Metabolism area. The groups carrying out the research are as follows:

Gastrointestinal and pancreatic oncology

This line includes the study of the pathophysiology of colorectal and pancreatic cancer, the prevention of colorectal cancer and research and innovation in digestive endoscopy. The members of the Gastroenterology Department lead the study of the prevention of colorectal cancer, one of the most common tumors in society, both among the general population and in people with genetic susceptibility (hereditary cancer). In addition, the Department is a pioneer in the search for new diagnostic techniques and endoscopic treatment.
Inflammatory bowel disease

This line is aimed at generating knowledge in the area of inflammatory bowel diseases, to provide a direct benefit to patients who have Crohn's disease or will have ulcerative colitis in the near future. The research focuses on the development of new forms of treatment based on cell therapies; the identification of new therapeutic targets susceptible to pharmacological modulation; deepening the knowledge of the genetic and environmental factors responsible for susceptibility and the course of the disease, as well as the optimization of radiological and biochemical diagnostic techniques in order to adapt the treatment to the needs of each patient.