IRB Barcelona - InVivo 3 - July 2008

in vivo July 2008

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July 2008

Issue 03

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Issue 03

NEWSLETTER OF THE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN BIOMEDICINE

Barcelona BioMed kicks into high gear for spring Who can resist the lure of spring in Barcelona? Not many, it would seem, as not a free seat was to be found at the Barcelona BioMed scientific conferences held in April and May.

Joining forces to beat cancer The Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) and IRB Barcelona have signed an agreement to fund a research project to unravel the molecular mechanisms that govern metastasis of breast cancer to the lung.

From the bottom up ... and the top down PhD students have recently been rolling up their sleeves to help carve out the future of IRB Barcelona’s International PhD programme. A committee of Group Leaders has also been busy giving them a hand.

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The gift of solidarity IRB Barcelona received a very special visit in May. Marta Prous (left) and friends came to present the Institute with money collected from fifty anonymous individuals who want to contribute to the fight against cancer.

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Deciphering protein crystal structures

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Twenty-two hundred years later

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IRB Barcelona's 2007 Annual Report has just been released. Get your copy from the Office of Communications & External Relations or online at www.irbbarcelona.org

Strumming it up with Elena Rebollo

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Cancer research for all ages

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Joining forces to beat cancer AECC and IRB Barcelona launch collaboration miles and handshakes were the order of

how these alterations arise and

the day as representatives from the Scien-

what occurs inside a tumor

tific Foundation of the Spanish Association

cell that confers it the capacity

Against Cancer (AECC) and IRB Barcelona

to migrate and grow in a new

met on April 7 to mark the beginning of a

environment are crucial in the

very special relationship. The two organiza-

fight against this disease.

tions signed an agreement through which the

Photo: J. Pareto

S

(From left to right) Roger Gomis, managing director of IRB Barcelona’s MetLab and coordinator of the project, Francisco González-Robatto, president of AECC and its Scientific Foundation, Joan Guinovart, IRB Barcelona Director, and Isabel Oriol Diaz de Bustamante, vice-president of AECC and its Scientific Foundation.

AECC will fund a research project aimed at

The research will be funded

unravelling the molecular mechanisms that

with 300,000 euros over three

govern metastasis of breast cancer to the

years. Each year the Scientific Foundation of

and boost cancer research of quality in our

lung.

the AECC, whose mission is to contribute to

country with the goal to improve the future

the training of researchers and to strengthen

prospects of cancer patients.”

Chosen through an open competition, the

cancer research, launches an open call for

project –to be undertaken in IRB Barcelona’s

grant proposals and selects four for funding.

MetLab– addresses the study of the alterations that occur in cells during metastasis, the pro-

After thanking the AECC for its support of scientific research at IRB Barcelona, Joan

According

to

Francisco

González-

Guinovart recalled the importance of philan-

cess by which a tumor spreads from one or-

Robatto, president of AECC and its Scien-

thropy for strengthening science in Spain.

gan to another. Since 90% of all cancer deaths

tific Foundation, “once again, the Scientific

“To win the fight against cancer all strata of

are caused by metastasis, knowledge about

Foundation of the AECC seeks to support

society must be involved.”

fee breaks later, the events were declared a success and conference-goers returned home with knowledge of the latest discoveries in their fields under their belts, some new contacts, and pleasant memories of a fruitful and enjoyable time in Barcelona.

Participants during the IRB Barcelona BioMed Conferences Targeting and Tinkering with Interaction Networks (left) and Metastasis Genes and Functions (right) at the Institut d'Estudis Catalans.

Since its inception in 2006, the Barcelona BioMed series of scientific conferences

Barcelona BioMed kicks into high gear for spring

W

have quickly gained renown among scientists worldwide for the high-quality and unique opportunity they provide. Each conference

ho can resist the lure of spring in Bar-

design to meet and discuss the networking

brings together 20 speakers selected from

celona? Not many, it would seem, as

of complex biological systems. Hot on its

among leading international researchers in a

not a free seat was to be found at the Bar-

heels was “Metastasis Genes and Functions,”

highly focused think-tank atmosphere. Ad-

celona BioMed scientific conferences held in

organized by IRB Barcelona Adjunct Di-

ditional participants, selected on the basis of

April and May. First, “Targeting and tinker-

rector Joan Massagué and Tyler Jacks, from

their scientific experience, are invited to join.

ing with interaction networks”, organized by

the Massachusetts Insitute of Technology in

The series is organized in collaboration with

IRB Barcelona group leader Patrick Aloy and

Cambridge, USA. Their event brought to-

the BBVA Foundation, and is generously

Rob Russell, from the European Molecular

gether laboratory and clinical experts to dis-

hosted by the Institut d’Estudis Catalans in

Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germa-

cuss the genetic determinants and molecular

the heart of downtown Barcelona. Next up?

ny, gathered leading minds in the world of

mechanisms of cancer metastasis. Nearly 400

“Morphogenesis and Cell Behaviour”, to be

interactions, pathways, networks and drug

participants, six conference days and ten cof-

held on October 6-8, 2008.

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Issue 03

From the bottom up

... and the top down, too

PhD students unite to create Student Council

T

I

he best initiatives are often ones that start from the ground up. PhD activities

t’s not only the students who have been getting down to business…

IRB Barcelona Group Leaders have

at IRB Barcelona are no exception to this, and

also jumped on board and have revised

students have recently been rolling up their

and reformed the official IRB Barce-

sleeves to help carve out the future of IRB

lona PhD Programme Committee.

Barcelona’s International PhD Programme.

The committee, which is formed by one Group Leader from each Programme and chaired by IRB Bar-

started to think of ways to share ideas and

celona Director Joan Guinovart, is

experiences and build stronger links among

charged with overseeing all academic

the student community, which now numbers

issues relating to the institute’s PhD

around 170. They also wanted to establish ties

activities. One of their first challeng-

with the Institute’s management, so that they

es will be to address the recommenda-

Photo: S. Sherwood

Things began bubbling in the summer of 2007, when a handful of PhD students

could better communicate their interests and gain support to launch new activities. Soon the idea of a student-organized symposium was born, and a small group formed to plan the event. Several brainstorming sessions later, an unofficial student council began to take shape. Discussions among students showed, however, that in order to have broad support

tion made by IRB Barcelona’s External Advisory Board at their meeting in November 2007 to strengthen PhD and educational activities at the Institute.

Measures to be taken include increas-

(Left to right) IRB Barcelona PhD students Jordi Vallès, Gavin Whissell, Duarte Mesquita and Anna Arnal.

the council would need to be officially elect-

ing interactions between students, postdocs and senior researchers, designing an introductory theoretical course and lab rotations for new PhD

ed. Administration welcomed the initiative

out the details of how to set up the Council.

students, organizing an interpro-

and asked students to select candidates for an

They also discussed plans for the student-run

gramme Lab Day, and overseeing is-

official Student Council.

symposium to take place in 2009, training

sues related to Thesis Advisory Com-

courses and rotations for new students, and

mittees. The group will meet monthly

Ten students, two from each programme

thesis advisory committees. In a follow-up

to discuss the best ways of approach-

and all from different laboratories, mostly

meeting, the students gathered ideas for the

ing these and future initiatives, and

in the second and third year of their PhDs

upcoming events, listed issues to discuss with

will rely on the help of Clara Cami-

(Anna Arnal and Gavin Whissel for Oncol-

administration, and decided how to distrib-

nal, IRB Barcelona’s Academic Offi-

ogy, Marta Lloret and Duarte Mesquita for

ute the Council's work among themselves.

cer, to implement them. They’ll also

Cell and Developmental Biology, Laura

meet periodically with the Student

Regué and Jordi Vallès for Molecular Medi-

Regular news from the Student Council

Council to ensure there is good com-

cine, María Moreno and Jordi Mas for Chem-

will soon be available on the IRB Barcelona

munication between the two groups.

istry and Molecular Pharmacology, and Di-

intranet. If you have questions or ideas, or

ana Martinez and Amelie Stein for Structural

would like to participate in any of the IRB

and Computational Biology) were appointed

Barcelona PhD student activities, get in touch

to the Council, and on May 6, they held their

at student.council@irbbarcelona.org.

first official meeting. Together with IRB Barcelona Director Joan Guinovart and Aca-

Amelie Stein

demic Officer Clara Caminal, they hashed

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Who’s on board? Ferran Azorin (Cell and Developmental Biology), Modesto Orozco (Structural and Computational Biology), Xavier Salvatella (Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology), Carme Caelles (Molecular Medicine), Roger Gomis (Oncology)

July 2008

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in vivo

Issue 03

Research ablaze

H

ow would you feel if years of your research went up in

flames? Carlos Spichiger, Romina

The gift of solidarity

I

n May, IRB Barcelona received a very special visit. Marta Prous, Teresa

Areny and Katy Álvarez came to present the Institute with money collected from

PhD students at the Austral Uni-

about fifty anonymous individuals who

versity of Chile in Valdivia, lost their

want to contribute to the fight against can-

work in a fire that devoured the Fac-

cer. The real story began some months

ulty of Science in a matter of hours.

before when Marta contacted IRB Barce-

The experience was traumatic. “What

lona through its general mailbox. In her

was most shocking was to see scien-

email she explained that some friends and

tists with years of experience crying

family were planning a get together to pay

inconsolably,” says Spichiger.

tribute to her sister Susanna, who had

Photo: A. Alsina

Bertinat and Rodrigo Gatica, three

Marta glancing through the storybook.

died from cancer two years earlier after a

and were taken on a guided tour of IRB

IRB Barcelona has recently do-

seven-year battle against the disease. “Su-

Barcelona by its director, managing di-

nated 10,000 dollars to help in the re-

sanna wrote tales and we've published one

rector and external relations team. Their

construction of the faculty and will

called En Joan i la Joana,” a beautiful sto-

message was clear: “You can show people

host Spichiger, Bertinat and Gatica

rybook for the youngest members of the

that through small initiatives like this one

family. “We plan to give people copies of

you can also help to advance research. We

the storybook in exchange for a contribu-

have all done our bit to continue the fight

tion and we want to donate the money we

against cancer.” To keep this initiative go-

collect to your center,” Marta wrote in her

ing we are making the storybook available

email. No sooner said than done. In April

through our website. We warmly thank the

they held the get together ‘Turn Susanna’s

supportive gesture of these remarkable

story into the seed of research’.

women. For more information www.irb-

The inside of the Austral University of Chile after the fire.

barcelona.org/donations.

During their visit to IRB Barcelona, the three emissaries stopped by the Met-

from September until the completion

Sònia Armengou

Lab, where they spoke to researchers,

of their PhD studies. “The level of publications at the university is going to fall dramatically, and the loss is going

Deciphering protein crystal structures

to put us back a few years and stand us at a disadvantage with researchers from other centers,” says Spichiger. With a commendable dose of optimism, they say that the exceptional facilities at IRB

F

inding the perfect crystal on the door asking for help

Barcelona to join efforts to

can take weeks, months, to crystallize a protein and

expand the range of services for scientists and advance

ones get it in two days, but The platform has recently

research in crystallography.

for lost time and they feel lucky to be

that's an exception,” says

“Our future plans include

hosted by the Institute and by a city

postdoctoral

Joan

launching new collaborations

like Barcelona. Asked what lessons can

Pous. He's been recently

with research groups and re-

be learnt from the experience in Chile

hired by IRB Barcelona to

they immediately answer “Keep back-

work at the Automated Crys-

up copies!”.

tallography Platform of the

of requests,” explains Ali-

Barcelona Science Park. His signed an agreement with

cia Guasch, manager of the

mission is to handle requests IRB Barcelona and the Insti-

Automated Crystallography

from researchers who knock tute for Molecular Biology of

Platform.

Tanya Yates

fellow

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Photo: R. Solà

even years. “I've seen lucky collect X-ray diffraction data.

Barcelona will enable them to make up

cruiting students to help us with the increasing number

July 2008

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in vivo

Issue 03

Twenty-two hundred years later

E

genesis and cell interactions in development

Greek colonists. A few hundred years

and cancer helped all the participants to get

later, during the Punic Wars, Empúries al-

a wider view of the main scientific questions

lied with Rome, and Publius Cornelius

being addressed in the different labs. Presen-

Scipio initiated the conquest of Hispania

tations tackled work in model systems as di-

from this city in 218 BC. Twenty-two hun-

verse as yeast, mice, frogs and flies.

