Dr Torrents’ research focuses on the study of ribonucleotidil reductasa, an enzyme that contributes to the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the bacteria which is directly responsible for the pulmonary infection that affects most people with cystic fibrosis.
The complex scientific work carried out by Doctor Torrents and his team may lead, within a reasonable period of time, to the discovery of a mechanism that stops the development of the bacteria and, when used in conjunction with antibiotics, eliminates it completely.
Dr Torrents, one of the world’s most renowned experts in cellular enzyme research, explained in an interview published in the Cystic Fibrosis Association Journal (Per a vèncer la fibrosi quistica, “Beating cystic fibrosis”, No. 62. April 2009) that the bacteria divides permanently, and is often resistant to antibiotics, making it crucial to prevent them from duplicating.
In the case of a person already infected, the use of a drug that acts on Pseudomonas could eliminate the enzyme altogether. “The support of the Cystic Fibrosis Association and of the health authorities is vital in order to convince the pharmaceutical industry of the need to provide such a drug to those suffering from the disease”, says Torrents.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease which mainly affects the lungs and digestive system. It is a serious, degenerative disorder with a limited life expectancy, and for which there is no cure as yet. In Spain, cystic fibrosis affects one out of every 2,500 new-born babies.
FFQ-entrevistaTorrentsE.pdf (página 11)
