• To provide digitization and access to digitized histopathology slides of cancer patients from the Llanos region to specialized pathologists for their diagnosis.


• To develop the technological-scientific support that allows expanding the capacity to provide the digital pathology service in the territory.


• To develop research in the construction of computational tools and strategies to support the diagnosis, prognosis and identification of markers in cancer from digital histopathology slides.

Implementation of a Network for Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Digital Pathology (RedPat), whose purpose is to digitize and provide access to digitized histopathology slides of local cases to pathologists, develop technological-scientific support for the digital pathology service and development of Computational strategies to support the diagnosis, prognosis and identification of markers in cancer from digital histopathology slides in Meta.

According to the World Health Organization, each year there are 11 million new cases of cancer in the world, of which 80% occur in developing countries. In Colombia 33,450 people died between 2000 and 2006, 73% of total cancer cases, deaths that could have been prevented by early detection, more precise disease control and therapy oriented by the type and degree of the pathology.

In clinical practice, the cancer diagnostic process begins with the preparation of tissue samples from a biopsy on glass slides that are then initially stained with hematoxylin-eosin to be examined under a microscope by a pathologist. In Colombia, as in most Latin American countries, the volume of cases far exceeds the response capacity of the health system, both by pathology laboratories and by the number of pathologists. In addition, the analysis and precision that is carried out depends on the experience and degree of training of the expert pathologist or his subspecialty in pathology.

The severity of the cancer is determined according to the assessment made by the pathology specialist of the status and degree of proliferation of the tumor. Quantification of these characteristics is in this context a crucial need for analysis while the quality of diagnosis and response time could be improved with the development of diagnostic support networks.

The introduction and the latest advances in the digitization of histopathology slides by means of histopathology slide scanners, Big Data, data analytics, computer vision and artificial intelligence in the medical domain in recent years, are contributing through computational analysis, research and support in the finer and more precise characterization, quantification and assessment of histopathological analysis, with the potential of designing personalized therapies oriented by the type and degree of the disease.

Previous joint works and in collaboration between National University of Colombia, Bogotá and University of Los Llanos, have allowed the joining of efforts, experience, knowledge, and results for the implementation of RedPat, a Network for Research, Technological Development and Innovation in Pathology Digital, in order to involve actors from the health, civil, academic, scientific, governmental and productive sectors, for contributing to the offer of cancer pathology and research services in the department of Meta, with the potential impact on the region of Los Llanos and growth in Colombia and Latin America.

The main purpose of the project is to implement a network for research, technological development and innovation in digital pathology (RedPat) supported by Industry 4.0 technologies, such as Big Data, Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence, to offer a service  of digital pathology in the department of Meta, also available in its area of influence in the Llanos region. Additionally, at the end of the project, there will be the first database of at least 250 digitized full-sheet histopathology slides of cancer cases from patients treated in the department of Meta. Finally, as a result of the specific objectives, it seeks to strengthen the regional capacities of human talent, research, technological development and innovation for the generation of new knowledge, software and technology solutions for the digitization, visualization and analysis of digitized histopathology slides as support to the research in diagnosis, prognosis and identification of markers in cancer.

RedPat is a network for research, technological development and innovation in digital pathology financed by resources from SGR of the Science, Technology and Innovation Fund of the Llanos region, with the representation of academic institutions with their designated research groups and institutions that provide health services, with the purpose of integrating more actors, such as pathology professionals, user associations, foundations, engineers, entrepreneurs and companies in general, interested in contributing to the development and well-being of cancer treatment in the region. The institutions participating in the network involved in the project are:

Academic institutions: Universidad de los Llanos (Villavicencio, Colombia), National University of Colombia, Bogotá Headquarters (Bogotá, Colombia).

Research groups: Open Technologies Research Group (GITECX) & Cuidado Group - University of Los Llanos, CIM @ LAB Research Group - National University of Colombia.

Healthcare Institutions: Departmental Hospital of Villavicencio (Villavicencio, Colombia).

RedPat started in March 2021 for a duration of 3 years. However, the network has the purpose of continuing and expanding to Colombia and Latin America, incorporating an offer of products and services, as well as sustainability strategies for the maintenance and strengthening of the technological infrastructure, human talent, strategic allies and resources for its continuation later. of the completion of the project.

This project is financed with resources from the Llanos region of the Science, Technology and Innovation Fund of SGR with the code BPIN 2019000100060, as a result of its approval by the OCAD of the FCTeI and of the Call for the creation of a list of Eligible project proposals for the strengthening of institutional and research capacities of Public Higher Education Institutions - Participation Mechanism 1 of MinCiencias, as well as resources from Universidad de los Llanos and Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

The information presented on this site reflects the opinion within the context of the project by its members. Neither the FCTeI of the SGR or MinCiencias are responsible for the use that may be made of the information contained therein.