Researchers from the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and the University of Cantabria (UC) have studied the combination of two complementary optical technologies to differentiate tumour tissue from the brain tissue surrounding it in patients with glioblastoma. The findings, published in the scientific journal World Neurosurgery, open up a potential avenue for improving the identification of tumour margins during surgery.
Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive brain tumours and presents a particular challenge during surgery due to its ability to progressively infiltrate the surrounding brain tissue. This characteristic makes it difficult to accurately delineate tumour margins and achieve maximal resection while maintaining patient safety.
In this context, the study explored the integration of a label-free nanoplasmonic biosensor and confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE), two technologies that provide different and potentially complementary information about the tissue.
The study was conducted prospectively and exploratorily using 45 pairs of tissue samples obtained during surgery in patients with grade 4 glioblastoma according to the World Health Organization classification. In each case, samples from the tumour and peritumoural tissue were analysed, using histopathological diagnosis as the reference standard.
The nanoplasmonic biosensor enables tissue characterisation based on its refractive index, without the need for markers. The results showed significant differences between the two types of tissue: the tumour had a higher refractive index than the peritumoural tissue, with median values of 1.350 and 1.345, respectively.
Analysis of the biosensor’s performance showed an area under the ROC curve of 0.71. Using the refractive index threshold established in the study, the technology achieved a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 41% and an accuracy of 68% for identifying tumour tissue.
In addition, a subgroup of 14 pairs of samples underwent analysis using confocal laser endomicroscopy. This technology provides high-resolution images and enables assessment of the morphological characteristics of the tissue. The classification obtained using CLE was concordant with the histopathological diagnosis in 86% of the samples analysed.
One of the main aspects of interest in the study is the potential complementarity between the two technologies. While the nanoplasmonic biosensor provides quantitative information on the optical and biophysical properties of the tissue, confocal endomicroscopy provides morphological information about its microscopic structure.
The exploratory analysis conducted by the researchers suggests that the two approaches may have different strengths in tissue discrimination. CLE showed greater concordance in the identification of negative samples, while the biosensor performed better in identifying tumour tissue.
These findings therefore raise the possibility of combining quantitative and morphological information to improve the assessment of glioblastoma margins during surgery. However, the authors point out that these are preliminary results and that further studies will be needed to validate the findings in larger cohorts and to evaluate multimodal strategies under intraoperative conditions.
The study was conducted by Laura Bauluz, Víctor García-Milán, Sara Marcos, Rubén Martín-Láez, Dolores Ortiz, Fernando Moreno, José Luis Fernández-Luna, Alfredo Franco and Carlos Velásquez, in a multidisciplinary study bringing together expertise in neurosurgery, neuropathology, cell biology and photonic technologies.
Laura Bauluz played a prominent role in the neurosurgical aspects and analysis of the study, while Sara Marcos was centrally involved in the neuropathological assessment using confocal endomicroscopy. The project was coordinated by Alfredo Franco and Carlos Velásquez, integrating the development of the nanoplasmonic biosensor with its application to a clinical challenge such as the identification of glioblastoma margins.
Researchers from the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and the University of Cantabria (UC) have studied the combination of two complementary optical technologies to differentiate tumour tissue from the brain tissue surrounding it in patients with glioblastoma. The findings, published in the scientific journal World Neurosurgery, open […]
The Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria will host a Charity Festival in support of the fight against Alzheimer’s disease on 24 September at 8:00 p.m. The initiative has been organised by Sociedad Convivencia in collaboration with the Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL).
The event, presented last week in Santander, will bring together Coro Joven Santander, the lyrical duo Bramasole Ópera, Estudio de Danza Begoña Machín and the flamenco group Al Alba for an evening combining culture, solidarity and research.
The funds raised through the initiative will go towards research projects, support for families and improving the quality of life of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
IDIVAL’s Scientific Director, Marcos López Hoyos, took part in the presentation of the festival and highlighted the importance of social involvement in promoting research into diseases that have a significant impact both on those affected and on their families.
In this regard, López Hoyos highlighted that IDIVAL currently develops research lines focused, among other areas, on identifying biomarkers that could enable earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, with the aim of facilitating future interventions and treatments at increasingly earlier stages of the disease.
