Rosa Peracaula Miró

Rosa Peracaula Miró is an Associate Professor and co-director of the Biochemistry of Cancer Research Group (GRCT003) at the University of Girona, within the Biology Department of the Faculty of Sciences. She is also the coordinator of the SGR-recognized research group 'Clínica i Bioquímica del Càncer' (ref 2021 SGR 00562), which integrates basic researchers from UdG and clinicians from Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital. Her academic and research career has been deeply rooted in glycobiology and cancer biomarker discovery.

• Ph.D. in Chemical Sciences, Ramon Llull University (1995)
• Postdoctoral training at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) and University of Oxford (NIBRT, Dublin)
• Associate Professor at University of Girona since 2003
• Accredited as Full Professor by ANECA (2019)

Her research focuses on glycobiology and cancer, particularly the role of altered glycosylation in pancreatic and prostate cancers. She investigates how changes in protein glycosylation—especially sialylation and fucosylation—can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Her work bridges basic science and clinical application, with a strong translational emphasis. She employs advanced techniques in glycoproteomics, mass spectrometry, and molecular biology to study glycan alterations in tumor-associated proteins such as PSA, mesothelin, and MUC1.

The recent publications highlight a consistent focus on glycosylation in cancer progression, particularly in pancreatic and prostate cancers. Her team analyzes glycoforms of key proteins using techniques like lectin chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry. A major trend is the development of non-invasive biomarkers and glycan-based diagnostic tools to improve cancer detection and risk stratification. There is also a growing interest in the epigenetic regulation of glycosylation and its impact on tumor cell behavior.

• Four research quinquennia (1992–2000, 2001–2007, 2008–2013, 2014–2019)
• One knowledge transfer and innovation quinquennium (2010–2018)
• Accredited as Full Professor by ANECA (2019)

Dr. Peracaula has supervised 10 completed doctoral theses (7 with European Mention) and currently mentors 3 more. She has led or participated in 33 research projects, including 6 as principal investigator (IP) from competitive national and foundation grants (Ministry of Science, La Marató de TV3). Her group has secured 7 R&D contracts with national and international companies, leading to 5 patents. She actively collaborates with clinical teams and international research groups in Ireland, the UK, USA, and across Spain. She has contributed to public science outreach through lectures and educational campaigns.

She leads the Biochemistry of Cancer Research Group at the University of Girona, which collaborates closely with clinicians at the Dr. Josep Trueta Hospital. The group is part of the European EuroGlycoscience Forum and the INNOGLY-COST Action, and is a member of ALIPANC. They maintain active partnerships with leading international labs, including those at NIBRT (Dublin), Johns Hopkins (Baltimore), and the University of Birmingham.