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El Dr. Eduard Batlle. Foto / IRB Barcelona.
 10.07.2024

Dr. Eduard Batlle has been elected as EMBO member

Dr. Eduard Batlle, coordinator of the Cancer Science Programme at IRB Barcelona, based in the Barcelona Science Park, has been elected as a member of The European Molecular Biology Organization EMBO. The institution, which brings together more than 2,000 leading scientists and this year celebrates its 60th anniversary, annually selects new scientists from around the world in recognition of their research excellence and outstanding achievements in life sciences.

Dr. Batlle is an ICREA researcher, head of the Colorectal Cancer Lab at IRB Barcelona, and group leader at the CIBER of Cancer (CIBERONC). The laboratory he leads has identified residual tumour cells hidden in the liver and lung, revealing how they evolve until the appearance of metastasis of colorectal cancer in these organs. His research in preclinical models has shown that early immunotherapy, performed before surgery, can eliminate these cells before they initiate metastasis, which could prevent relapses in colon cancer. These contributions are opening new avenues to develop treatments and diagnostic tools that slow progression and improve the prognosis of a disease that affects millions of people worldwide.

“Being elected as an EMBO member is a great honour and a testament to the collaborative efforts of my team and the continuous support from the scientific community,” Dr. Batlle stated.

This year, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary, EMBO has exceptionally elected 120 scientists from Europe and other continents as members. The new EMBO Members and Associate Members have been recognised for accomplishments that cover the spectrum of life science research, including work that has advanced understanding of how infectious disease spreads, the intricacies of ocean nutrient cycles, the mysteries of cellular signalling networks, the secrets of how plants survive in desert environments, and the links between the biology of our brains and our emotions.

EMBO director Dr. Fiona Watt said: “The new EMBO Members and Associate Members have made immense contributions to fundamental life science research, and, in many cases, their work has paved the way for innovations that have improved lives and livelihoods around the world. As EMBO marks its 60th anniversary, we celebrate the pivotal roles played by the EMBO Membership in strengthening international life science research and contributing to the EMBO Programmes and activities. I send my warmest congratulations to all those elected.”

EMBO members at IRB Barcelona

In addition to Dr. Eduard BatlleDr. Salvador Aznar BenitahDr. Ferran AzorínDr. Jordi CasanovaDr. Miquel CollDr. Toni GabaldónDr. Cayetano GonzálezDr. Núria López-BigasDr. Marco MilánDr. Raúl MéndezDr. Ángel R. Nebreda, and Dr. Francesc Posas also hold EMBO membership. These members are actively involved in the evaluation of EMBO funding applications, and they serve on the EMBO Council and on various other committees. Furthermore, Dr. Fran Supek was awarded the EMBO Young Investigator Grant in 2019.

» For further information: IRB Barcelona website [+]