One more year, the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) celebrated a new edition of its Research Day, an event aimed at reaffirming the center’s position as a leader in biomedical research and scientific innovation. The gathering brought together research leaders, healthcare professionals, and technology experts to discuss the latest advancements transforming healthcare.
During the event, attended by more than a hundred professionals from the institute, various roundtables were held to address topics such as cutting-edge research in major hospitals, the challenges of collaboration between research and healthcare, the benefits of research and technological innovation for patients, and the latest developments in the fields of neuroscience and mental health—an area where IR Sant Pau stands out as one of the leading centers.
Dr Jordi Surrallés, director of IR Sant Pau, opened the event by welcoming attendees and highlighting achievements accomplished through the strategic and sustainability plans, both concluding this year. “We have solidified our position as a reference center and achieved financial stability, which will be crucial in the coming years,” emphasized Dr. Surrallés.
The presentation detailed key accomplishments, such as an increase in publications in high-impact journals and the number of theses supervised by IR Sant Pau. One area that has shown significant growth is the dissemination of the institute’s activities. “This was established as a priority because it’s important not only to conduct research but also to be accountable to society for the achievements reached,” said Dr Surrallés.
Looking ahead, Dr Surrallés expressed optimism and outlined the five pillars of the new strategic plan for IR Sant Pau for the 2025–2030 period. These include the need to continue transforming the institution, embracing change without fear; striving for excellence in both scientific output and management; continuing to grow and meeting new demands to remain competitive in an increasingly globalized world; generating a positive impact on health and adding value to society; and strengthening the internationalization of IR Sant Pau, reflecting the organization’s potential and quality.
The event also featured Dr Valentín Fuster, General Director of the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), under the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), and Director of the Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, recently renamed Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in his honor.
In his lecture, Dr Fuster discussed a shift in his research focus from studying cardiovascular disease to understanding how health works. He emphasized the importance of early intervention. “Our research shows that between the ages of 20 and 40, cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension or high cholesterol have a greater impact than when people reach 65,” he explained.
Dr Fuster also highlighted how recent technological advancements have enabled the identification of subclinical arterial disease in individuals as young as 30, which can later develop into more serious conditions. He stressed the need for educational and training initiatives at an early age, referencing his work with the children’s television program Sesame Street, where a character inspired by him, Dr Ruster, was created. “While our studies indicate initial improvement, we’ve found that bad habits tend to return over time, necessitating new interventions to reinforce the messages we aim to convey,” he added.
Before Dr Fuster’s lecture, several scientific sessions and panels took place. The first panel featured Adrià Comella, CEO of Sant Pau Hospital; Josep Maria Campistol, CEO of Hospital Clínic de Barcelona; Anna Arán, CEO of Hospital Parc Taulí; and Manel del Castillo, CEO of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu. This panel was a novelty in the event, which traditionally had a more purely scientific focus. This year, the inclusion of perspectives from these leading university hospitals aimed to analyze the challenges and complexities of conducting research in large hospitals.
All participants emphasized the importance of research in improving healthcare. They highlighted that the work carried out in hospitals must be complemented by the research conducted in institutes, which, in turn, benefits from close collaboration with clinical practice. This creates what is known as a virtuous circle. “It is essential to maintain a commitment between the hospital and the research institute, working together to address the challenges posed by our patients,” said Adrià Comella.
Other panels focused on more scientific content, such as research and technological innovation, and the latest developments in neuroscience—a field in which IR Sant Pau is a reference center. Notable advancements include the discovery earlier this year of a genetic form of Alzheimer’s disease linked to the APOE4 gene.
The 2024 Sant Pau Research Day reaffirmed Sant Pau’s commitment to scientific excellence and the continuous improvement of healthcare, solidifying its position as a benchmark in biomedical research. The event also served as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration between institutions and share knowledge driving the medicine of the future.
