In vivo 31 by IRB Barcelona

in vivo July 2015 | Issue 31

NEWSLETTER OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN BIOMEDICINE

Angel Nebreda receives Six top Barcelona research institutes form ERC Proof of Concept Grant the Barcelona Institute On 13 July, the European Research Council awarded ICREA Research Pro-

fessor and IRB Barcelona Group Leader Angel R. Nebreda one of 45 Proof of IRB Barcelona has joined the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), the

Concept grants attributed in 2015. Nebreda is one of six awardees in Spain, five of whom are based in Catalonia.

Catalan Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2),

These grants are top-up funding to investigate commercial applications of

the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), and the High Energy

scientists’ frontier research results, and are available to scientists who already

Physics Institute (IFAE) for an ambitious joint endeavour. They have

hold ERC grants. Nebreda was awarded an ERC Advanced Grant in 2011 for his

come together to establish the ‘Barcelona Institute of Science and

project, ‘P38 Cancer.’

Technology,’ which will pursue common scientific aims. More on page 2.

His Proof of Concept grant is entitled ‘P38 Cure,’ and aims to investigate new breast cancer therapies based on available p38 MAPK inhibitors. “Our lab results support a potential therapeutic use for p38 MAPK inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy drugs,” he explains. The researchers will use patient-derived samples of specific breast cancer subtypes for preclinical validation of a new drug combination therapies with potential benefit to patients. The Proof of Concept grants, worth up to

Directors of the six Catalan centres that have come together to form the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology. (Photo: R. Vilalta).

Celebrating ten years of discovery

€150,000, cover the costs of activities to verify the innovation potential of ERC-funded projects.

CEP63 guarantees correct division of brain stem cells

Monday, 26 October is a day you won’t want to miss. IRB

In a joint study, researchers from the labs of Jens Lüders and Travis Stracker

Barcelona will honour a decade of discovery in the biomedical

have discovered that the protein CEP63 is crucial for the correct division of

sciences with a special symposium. Activities will celebrate our

brain stem cells. In its absence, mice reproduce Seckel Syndrome, a rare disease

achievements and look forward to where the biomedical sciences

that causes microcephaly and growth defects.

are headed over the next ten years.

Fly model for cancer

More on page 5.

ELMI comes to Barcelona

Science and fun at Kids’ Day

Federica wants girls to have fun with science

The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology is born

New ties with RIMLS and Trento

he list of IRB Barcelona’s international ties is growing. On 3 June, Director Joan

J. Guinovart, together with the Chair of Post-

graduate Training Raúl Méndez and Academic Coordinator Patricia Nadal, travelled to Nijmegen, Netherlands, to sign a collaboration agreement on research and training with the Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS). RIMLS activities range from research in molecular biology to the developThe Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology was formally launched on 26 June 2015. From left to right in the photo, Director Montserrat Vendrell, Chair of the Board of Trustees Rolf Tarrach, and Vice-Chair Jaume Giró (Photo: R. Vilalta).

ment of tools for personalised medicine. The agreement will allow IRB Barcelona undergraduates and masters students to take

ix top Catalan research centres have tak-

the European University Association and chair of

en a leap forward in their collaboration

the Barcelona Institute’s Board of Trustees, which

by constituting ‘The Barcelona Institute

also includes prominent international scientists,

of Science and Technology.’

Joan Massagué (Sloan Kettering Institute), Igna-

part in RIMLS’ “Molecular Mechanisms of Diseases” Masters Programme, and in PhD student placements that will familiarise students from both institutes with the facilities and technology available at the centres.

The centres involved are the Centre for

cio Cirac (Max Planck Institute), Miquel Salm-

Genomic Regulation (CRG); the Institute of

eron (UC Berkeley) and Sergi Verdú (Princeton

On 25 June, a separate agreement was

Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ); the

University), as well as representatives from five

reached between IRB Barcelona and the Cen-

Catalan Institute for Nanoscience and Nano-

major foundations (”la Caixa,” Banc Sabadell,

ter for Integrative Biology (CIBIO) of the

technology (ICN2); the Institute of Photonic

Catalunya-La Pedrera, Cellex; and Femcat), and

University of Trento in Italy aimed at pro-

Sciences (ICFO); the High Energy Physics In-

from the Government of Catalonia.

moting PhD students exchanges among the

stitute (IFAE); and IRB Barcelona.

