Artificial intelligence applied to the genome identifies an unknown human ancestor Blog Post

Researchers from the Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG-CRG) –based in the Barcelona Science Park and integrated into the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)– the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), and the Institute of Genomics at the University of Tartu have identified, in the genome of Asiatic individuals, the footprint of a new hominid who cross bred with its ancestors tens of thousands of years ago. The study, published in Nature Communications, uses deep learning for the first time ever to account for human evolution, paving the way for the application of this technology in other questions in biology, genomics and evolution.

 

Embryotools achieves the world’s first pregnancy with a new nuclear transfer technique for treating infertility Blog Post

Researchers from the Spanish centre Embryotools —with headquarters in the Barcelona Science Park (Parc Científic de Barcelona, PCB) — are participating in a landmark scientific event in Greece that will shape the future of assisted reproduction. In a pilot clinical trial conducted on women, which is being sponsored by the assisted reproduction centre Institute of Life in Athens, Spanish scientists have achieved the world’s first pregnancy that uses the Maternal Spindle Transfer technique to solve problems of infertility.

 

IBEC researchers produce ‘biorobots’ with live muscle tissue generated from 3D bioprinting Blog Post

IBEC’s Smart Nano-Bio-Devices group at the Barcelona Science Park have used 3D bioprinting to produce ‘biorobots’ made of biological elements such as muscle tissue. These bio-inspired soft robotic devices could offer many more capabilities for movement and performance – such as real-time bio-sensing, self-organization, adaptability, or self-healing – than existing systems, which use solely artificial materials.

 

Researchers at IRB Barcelona develop a tool to tackle resistance in cancer Blog Post

The lab headed by Modesto Orozco at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) in the Barcelona Science Park has developed a tool to tackle resistance in cancer. The therapeutic approach has been validated in breast cancer cells in vitro, and the results have been published in the scientific journal Chemical Communications.

 

Biocat Report shows growth in international investment in BioRegion of Catalonia Blog Post

More than 300 professionals from the sector attended the event to present a new edition of the Biocat Report, the benchmark study on the healthcare and life sciences sector in Catalonia. Under de title “Escaling-up the BioRegion of Catalonia”, the Biocat Report highlights the growing attractiveness of the life sciences and health sector for international investment –linked to the positioning of the BioRegion as a European hub in health research–, the increase in the number of companies and the occupation of sector, as well as the advance of innovation in health towards social impact. Biocat, the organization that coordinates and promotes the life sciences sector in Catalonia, has its headquarters in the Barcelona Science Park.

 

Researchers uncover strategy to reduce chemotherapy side effects Blog Post

Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based in the Barcelona Science Park, and the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) have developed a light-regulated molecule that could improve chemotherapy treatments by controlling the activity of anticancer agents.