The research projects carried out at the BioDonostia HRI are as follows:

Animal models in oncology

  • Role of FXR and TGR5 in the etiopathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma: new therapeutic strategy.
  • Role of the Epigenetic Alterations Associated with Enzymes in the Physiopathology of Cholangiocarcinoma: New Therapeutic Strategy.
  • The effect of Resveratrol and Pravastatin in the prevention and treatment of hepatocarcinoma in a mouse model.
  • Oncogenic activity of the transcription factor. Miguel Servet programme, Carlos III Health Institute.
  • Characterisation of the tumour stem cell population in Glioblastoma Multiforme.
  • Role of – in adult neural stem cells and glioma stem cells.
  • Sox transcription factors as therapeutic targets in central nervous system tumours.
  • Regulating mechanisms for stem cell ageing. 

Animal models of muscular dystrophy:

  • Development of advanced cell models of neuromuscular illnesses for therapeutic applications.
  • Characterisation of the therapeutic potential of different modulating compounds of the ryanodine receptor in animal and cell models of muscular dystrophy.

Animal models of multiple sclerosis:

  • The potential of neurogenic cells derived from skin as remyelination factors in the animal model of multiple sclerosis.

Animal models of Parkinson’s disease:

  • Physiopathological mechanisms of the impulse control disorder: study in patients and development of an animal model.
  • Effect of stress in the neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease.
  • Physiopathological mechanisms of the impulse control disorder in Parkinson’s disease. Study in patients and development of an animal model.
  • Mechanisms involved in impulsivity in a model of Parkinson’s.

Animal models of Retinitis pigmentosa:

  • Retinitis pigmentosa: molecular characterisation and therapeutic approach based on the modulation of the levels of microRNA in mouse models.

Animal models in Tissue engineering:

  • Characterisation of treatment with mesenchymal stem cells in distraction osteogenesis.
  • Therapeutic utility of Skin-derived Precursor Cells in chronic tendon tears of the rotator cuff in an animal model.
  • Injectable bone for treating fractures combining the most advanced hydrogels and allogenic bioactive products.
  • Isolation and characterisation of skin stem cells.

Innovative new animal models:

  • Development, validation and clinical applicability of a new serum test to detect TNF-alpha.
  • Continuous monitoring of pH and/or lactate through an implantable micro-sensor in an animal vault.
  • Design and manufacture of a gastric probe that is compatible for monitoring pH.
  • Obtaining and characterising biodegradable polymers with antibiotic activity for use in the urinary tract.
  • Development of anodised titanium surfaces that are functionalised for biomedical applications. Study of osteointegration in experimentation animals.

Animal models of metabolism and nutrition:

  • Effects of statins in body and liver fat.
  • Effect of Resveratrol on liver injuries and bacterial translocation produced by total parenteral nutrition in a mouse model.
  • Standardisation of the quantification of Iron in Liver by Magnetic Resonance using simulation models (Phantoms).
  • Small intestine and apoptosis. The effect of prebiotics, enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition on intestinal failure.

Spontaneous genetic animal models:

  • Ursodeoxycholic acid: new strategy for the treatment of Polycystic Liver Diseases (PLD).