Researcher Won Award for Coronary Disease Study
Marta Molinero earned recognition for identifying blood-based biomarkers linked to coronary artery disease types.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Researcher Marta Molinero received a best poster award at the 5th MC/WG AtheroNET meeting in Prague. Her work identified specific microRNA profiles in the blood associated with different types of coronary artery disease.
Why it matters
Identifying specific microRNA combinations could offer a non-invasive way to better characterize coronary circulation impairment. This study aims to help clinicians distinguish between types of heart disease through blood biomarkers.
The study identified a distinct combination of 3 miRNAs associated with macrovascular coronary abnormalities in patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome. The research results were detailed in the journal Atherosclerosis under article identifier 120778.
The players
Marta Molinero
She is the researcher who received the best poster award for her work on blood-based biomarkers at the 5th MC/WG AtheroNET meeting.
AtheroNET
This is an international collaborative network that focuses on research regarding atherosclerosis and vascular biology.
Atherosclerosis
This is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes original research on the pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of atherosclerosis.
The details
Researchers analyzed blood samples from patients with suspected chronic coronary syndrome to compare various microRNA patterns. By mapping these profiles, the team sought to determine if circulating biomarkers could distinguish between macrovascular and microvascular coronary disease.
Timeline
May 12, 2026: The study was published online.
June 2026: The findings appeared in the print edition of the journal Atherosclerosis.
September 2026: Marta Molinero received the best poster award at the AtheroNET meeting in Prague.
Deeper Dive
This research follows the framework established by the ANFIBIO project, which investigates the link between blood biomarkers and coronary circulation impairment. It advances the project's goal of using circulating profiles to better characterize cardiovascular conditions.
While this research remains in the discovery phase, it points toward a future where blood tests could provide clearer insights into a patient's coronary health. Patients currently undergo various diagnostic procedures, but these findings suggest potential for future, less-invasive diagnostic tools.
The takeaway
These findings highlight the growing potential for microRNA profiling to serve as a diagnostic tool in cardiology. Further validation in large-scale independent trials will be required to confirm if these biomarkers can reliably distinguish between coronary disease types in diverse patient populations.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest advancements in cardiovascular research at our Heart Disease section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biotech-spain.
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