Nowadays

In February 2020, Dr. Joaquín Arribas will become Director of IMIM and Director of Research at PSMAR, although he will continue to be linked to the VHIO where his research group has ongoing projects, some recently initiated and others of long standing. The new responsibility that Dr. Arribas assumes will serve to strengthen the ties between IMIM, PSMAR and VHIO professionals and may contribute to reinforce Barcelona's position as an international reference in biomedical research.

In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic put society, the healthcare system and research centers to the test forcing us to react very quickly and adapt to the new reality to give our best as a response to society and the scientific community. Despite the great pressure on patient care, many research initiatives were carried out by all research programs. Several projects obtained competitive grants and are beginning to show results and the foundations have been laid for new areas of study for the coming years.

It should be noted that MARBiobanc was a pioneer in Spain in initiating the systematic collection of COVID-19 samples, starting on April 1, thanks to close coordination with the clinical services of the Hospital del Mar and collaboration with the Reference Laboratory of Catalonia, which is a node integrated in MARBiobanc. It made more than 2,000 patient samples available for research.

One of IMIM's main objectives is to carry out translational research of excellence in order to be an international reference in biomedical research. In this sense, in 2022 IMIM reinforces its commitment to leading research and attracting young research talent with the launch of the IMIM-OpenLAB initiative. A program that seeks to promote excellence and foster new lines of research.

IMIM-OpenLAB includes a program to attract research talent of excellence, including new spaces for research laboratories immediately available for new research groups that choose IMIM to start or continue their work. In addition to the space, the initiative foresees securing the necessary funding for the first years of research at the new location.