About us
CIC bioGUNE’s mission is to improve healthcare by conducting multidisciplinary research that unites expertise in biology, chemistry, medicine, and computational sciences. Our aim is to develop more precise medicine for the future, addressing complex medical problems, pioneering innovative therapies, and deepening our understanding of diseases. We are also committed to train the next generation of scientists and advancing patient outcomes through impactful discoveries and translational research.
2024 in Numbers
Dr. Óscar Millet, Group Leader of the Precision Medicine and Metabolism Laboratory, together with other members of CIC bioGUNE, organized the 20th European Magnetic Resonance Congress (EUROMAR), which was held at the Euskalduna Conference Centre in Bilbao from June 30th to July 4th, 2024.
Within this framework, the new Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility was officially presented, including the acquisition of a 1 GHz NMR spectrometer, inaugurated in the presence of the Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu.
CIC bioGUNE also strengthened its network of strategic partnerships through the signing of several institutional collaboration agreements, including:
- Fundación ONCE: Implementation of a postdoctoral fellowship within the framework of the 10th edition of the Opportunity for Talent scholarship program.
- Biobizkaia: Collaboration in the areas of research, innovation, knowledge transfer, training, and scientific dissemination.
- FAES FARMA: Establishment of a Joint Research Laboratory focused on early target discovery.
- ArgiArte: Facilitation of internships for students of Fine Arts and Design.
- University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU): Development of academic internships and co-supervision of Master’s Theses at the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing.
- Athletic Club: A particularly noteworthy agreement aimed at fostering research and scientific outreach in the field of health, with a focus on biomarkers and effectors related to the adoption of healthy habits across various aspects of systemic physiology.
Research
Throughout 2024, a total of 213 new publications were disseminated to the scientific community, including 176 indexed in Q1 journals, 90 in D1 journals and 8 in C1. In terms of academic training, 24 doctoral candidates successfully defended their theses at various universities.
Projects & Funding Applications
Along 2024, 57 new proposals have been funded from different organizations from the Basque Country, Spain, and other countries, while
CIC bioGUNE investigators presented 159 applications. The overall number of active projects stands at 227.
The AECC Scientific Foundation has awarded €2 million to the project «PreMetaCan – Precision Metabolism for Next Generation Cancer Management,» led by Dr. Arkaitz Carracedo, Group Leader of the Cancer Cell Signaling & Metabolism Lab, and Dr. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director and Group Leader of the Chemical Glycobiology Lab. This funding is granted under the AECC 2024 Excellence Program.
In the framework of European collaborative initiatives, Dr. Óscar Millet, Group Leader of the Precision Medicine & Metabolism Laboratory, is participating in the project «CARAMEL – CArdiovascular Risk Assessment in MEnopausaL Women via Multimodal Data Analysis Enabling Personalized Prevention Strategies,» funded by the European Commission with a total budget of €12 million, of which €816,250 has been allocated to CIC bioGUNE.
Additionally, Dr. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero (Chemical Glycobiology Laboratory) and Dr. Nicola G.A. Abrescia (Structure and Cell Biology of Viruses Laboratory) are contributing to the project «InFlaMe – Counteracting the Pandemic Potential of Flaviviruses: Addressing Virus–Host Interactions and Defense Strategies to Design Novel Therapeutics Against WNV and DENV,» also funded by the European Commission with a total of €8 million, including an allocation of €624,611.25 to CIC bioGUNE.
Furthermore, three MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships have been awarded to researchers at CIC bioGUNE: Dr. Iris A. Bermejo (Chemical Glycobiology Lab), Dr. Aize Pellón (Inflammation & Macrophage Plasticity Lab), and Dr. Giselle A. Abruzzese (Liver Disease Lab).
Innovation
The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through the State Program to Promote Scientific-Technical Research and its Transfer, awards 12 “Knowledge Generation” projects to our investigators, with a total funding of €2.8 M plus 8 FPI contracts.
The Provincial Council of Bizkaia, under its Technology Transfer call, funds the project “Development of new broad-spectrum CRISPR-Cas genetic editing tools (acronym GenCAS)” led by Dr. Raúl Pérez Jiménez, Group Leader of the Synthetic Biology Lab.
In 2024, the AAALAC accreditation (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International) is renewed.
In October 2024, the AECC Foundation renewed our accreditation as a Research Center of the AECC Scientific Foundation.
This recognition is accompanied by a €200,000 grant, awarded in association with the mentioned designation.
Personnel, Talent & Awards
The process to obtain the HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) accreditation is initiated. This is awarded by the European Commission to institutions that align their HR policies with the principles of the “European Charter & Code for Researchers.”
The Code of Ethics is updated in accordance with Law 2/2023 (including the option for anonymous reporting). The Ethics Channel was communicated to all staff. Moreover, new control mechanisms were implemented for public procurement and grant management.
A new research group, “Cancer Glycoimmunology,” was created, led by Dr. June Ereño-Orbea and Dr. Asís Palazón
June Ereño-Orbea
Cancer Glycoimmunology Lab
Asís Palazón
Cancer Glycoimmunology Lab
Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT STIFTUNG AWARD
Dr. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director and Group Leader of the Chemical Glycobiology Lab, receives the Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung Awardin the field of Bioorganic & Biological Chemistry.
Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT STIFTUNG AWARD
Dr. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director and Group Leader of the Chemical Glycobiology Lab, receives the Alexander Von Humboldt Stiftung Awardin the field of Bioorganic & Biological Chemistry.
Arkaitz Carracedo
RAMIRO CARREGAL AWARD
Dr. Arkaitz Carracedo, Group Leader of the Cancer Cell Signaling & Metabolism Lab, receives the Ramiro Carregal Award for Emerging Talent in Cancer Research.
Scientific Communication & Outreach
Our noteworthy discoveries and outcomes of 2024 have received considerable attention across general and specialized printed magazines, online platforms, television, and radio programs, enhancing the broad interest and coverage of our scientific advancements.
CIC bioGUNE reinforces its commitment to society:
- Engaging a diverse audience through radio, by the «BioEnredados: Uniendo ciencia y Vida» podcast, and digital platforms to communicate project outcomes captivatingly.
- Science outreach fairs further emphasize interactive presentations of the research findings to the public.
- The innovative fusion of science and art underscores the center’s dedication to fostering creativity and disseminating scientific results.
Crowdfunding
Collaborative efforts with charitable organizations aim to bring science to the public and advocate for the importance of research investment in community development. Notable initiatives include charity runs and benevolent events organized by local associations to raise funds for different research groups at CIC bioGUNE.
Equality Plan
Equality Plan Renewal: 2024- 2027
PROSPEKTIKER & NEGOTIATING COMMISSION
Consultancy firm approved by the Basque Government to provide advice on equality.
Annual Activities
Regulatory Update: 2024, October 8th
Royal Decree 1026/2024 developing the planned set of measures for equality and non-discrimination of LGTBI people in companies.