Culture and research united in the fight against Alzheimer’s
The festival also represents an opportunity to bring research closer to society and to demonstrate how collaboration between different sectors can contribute to progress in tackling neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
The initiative is also supported by the Palacio de Festivales and Cantabrian institutions, in a proposal that uses culture as a means of raising awareness and supporting initiatives related to research and care for people affected by the disease.
Tickets are priced between €17 and €20 and can be purchased through the Palacio de Festivales website, at its box office and at Unicaja ATMs.
IDIVAL encourages the public to take part in this charity event, which will offer an evening of culture while also contributing to initiatives focused on research and improving the quality of life of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
The Palacio de Festivales de Cantabria will host a Charity Festival in support of the fight against Alzheimer’s disease on 24 September at 8:00 p.m. The initiative has been organised by Sociedad Convivencia in collaboration with the Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL). The event, presented last week in Santander, will bring together Coro Joven Santander, […]
The Directorate-General for Public Health of the Department of Health of the Government of Cantabria and IDIVAL will participate on 28 September in the National Meeting of Health and Well-being Stakeholders, an event open to the public that will take place in Madrid as part of the European Joint Action JA PreventNCD, one of Europe’s leading collaborative initiatives focused on health promotion and the prevention of non-communicable diseases.
The event, which will bring together representatives from public administrations, professionals, researchers and organisations involved in health promotion from across Spain, will be held at the Círculo de Bellas Artes in Madrid and will be available to attend both in person and online.
The conference has been promoted by the Spanish partners of JA PreventNCD—the Subdirectorate-General for Health Promotion, Prevention and Health Equity of the Ministry of Health, the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (Fisabio), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) and IDIVAL—with the aim of strengthening collaboration among the different stakeholders involved in health promotion beyond the strictly healthcare setting.
The event will showcase experiences and initiatives related to public policies, the creation of healthy environments, the promotion of well-being, the reduction of inequalities and the prevention of chronic diseases. Throughout the conference, participants will also address the role of public policies and living environments in preventing non-communicable diseases and improving the social determinants of health.
In this context, representatives from Cantabria will present the progress achieved in pilot projects aimed at preventing and reducing tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as other lines of work related to health equity, a priority area within the European JA PreventNCD strategy.
The programme will also provide an opportunity to learn about different experiences developed in Spain related to the promotion of healthier living environments, support for breastfeeding, the creation of spaces that help prevent tobacco and alcohol consumption, improved access to health services and the reduction of inequalities, as well as the strengthening of information systems on cancer and other non-communicable diseases.
The conference will conclude with a thematic discussion session for in-person attendees, fostering joint reflection, knowledge exchange and collaboration among public administrations, professionals, researchers and organisations from different sectors.
The Directorate-General for Public Health of the Department of Health of the Government of Cantabria and IDIVAL will participate on 28 September in the National Meeting of Health and Well-being Stakeholders, an event open to the public that will take place in Madrid as part of the European Joint Action JA PreventNCD, one of Europe’s […]
The University of Cantabria (UC) has opened the pre-registration period for the Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services Management and Leadership (MADGS) for the 2026/2027 academic year. This leading training programme is aimed at professionals and graduates interested in acquiring advanced skills in the management, leadership and administration of healthcare organisations.
The 60 ECTS credit programme has been designed to combine specialised training with professional activity, blending face-to-face and online sessions delivered by highly recognised experts from the healthcare, academic and public management sectors.
Specialised training to lead healthcare services
The Master’s programme provides a comprehensive overview of healthcare management, addressing key areas such as:
Financial and economic management of healthcare organisations.
Human resources management and leadership.
Quality of care and patient safety.
Management by objectives and performance evaluation.
Health services research.
Innovation and digital transformation in healthcare.
In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn from a faculty made up of academics and professionals with extensive experience in senior and leadership positions within the healthcare system.
Programme information
Duration: 16 October 2026 to 30 June 2027.
Location: Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Cantabria.
Credits: 60 ECTS.
Number of places: 23.
Tuition fee: €2,950.
The programme also offers an important system of scholarships and financial aid, funded by the Cantabrian Regional Ministry of Health and the University of Cantabria, with the aim of facilitating access to specialised training.
Admission timetable
Pre-registration: 10 June to 6 October 2026.
Admission: 7 to 8 October 2026.
Enrolment: 9 to 15 October 2026.
