2026/06/05
CIC bioGUNE strengthens strategic partnerships with Denmark to advance Glycoscience research
On June 4th and 5th, CIC bioGUNE hosted the “Danish-Basque Meeting on Glycosciences,” an initiative designed to strengthen scientific collaboration between research teams from the Basque Country and Denmark in the field of glycosciences, a key discipline for understanding fundamental biological processes and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Over the course of two intensive days, researchers from both regions shared scientific advances, technological capabilities, and new opportunities for cooperation with the aim of establishing long-term partnerships to address common challenges in biomedicine, biotechnology, and health. The programme brought together internationally renowned experts and combined scientific presentations, discussion sessions, and poster exhibitions, fostering knowledge exchange and the identification of synergies among research groups.
The first day featured presentations by leading figures in the field of glycosciences, including Hans Wandall, Ana Ardá, Katrine Schjoldager, June Ereño-Orbea, Hiren Joshi, Luca Unione, and Yoshiki Narimatsu, alongside a strong representation of early-career researchers who presented their work through oral communications and posters.
The second day continued with scientific sessions led by Ana Gimeno, Adnan Halim, Ana Ruiz-Sáenz, Niels Reichardt, and Ieva Bagdonaite, among other experts from the Danish and Basque research ecosystems. The presentations explored different perspectives on glycan research, ranging from fundamental aspects of molecular biology to applications with potential clinical impact.
One of the most valuable aspects of the meeting was the active participation of early-career researchers. The poster sessions and informal networking opportunities facilitated the exchange of ideas and the development of connections that may lead to future scientific collaborations, joint projects, and international mobility programmes.
Through this initiative, CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, reinforces its commitment to the internationalisation of research and the development of scientific networks of excellence. The meeting helped consolidate existing links between the Danish and Basque research communities while opening new avenues for cooperation in the strategic field of glycosciences, whose potential is fundamental to advancing more precise and personalised medicine.
The overall outcome of these two days was highly positive, laying the foundations for future joint initiatives aimed at transforming scientific knowledge into innovative solutions with a tangible impact on society.
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.
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