The event, jointly organised by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), brought together leading scientists from around the world to discuss the latest advances in blood-brain barrier (BBB) research, from its fundamental biology to its role in disease and therapeutic strategies.
The second edition of the Barcelona Blood-Brain Barrier (B4) Conference, jointly organised by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS), concluded Friday 3 October in Barcelona. The event took place at the IQS and brought together leading scientists from around the world to discuss the latest advances in blood-brain barrier (BBB) research, from its fundamental biology to its role in disease and therapeutic strategies.
Over three intense days, the conference featured keynote lectures by internationally renowned experts. Andrew Yang (Gladstone Institutes, USA) opened the meeting with insights into BBB physiology and brain function. Richard Daneman (University of California, USA) delivered a lecture exploring mechanisms of BBB dysfunction in disease, while Tae-Eun Park (Ulsan National Institute, South Korea) closed the keynote series with a talk on bioengineering models and novel strategies for crossing the barrier.
The scientific programme combined keynote lectures, invited sessions, parallel oral presentations, and poster sessions, fostering a dynamic and interdisciplinary exchange across fields such as neuroscience, vascular biology, protein engineering, nanomedicine and bioengineering. Participants engaged in lively discussions on topics including neurovascular coupling, circadian regulation of the BBB, sex differences, and its role in brain cancer, stroke, and neurodegeneration.
A highlight of the conference was the recognition of early-career researchers through the IBBS Prizes for Best Poster and Oral Presentations. The award for best poster presentation went to Robert Hülse (first prize) and Elena Afanaseva (second prize), while the prizes for the best oral presentations were awarded to Gemma Solé Guardia (first prize) and François Korbmacher (second prize).
The B4 Conference 2025 consolidated itself as a unique international platform to advance understanding of the BBB and promote collaborations across disciplines.