Pre-registration is completed through the University of Cantabria’s virtual campus.
Academic Directors
Prof. David Cantarero Prieto, Professor of Economics.
Dr. Joaquín Cayón de las Cuevas, Head of the Legal Department of the Regional Ministry of Health.
The Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services Management and Leadership represents a unique opportunity to develop strategic and leadership skills in a constantly evolving healthcare environment, contributing to the training of future leaders in healthcare management.
The University of Cantabria (UC) has opened the pre-registration period for the Master’s Degree in Healthcare Services Management and Leadership (MADGS) for the 2026/2027 academic year. This leading training programme is aimed at professionals and graduates interested in acquiring advanced skills in the management, leadership and administration of healthcare organisations. The 60 ECTS credit programme […]
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) hosted the first meeting of the Atlantic Alliance for Health Innovation (AAIS), a working meeting attended by representatives from IDIVAL, Bioraba, Biobizkaia, Biogipuzkoa, CIBIR, Galicia Sur, FIDIS, IdiSNA, INIBIC, ISPA-FINBA and Navarrabiomed.
The meeting marked a step forward in the launch of this initiative, which brings together health innovation units from the Atlantic region with the aim of promoting high-impact collaborative projects. In line with the creation of the Atlantic Macro-Region as a framework for interregional cooperation supported by the European Council, the Atlantic Alliance for Health Innovation seeks to strengthen collaboration among the health innovation ecosystems of the Basque Country, Navarre, La Rioja, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, fostering synergies in the development of joint projects.
During the meeting, participants addressed issues related to the governance and organisational structure of the alliance, as well as holding working sessions focused on the MapINN and BrainINN initiatives. The meeting concluded with the planning of the next steps towards further consolidating collaboration among the participating organisations.
Through the establishment of this alliance, its members commit to promoting health innovation through joint work, knowledge exchange and the development of strategic projects that contribute to improving the transfer of innovation to the healthcare system and society.
The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) hosted the first meeting of the Atlantic Alliance for Health Innovation (AAIS), a working meeting attended by representatives from IDIVAL, Bioraba, Biobizkaia, Biogipuzkoa, CIBIR, Galicia Sur, FIDIS, IdiSNA, INIBIC, ISPA-FINBA and Navarrabiomed. The meeting marked a step forward in the launch of this initiative, which brings together health […]
The Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital has participated in an international consensus conference, supported by the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT), on the use of normothermic regional perfusion with ECMO devices in donation after circulatory death—one of the areas in which the Cantabrian center has extensive experience. The work, recently published in Transplant International, is the result of a three‑year process driven by various international transplant societies with the aim of advancing the harmonization of different organ donation procedures.
The Consensus Conference, held in Bucharest, focused on four main lines of work, one of which was the use of normothermic regional perfusion with ECMO devices applied to donation after circulatory death. This line was led by Eduardo Miñambres, from the Transplant Coordination Unit at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, and Marius Berman, cardiac surgeon at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge (United Kingdom), with contributions from professionals across Europe, the United States, and Australia.
The main contribution of the work has been the harmonization of most phases of the donation‑after‑circulatory‑death process using ECMO devices, which have clearly demonstrated their ability to obtain organs in better condition for transplant recipients, even though they make the procedure more complex and require greater dedication and training from donation teams. “It is a much more laborious procedure, but it offers much better results,” explains Eduardo Miñambres. The consensus particularly addresses the use of extracorporeal devices to apply this strategy in donation after circulatory death, especially in cardiac and pulmonary donation, which are the most complex points.
Using technology that is already available
One of the main advantages highlighted by Miñambres is that ECMO devices have been available in hospitals for years to treat living patients with respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Therefore, their application in donation does not necessarily require acquiring specific technology for use in deceased individuals, but rather taking advantage of existing infrastructure and training professionals to use it in this context.
This feature also represents an economic advantage compared to other organ preservation technologies. As he explains, the ECMO‑based procedure is “extremely cheaper” than ex‑situ organ preservation machines, making it potentially beneficial for the National Health System.
