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Synergies between biomedical research institutions under debate

By 16 de March de 2004November 18th, 2020No Comments
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 16.03.2004

Synergies between biomedical research institutions under debate

With the aim to promote debate and reflection on biomedical and social research as an instrument, scientific strategy and driving force of social change, on 10 and 11 March a conference entitled "Research under debate: I+D+i synergies in a networked society" was held. The programme included a round table, presided by the rector of the UB, Joan Tugores, on the networking of biomedical research institutions, in which Màrius Rubiralta, director of the Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB, Barcelona Science Park) participated.


An initiative of the (http://www.hsjdbcn.org/index.html), the conference included several round tables that addressed research from the perspective of scientific community, solidarity, communication and ethics. The conference was opened by Marina Geli, minister of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), Joan Tugores, rector of the UB, Manuel del Castillo, manager of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, and Ignasi de Juan-Creix, director of the Fundació Sant Joan de Déu. The sessions were started with a round table in which possible synergies between biomedical research institutions were discussed.

In his presentation, Màrius Rubiralta explained the biomedical research model of the UB, relating the founding and functioning of new innovation structures such as the PCB. In this regard, he explained the PCB model and its coordination with other research centres of the same university and other public and private entities. Dr. Rubiralta made special reference to the European Research Area, in which biomedicine and biotechnology are presented as productive sectors with most impact on the new knowledge economy and on the development of social welfare. In addition, he mentioned the need to establish new organizational structures to compete in leading international settings. In this regard, he addressed the grouping of the “bio” structures”, the so-called “bioclusters”, which bring together a range of public and private agents and sectors in a specific location.

According to Dr. Rubiralta, the future research challenges involve the establishment of bioclusters in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, taking advantage of the enormous potential of this zone in basic biomedical research, clinical research and health sciences in the universities and research centres, and of pharmaceutical innovation. From this perspective, he also highlighted the role played by universities in local and regional development.

This table also involved the participation of Manuel Carrasco, sub-director general of health Research at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Joan Rodés, scientific director of the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute), Jordi Camí, director of the Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica /Municipal Institute of Medical Research) and of the Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (Biomedical Research Park of Barcelona), and Lluís Morales, vice-president of the Research Committee of Sant Joan de Déu Hospital.