ICREA researcher Núria López-Bigas, head of the Biomedical Genomics group at IRB Barcelona in PCB, and full professor of the Pompeu Fabra University, has been named a full academic member of the Spanish Royal Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences. The induction ceremony held this Wednesday evening at the institution’s headquarters in Madrid.

In her speech entitled “Cancer: A Darwinian Evolutionary Process”, the computational biologist explained that “by pinpointing mutations in healthy tissue, we can gain a more accurate insight into which genes and mutations are directly involved in tumour development.” This research is made possible through the application of new technologies such as “high-precision sequencing,” which allows direct observation of mutations present in tissues that are still healthy.

With Dr. López-Bigas‘s admission, the RAC welcomes its first expert in bioinformatics, the 12th woman to be appointed a full academic member of the institution.

» For further information: IRB Barcelona website [+]