The 1st Translational Collaboration Day between the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) and the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), held on 21st November, was an opportunity to learn about the projects and research lines of both institutions and to promote interaction between professionals.
The first Collaborative Translational Workshop between the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) took place on 21st November. This meeting was organised with the aim of exploring joint projects and strengthening synergies between the two institutions in the fields of bioengineering and health.
We hope that this initiative will serve to strengthen cooperation and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for patients.
Josep Samitier
This initiative represents a further step in the strategic alliance between the VHIR and IBEC, which had previously signed agreements to develop innovative health interventions and joint scientific projects. In this new phase, the two institutions aim to intensify their collaboration through new actions such as joint programmes, jointly managed projects and training activities.
The day began with a welcome from Begoña Benito, director of the VHIR, who stressed that “this will be a day of learning and fun, because there is no other way to do science than in a collaborative and interdisciplinary way”. Josep Samitier, director of IBEC, stressed that “we have been working together for a long time and we hope that this initiative will serve to strengthen cooperation and develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for patients”.
There is no other way to do science than in a collaborative and interdisciplinary way.
Begoña Benito
Among the activities presented was the launch of a joint Predoctoral Fellowship Programme, which will fund four PhDs jointly supervised by researchers from both institutions. Actions such as clinical immersion programmes, mentoring and clinical colloquia to better link IBEC research to healthcare needs were also outlined.
Successful collaborative projects were also presented, as well as new initiatives in areas such as neuroscience, tissue engineering, organoids, nanomedicine, cancer, medical imaging, women’s health and infectious diseases.
The event concluded with a networking lunch that allowed participants to exchange ideas and explore opportunities for future collaborative projects, reaffirming VHIR and IBEC’s commitment to innovation and translational research.