Photos: M. Brigg

mpúries was founded in 575 BC by

dred years later, seventeen PhD students, eighteen postdocs and six Group Leaders of

During the evening, social activities or-

the Cell and Developmental Biology Pro-

ganized by PhD students and postdocs con-

gramme travelled to this unique place by

tributed to building ties among researchers

the Mediterranean sea to hold their third

of neighboring labs. This combination of

Programme retreat.

science and social activities has surely helped the whole community to boost their feeling of belonging to the Cell and Developmental Biology Programme. Congratulations to all

heated discussions with long coffee breaks

the participants and we look forward to the

to share the latest scientific results of all the

4th Programme retreat in 2009.

Photos: M. Brigg

During two intensive days, the participants combined scientific presentations and

labs in the Programme. Discussions on topics such as chromatin regulation and centrosome structure, cell biological aspects of morpho-

VIEWPOINT

Marco Milán - Programme Coordinator

*What is it like working as a programme secretary at IRB Barcelona?

Martha Brigg

Vanessa Llobet

Natàlia Molner

Eva Poca

Sara Martorell

Programme Secretary, Cell & Dev. Biology

Programme Secretary, Struct. & Comp. Biology

Programme Secretary, Molecular Medicine

Programme Secretary, Chem. & Mol. Pharmacology

Programme Secretary, Oncology

“Well, I guess in some

“Actually, our job is quite

“Being a programme sec-

“My day could be de-

“We programme secretar-

ways it feels like peeping

amazing. We deal with

retary is like having sev-

scribed as a mixture of

ies are multitasking or-

through a keyhole when

many different tasks and

eral jobs. Sometimes I

extremely urgent, impor-

ganic compounds with a

there's no light. Or at

get to work with a lot of

feel like a chef struggling

tant and regular day-to-

complex structure to face

least no light for me! It's

people, from PhD stu-

to cook to perfection or

day issues. The trick is

a wide range of peculiar

probably the closest a lit-

dents, principal investiga-

like an economist pursu-

to find the balance. My

situations in micro and

erature student will get to

tors or even Nobel Prize

ing clear accounts. Other

job involves contact with

macro environments. Like

the world of science. No

winners to institute di-

times I feel like an actor

a potpourri of people

other biological macro-

doubt, the part I enjoy the

rectors, financial manag-

ready to improvise, like

of distinct nationalities

molecules, we have struc-

most is being surrounded

ers, warehouse workers,

a firefighter making sure

working in different fields

tural functions, such as

by people with different

cleaning ladies ... We are

safety reigns in situations

and institutions. The dy-

being proactive, English-

backgrounds because in

expected to have answers

of risk, like a researcher

namics and demands of

speaking,

this context striving to

to

everything,

looking for clues, and at

the people I serve guaran-

creative. We usually work

communicate effectively

which is one of the best

times even like a philoso-

tee that each day is differ-

behind many biological

is a big challenge.”

aspects of the job.”

pher searching for truth.”

ent. I never get bored!”

interactions!”

almost

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flexible,

and

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Issue 03

FACES TO NAMES Elena Rebollo.

Research Associate, Cell Division Laboratory, IRB Barcelona

“You wouldn't believe how many scientists are fond of an instrument and are good at it” ANNA ALSINA

Elena Rebollo (Madrid, 1968) starts her second life when she gets off work. “I'm really addicted to science, but if I could start a new life I wouldn't mind swapping research for music,” she says. An expert in cell division with a promising career, Rebollo has been really busy this year accompanying the Orchestra of Guitars of Barcelona in a series of concerts at the Poliorama Theater. Next year, she'll cross the Atlantic ocean with some of her guitar peers to tour the United States.

- How long have you been playing guitar?

“I grew up surrounded by music. My dad used to play mandolin when I was little and he bought me my first Spanish guitar when I was six. I haven't stopped playing since.”

- How did you end up in science?

“I knew I wanted to be a biologist since I was seven. I still remember my mom's face when I told her. She flipped out. Choosing my professional path was a hard decision to make, mainly because I had equal feelings about science and music. Somewhere along the way I just happened to get hooked to science and decided to make it my career.”

Elena Rebollo (front) before a concert at the Poliorama Theater in Barcelona.

- But you never stopped playing ...

“I always find the time to play guitar when I get home after work, even when I'm back late after having struggled with an experiment.

It's a very addictive hobby because it helps me evolve a lot. Music and science have many things in common. You wouldn't believe how many scientists out there are fond of an instrument and are good at it! Music is full of science. It's pure math, hertz and creativity.”

- Science can also be frustrating at times.

How do you handle monotony?

“I'm pretty good at it because I'm a very stubborn person. I think one of the keys to why scientists don't get bored with monotony is

that we're always looking for answers. When I'm doing dozens and dozens of crosses in Drosophila, not only do I accept monotony as part of the process of searching for truth, I also know that each repetitive step will get me closer to my goal of finding, for instance, how a tumor forms in vitro. I think getting along with repetition in our daily work is a pretty common skill in scientists. In a way, we have a certain masochistic component, otherwise we couldn't survive doing this. But it's definitely very rewarding.”

- Do you have trouble turning the switch off when you get off work?

“I'm getting better at it thanks to the guitar, it helps me disconnect. Sometimes frustration can affect my mood though. When I get stuck working on something, my brain can't shut down until I fall asleep. Of course having a partner who's also a scientist doesn't help me disconnect (she laughs). The truth is that I've come up with really good ideas many times at home.”

- Have you ever felt an urge to run to the lab at night?

“Not yet, I can still wait until the next day, but I'm a night owl ... Give me time!”

This past May, the Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia awarded IRB Barcelona the Josep Trueta prize for best scientific research. The prize was presented to the head of the study, IRB Barcelona Director Joan J Guinovart, for the contribution to elucidating the pathogeny of Lafora disease and to discovering a new mechanism of neuronal lesion. The work was a joint collaboration between the groups on metabolic engineering and diabetes therapy, and on developmental neurobiology and regeneration.

AWARDS & HONORS IRB Barcelona Principal Investigator and Coordinator of the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme Ernest Giralt was appointed a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona in June. Giralt's work focuses on the synthesis and structural elucidation of peptides.

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IN BRIEF Appointed secretary of state IRB Barcelona Principal Investigator Màrius Rubiralta was recently appointed secretary of state for the Department of Universities of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Rubiralta, who leads a group within the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme, has served in the past as director of the Barcelona Science Park and as vice-chancellor of the University of Barcelona.

NEWS FROM THE PARK

The 6 th Live Research fair attracts over 1,500 visitors

Training future leaders A group of more than 30 students from the Master in Science Leadership and Management programme at the Pompeu Fabra University visited IRB Barcelona to learn about the Institute's organization and management strategy.

The working visit started with an introductory talk by the director and the managing director of IRB Barcelona and was followed by an open discussion and a guided tour of the Institute's research laboratories and facilities.

Participating centers: IRB Barcelona, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica, Institut de Ciències del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut Químic de Sarrià, Institut Català d’Oncologia , Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya. Photo: PCB

The 6th edition of ‘Live Research’ attracted

scientific vocation among young students.

over 1,500 visitors who were interested in

The event was held in the Movistar Marquee,

putting their research skills to work through

a multimedia venue located next to the Park.

hands-on sessions. The fair, held annually,

The hurdles of grant writing Tips and advice from a senior scientist on how to write grant proposals was the focus of a working lunch held on May 7 at IRB Barcelona. Ten postdocs attended the event, organized by Ernest Giralt, Coordinator of the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme.

Trip to the Pyrenees More than 70 researchers from the Structural and Computational Biology Programme travelled to a remote location in the Pyrenees in May to hold their first programme retreat. Working sessions were combined with adventure activities such as rafting and horse riding in the wild.

showed the general public some of the proj-

This year’s edition involved more cen-

ects currently being performed by scientists

ters and groups than the previous year and

working at several research centers and insti-

showed projects from extremely diverse dis-

tutes in Barcelona. This fair is a unique ini-

ciplines such as genetics, oceanography, ro-

tiative since it allows the communication of

botics, bioengineering, medicine, computer

‘live science’ by bringing participants directly

science and archaeology. Visitors had a chance

into contact with researchers to get first-hand

to find out about the latest breakthroughs in

information about the methods being used

biocompatible materials and their potential

in their studies. Each stand is designed like

to regenerate human tissue, how skin cancer

a small lab, where visitors can practice with

can be detected and the differences between

real research instruments and interact with

healthy and tumor cells, the methods that ar-

scientists to learn about their projects.

chaeologists use to reconstruct the past, the challenges faced by scientists who study the

‘Live Research’ is part of the science out-

human genome, how computer science can

reach programme ‘Research in Society’, run

help to recover brain functions, and the strat-

by the Barcelona Science Park and supported

egies used to manage spills at sea. See more on

by the Social Programme of Caixa Catalunya.