Valdecilla’s commitment to this technology began in 2012 and has made the center a pioneer in organ donation and transplantation procedures. Among the milestones highlighted by Miñambres are that HUMV performed the first pancreas transplant from a donation after circulatory death in Spain in 2015, the first combined liver‑kidney transplant from donation after circulatory death in Spain in 2016, the first simultaneous heart‑lung retrieval using ECMO devices in the country in 2021, and the first neonatal cardiac donation after circulatory death in Europe in 2021. Likewise, HUMV professionals have led multiple studies published over the past decade in the top journal of the specialty (American Journal of Transplantation).
Donation after circulatory death already represents more than 50% of organ donation in Spain, with HUMV being the Spanish hospital that performed the most donors after circulatory death in 2025, both in absolute numbers and donation rate. Unfortunately, the development of donation after circulatory death is uneven worldwide. While Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States have significant experience in the use of ECMO devices applied to donation after circulatory death, countries such as Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany, and most of Asia and Latin America have not yet developed it due to its complexity.
The next step is for the accumulated experience to be transferred to other countries so that more teams can develop programs of this kind. To achieve this, it will be necessary to overcome a learning curve and provide adequate training to professionals. According to Miñambres, the goal is for the use of these devices to become the procedure of choice worldwide in donation after circulatory death, given the improved survival outcomes they offer transplant recipients.
The publication of this Consensus Conference represents a step toward standardizing best practices in organ donation and promoting the development of this procedure in countries that still face barriers to full implementation. It is therefore a step toward sharing and expanding an experience that has reached significant maturity in Spain. For HUMV, the challenge remains to stay at the forefront of all aspects of organ donation and transplantation, as well as to help other countries incorporate this technology and train their teams, while taking advantage of devices that are already part of the usual infrastructure in many hospitals.
The Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital has participated in an international consensus conference, supported by the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT), on the use of normothermic regional perfusion with ECMO devices in donation after circulatory death—one of the areas in which the Cantabrian center has extensive experience. The work, recently published in Transplant International, […]
The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) held yesterday in Santander the seminar-workshop “Governance models for health data: legal, ethical and care-related aspects”, coordinated by Joaquín Cayón, director of the Health Law and Bioethics Research Group and principal investigator of the VALDATA project.
The event brought together professionals from different fields to analyse the challenges and opportunities posed by the use of health information and to share experiences on the governance models needed to harness its potential in a safe, responsible and value‑oriented way. It highlighted the need to establish clear rules, responsibilities and control mechanisms that allow data use to be compatible with the protection of individuals’ rights.
From VALDATA use cases to comparative governance experiences
During the session dedicated to the development of the project’s use cases, Alfonso Villegas, Deputy Medical Director of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, explained the work aimed at linking use cases with data governance and improving their quality and reliability. Among the lines of work presented were the incorporation of research-derived information into the clinical record and progress towards greater connection between the primary and secondary uses of data, supported by interoperability, semantic and quality standards.
For her part, Trinidad Valle, technical advisor at the Cantabrian Health Service, presented initiatives related to monitoring infections and multidrug-resistant microorganisms, as well as early detection of sepsis. She also outlined the work carried out in the field of value-based healthcare, with cases focused on diabetes and depression and the analysis of clinical variables and patient-reported outcomes.
The workshop also provided insight into models and experiences developed in other regions and organisations. Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea, Director of Research, Innovation and Health Evaluation at the Basque Government’s Department of Health, presented Euskadi’s experience in creating a data access office and building a data space involving different government departments. Ana González, Head of Innovation and International Projects at the Community of Madrid, described the evolution of the HealthData@MAD-R&I project and the central role of governance in leveraging health data infrastructures for research and innovation.
Álvaro Echevarría, Director of Legal Affairs at the General Council of Pharmacists, addressed the potential role of community pharmacies in the development of the European Health Data Space and stressed the need to strike a balance between ensuring appropriate use of information and avoiding its underuse. In this regard, he highlighted the importance of establishing clear pathways, well‑defined responsibilities and coordinated procedures that facilitate access to data for research purposes.
Data as a tool to transform the health system
In the second part of the workshop, dedicated to the elements that should be integrated into governance models, participants agreed on positioning data as a strategic tool for transforming the health system. Marcos Hernández Pereña, Medical Director of the La Princesa University Hospital, emphasised the capacity of data spaces to drive digital transformation, support the development of artificial intelligence and foster more patient‑centred care and research.
From a research perspective, Verónica Tiscar, Head of R&D&I at OSI Bilbao‑Basurto / IIS Biobizkaia, advocated for the involvement of the research field from the design stage and throughout the entire data lifecycle, contributing to improving its quality, interoperability and usefulness.
