IBiS: a reference of translational research in Biomedicine Advanced research and technical expertise through the ITRIBIS project, as well as international events and secondments and high-tech equipment, have helped advance research potential in the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) to combat key prevalent diseases. Health © Afica Studio, Shutterstock The EU-funded ITRIBIS (Improving translational research potential at the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville) project focused on strengthening two key research areas: cell degeneration (brain, heart and cancer) and antimicrobial resistance. ITRIBIS was defined and designed to unlock and develop the existing excellence of the IBiS, helping to strengthen the potential of their researchers to successfully participate in research activities of medical impact and study of pathogenesis of prevalent diseases aiming at identification of disease biomarkers and/or new therapeutic targets. For neurodegenerative diseases particularly Alzheimer’s and Parkinson diseases, and those of ischemic and vascular origin ITRIBIS developed innovative nonpharmacological advanced therapeutic interventions (cell and gene therapy, brain stimulation etc.) applicable to the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Cardiovascular research focused on the cellular mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in ventricular remodelling as main cause of heart failure in re-vascularised post-acute myocardial infarction. Cancer research, particularly in cancer genome profiling using Next Generation Sequencing, technologies were based on comprehensive and complete molecular profiling of their cancer’s genome (so-called molecular fingerprinting). These technologies may help in the identification of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers or therapeutic targets, which can led to individualisation of cancer management and prognosis. ITRIBIS also worked on novel preventive and therapeutic antimicrobial agents for nosocomial and large epidemic infections and to develop non-antimicrobial approaches, as pathogen-specific vaccines to prevent the infection, and monoclonal antibodies as adjuvant therapy. The ITRIBIS project team fostered exchange of know-how with partner institutions in Europe and the United States, an action that included scientific training of IBiS researchers and visits to foreign institutions. The project also helped to upgrade IBiS facilities by acquiring advanced equipment, and outlined an intellectual property plan to advance innovation and knowledge transfer. ITRIBIS boosted transfer of experimental results to the clinical setting and to the biotech industry. This has resulted in tangible benefits for the region and also on a global scale in terms of encouraging the development of new treatments and diagnostic methods. Keywords Biomedicine, ITRIBIS, translational research, secondments, events