Monsterrat Vendrell has been appointed Di-

The Barcelona Institute seeks to foster in-

rector of the Barcelona Institute and will take up

terdisciplinary research, to leverage its scientif-

her responsibilities in September, once she has

ic impact, and position itself among the leading

handed over her duties as Director of Biocat and

European institutions. Together, the Institutes

of the Barcelona Science Park.

rank fourth in the number of European Re-

“From the interdisciplinarity of the six cen-

search Council (ERC) grants received on the

tres that comprise the Institute,” Vendrell affirms,

basis of number of researchers (49 ERC grants

“we will consolidate a joint scientific initiative,

from 2007 to 2014).

build a graduate training offer that responds to

“This new institution will allow the six

current training challenges, and achieve the criti-

centres to launch more transversal scientific

cal mass needed for efficient technology trans-

projects and to achieve greater international

fer.”

competitiveness,” says Rolf Tarrach, head of

two institutes.

IRB Barcelona Director, Joan J. Guinovart, and Dean of Radboudumc, Paul Smits, formalise a long-lasting partnership. (Photo: Radboudumc).

PRIZES ROGER GOMIS, ICREA researcher and

EDUARD BATLLE, ICREA researcher and

JOAN J. GUINOVART, IRB Barcelona Di-

head of the Growth Control and Cancer Metas-

head of the Colorectal Cancer Lab, received the

rector and head of the Metabolic Engineering and

tasis Lab, was been granted €240,00 over three

Premio Ciencias de la Salud from the Fundación

Diabetes Lab, received the 2015 Gaudí Gresol

years by the charity Worldwide Cancer Research

Caja Rural de Granada. The jury unanimously

Prize for Esteem and Excellence in the science

to study a protein that confers tumour cells the

chose to recognise Batlle’s study published in

category. Presented by la Fundación Gresol in

capacity to metastasise and resist treatment. Only

Nature Genetics in February, which outlined the

Reus, the award recognises the merits and dedi-

27 projects of the more than 700 presented ob-

development of a test that could identify cancer

cation of individuals with outstanding personal

tained funding.

patients at risk of relapse after surgery.

and career development.

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

Brain development and sperm production linked to CEP63

Deeper knowledge on blood-brain barrier shuttles

he CEP63 protein is involved in brain

stem cells. The scientists also describe that the

development and male fertility. This

p53 protein triggers cell death and that its re-

is the main conclusion of a joint study

moval from developing embryos allows the

published in Nature Communications by IRB

brain to develop to its normal size.

Barcelona group leaders Travis Stracker and

“This finding paves the way to study

Jens Lüders, and first-authored by Marko Mar-

whether p53 inhibitors could provide the basis

janovic, a Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher.

of a future treatment to prevent microcephaly

The study is also of relevance to Seckel

but it is still early to say,” says Travis Stracker.

Syndrome, a rare disease involving mutations

Furthermore, they have discovered that CEP63

in CEP63 gene and causing microcephaly and

is associated with sperm production—an un-

reduced growth.

known function of this gene until now.

ork led by Ernest Giralt, group leader of the Peptides and Proteins

Laboratory, and Meritxell Teixidó, Research Associate in the same lab, provides details on the passive diffusion of peptide shuttles through blood-brain barrier (BBB). Their study appears in the June issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society The researchers designed and synthesised peptides consisting of four phenyl–

The researchers reveal how defects in

Male mice lacking CEP63 show severe in-

prolines, which showed high water solu-

CEP63 affect key processes during brain devel-

fertility. “In many cases, fertility problems are

bility and could transport cargoes, as they

opment by demonstrating that it is involved in

not widely understood and with this study we

confirmed by attaching nipecotic acid and

the correct division of stem cells in this organ

have provided a different molecular perspective

L-DOPA to the molecule.

and that its depletion causes the death of brain

to examine,” explains Jens Lüders. (sa)

Additionally, the group confirmed that stereochemistry plays a significant role in passive diffusion across the BBB. This may open the door to the design of chiral and

membrane-specific shuttles with potential applications in cell labelling and oncology. (sp)

Chromosomes forming pairs during meiosis. Defects in CEP63 disrupt this process causing infertility, and can also lead to neuronal stem cell death in mice. (Image: M. Marjanovic)

SCIENCE BITES

➲

New protocol for an old Chemie in July that reported an unexpected technique Boc solid-phase pep- finding: the combination of two extremely

quence conservation and variability of Smad

powerful denaturants can stabilise the structure of DNA. The result opens up new possibilities related to the biotechnological use of DNA and illustrates the complexity of the interactions modulating the structure of this molecule.

displays the Smads structures as 3D models

tide synthesis requires a widely-used technique that includes anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (HF) cleavage. Until now, there has been no published protocol addressing issues involving HF use. IRB Barcelona’s Markus Muttenthaler and Fernando Albericio, and Philip Dawson from the Scripps Research

A review on Smads Maria J.

proteins along evolution and in tumours, and that can be rotated and zoomed in on.

➲

Multifunctional repairers Protein synthesis requires the at-

tachment of specific amino acids to tRNAs. Errors in this process are proofread by ed-

resource with an article in June’s issue of Na-

➲

Macias, Pau Martín and Joan Massa-

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sci-

ture Protocols describing methods, setup and

gué published an article in the June issue of

ences, with the collaboration of Lluís Ribas,

safe handling of HF.

Trends in Biocehmical Sciences in which they

reveals that some of these domains can act

analysed how genetic variations in Smads

on different tRNAs, thus correcting the mis-

may affect the structure, regulation, and

takes made by different aminoacyl-tRNA

function of these proteins. They also pres-

synthetases. (sp)

Institute, have now provided this valuable

➲

Can a denaturant stabilise DNA? Modesto Orozco has coor-

dinated a study published in Angewandte

iting domains. A study published in May in

ent a web application that highlights the se-

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

Fruit fly research summons cutting-edge science to the Barcelona BioMed Conference

cientists have been using the fruit fly Drosophila as a genetic model

to this general state of weakness and fatigue. This is a very complicated

system in biology since the beginning of the 20th century, and yet it

syndrome to study. Drosophila is already helping us to identify the mo-

keeps surprising us.

lecular mechanisms underlying cachexia,” explains Milán.

IRB Barcelona Group Leaders and ICREA Researcher Professors

Finally, Drosophila continues to open new paths for basic research in

Marco Milán and Cayetano González celebrated the vigour of research

cancer biology and in other fields. “The fly is one of the best known or-

with this emblematic model animal by organising the 26th Barcelona

ganisms nowadays. We can use it to study the role of the immune system

BioMed Conference, in collaboration with the BBVA Foundation, on

in cancer development, cancer-associated inflammation, the causal rela-

Drosophila as a model in cancer. The event, held on 15-17 June at the In-

tionship between genomic instability and tumourigenesis, cancer metabo-

stitut d’Estudis Catalans in Barcelona, drew the participation of 150 inter-

lism, and the relationship between diabetes and cancer,” concludes Milán.

national fly experts.

“Research on flies keeps evolving and contributing to our understand-

“Research on Drosophila and cancer is moving forward in a very spectacular way,” comments Milán. This model organism has been used for over a century to understand genetics and basic developmental mecha-

ing of diseases. Drosophila will keep surprising us for the time to come!” (ltb)

nisms. Nowadays, it is used to reproduce some of the most common human tumours, and researchers are confirming that the tumours in flies behave in a similar manner to analogous human cancers. “The power of fly genetics allows us to rapidly and precisely dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying unlimited tumour growth, metastatic behaviour and malignancy to the host at the cellular level,” says Milán. He draws attention to three key elements discussed during the conference. “First, the fly is being widely used to perform drug screening and identify functional targets for specific types of tumours,” he says. “The combination of Drosophila genetics and chemical biology helps us to identify the most effective drugs with the lowest number of off targets.” A second example where flies play a useful role specifically in cancer research is a systemic problem often associated with cancer patients, called cachexia. “Often times in the final stages of cancer, the organism succumbs IRB Barcelona alumnus Mohammed Mahidur Rahman discusses fruit fly research with a colleague during the Barcelona BioMed Conference in June. (Photo: M. Minocri)

Keeping up with the frenetic pace of microscopy development at ELMI 2015

ore than 400 microscopy experts and users met at the 15th European Light Microscopy Initiative (ELM) Meeting, an annual microscopy conference held this year in Sitges on 19-22 May.

medical Imaging,’ in which IRB Barcelona Group Leader Jordi Casanova was invited to speak. We wanted to focus on scientific fields that are changing together with the new opportunities that light microscopy offers.” The

Advanced Digital Microscopy Core Facility manager Julien Colom-

conference was “a tremendous opportunity” to highlight that light micros-

belli and his CRG counterpart, Timo Zimmermann, organised the meet-

copy and imaging is very strong in Barcelona, and a strategic line of techno-

ing that brought together a community of people involved in using, devel-

logical development for IRB Barcelona and CRG, whose imaging facilities

oping or distributing Advanced Light Microscopy techniques for the life

collaborate closely.

sciences. “The distinctive feature of ELMI is that collaboration between academics and companies is very strong,” explains Colombelli. “ELMI revolves around its annual conference, unique in its format because it dedicates almost half of the time to hands-on workshops by companies offering their latest developments ‘beyond the usual coffee break exhibition.’ This year, we introduced new scientific sessions, such as ‘Cancer and Bio-

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

“Today more than ever, technology development happens at a frenetic pace,” says Colombelli. “No single institute can cope with it. The expertise and resources required to master new technologies are so great that net-

working is essential. Collaborations with experts in specific techniques is

fundamental to get proofs-of-principle working, and before integrating the technology in house. ELMI is an invaluable framework for that.” (ltb)

Celebrating the 2014 ”la A once in a decade event Caixa” graduate students S

top what you’re doing and sign up now to save your seat for the IRB Barcelona 10th Anniversary Scientific Symposium and

Alumni Reunion. It’s an event you won’t want to miss.

On Monday, 26 October, IRB Barcelona researchers and staff

ince 2008, the ”La Caixa” Foundation has allowed IRB Barcelona to

will step out of the lab for the day and head to the CCCB to cel-

recruit 61 talented PhD students from across the world. The most

ebrate a decade of discovery in the biomedical sciences with a special

recent are two students who will arrive this Autumn under the ”la

scientific symposium. Activities are designed to celebrate achieve-

Caixa”- Severo Ochoa International PhD Fellowship Programme. On 7 July, the four IRB Barcelona PhD students chosen in 2014 after an

ments in areas of IRB Barcelona research and look forward to where the biomedical sciences are headed over the next ten years.

international selection process received their certificate in a ceremony held

Internationally renowned speakers in fields related to IRB

at the CaixaForum in Barcelona. The event saw the participation of the 52

Barcelona science will discuss their latest research, together with

PhD students at the 18 research centres with the “Severo Ochoa” Distinction

selected alumni speakers who will present projects they have been

of Excellence (in 2014), and was attended by Secretary of State for Science,

working on since leaving IRB Barcelona. Key figures in IRB Bar-

Carmen Vela.

celona’s history will also discuss the contributions the institute has

The fellowships are awarded to students with outstanding academic re-

made to the research landscape in Barcelona and beyond, followed

cords and great potential. The four students from IRB Barcelona come from

by a round table conversation with figures from leading European

the UK, Poland, Germany and Spain and work in the fields of chemistry,

and North American research institutions on how to ensure excel-

bioinformatics and developmental biology.

lence in research. A final interdisciplinary session will bring together

high-profile representatives from the worlds of science, cuisine, and football – three areas for which Catalonia is known worldwide – for a lively discussion on high-impact leadership. Check out the full programme and register before 5 October via the IRB Barcelona webpage.

Alumnus start-up gets Wayra nod The startup, GenomeCore, dedicated to create a computational platform to manage the genomic information of its clients and whose CEO and founder is IRB Barcelona alumnus Òscar Flores, has joined Wayra, the Telefonica Group accelerator. For a year, GenomeCore will participate in Wayra’s acceleration programme, which includes financing, advice and logistical support. From left to right, Craig Donoghue, Elzbieta Szulc, Lada Murcia, and Jürgen Walther on 7 July at the CaixaForum in Barcelona about to receive their certificate. (Photo: L.T. Barone)

IN BRIEF EXPLORA for Orozco and Ribas. The Spanish Ministry of Economy

Informatics in the BIB. IRB Barcelona has joined the Bioinformat-

has awarded Group Leaders Modesto Orozco and Lluís Ribas (also an

ics Barcelona Association (BIB). The association includes 25 organisations,

ICREA Researcher) €58,000 and €55,000 respectively within the National

including universities, research centres, hospitals, large scientific facilities,

Programme for Fostering Excellence in Scientific and Technical Research

companies, and others, and a further 23 organisations are in the process of

‘Explora Ciencia.’ The goal of this programme is to promote ‘heterodox and

joining. BIB seeks to set in motion advanced research initiatives in knowl-

radical innovative’ approaches to basic science or technology development

edge and tech transfer and aims to implement programmes to train special-

that represent a significant step forward in knowledge.

ists. BIB is also supported by the Government of Catalonia and the ”la

ELIXIR accelerates with Horizon 2020 funding. The sustainable

Caixa” Foundation.

European infrastructure for biological information, supporting life science

Epilepsy European project engages Iproteos. The European project

research and its translation to medicine, agriculture, bioindustries and soci-

ECMED (Extracellular Matrix in Epileptogenesis) aims to design, validate

ety, ELIXIR, has been awarded 19 million euros from the EU to sustain its

and bring into practice new innovative therapeutic strategies to further the

implementation over the next four years. From September 2015, ‘ELIXIR-

development of treatments and diagnostic approaches for of epilepsy. Co-

EXCELERATE’ will fast-track the development and deployment of es-

funded within the H2020 framework programme, it will last for three years

sential data services. The Spanish node of the infrastructure comprises 10

with a budget of 3.5 million euros. The biotech company Iproteos, a IRB

research centers and organisations, including IRB Barcelona.

Barcelona spin-off, is the only Spanish partner of the consortium.

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

Swimming and sausages in support of science

s In Vivo readers will know, IRB Barcelona friend Carlos

Helpers were on hand to sell NadarContraCorriente t-shirts, gener-

Romero is spending his summer training to swim across the

ously provided by Gili Industrial, and to hand out sweets, donated by

Strait of Gibraltar in September. Through his initiative, Nadar-

Chupa Chups, two local businesses, and raised 640 euros.

ContraCorriente, he will raise funds for IRB Barcelona research in cancer and metastasis. It turns out that Carlos has lots of friends, and they are joining in to help him out, in whichever

“Butifarrada en Martorell” Friends at Les Vinyes restaurant in the neighbouring town of Martorell, also pitched in with their support and or-

way they can.

ganised a typical Catalan sausage

“La Gran Nadada Popular”

barbecue party on 17 July. With the

Collaborators at the City

help of the Martorell town hall, the

Hall and sports complex of Car-

square adjacent to Les Vinyes was

los’ hometown, Sant Esteve Ses-

prepared with long lines of tables

rovires, came together on 6 June

and chairs as well as a stage for mu-

to organise a community swim-

sicians Roger Fuster y Joan Farrés to

along, where neighbours were

serenade the happy diners on a warm

invited to the municipal pool,

summer night.

opened especially for the day, to

If you’re curious to know more,

swim 18.5 km – the distance of the Strait – in symbolic support of Car-

check

los. Four hours and 2,864 lengths later, 129 swimmers (ranging in ages

Fernández (yet another friend!), and make sure you stay tuned for the

from two to 68, and including IRB Barcelona researcher Marco Milán

minute-by-minute updates as Carlos hits the water in Cadiz sometime

and his daughter Alba) had logged a distance of more than 71 km – the

during the week of 21 September. (ss)

out

the

blog

www.nedarcontracorrent.org by Fran

equivalent of to Africa and back four times.

TECH TRANSFER NEWS

“100xciencia" to celebrate Spain’s frontier science

FCRI PRESENTATION OF COLO-

TTS EUROPE & ENTENTE HEALTH

STAGE & NOSTRUM BIODISCOVERY

On 28-29 April, IRB Barcelona participated

Two promising IRB Barcelona projects, Co-

in the 9th edition of TTS Europe 2015 and the

lostage (Eduard Batlle) and Nostrum Biodis-

final conference of the ENTENTE Health

covery (Modesto Orozco) were presented at

project on best practices in healthcare technol-

the Science-Business Forum, organised by the

ogy transfer. TTS is a high-level international

Catalan Foundation for Research and Innova-

meeting, held this year in Spain for the first

tion (FCRI) and EY Foundation in April. The

time, which aims to foster better understand-

Forum aims to bridge biomedical research and

ing between all stakeholders in the biotech-

industry and make entrepreneurs aware of the

nology, biomedical and healthcare communi-

in the media and society. Registration at

business opportunities that biomedical science

ties on the critical need for efficient transfer of

www.100xciencia.com.

presents. Ten academic and 12 business proj-

early innovative research to commercialisable

ects rooted in biomedicine, were presented to

product technology.

an audience of businessmen and investors.

INNOVATION WORKSHOP SERIES

BIO PHILADELPHIA 2015 On 15-18

On 9 June, Marc Ramis Castelltort, CEO at

June, IRB Barcelona headed to Philadelphia

Tech & Business Innovation, led an interactive

for the BIO International Convention, a ma-

workshop for 20 IRB Barcelona members on

jor gathering of the international biotechnol-

how to transfer academic results to the private

ogy sector. A delegation of 37 companies and

biomedical sector. The seminar, ‘Technology

seven research institutions was led by Biocat,

transfer: turning academic results into busi-

the organisation that coordinates and pro-

ness opportunities,’ is part of a workshop se-

motes the life sciences sector in Catalonia.

ries organised by the Innovation Department.

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

he city of La Palma will host the ‘100xCiencia’ forum on 7-8 October

2015. Organised by the 20 centres with the Severo Ochoa Seal of Excellence, the event will convene scientists and journalists to celebrate Spain’s frontier science and debate the impact of science

Mini-scientists for a day

he traditional visit that IRB Barcelona staff’s kids pay every other year to the Institute’s labs was extended

this year to welcome the families of our neighbours at IBEC. On 26 June the two institutes celebrated a joint Kids’ Day receiving a flood of more

than 120 children of all ages who, after enjoying a science clown show, split into groups for some hands-on science fun. IRB Barcelona kids visited three stands where they could play and learn with colourful chemistry, fruit flies and bacteria. After a refreshing pause, they toured through Ernest Giralt’s lab to see what a scientific laboratory really looks like. Activities wrapped up with a chance to learn more about pH, draw pictures of researchers, and taste ice cream made the scientific way – with liquid nitrogen! Check out a video of this special day at https://youtu.be/WB2L3AvKfMU

A new lab look

More than 120 young scientists-to-be from IRB Barcelona and IBEC families discovered what scientists get up to during their days at work. (Photos: L.T. Barone)

Spending the summer with science

lab. The goal of the redesign was to provide a

clear and easily recognisable institutional look,

enees, located in the impressive setting of Vall d’Àneu in northern Catalonia, for a unique

and to give continuity to the disconnected

experience, participating in a real scientific research project. Like every year, IRB Barcelona

spaces assigned to IRB Barcelona within the

researchers were there to accompany them, guiding them through principles of biomedical re-

Barcelona Science Park. Magnetic grey panels

search. They cloned genes and expressed and purified proteins as part a project geared toward

provide plenty of space to hang posters, and

understanding what happens in Alzheimer’s disease and design new drugs that could treat its

signs hung above each lab clearly indicate

symptoms. It was a challenge that the kids were truly up for.

IRB Barcelona labs have a new look! Corporate blue panels and mosaic designs now provide a welcoming entrance to each

who’s inside. No excuses for not finding your collaborators now!

hen you think about summer camp, does ‘science’ come to mind? For students in the Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation’s ‘Joves i Ciència,’ programme, it certainly does.

Each June, 50 selected high-school students have the chance to travel to MónNatura Pyr-

