Dr. Jordi Duran

I am a Principal Investigator and Associate Professor at Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS) - Ramon Llull University (URL), and Associate Researcher at IBEC Barcelona. My research group is devoted to the study of brain metabolism, in particular the physiological roles of glycogen in brain functioning and its pathological role in neurodegenerative conditions like Lafora disease. I am also scientific advisor of the charity foundation Fundació La Marató de TV3.

News

Oct 17, 2023. Setmana de la Ciència

We have participated in "Setmana de la Ciència" to disseminate scientific research among the general public. 


https://setmanaciencia.fundaciorecerca.cat/frontend/detall_activitat.asp?ID=4600 

Oct 14, 2023. Lund University

We have participated in the Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine Research School, Lund University


https://www.wcmm.lu.se/wallenberg-center-molecular-medicine 

Oct 3, 2023. Epilepsy Sparks

Hear of the ultra-rare, devastating, terminal epilepsy Lafora Disease and the exciting research taking place to try and improve and save the lives of the children affected. 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6-GW-VfVJo 

https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/jordi-duran-lafora-diesease 

Sep 21, 2023. Barcelona

Una teràpia gènica per a la malaltia de Lafora, via IQS Barcelona 

Jul 14, 2023. VibeCast

Podcast on the challenges funding rare disease research, Lafora disease and Fighting the Rare VibeCast Ep 19 

Jul 04, 2023 - New article

Glycogen accumulation modulates life span in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - We show that excess #glycogen in #astrocytes plays a toxic role not only in #laforadisease but also in another neurodegenerative condition like #ALS 

https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15906 

Jun 26, 2023. Barcelona

Fighting the Rare presentation at IQS Barcelona

Jun 21, 2023. CheckRare

Interview by 'CheckRare'. Dr. Jordi Duran and Niki Markou, discuss the documentary Fighting the Rare and the symptoms and pathophysiology of Lafora disease.

1. checkrare.com/fighting-the-rare 

2. checkrare.com/lafora-disease-explained 

Apr 15, 2023 - Project Granted

We have received a Project Grant award from Fundación Ramón Areces. We will try to speed up the search for an effective cure for #laforadisease 

Feb 24, 2023 - New article

Role of Astrocytes in the Pathophysiology of Lafora Disease and Other Glycogen Storage Disorders - A review on how the accumulation of #glycogen in astrocytes contributes to #laforadisease and other neurodegenerative conditions.

https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12050722  

Feb 17, 2023 - La Marató

En 31 anys de solidaritat, La Marató de TV3 i Catalunya Ràdio ha finançat prop de 1.000 projectes de recerca que han aportat millores en la qualitat i l'esperança de vida de tots nosaltres.

https://www.ccma.cat/tv3/alacarta/programa/doctor-jordi-duran  

https://twitter.com/la_marato/ 

Jan 30, 2023 - New article

Active Glycogen Synthase in the Liver Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Glucose Intolerance, Decreases Food Intake, and Lowers Body Weight.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24032574

Jordi Duran

Jan 27, 2023 - Fighting the Rare

Shooting Fighting the Rare at IRB Barcelona

https://twitter.com/FightingTheRare/status/1619004690485882881?s=20 

Jan 18, 2023 - Fighting the Rare

Shooting Fighting the Rare at IQS Barcelona

https://twitter.com/IQSbarcelona/status/1615715773493792770?s=20  

Dec 5, 2022 - Fighting the Rare

Shooting Fighting the Rare at CCCB Barcelona

https://twitter.com/FightingTheRare/status/1599795805790949376?s=20 


Sep 28, 2022 - Fighting the Rare

Shooting Fighting the Rare at Lafora disease Symposium (San Diego, USA)

https://twitter.com/DrJordiDuran/status/1574898889387233280?s=20 

Sep 09, 2022 - New article

Hepatic overexpression of protein targeting to glycogen attenuates obesity and improves hyperglycemia in db/db mice

https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.969924 

Jun 03, 2022 - New article

Malin restoration as proof of concept for gene therapy for Lafora disease - we identify malin restoration as the first therapeutic strategy to show effectiveness when applied at advanced stages of Lafora disease

https://doi.org/10.1093/braincomms/fcac168 

Feb 17, 2022 - IQS interview

Brain Glycogen and Neurodegenerative Diseases

https://techtransfer.iqs.edu/en/news/brain-glycogen-and-neurodegenerative-diseases/    

Jan 1, 2022 - New article

Lack of p62 Impairs Glycogen Aggregation and Exacerbates Pathology in a Mouse Model of Myoclonic Epilepsy of Lafora - we demonstrate that p62 participates in the formation of glycogen aggregates to reduce the deleterious consequences of its accumulation in the brain.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-021-02682-6 

Lafora disease

Apr 20, 2021 - New article

Scientists at IRB Barcelona discover the cause of neurodegeneration in Lafora disease

https://www.irbbarcelona.org/en/news/scientists-at-irb-barcelona-discover-the-cause-of-neurodegeneration-in-lafora-disease 


Astrocytic glycogen accumulation drives the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration in Lafora disease - we demonstrate the contribution of astrocytes to the pathology of Lafora disease. 

https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab110