GIR-S Rheumatology and Health Research Group
The Rheumatology and Health Research Group (GIR-S) is a multidisciplinary group coordinated by Dr. Francisco J. Blanco and made up of clinical and basic researchers. Its professional profiles include specialist physicians, primary care physicians, nurses, biologists, pharmacists, chemists, chemists, veterinarians, laboratory technicians and administrative staff. The main objective of the group is to develop translational research in the field of rheumatic diseases, with the aim of improving the health of rheumatology patients.
Research Line 1 -Pathogenesis and molecular biomarkers of age-associated and Inflammatory Rheumatological Diseases.
In vitro and small-animal models to investigate altered molecular routes in these pathologies to identify and test potential therapeutic targets. Research to identify and validate “-omic” biomarkers as predictors of incidence, progression or therapeutic response of age-associated and inflammatory rheumatological diseases.
Research Line 2 -Advanced Therapies, Regenerative Medicine and Novel Drugs for treatment of osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Identification and development of innovative strategies as therapeutic options for these diseases using novel agents, including natural compounds or cellular components.
Research Line 3 - Artificial Intelligence in Precision and Personalized Rheumatology.
Application of AI techniques to develop predictive models combining clinical and various molecular biomarkers identified in Line 2.
Patents
- "Method for Osteoarthritis Diagnosis". No.: Date of award: 01/10/2014. Rights holder: SERGAS / UVigo / FPNS. Exploitation Reg: ES/ PCT EU. Authors: FJ Blanco, C Ruiz Romero, C Fernández Costa, JL Capelo Martínez, F Fernández Riverola and M Reboiro Jato.
- "Genetic Markers for Osteoarhritis. NO.: 1304614.9. Date of grant: 14/03/2013. Rights holder: PROGENIKA BIOPHARMA S.A./ BIOIBÉRICA S.A./ FPNS. Exploitation reg.: GB. Authors: J Escaich, J Vergés, R Alonso, L Montell, H Martínez, M Herrero, FJ Blanco, A Martínez, D Tejedor, M Artieda, N Bartolomé and C Casley.
- "Targeting a spedific receptor on cells with a specific compound for use in the treatment and/or the prevention of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis". º: 1304614.9. Date of grant: 14/03/2013. Holder of the rights: PROGENIKA BIOPHARMA S.A./ BIOIBÉRICA S.A./ FPNS. Exploitation reg.: GB. Authors: J Escaich, J Vergés, R Alonso, L Montell, H Martínez, M Herrero, FJ Blanco, A Martínez, D Tejedor, M Artieda, N Bartolomé and C Casley.
- "Molecular block- matching method for gel image analysis". US 61/478.533. Date of grant: 24/04/2011. Holder of the rights: UDC / FPNS. Exploitation reg.: USA. Authors: A Pazos, J Dorado, FJ Blanco, J Pereira, JR Rabuñal, C Ruiz-Romero, JA Seoane, AM Freire, E Fernández, A Rodríguez, C Fernández, AB Porto and CR Munteanu.
- "I wanna be a scientist when I grow up". US 61/478.533. Date of grant: 24/04/2011. Rights holder: UDC/FPNS. Exploitation reg.: USA. Authors: A Pazos, J Dorado, FJ Blanco, J Pereira, JR Rabuñal, C Ruiz-Romero, JA Seoane, AM Freire, E Fernández, A Rodríguez, C Fernández, AB Porto and CR Munteanu.
- Novel Prediction Model for Pain Progression Phenotype in Knee Osteoarthritis patients using Machine Learning (NPM) (64122119)
- Clinical validation of new predictive biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis in osteoarthritis: HPP(PI19/01206)
- Estudio Clínico Fase 2, Randomizado, Controlado por Placebo, Doble-ciego para Evaluar la Eficacia y la Seguridad de Fenofibrato, Fármaco Agonista de Receptores Nucleares PPARa con Actividad. (ICI20/00142)
- Agonistas de PPARa como tratamiento modificador de la enfermedad para la Artrosis. PI20/00643.
- Identificación de mutaciones de ADNmt específicas de artrosis mediante secuenciación masiva para valorar su impacto como futuras dianas terapéuticas y en el diagnóstico de fenotipos
Relevant collaborations
- Inflammation and Rheumatic Diseases Network (Thematic Networks of Cooperative Research in Health)- (RIER-ISCIII)
- Networks for Outcome-Oriented Cooperative Research in Health (RICORS)
- Centre for Biomedical Research Networking - Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine Programme (CIBER-BBN)
- National Institute of Health (NIH) of the United States of America, through the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)
- Human Proteome Project (HPP)
Awards
- "Osteoarthritis: From the chondrocytes to the mitochondria", OARSI Basic Science Award 2017.
- "The Role of Sulphur Hydroxide in the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis", Barrié de la Maza Award by Real Academia de Medicina y Cirugía de Galicia. 2017
Group members
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Other information of interest
News
Articles
Redox-Related Genetic and Biological Ageing Signals in Rapid Pain Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Hypothesis-Generating Analysis in the Osteoarthritis Initiative
- Authors: Francisco J. Blanco, N. Oreiro
- Details: Antioxidants, 2026, 15
- URL: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/401070787_Redox-Related_Genetic_and_Biological_Ageing_Signals_in_Rapid_Pain_Progression_of_Knee_Osteoarthritis_A_Hypothesis-Generating_Analysis_in_the_Osteoarthritis_Initiative
- Quartile: D1 (Wos/Scopus)
- CiteScore: 10
- Impact factor: 6.5
- DOI: 10.3390/antiox15020266
Clinical and molecular data to predict flares in DMARD optimization in rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial
- Authors: Francisco J Blanco , Laura Galindo , Belen Acasuso , Vanesa Balboa-Barreiro , Juan D Cañete , Benjamin Fernández-Gutiérrez , Isidoro González-Álvaro, José Luis Pablos Álvarez , Carmen Bejerano-Herrería , Maite Silva-Díaz , Ignacio Rego-Perez , Lucia Lourido , Cristina Ruiz-Romero , Miren Uriarte-Ecenarro , Rosario García-Vicuña , Andrea Cuervo , Julio Ramírez , Raquel Celis , Luis Rodríguez-Rodríguez , Lydia Abasolo Alcázar , Dalifer Freites Nuñez , Maria Martín-López , Francisco J Toro-Santos , Natividad Oreiro
- Details: Rheumatology, 2026, 65
- URL: https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/65/3/keag050/8440156
- Quartile: D1 (Wos/Scopus)
- CiteScore: 9.5
- Impact factor: 5.8
- DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keag050
Progression of bone and joint space deformity in patients with mild knee osteoarthritis: Data from the IMI-APPROACH cohort
- Authors: H. Chien Nguyen, Eva Bax , Roel J.H. Custers , Nienke van Egmond, Ruurd J.A. Kuiper, Vahid Arbabi , Hassan Rayegan, Willem Paul Gielis , Ralph J.B. Sakkers, Margreet Kloppenburg, Francisco J. Blanco , Ida K. Haugen , Francis Berenbaum, Mylène P. Jansen , Simon C. Mastbergen, Claudia Lindner , Tim F. Cootes , Harrie Weinans
- Details: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, 2026, 8
- URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913126000208
- Quartile: Q1
- CiteScore: 3.6
- Impact factor: 2.8
- DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2026.100762
Photos