“The classes really put me to the test,” admits Irene, a student from Barcelona, “but at the same time, they convinced me of my passion for the biosciences. The experience gave me an idea on what a career in science is really like.” Many of the students who have participated in past editions of ‘Joves i Ciència’ have gone on to distinguish themselves at competitive universities, and to position themselves well to receive grants to study at leading laboratories. Most importantly, the camp allows the teenagers to share experiences with people like themselves, passionate about science. They form

lasting friendships and, who knows, maybe valuable scientific collaborations in the future. (hg) A newly-redesigned IRB Barcelona lab. On the right, students from the Joves i Ciència programme learn about Alzheimer’s. (Photo: H. González)

in vivo

July 2015

| Issue 31

NEW AT IRB

ON THE MOVE

Meet our cheerful new His-

After doing his PhD in An-

topathology

Facil-

toni Riera’s lab in July, Alex

ity manager, Neus Prats

(Ibiza, 1963). After study-

de la Fuente (Barcelona, 1987) left IRB Bar-

ing Veterinary Medicine in

celona to become business

Córdoba (“I was the first

development manager for

woman native of Ibiza to receive this degree!”),

GP Pharm, a Barcelona-based company spe-

she moved to Barcelona to do a PhD in Veteri-

cialised in oncology and urology therapies. His

nary Pathology. For 11 years she did research and

background in medicinal chemistry — his thesis

taught in the UAB’s Histology and Pathological

was on the synthesis of aminosugars for possible

Anatomy Department, and also collaborated with

medical applications in lysosomal storage dis-

a contract research organisation for private and

eases — was key to landing his new job. “If you

public biomedical research centres. In 2001, Neus

understand how a drug works and is produced,

joined the pharmaceutical company Almirall, as

you can answer most of your clients’ technical

head of Pathology and Predictive Toxicology. She

questions,” he notes. Alex wanted a job out-

joined IRB Barcelona in June. “I like to work in

side the lab, and this one gives him the chance

a multidisciplinary ground-breaking team,” she

to learn new things, such as regulatory aspects,

says, “and welcome the opportunity to support

patents, laws and business in an international

your research with our histopathological services.

setting. “I learnt a lot at IRB Barcelona. I had

I received a very warm welcome from IRB Barce-

a good time and met a lot of friends, but I also

lona. I like how well the Institute is organised, and

learnt to be a good scientist. I think this is why

I am looking forward to adding my grain of salt.”

they trusted me here,” he concludes.

Core

Next up in the Barcelona BioMed Conference series! Register online by 5 September www.irbbarcelona.org

SPOTLIGHT

“We need to teach girls how to programme”

ow can you combine your passion for science, learning and

I am especially sensitive to the issue of women in science, and in my

children? This was what bioinformatician Federica Lombar-

field, there are very few women. I want to teach girls that programming

di, postdoctoral fellow at IRB Barcelona, asked herself when

is fun! Among the many things we do in our workshops, we build small

she left IRB Barcelona in May. Together with her partner, also a scien-

robots with LEGO pieces, and use ‘squishy circuits’ to light up the eyes

tist, she decided to found LABCLUB, a “travelling

of little animals we make with pizza dough. We

multilingual school of science, technology and na-

play with Scratch, a simplified programming lan-

ture.”

guage for kids. We also have microscopy work-

What’s the goal of LABCLUB?

shops, where kids observe cells and then draw the

We want to promote interest in science among

organelles they see, or maths workshops, where we talk about platonic figures and show them

kids and at the same time boost their English skills

what a methane molecule – a perfect tetrahedron

through fun workshops. We are inspired by the

– looks like.

so-called ‘maker culture.’ Basically, it’s a modern version of ‘Do-It-Yourself,’ but with technology.

Can you see LABCLUB being your future?

It’s like a hobby: we believe in a cut-and-paste

We are working on it! The response we have

approach to technologies, and we like using and

received so far has been overwhelming. Plus, it’s

learning practical skills and applying them to exist-

really fascinating to observe children as they learn. (ltb)

ing designs. What motivated you to start it?

Former IRB Barcelona postdoc Federica Lombardi has started a company to inspire children to be passionate about science.

In vivo, issue 31. Published by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine. Office of Communications & External Relations. Barcelona Science Park. c/Baldiri Reixac, 10. 08028 Barcelona, Spain.  Web: www.irbbarcelona.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/irbbarcelona - Twitter: @IRBBarcelona Editorial committee: Luca Tancredi Barone (ltb), Sarah Sherwood (ss) (editors), Sònia Armengou (sa). Contributors: Helena González (hg), Sílvia Pineda (sp). Graphic Production: Grupo Sifu. Legal deposit: B 19148-2014. This document has been printed on recycled paper. To subscribe or unsubscribe from in vivo, e-mail: info@irbbarcelona.org. © IRB Barcelona 2015.