Nobody can make progress in paediatric disease research in isolation. Alliances between different centres are called for in order to progress through the stages involved in any research or investigation.
This approach underpins the work of the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), a research consortium led by the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital, which has the participation of research groups of Institut de Biomedicina [Institute of Biomedicine] (IBUB) and the Institut de Neurociències [Institute of Neurosciences], both of them from the University of Barcelona, and the Centre de Recerca en Enginyeria Biomèdica [Biomedical Engineering Research Centre] (CREB) of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia.
All of theses centres are points of reference in the different phases of research and development of biomarkers, treatment and drugs.
Our objective as a research centre is to straddle the entire research process, from the diagnosis of a disease, knowledge of the pathophysiological foundations through to the development of a new drug. In doing so, we go well beyond the limited possibilities of a hospital in isolation and make faster, safer and deeper progress in the search for new therapies that our patients will benefit from.
What makes us different
The research carried out at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital is translational, which means that laboratory learnings are transferred rapidly to the health care delivered to our patients and vice versa. Being one of the few monographic paediatric hospitals makes us somewhat unique with regard to the large adult hospitals.
We are the paediatric hospital that performs most clinical trials in Spain, thus allowing us to apply experimental, new and innovative treatments in diseases which as yet have no treatment or in which the existing treatments are insufficient.
Research at the SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital (in Spanish)
Our work areas
The Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu coordinates 300 researchers that work in six major areas. The Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation is the managing entity of the Institute.
Developmental cancer
It is not covered by public health
Infectious and immune illnesses
It is not covered by public health
Paediatric neurosciences
It is not covered by public health
Paediatric illnesses starting at an early age
It is not covered by public health
Fetal/paediatric illnesses and the environment
It is not covered by public health
Child and youth mental health
It is not covered by public health
Transversal areas
Within the framework of the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD), we are associated with reference centres in three areas of research.
- Genetics, Microbiology and gene therapy, led by the Institut de Biomedicina [Institute of Biomedicine] (IBUB).
- Psychology, cognitive neuroscience and development led by the Institut de Neurociències [Institute of Neurosciences].
- Biomedical Engineering led by the Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería Biomédica a [Biomedical Engineering Research Centre] (CREB).
- Mental health and diseases of high prevalence leg by Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu.
Other hospital research activities
In addition to our activities within the framework of the institute, SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital engages in activities in its other fields of interest, with the management of the Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation.