RESEARCH GROUPS

Diabetes and Metabolism

Group page

Number of publications

82.19

% Q1

19.18

% D1

58.90

% Leadership

67.44

% Female Leadership

2.01

CROWN (2021-2025)

20.07

HCP10% (2021-2025)

73.97

% Open access

38.36

% International Collaboration

Highly cited papers / HCP 1% (2021-2025)

Publications in high-IF journals with high Altmetric scores

Number of Ongoing Projectes (total)

International ongoing projects

Number of New projects (total)

International new projects

Number of Active clinical Trials

Number of New Clinical Trials

Number of Theses

Our group have contributed to gain new insights by means of translational research in diabetes and obesity, two prevalent diseases with a significant societal and economic impact. We provided evidence that retinal neurodegeneration participates in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Based on this concept we have shown the effectiveness of several molecules in preventing no only retinal neurodegeneration but also vascular leakage. A spin-off (D-Sight) has been created based on this background. In addition, we have demonstrated that DR is a powerful risk factor of cardiovascular disease and that retinal neurodegeneration is well correlated with cognitive impairment. In the field of obesity, new insights on the its pathogenesis have been provided. In this field a discovery of new therapeutic approach to reduce visceral obesity based on SHBG derived peptides should be underlined. This initiative resulted in the generation of another spin-off (EndoLipiD Therapeutics).

CORE/MISSIONS

Aging
AI, Data, Imaging & Digital Health
Environmental & Public Health
Innovative & Advanced Therapies
Rare Diseases
Transplant & Immunomodulation

PROGRAMS

Robotic Surgery & Simulation

TEAM

Group Leader

Rafael Simó

Principal Investigator (PI)

Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández, Albert Lecube, Andreea Ciudin, Olga Simó-Servat, David M Selva, Josep A. Villena

Researchers

Rosa Burgos, Betina Biagetti, Ángel M. Ortiz, Carles Zafon, Anna Casteràs, Alejandra Planas, Pedro Gil-Millán, Alba Rojano, Fiorella Palmas, Alba Zabalegui, Vanesa Flores, Maria Francesca Filippi-Arriaga, Patricia Bogdanov, Maria Llorián-Salvador, Julia Hernández, Anna Alvarez-Guaita, Hugo Ramos

PhD Students

Anna Deàs-Just, Daniel Pérez, Mª José Canz, Laura Hidalgo, Julia Cabrera

Lab Technicians

Lorena Ramos, Rosario Pardo, David Sabater, Lidia Fuertes

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Bogdanov P, Duarri A, Sabater D, Canz MJ, Isla-Magrané H, Ramos H, Deàs-Just A, Simó R, Hernández C.
Topical Administration of Sitagliptin Prevents Retinal Neurodegeneration in a Model of Glaucoma Induced by Dexamethasone.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Dec 20;27(1):48
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27010048
IF: 4.9

Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, Alfaris NF, Ciudin A, Yokote K, Halpern B, Shukla AP, Zhou C, Macpherson L, Allen SE, Ahmad NN, Klise SR; ATTAIN-1 Trial Investigators.
Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment.
N Engl J Med. 2025 Nov 6;393(18):1796-1806.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2511774.
IF: 78.5

Pérez-Martínez D, Canz MJ, Torras-Peyrotón E, Alvarez-Guaita A, Ramos-Pérez L, Hernández C, Simó R, Llorián-Salvador M.
Sex-specific metabolic effects of Treg expansion in db/db mice.
Front Immunol. 2025 Oct 27;16:1599985.
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1599985.
IF: 5.9

de Leijer JF, Pham SDT, Vissers TACM, Exalto LG, Schlingemann RO, Siero JSW, Zwanenburg JJM, Simó R, Lois N, van Sloten TT, Biessels GJ; RECOGNISED consortium
Association between retinal microvasculature and cerebral small vessel function in type 2 diabetes: An ultrahigh field MRI study.
Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025 Sep;27(9):5346-5350
DOI: 10.1111/dom.16546.
IF: 5.7

