Dr. Mireia Martin-Satué, researcher at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and professor and researcher at the Department of Histology of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of the University of Barcelona (UB), has received one of the Merck Research Grants, awarded by Merck Health Foundation, in the area of fertility for the project "Role of ecto-nucleotidases in ectopic endometrium in endometriosis." The awarding ceremony took place last Wednesday July 6th at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid.

The aim of the project is to find out whether there is a differential expression and activity of ecto-nucleotidases, numerous regulatory proteins involved in inflammatory processes, in women with endometriosis when compared with women without the condition. "If so," explains Dr. Martin-Satué, "we could assess their utility as biomarkers to develop non-invasive diagnostic tests and contribute to the design of new therapeutic strategies."

Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. It affects up to 15% of women and its prevalence is increasing; pelvic pain and infertility are its main clinical manifestations. Diagnosis is often difficult and late, and treatments are palliative, since there is no cure to this day. It is therefore a disease with significant impact on the quality of life of patients suffering from it.

The research project team is composed of clinical and basic researchers from the University Hospital of Bellvitge (HUB), the University Hospital Quirón Dexeus (HUQD) and the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Barcelona (UB) within the context of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL). "With this project, we aim to contribute to general knowledge and to improve diagnostic and treatment capabilities of a disease that has a great impact on the health of women and on their family and social environment."

The Merck Research Grants are endowed with a total budget of 200,000 euros - € 25,000 per project - and aim to finance innovative research projects presented by scientists who can carry them out in Spain with a minimum period of one year and up to three years.
This year’s winning projects

In its 25th edition, the eight selected projects - among almost 200 presented nominations - belong to the areas of Allergology, Head and Neck Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Pediatric Endocrinology, Rare Diseases, Multiple Sclerosis and Fertility:

Allergology: Dr. Vanesa Esteban, Jiménez Díaz Foundation Hospital of Madrid, for "Study of Anaphylaxis beyond the immune component: involvement of vascular system in the microenvironment of the reaction.".

Head and Neck Cancer: Dr. Maria Rosa Bella, Corporació Sanitaria Parc Taulí of Sabadell, for "Evaluation study of the point mutation C228T TERT promoter by pyrosequencing regarding their preoperative diagnostic value and their prognosis in thyroid malignancies." Colorectal cancer: Dr. Antonio Rodriguez of the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, with "Proteomics Identification of biomarkers that define molecular subtypes of colorectal cancer and its possible use as prognostic factors or factors of response to therapy."

Lung Cancer: Dr. Enriqueta Felip, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology {VHIO) of Barcelona, with "orthotopic xenografts derived from patients as a tool for studying mechanisms of acquired resistance in oncogene-dependent lung cancers".

Pediatric Endocrinology: Dr. Cristina Azcona, of the University Hospital of Navarra, with "Impact of a comprehensive intervention on the cardiometabolic risk in children with central obesity: study of genetic and epigenetic markers".

Rare Diseases: Dr. Alicia Rodriguez, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of the Basque Country, for “Gene therapy treatment for non-viral Fabry disease."

Multiple sclerosis: Dr. Manuel Comabella, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona, for "Molecular characterization of the primary progressive form of multiple sclerosis."

Fertility: Dr. Mireia Martin Satué, of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, for the "Role of ecto-nucleotidases in ectopic endometrium in endometriosis."

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