IRB Barcelona is a world-class research centre devoted to understanding fundamental questions about human health and disease. It was founded in October 2005 by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the University of Barcelona (UB), and is located at the Barcelona Science Park (Parc Científic de Barcelona). IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology.
The Institute’s missions include conducting multidisciplinary research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry and medicine, providing high-level training in the biomedical sciences to staff, students and visitors, driving innovation through active technology transfer to the benefit of society, and actively participating in an open dialogue with the public through a series of engagement and education activities.
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Human Resources Excellence in Research
IRB Barcelona has been awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to continuously improving its human resources policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The award confirms the efforts of the Institute to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures. Click here for more information.
International leaders in research
IRB Barcelona is home to nearly 450 research, technical and support staff from 35 countries who share the common goal of contributing to the advancement of the biomedical sciences through investigator–driven research, and improving quality of life by applying advances in this field.
Convergence of disciplines
The convergence of biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology is unique at IRB Barcelona and opens a strategic window to gain insight into basic molecular processes in health and disease.
Our multidisciplinary science
Research is conducted by 23 groups organized into 5 interdisciplinary programmes. Each programme includes a diverse faculty of researchers with overlapping scientific interests. The research areas have been structured to be highly interactive, fostering multidisciplinarity by combining modern molecular biology, classical genetics, biochemistry, structural biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, advanced microscopy, and genomic and proteomic approaches.
Our governing body
Our Board of Trustees comprises members of the Catalan Government (from the Department of Economy and Competitivity and the Department of Health), the University of Barcelona, a representative from the BBVA Foundation as well as internationally renowned scientists.
A unique setting
IRB Barcelona is housed within the Barcelona Science Park on the University of Barcelona Pedralbes Campus. It is an integral part of the ‘Bioregion of Catalonia’, a rich landscape of research centres of excellence, universities, science parks, hospitals, scientific infrastructures and pharmaceutical companies, all with a focus on the life sciences. It is a member of the CERCA network of government research centres.
Excellence ensured by evaluation
Our External Advisory Board, comprised of leading international researchers in biomedicine, meets regularly to help shape and evaluate IRB Barcelona’s institutional and scientific strategy. The Board evaluates periodically our research groups following international standards.
Optimising technology transfer
A Business Advisory Board of experts from pharma, venture capital and academia also contributes to identify the best strategies to transfer IRB Barcelona research results into real value for industry and society and detect business opportunities.
