2025/05/22

CIC bioGUNE welcomes Osalan to strengthen ties between biomedical research and occupational health in the Basque Country

CIC bioGUNE has welcomed the institutional visit of personnel from Osalan, the Basque Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, with the aim of learning more about the research carried out at the center in the fields of personalized medicine and translational oncology.

Throughout the day, the visiting team toured the laboratories and technological platforms, guided by the scientific staff.

The visit has served as a valuable opportunity to explore potential future collaborations aimed at strengthening the Basque health system through science and prevention.

CIC bioGUNE research center, member of BRTA, hosted the technical and executive staff of Osalan this Thursday during a day of scientific and institutional exchange designed to foster synergies between both organizations in support of a more innovative, preventive, and collaborative health system in the Basque Country.

The main goal of the visit was to provide an in-person look at the scientific activity taking place at CIC bioGUNE in the field of biomedical research, with a special focus on its translational nature and its impact on two strategic pillars: personalized and precision medicine, and translational oncology. The center is internationally recognized for its excellence in basic research aimed at generating knowledge that can be transferred to clinical, technological, and social applications.

The day began with a presentation by Prof. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director of CIC bioGUNE, who outlined the center’s mission, research strategy, and strong commitment to contributing to the well-being of Basque society through science and knowledge.

Following this introduction, the visiting group toured the facilities in a guided visit coordinated by CIC bioGUNE’s Liver Diseases Group, led by Dr. Malu Martínez-Chantar. During the tour, Osalan personnel had the opportunity to see first-hand the laboratories and technological platforms where a wide range of research projects are being carried out, including studies on biomarkers, innovative therapies, cellular metabolism, immuno-oncology, and the molecular mechanisms of various diseases.

The visit also served as an excellent platform to open a space for technical dialogue between CIC bioGUNE and Osalan, where initial discussions were held on potential synergies related to the impact of occupational and environmental factors on health, as well as the role of basic research in supporting prevention and addressing related pathologies in workplace contexts.

Both organizations expressed their interest in continuing to explore avenues for collaboration that will help reinforce the Basque health system by leveraging their respective expertise and innovative capabilities. CIC bioGUNE emphasized the importance of welcoming public and social institutions into its ecosystem, promoting shared, inclusive science aimed at delivering results with real societal impact.

With visits like this, CIC bioGUNE reaffirms its commitment to being an open and collaborative research center, serving a healthier, more sustainable, and cohesive 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 organization conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, chemical, 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 over 4,000 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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