Vargas-Soria M, Corraliza-Gomez M, Infante-Garcia C, Stitt AW, Simó R, Garcia-Alloza M.
Diabetes-linked metabolic dysfunction relates with distinct tau phosphorylation patterns, neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
Brain Behav Immun. 2026 Feb;132:106204
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2025.106204.
IF: 7.6

SELECTED PROJECTS

Retinal and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: unraveling the common pathways and identification of patients at risk of dementia (RECOGNISED)
Principal Investigator: Rafael Simó
Agency: EC-Horizon2020. Grant Agreement 847749
Funding: 6,000,000 €
Period: 2019-2025

Study of safety and effectiveness of topical administration (eye drops) of sitagliptin for treating early stages of diabetic retinopathy (EyeSit@)
Principal Investigator: Rafael Simó
Agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Proyectos de Investigación Clínica Independiente. ICI20/00129
Funding: 534,000 €
Period: 2021-2026

Desarrollo clínico de RetSit@, un fármaco neuroprotector first-in-class para tratar los Estadíos Tempranos de la Retinopatía Diabética.
Principal Investigator: Olga Simó-Servat
Agency: Proyectos de Colaboración Público Privada. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. CPP2023-010602
Funding: 1,400,000 €
Period: 2024-2027

H2O-Health Outcomes Observatory
Principal Investigator: Rafael Simó
Agency: European Comission-Horizon 2020- IMI-2. Grant agreement 945345
Funding: 12,000,000 € (EU contribution: 7,291,000 €)
Period: 2022-2026

Desarrollo de EDL6D, un péptido mimético de SHBG para el tratamiento de la enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico (NAFLD) y la esteatohepatitis no alcohólica (NASH).
Principal Investigator: David M. Selva
Agency: Proyectos de Colaboración Público Privada. Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. CPP2022-009831
Funding: 843,224 €
Period: 2022-2026

PATENTS

Inhibidores de la dipeptidil peptidasa-4 para su uso en el tratamiento tópico ocular de enfermedades neurodegenerativas de la retina, en particular en estadios tempranos de retinopatía diabética y otras enfermedades retinianas en las que la neurodegeneración desempeña un papel esencial.
Priority Number: PCT/EP2017/060234
Priority Date: 29/04/2016
Applicants: VHIR

Sitagliptin for use in retinal diseases with neovascularization
Priority Number: PCT/EP2025/078912
Priority Date: 09/10/2024
Applicants: VHIR

Methods for predicting type 2 diabetes remission response after bariatric surgery.
Priority Number: EP25383045.9
Priority Date: 01/10/2025
Applicants: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron–Institut de Recerca (64.5%), IRBLleida (20.4%), Universitat de Lleida (5.1%), and Institut de BioEnginyeria de Catalunya (10 %)

A training method of a computer-implemented machine learning model for obtaining a resting energy expenditure (REE) parameter of a subject
Priority Number: EP4360559C0
Priority Date: 31/10/2022
Applicants: Fundació Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron (VHIR)/ ARTIS TECH DEV S L.

Peptides with lipolytic, anti-lipogenic, antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory activities
Priority Number: EP20230382535
Priority Date: 02/06/2023
Applicants: Fundació Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron (VHIR); Endolipid Therapeutics S L

DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES

VHIR Scientific Photography Contest
Place: VHIR
Date: 2025
Brief: Dr Patricia Bogdanov took part in the photography competition and won a prize.

World Cushing's Syndrome Day
Place: Auditori Edifici Central del VHIR
Date: 08/04/2025
Brief: Organised by Dr Betina Biagetti as part of the Rare Diseases Platform and the Dr Torrent-Farnell Foundation. Involvement of patients and their families.

Science Day
Place: Presentation of research activities to schoolchildren
Date: 2025
Brief: Participation of Researcher Maria Llorián Salvador