Programas_de_investigacion
Research programmes
Sixty full-time employees are senior researchers at CIBICAN. All have PhD degrees, and 50 % of them have also MD degrees. Most of CIBICAN principal investigators are university professors teaching at the Schools of Biology, Chemistry, Medicine, Nursery and Pharmacy. The rest are permanent clinical or research staff belonging to the regional or national health and science administrations. About one hundred (100) graduate students are working at CIBICAN on their master and doctoral thesis. The different research groups are organized into three main scientific areas and two horizontal programmes, with significant and noteworthy participation of clinical researchers. This organization is the result of a strategic analysis developed during the last two years, after evaluation of regional health problems and more prevalent diseases, scientific production and potential horizontal synergies as well as financial and geopolitical opportunities.
Brain and Related Diseases (Research coordinator: Prof. Tomás González, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, and Institute of Biomedical Technologies)
tgonhern@gmail.com
This program includes the research groups studying the biology and pathology of the nervous system, with particular emphasis on the mechanisms leading to neurodegenerative diseases, the cellular and molecular basis of neuronal vulnerability, and the role of cell membrane proteins (ion channels and transporters) and signalling molecules is studied in different types of excitable cells using electrophysiological, biochemical and morphological approaches.
Chronic, Infectious and Age-related Diseases Affecting Quality of Life (Research coordinator: Prof. Armando Torres, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of the Canary Islands, and Institute of Biomedical Technologies)
atorresram@gmail.com
The main aim of this programme is to promote translational research in organ and systemic chronic diseases, whose severity impairs with aging and badly affects our quality of life. Among others, they include chronic diseases affecting the kidney, the gastrointestinal tract and the cardiovascular system, or inflammatory and immunological based diseases, as the rheumatoid arthritis or the HIV infection.
Genetic-based and Rare Diseases (Research coordinator: Prof. Eduardo Salido, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, University Hospital of the Canary Islands, and Institute of Biomedical Technologies)
edsalido@gmail.com
The definition of this programme is marked by the particular characteristics of the Canary Islands due to their geographical location. Many pathologies have a genetic component influenced by the insular concept since the population does not suffer important genetic variation. Therefore, the research groups are focused on the molecular basis of cancer and metabolic rare diseases.
Medicinal Chemistry and Innovation (Research coordinators: Prof. Víctor S. Martín and Prof. Manuel Norte, Department of Organic Chemistry and Institute of Bio-Organics)
vsmartin@gmail.com, mnorte@gmail.com
This is a horizontal programme, which does not centre exclusively on the field of Medicinal Chemistry, but also covers activities clearly oriented towards innovation. Therefore, this area should establish strong transversal relationships with the other research groups. The research group’s main interests are the structural aspects of the interaction between molecules of biological relevance, the isolation and identification of bioactive products, and the design and preclinical development of molecules with potential therapeutic interest.
Societal Involvements on Health Issues (Research coordinators: Prof. Serafín Corral, Department of Economy of the Institutions, Statistics and Econometry; and Dr. Pedro Serrano, Health technology Assesment Unit, Ministry of Health of the Canary islands, and Institute of Biomedical Technologies).
As a main horizontal area associated to the Canary Islands Public Health Service, it covers research related to the safety and cost-effectiveness of new health care technologies as well as their economic, organizational, societal and ethical impact. These research activities helps health policy makers on decisions related with adoption and distribution of new health technologies, which is a strategic step in translating research findings to health care services. In addition, this programme is aimed at developing and implementing novel processes of social engagement and promotion of CIBICAN activities, beyond the mere scientific presentation of findings and technical achievements.
scorqui@gmail.com, pseragu@gobiernodecanarias.org
