For twenty years, IRB Barcelona has been at the forefront of fundamental and translational biomedical research, driving discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of cancer, ageing, metabolism, cell biology, and genome regulation. Horizons of Biomedicine: Two Decades of Discovery is a special Barcelona BioMed Conference conceived to celebrate this extraordinary trajectory and to share it with the scientific community.
Presentation
This anniversary edition will bring together an outstanding, multidisciplinary group of internationally leading scientists whose work has defined — and continues to define — the frontiers of modern biomedicine. The conference will unfold in two complementary parts: an open scientific programme bringing together the international community, and a dedicated session for the IRB Barcelona community to come together and reflect on the journey ahead.
The programme reflects both the breadth and depth of IRB Barcelona’s scientific vision, with contributions from internationally renowned speakers Dr. Hans Clevers, Dr. Johanna Joyce, Dr. John Dick, Dr. Scott Lowe, Dr. Brenda Andrews, Dr. Marian Walhout, and Dr. Joan Massagué, alongside emerging voices from the IRB Barcelona community. In addition to keynote talks, the meeting will feature speed presentations, poster sessions, and “Meet the Speaker” opportunities for young scientists, fostering dialogue across disciplines and career stages.
By bridging fundamental discovery with translational ambition, this conference is not only a celebration of two decades of scientific achievement, but also a forward-looking forum to discuss the challenges and opportunities that will shape the next era of biomedicine. We warmly invite the scientific community to join us in Barcelona to reflect on what has been achieved, exchange ideas, and help define the horizons of biomedical research for the years to come.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 30 March, 2026
(Note: For any questions regarding registration, please contact: meritxell.gavalda@irbbarcelona.org)
Programme
Thursday, 16 April 2026
Auditorium
9:00 Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:30 - 10:15 Welcome
Institutional welcome by:
- Dr. Antoni Plasència, Director General for Research and Innovation, Department of Health, Government of Catalonia
- Sra. Teresa Sanchis, Director General for Research, Department of Research and Universities, Government of Catalonia
IRB Barcelona presentation by Dr. Francesc Posas
Institutional video
10:15 - 11:50 Session 1 - Chaired by Dr. Eduard Batlle and Gerard Llibre
Dr. Hans Clevers "Human organoids model in 3D and 2D"
Dr. Johanna Joyce “Unraveling the Complexity of Cancer Ecosystems"
Dr. Alexandra Avgustinova "Mapping origins and heterogeneity to reveal treatment opportunities in childhood cancer"
11:50 - 12:10 Flash talks - Session 1
12:10 - 14:00 Lunch
-- 13:15h - 14:00h Parallel "Meet the speaker" sessions (registered participants only)--
14:00 - 15:10 Session 2 - Chaired by Dr. Marco Milan & Jake Pickering
Dr. Marian Walhout “Genome-scale models of metabolic wiring and rewiring”
Dr. Ana Victoria Lechuga-Vieco "Mitochondrial heterogeneity and metabolic plasticity across health and disease"
Dr. Stefanie Wculek "How innate immune cells adapt to environment and function: tales of mitochondria"
15:10 – 15:30 Flash talks - Session 2
15:30 - 16:00 Coffee break
16:00 - 16:55 Session 3 - Chaired by Dr. Salvador Aznar Benitah & Amelia Kurti
Dr. John Dick "Non-genetic determinants drive the stem cell origins of human acute myeloid leukemia"
Dr. Alejo Rodriguez-Fraticelli "Origins and consequences of blood stem cell heterogeneity"
17:00 - 18:00 Posters session
Friday, 17 April 2026
9:30 - 11:20 Session 4 - Chaired by Dr. Modesto Orozco & Melani Juric
Dr. Scott Lowe “Understanding and exploiting the intersection between senescence and cancer”
Dr. Brenda Andrews “Global mapping of genetic interactions in yeast and human cells reveals conserved principles of genetic networks”
Dr. Direna Alonso "When Tissues Decide: Epigenetic Plasticity at the Crossroads of Inflammation and Cancer"
Dr. Cristina Mayor-Ruiz "Unlocking and decoding the chemical rewiring of E3 ubiquitin ligases"
11:20 - 11:40 Flash talks - Session 3
11:40 - 12:30 Coffee break
12:30 - 13:15 Dr. Joan Massagué - Keynote Lecture
13:15 - 13:30 Dr. Raúl Méndez - Closing remarks
13:30 - 13:40 Institutional closing by M. S. Joan Guàrdia, Rector of the UB
13:45 - 15:30 Lunch
15:30 – 17:30: 20-year celebration event (Private event for IRB Barcelona members & Alumni)
17h30 - Cake presentation by Oriol Balaguer and cava toast
18h00 - Human tower with the Colla Castellera Jove de Barcelona and group picture
Venue
The BARCELONA BIOMED CONFERENCE Horizons of Biomedicine: two decades of discovery will take place at the World Trade Center Barcelona in Barcelona.
Moll de Barcelona s/n
Telephone: +34 935088000
(Rooms: Auditorium & Port Vell)
Speakers
Poster