María Montero, Nursing Supervisor at OSI Donostialdea (Osakidetza), focused on the quality of data generated during care delivery and on the importance of engaging professionals in a culture of documentation that ensures that the information collected leads to better health outcomes, without losing sight of close, person‑centred care.
Finally, Oriol Estrada, Director of Strategy and Innovation at the Germans Trias University Hospital in Badalona, stressed the need for healthcare organisations to develop greater adaptive capacity and an innovation culture that enables the incorporation of new technologies and translates them into real improvements for population health.
The conclusions of the workshop reinforce one of VALDATA’s central objectives: moving towards an integrated governance model that links access to and use of health data with its quality, security, interoperability and privacy protection.
The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) held yesterday in Santander the seminar-workshop “Governance models for health data: legal, ethical and care-related aspects”, coordinated by Joaquín Cayón, director of the Health Law and Bioethics Research Group and principal investigator of the VALDATA project. The event brought together professionals from different fields to analyse the challenges and […]
The event will examine the legal, ethical, and care-related challenges posed by the development of health data space
The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) will hold on August 25 in Santander the seminar-workshop “Models of Health Data Governance: Legal, Ethical and Care Aspects”, an activity framed within the VALDATA project that will bring together experts from the healthcare, legal, scientific, technological and management fields to analyze how the challenges associated with the use of health data should be addressed and to ensure that their use is carried out safely and responsibly.
Coordinated by Joaquín Cayón, director of IDIVAL’s Research Group on Health Law and Bioethics and principal investigator of the VALDATA project, the meeting aims to create a space for reflection and exchange of experiences on the models needed to make the potential of health data compatible with the protection of privacy, security, and individuals’ rights.
A multidisciplinary panel
The panel of speakers will include professionals from various institutions and areas of the healthcare system.
Participants will include: Iñaki Gutiérrez-Ibarluzea, Director of Research, Innovation and Health Evaluation at the Basque Government’s Department of Health; Marcos Hernández, Medical Director of Hospital Universitario de La Princesa; María Montero, Nursing Supervisor at Osakidetza; Verónica Tiscar, Head of R&D&I at OSI Bilbao Basurto and IIS Biobizkaia; Oriol Estrada, Director of Strategy and Innovation at Hospital Universitario Germans Trias in Badalona; Itziar Alkorta, Associate Professor of Civil Law at the University of the Basque Country; Ana González, Head of Innovation and International Projects for the Community of Madrid; Álvaro Echevarría, Director of the Legal Advisory Office of the General Council of Pharmacists; Trinidad Valle, Technical Advisor at the Cantabrian Health Service; Alfonso Villegas, Deputy Medical Director of Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla; and Joaquín Cayón.
The panel of experts will include Galo Peralta, Director of Management at IDIVAL; Patricia Corro, Director of Care, Training and Care Continuity at the Cantabrian Health Service; Rocío Montalbán, Deputy Director-General for Digital Health at the Regional Ministry of Health; María Paz Zulueta, Nursing Professor at the University of Cantabria; Juan Ochagavías, Legal Technician at the Fundación Marqués de Valdecilla; and the project’s technical team.
The diversity of profiles will make it possible to address the challenges of health data spaces from a comprehensive perspective and to share different experiences regarding their development and implementation within the healthcare system.
VALDATA: A governance model for the responsible use of health data
IDIVAL leads VALDATA, a project funded by the Ministry of Digital Transformation that aims to advance toward a health data space capable of harnessing the potential of the information generated by the healthcare system to drive research, innovation, and improvements in care.
Within this framework, the development of a governance model is one of the project’s core elements. Its purpose is to establish the rules and responsibilities that should govern the access, use, and management of data throughout their life cycle, defining who may access the information, for what purpose, and under what conditions. The model must also incorporate the safeguards and control mechanisms necessary to ensure the protection of individuals’ rights and compliance with legal and ethical requirements.
The event will examine the legal, ethical, and care-related challenges posed by the development of health data space The Valdecilla Health Research Institute (IDIVAL) will hold on August 25 in Santander the seminar-workshop “Models of Health Data Governance: Legal, Ethical and Care Aspects”, an activity framed within the VALDATA project that will bring together experts […]