IRB Barcelona's participation on page 8.

The fair seeks to bring research closer to society, to facilitate dialogue between researchers and members of the public, and to stimulate

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Carme Pérez - PCB

July 2008

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in vivo

Issue 03

SPOTLIGHT Cancer research for all ages What is colon cancer?” a teenager asks IRB Barcelona researchers Carme Cortina and Sergio Palomo. The scientists put their explanation skills to work and try to simplify the concept. Once he has a good idea, the young student puts on a pair of gloves and gets to practice with a pipette and real cancer cells.

Like him, dozens of other curious visitors gathered around the exhibition stand of the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory during the 6th Live Research fair, held in April in Barcelona.

- What kind of visitors stopped by?

“All sorts of people, from 3 year-old kids to octogenarians. Some of the visitors were at first scared about colon cancer and were surprised to find out there are many things we can do to prevent it, such as good diet, exercise and early detection.”

NEW AT IRB BARCELONA Alexandre Puerto (Spain, 1978) is the new Head of Finance at IRB Barcelona. An expert in business management, he has a broad knowledge in auditing in the private sector and more than five years of experience working for international companies.

“My immediate goals are to bring technical solutions to shorten administrative processes and to ensure scientists have access to the latest technology and equipment to support research,” he says. His main motivation is his belief that his work will contribute to science.

Cristina Lacasa (Spain, 1980) has joined the Cell and Developmental Biology Programme as the new research assistant of the Microtubule Organization group. Having just finished her doctoral studies at the Catalan Institute of Oncology, she was looking for a position in which she could combine technical work and research. She says she has nailed it and is happy to have made the change.

Guiomar Solanas (Spain, 1980) has recently joined the Colorectal Cancer Laboratory I in the Oncology Programme as a postdoctoral researcher. With the help of her research colleagues, she's working toward finding new molecular pathways to colon cancer. Guiomar, a biologist by training, finished her doctoral studies in colorectal cancer last year and is now determined to stay in this field for quite a while. She sees her move to IRB Barcelona as an opportunity to “learn and gain new responsibilities.”

Cortina (left) and Palomo (right) answering questions from visitors at the stand. Photo: A. Alsina

- What type of questions were you asked?

“Many were about people they knew who had been diagnosed with a polyp, a benign growth in the rectum. We helped them understand why polyps don't necessarily have to lead to cancer. They also wanted to know whether colon cancer affected more men than women and the type of preventive actions they could take.”

- How was the hands-on experience?

“Some students were intimidated at first and didn't want to touch anything, but when they saw their peers looking through the microscope at cancer tissue sections and handling living cancer cells, their fear faded away. It was very motivating to see so many people interested in our research. Our stand was one of the most successful ones!”

Maximilian Becker (Germany, 1984) moved from Germany to Spain in 2007 after he graduated in biology to start his thesis work in a new cultural environment. He has recently joined the Structural Bioinformatics group, where he plans to finish his practical training toward his thesis on the identification of protein relations using text mining. He says he has adapted to the region very quickly. “I've been working to improve my Catalan for the past seven months.” He's not fluent yet, but he hopes one day he'll be able to master the language.

COMING SOON XXXI Congress of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Bilbao, September 10-13, 2008. Visit us at the IRB Barcelona stand Group Leaders and Facility Managers retreat, October 2-3, 2008 More info: giuliana.zerene@irbbarcelona.org Barcelona BioMed Conference: Morphogenesis and cell behavior October 6-8, 2008. More info: www.irbbarcelona.org/biomed/morphogenesis

Published by the Institute for Research in Biomedicine. Office of Communications & External Relations. Parc Científic de Barcelona. Baldiri Reixac, 10. 08028 Barcelona, Spain. www.irbbarcelona.org Editor: Anna Alsina. Associate Editor: Sarah Sherwood. Contributors: Sònia Armengou, Marco Milán, Tanya Yates, Carme Pérez. Design: Aymerich Comunicació. Printing: La Trama. Legal deposit: B-30893-2008.

www.irbbarcelona.org