2025/10/29

International partnership between GlycoNet and CIC bioGUNE to advance global glycomics research

The collaboration will focus on joint research initiatives, knowledge exchange programs, and the sharing of cutting-edge resources, aiming to strengthen global efforts in the study of glycobiology.

Strengthening international partnerships, GlycoNet and CIC bioGUNE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen collaboration in glycomics, the study of complex sugars that coat our cells and play vital roles in biology, from infection to immunity.

This strategic partnership will enable CIC bioGUNE and GlycoNet to jointly explore and support co-funded research projects of shared interest, facilitate exchanges of trainees and researchers, and share cutting-edge infrastructure, scientific platforms, and data. By pooling expertise and resources, both organizations aim to accelerate advancements in glycomics, fostering innovations that have the potential to impact health, agriculture, and biotechnology on a global scale.

“GlycoNet has long recognized that global challenges demand global solutions. This collaboration with CIC bioGUNE is part of our strategy for building transatlantic partnerships, enabling us to pool expertise, advance innovations in health, agriculture, and biotechnology, and create new training opportunities for the next generation of glycomics scientists,” explains Dr. Elizabeth Nanak, CEO, GlycoNet

“CIC bioGUNE is committed to pushing the frontiers of precision medicine. Working with GlycoNet provides a unique opportunity to link European and Canadian research ecosystems, creating synergies that will accelerate innovation,” highlights Prof. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director, CIC bioGUNE.
Through this agreement, CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, and GlycoNet reaffirm their commitment to international collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of a new generation of glycomics researchers, contributing to scientific discoveries that benefit communities worldwide.

About GlycoNet
Led out of the University of Alberta, GlycoNet is a pan-Canadian research network consisting of 210+ researchers in 37 institutions across the country and has funded over 180 projects. GlycoNet investigators use the study of carbohydrates (sugars) in living cells to find solutions to unmet health needs through the development of tools, drugs, vaccines and diagnostics. Taking a One-Health approach that considers the connections among human, animal and environmental health, GlycoNet is advancing research, innovation and training in glycomics to improve quality of life for Canadians. Under the network, GlycoNet Integrated Services (GIS) operates as a national platform of glycomics services. GlycoNet and GIS together provide one-stop access to glycomics tools, specialized expertise, consulting and collaborative opportunities to academia and industry, both nationally and internationally. GlycoNet is also a leader in training the next generation of glyco-scientists and promoting collaboration and advancement in glycomics research. GlycoNet is supported in part through the Government of Canada’s Strategic Science Fund, the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Major Science Initiatives Fund, Genome Canada’s Technology Development Program and Alberta Innovates.

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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