The work, entitled “Analysis of genetic parameters as biomarkers of frailty in the elderly” was carried out by the research groups Behavioural and Molecular Diagnosis Applied to Health (DICOMOSA) and the Gerontology and Geriatrics Research Group (GIGG) of the UDC. Frailty syndrome implies a state of vulnerability and an increased risk of developing adverse health effects, including disability, dependence and mortality, but it can be delayed or even reversed if identified early. Thus, the main objective of the study was to identify genetic parameters that help in the early recognition of frailty in the elderly, thus contributing to increase the knowledge about the biological basis related to the development of this geriatric syndrome. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis of the existence of a link between genomic instability, understood as fixed genetic damage, and the state of frailty, and point to the usefulness of two genetic biomarkers as future tools for the identification or prediction of frailty.
The award – Dolores Trigo Prize 2021 – was given by the Alumni Association of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Santiago de Compostela. It was collected by Blanca Laffon, Professor of Psychobiology, on behalf of both groups, at a ceremony held on 24 September at the Pazo de Fonseca.