2025/10/02

CIC bioGUNE makes cancer research accessible to the public, with patients playing an active role

In the framework of Cancer Research Week, CIC bioGUNE opened its doors to patients and citizens, providing a firsthand look at innovative cancer research and highlighting the crucial role of citizen engagement in advancing biomedical science.

On Thursday, CIC bioGUNE welcomed the Bizkaia Cancer Association and members of the Biscayan community to explore how cutting-edge cancer research is conducted. The initiative was part of Cancer Research Week, dedicated to demonstrating the transformative impact of science and the vital role of citizen participation in advancing biomedical research.

The event began with a welcome address from CIC bioGUNE’s Scientific Director, Professor Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, who presented the center’s mission, strategic objectives, and main research areas. He highlighted the team’s commitment to excellence in oncology research and underscored recent progress in the fight against cancer.

Participants toured laboratories and research facilities, observing firsthand the work of different scientific groups. Researchers explained their projects and approaches to critical challenges, including liver diseases, prostate and breast cancer, therapy resistance, and cancer-related glycoimmunology.

For CIC bioGUNE, this open day is a key opportunity to strengthen ties between science and society. The center emphasized that the involvement of patients and citizens promotes transparency, fosters trust, and ensures that cancer research addresses the real needs of the community.

CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, expresses its sincere gratitude to all those who made this initiative possible, including the Bizkaia Cancer Association, participating researchers, and the patients and citizens who contributed their time and engagement.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

Spanish version