One of the most significant milestones of 2023 has been the awarding to our institute of the FORTAIBiS project (Framework of Opportunities to Reinforce Translational Research Advances at IBiS) within the first national call of the FORTALECE programme of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, which selected and funded twelve Health Research Institutes accredited by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).
FORTAIBiS is built upon six scientific and methodological pillars aimed at strengthening and promoting fundamental translational research and clinical research within the centre over the next four years. These pillars are led by IBiS researchers who have proposed six lines of research with a strong synergistic and cross-cutting component that, in general, go beyond the core areas around which our institute is structured. This project will enable a qualitative leap forward, allowing research that would not have been possible without this funding, and strengthening IBiS through multiple collaborations among the centre’s groups.
Furthermore, IBiS’s capabilities in CAR-T cell therapies have led it to become part of the State Network Consortium for the Development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (CERTERA), funded by the ISCIII, which has also renewed the funding for the three support platforms for R&D&I in Biomedicine and Health Sciences: clinical research, biobanks and biomodels, and the promotion and innovation of the industrial capabilities of the National Health System (SNS) and their effective transfer to the productive sector (ITEMAS).
The numerous awards and distinctions received by our researchers in 2023 have always been a source of encouragement for our entire community, especially those granted to women and young scientists. We are particularly proud of the National Research Award “Santiago Ramón y Cajal”, granted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation to our founding Director, Dr José López Barneo, in recognition of his outstanding scientific and professional career, highlighting his international impact and his role as a leading figure in biomedical research in Spain for over four decades.
In addition, IBiS has selected Dr Celeste Simon from the University of Pennsylvania as IBiS Distinguished Investigator 2023, in recognition of her discoveries on cancer cell metabolism and the responses to oxygen and nutrient deprivation within the tumour microenvironment. This award was presented during the IBiS–UIMP School of Biomedicine on “Tumour Microenvironment”, organised by Dr Simón Méndez-Ferrer (University of Cambridge) and Dr Enrique de Álava, which featured international guest speakers of the highest scientific calibre.
The commitment of our research groups to scientific excellence, grounded in effort, dedication and solid training, together with the valuable work of our technical, management and maintenance staff, forms the fundamental basis of our centre. These elements, together with essential institutional support, have made possible the advances presented in this report. For the IBiS management team, it is a great source of satisfaction, as every year, to express our deep gratitude and reaffirm our readiness to support all those who, through their dedication, contribute to developing the best science in the service of society.
