CIBER-BBN Conference to Promote Translation of Basic Research into Clinical Practice

The 4th annual CIBER-BBN conference , to be held on 6 and 7 May at Hospital Sant Pau, in Barcelona, aims to advance translational research. According to Dr. Manuel Doblaré, scientific director of CIBER-BBN, “we have the responsibility of directing the research performed in our organization towards clinical practice, with the objective of efficiently providing direct benefits for society and the national health system”.

Located in Zaragoza, CIBER-BBN features 47 in-house research groups plus three associated groups hailing from private and public institutions. It is one of the nine CIBER consortia that currently exist in Spain, all of which were spearheaded by the Carlos III Health Institute.

Spotlight on CIBER-BBN research projects

The bulk of the meetings will be dedicated to presentation of new research projects by CIBER-BBN investigators: 21 projects from the intramural program; ten in nanomedicine; eight in biomaterials; four from the horizontal programs; and three in bioengineering. These projects were chosen from among more than 50 proposals, by an external scientific committee comprised of internationally renowned researchers that will meet for the second time to share their perspectives on CIBER-BBN’s research program and operations.

Eight researchers from Catalonia will participate: Ana Paula (Autonomous University of Barcelona); Eugenia Mato (Hospital Sant Pau); Simó Schwartz (Vall d’Hebron University Hospital); Fausto Sanz (University of Barcelona); Ramon Mangues (Hospital Sant Pau); Josep Samitier (Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia); Ramon Jané (IBEC) and Alejandro Frangi (Pompeu Fabra University).

The conference will also draw on various organizations and research networks with potential to collaborate with CIBER-BBN groups, including the Red de Terapia Celular (RED TERCEL); the Spanish Society in Biomedical Engineering (SEIB); the CAIBER network; the Spanish Clinical Pharmacology Society (SEFC); the Red de Innovación Hospitalaria; and the CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES).

Lastly, attendees will hear about the major points of the CIBER-BBN Plan Director, a strategic plan covering the center’s projected activities for 2010-2013 in the areas of scientific research, industrial technology transfer, translational research, training, divulgation, and equipment & facilities.

Last year’s CIBER-BBN conference, held in Zaragoza, brought together more than 250 attendees, including researchers, business people, and other professionals.  This year’s event is expected to attract a similar sized audience. Indeed, registration was closed on 30 April because maximum seating capacity had already been met.

 Date: 6 and 7 May 2010
Place: Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau · Events Room · C/ Mas Casanovas, 90 · Barcelona