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.
On 26 November, a delegation from the West China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCHUS) was welcomed at the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) to begin a week of collaborative activities.
This meeting allows us to continue building a space for international cooperation where bioengineering is put at the service of more precise, personalised and effective medicine.
Josep Samitier Martí
The main day of the meeting, 27 November, saw more than forty experts from IBEC, WCHUS and the University of Barcelona gather in Barcelona for the third WCHUS-IBEC Precision Medicine Conference. The day began with an institutional ceremony and the signing of a new collaboration agreement.
Presentations covered advances in various fields, including nanodevices, precision bioengineering, functional biomedicine in cancer treatment, hyperpolarisation NMR and MRI, tissue engineering, and vaccine platforms. Other topics covered included new organoid-based therapies, supramolecular devices and biointerfaces, enzymatic nanomotors, and innovative diagnostic strategies for tuberculosis, breast cancer, and inflammatory diseases. The conference also explored the application of artificial intelligence in clinical diagnosis and novel therapeutic approaches for liver failure and acute kidney injury.
The conference featured sessions jointly moderated by researchers from both institutions, concluding with closing remarks by Josep Samitier Martí, IBEC’s director.
“This meeting allows us to continue building a space for international cooperation where bioengineering is put at the service of more precise, personalised and effective medicine,” said Samitier.
Promoting young researchers
On 28 November, a smaller meeting was held to promote young researchers from both institutions. During the morning, twelve postdoctoral researchers presented their latest work in areas such as hyperpolarised magnetic resonance imaging, microphysiological platforms, bioactive hydrogels, mucosal vaccines, structural proteomics and nanobiotechnology.
The day ended with a tour of the IBEC laboratories and the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) scientific platforms.
Expanding international alliance
The third IBEC-WCH Precision Medicine Conference reaffirmed IBEC and West China Hospital’s shared commitment to advancing cutting-edge biomedical technologies. This collaboration strengthens scientific relations between Spain and China, promoting the development of innovative solutions for diagnosing and treating complex diseases.
