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Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine

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IBEC installs first POLARIS system, launching Barcelona’s role in the European Q-AID quantum-MRI network

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has installed a new POLARIS system in Barcelona, one of the first two quantum-enhanced MRI systems deployed under the EU-funded Q-AID project, alongside a twin installation at the University of Antwerp. The system marks IBEC’s entry into a four-year, €8.3 million European initiative to build a shared platform for quantum-enhanced metabolic imaging.

BIST calls for reforms to turn scientific discoveries into European industry

The BIST Forum 2026 brought together scientists and representatives from academic, economic and social institutions to discuss how frontier research can help build Europe’s industries of the future. The event also announced the recipients of the BIST To the Mothers of Science and Ignite programmes.

Amayra Hernández-Vega receives a grant from the Pasqual Maragall Foundation to advance research on the early stages of Alzheimer’s

IBEC researcher Amayra Hernández-Vega has been awarded a grant from the Pasqual Maragall Researchers Programme to lead a project focused on studying the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The study will combine in vitro and human models of familial Alzheimer’s disease to identify age-related factors and potential inhibitors that could slow the early progression of the disease. The project was presented at an informative session on sleep and brain health, which was attended by around 500 people.

Three IBEC projects receive ERC Proof of Concept funding to drive innovation in health, neuroscience, and biomedical technology 

Dr Benedetta Bolognesi, Dr Irene Marco-Rius and Dr Nicolò Accanto, who are all principal investigators at IBEC, have each been awarded a prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant. These grants are awarded by the European Research Council to support the exploration of the commercial and societal potential of research projects conducted within European institutions. The three winning projects range from new platforms for discovering antiamyloid drugs, to advanced metabolic analysis technologies, to optical tools for studying the brains of animals moving naturally.

Fundación “la Caixa”: Diálogos entre Irene Marco y Llucia Ramis

Irene Marco fue becada por la Fundación ”la Caixa” en dos ocasiones. La primera, para cursar un máster en Biofísica en la Universidad de Heidelberg (Alemania). La segunda, para desarrollar su investigación posdoctoral en Biología Molecular y Bioquímica en el IBEC. Esta es su historia contada a la periodista y escritora Llucia Ramis.

The IBEC and West China Hospital hold their third joint conference on precision medicine in Barcelona

Barcelona hosted the third IBEC-WCH Precision Medicine Conference this week, an event that further strengthened the strategic alliance between the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the West China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCHSU). The Chinese delegation visited Spain from 26 to 29 November, taking part in a busy schedule of scientific and institutional activities and exchanges between the two centres.

Bioengineering for precision medicine at the 18th IBEC Symposium

The 18th annual IBEC Symposium focused on ‘Bioengineering for Precision Medicine’, which is one of IBEC’s key areas of application. The event was attended by nearly 300 people, including local and international researchers. The multidisciplinary environment provided experts from other centres and the IBEC community with the opportunity to present their projects and exchange knowledge.

High-fat diets alter genes differently in males and females

A study led by the CIBER Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Area (CIBERDEM), in collaboration with the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), has shown that high-fat diets alter gene expression in key tissues for metabolic control in different ways depending on sex. These results provide a new perspective on how obesity affects people differently depending on their sex.

IBEC hosts the 5th Annual Meeting of the ISMRM Iberian Chapter

Barcelona hosted the 5th Annual Meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM) Iberian Chapter on 3 and 4 July, organised this year in collaboration with the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). The event brought together almost one hundred professionals from the field of magnetic resonance imaging to discuss the latest scientific, clinical, and computational advances.