Translational Genomics
Research Program
Leaders
Where we are
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital
Related websites
Our Translational Genomics group merges scientific expertise in genomics and bioinformatics (with expertise and knowledge of specific genetic alterations) and the clinical context of paediatric solid tumours. We carry out research projects focusing on the study of the different genetic and epigenetic alterations underlying the clinical-pathological behaviour of paediatric tumours in order to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets that would constitute advances in the treatment and clinical management of these patients.
We have been an AGAUR consolidated research group (Government of Catalonia, reference 2017 SGR 1672) since 2014.
Research lines
- The study of the functional and clinical implications of DNA methylation changes.
- The development of epigenetic markers for the molecular classification of paediatric tumours.
- The development of a digital platform for the molecular classification of paediatric tumours.
- Epigenetic approaches to the pathogenesis of neuroblastoma.
- The development of treatment response biomarkers in neuroblastoma.
Scientific objectives
- To develop and validate (epi-)genetic biomarkers to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of diseases.
- To investigate the possibility of using (epi-)genetic biomarkers in body fluids (liquid biopsy) of patients as non-invasive molecular markers for diagnosis, disease monitoring and treatment response.
- To develop tools for the implementation of new biomarkers in clinical practice.
- To investigate the functional and clinical implications of (epi-) genetic changes involved in the clinical-pathological behaviour of developmental tumours in order to identify potential therapeutic targets.
Area/Field of expertise
Analysis of specific genetic alterations in paediatric solid tumours. Clinical expertise in order to translate molecular data into a clinical opportunity.
Experience in the field of genomics and functional bioinformatics.
Development and validation of biomarkers for patient classification, prognosis determination and response to treatment of paediatric solid tumours.
Experience in designing our own analytical tools.
Group members
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Jefe de Grupo Senior
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Investigador post-doc
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Investigador pre-doc
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Investigador
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Alba Parra Checa
Ayudante de investigación
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Investigador post-doc
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Técnico
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Técnico

Last Publications
- Gargallo P, Bautista F, Juan-Ribelles A, Izquierdo E, Soriano A, de Rojas T, Escudero A, Lavarino C, Solano P, Hladun R, Rubio-San-Simón A, Martínez-Romera I, Calabria I, Gene-Olaciregui N, Castañeda-Heredia A, de Álava E, Pérez-Martínez A, Astigarraga I, Patiño-García A, Alonso J, Fernández-Teijeiro A, Cañete A and Moreno L Current status of precision medicine in pediatric oncology in Spain: a consensus report by the Spanish Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (SEHOP). CLINICAL & TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY . 24(5): 809-815.
- Gonçalves-Alves EC, Garcia-López M, Gomez-Gonzalez S, Ecker RC, Suñol M, Muñoz-Aznar O, Carcaboso AM, Mora J, Lavarino C and Mateo-Lozano S AC-265347 Inhibits Neuroblastoma Tumor Growth by Induction of Differentiation without Causing Hypocalcemia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES . 23(8): 4323.
- Pascual-Pastó G, Castillo-Ecija H, Unceta N, Aschero R, Resa-Pares C, Gómez-Caballero A, Vilà-Ubach M, Muñoz-Aznar O, Suñol M, Burgueño V, Gomez-Gonzalez S, Sosnik A, Ibarra M, Schaiquevich P, de Álava E, Tirado OM, Mora J and Carcaboso AM SPARC-mediated long-term retention of nab-paclitaxel in pediatric sarcomas. JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE . 342: 81-92.
Projects
- Project name:
- SEHOP-PENCIL study - Personalised mEdiciNe for Cancer in chILdren in Spain
- Leader
- Cinzia Emilia Lavarino
- Funding entities:
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- Code
- PMP21/00075
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2022 - 2025
- Project name:
- Desarrollo de clasificadores epigenéticos para el Cáncer Pediátrico (ECPC)
- Leader
- Cinzia Emilia Lavarino
- Funding entities:
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
- Code
- PI20/00519
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2021 - 2023
- Project name:
- Platform of Epigenetic Classifiers for Childhood CAncer (PECA)
- Leader
- Cinzia Emilia Lavarino
- Funding entities:
- Fundació La Marató de TV3
- Code
- 201921-30
- Starting - finishing date:
- 2020 - 2023
Theses
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Combined therapies for neuroblastoma based on the activation of the calcium sensing receptor
- Author
- Gonçalves Alves, Eliana Carolina
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
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Developmental Tumors, Epigenetics and microRNAs.
- Author
- Gomez Gonzalez, Soledad
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA
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Design and development of methods for paediatric tumours classification using DNA methylation profiles
- Institution
- UNIVERSIDAD POLITÉCNICA DE CATALUNYA