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Copyright 2010 Produced by: Office of Communications and External Relations Institute for Research in Biomedicine IRB Barcelona Baldiri Reixac, 10 08028 Barcelona, Spain www.irbbarcelona.org Editing and layout: Anna Alsina Design: Nicola Graf Photography: Raimon Sol (group photos), Maj Britt Hansen, Marta Prez (pp. 43, 65, 66), Roland Pache (p. 67), Office of Communications and External Relations Printing: Puresa/La Trama Legal deposit: B-7910-2010
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Foreword ........
Table of Contents
Science at IRB Barcelona
Cell and Developmental Biology Programme ....................... Structural and Computational Biology Programme ............... Molecular Medicine Programme ...................................... Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme ............. Oncology Programme ................................................... Core Facilities ........................................................... MetCentre................................................................ 18 23 28 32 36 39 43
Foreword
of Catalonia, launched in 2005. The aim of this document is to provide an overview of the activities and developments that have taken place within the IRB Barcelona research community over the past year. Accompanying this edition is a DVD which contains a further selection of IRB Barcelona publications, including the 2009 Scientific Report (a detailed summary of the work carried out during the year by our research groups and core facilities), Science Stories from IRB Barcelona (a book aimed at a non-specialist audience that features a selection of research projects currently being carried out at the Institute) as well as other documents that provide a snapshot of life inside the laboratory.
his is the 2009 Annual Report of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), a young and dynamic research centre in the heart
2009 was a year for increased growth and improvement at IRB Barcelona. First, our Oncology Programme expanded in May with the arrival of researcher Travis Stracker from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Stracker and his group focus their research on genomic instability and cancer. They hope to further their understanding of how DNA damage response affects key signal transduction networks, and how this impairment can lead to tumour development. The Advanced Digital Microscopy (ADM) Core Facility, a joint adventure of IRB Barcelona and the Barcelona Science Park, was officially launched in April. Under the leadership of Julien Colombelli (previously at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany), the facility provides a complete range of light microscopy imaging services to the IRB Barcelona and PCB research communities as well as to visiting scientists. The addition of the ADM brings to six the number of core facilities that IRB Barcelona has created for the
IRB Barcelonas main priority remains the continued pursuit of excellence in research through the improvement of existing programmes and the addition of talented new research groups
benefit of the scientific community at the Barcelona Science Park. A new Department of Innovation and Strategic Projects, led by Jorge Domnguez, was established in March. The department assists IRB Barcelona members in identifying, protecting, developing and commercialising their discoveries and inventions with the goal of ensuring that research ultimately reaches and benefits the public. In December, Mrius Rubiralta resigned from his group leader position in the Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme in order to attend to his duties in the Spanish government. IRB Barcelona is indebted to Dr Rubiralta for the key role he played in creating the Barcelona Science Park as well as the Institute. Elena Sanchos research group merged with that of Eduard Batlle, thus reinforcing our research efforts in colon cancer. IRB Barcelonas main priority remains the continued pursuit of excellence in research through the improvement of existing programmes and the addition of talented new research groups. Angel R Nebreda will join the Institute from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (Madrid) early in 2010, thus strengthening and reinforcing the Oncology Programme. The Molecular Medicine Programme is also in the process of recruiting a new group leader. IRB Barcelona also completed the first round of the pre-evaluation process for those group leaders who have
been with us for more than three years. The feedback received from the reviewers served to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to foster the continued improvement of the Institutes research programmes.
IRB Barcelona researchers enjoyed considerable success in 2009 in obtaining funding for scientific projects from the European Union
to build on the strengths of our programmes and our training potential in order to position IRB Barcelona at the forefront of biomedical research. They also studied the Strategic Plan, which will guide the growth of the Institute for the next six years.
Focus on training
Training activities at IRB Barcelona forge ahead at an exciting pace. Ten talented new students from nine different countries joined the la Caixa/IRB Barcelona International PhD Programme in September and will spend the next four years doing research toward their doctoral degrees in an IRB Barcelona group. The annual la Caixa call was supplemented in 2009 with a second national-level call, which allowed a further five students to begin their studies. This represents a unique opportunity in that it offers a possibility for students to begin their doctoral studies at IRB Barcelona even before national fellowship calls are launched. Our PhD students continue to be extremely active and in 2009 organised a series of activities including student seminars, cool-off sessions and a football league, all aimed at creating possibilities for scientific and social interaction among their community. One major achievement in 2009 was the celebration of the First IRB Barcelona PhD Student Symposium, The Architecture of Life, on November 2-3. The symposium was organised in its entirety by the IRB Barcelona PhD Student Symposium Committee, and welcomed distinguished speakers, including 2009 Nobel Laureate Ada Yonath. The symposium was a great success and represents an enormous achievement for our students.
Postdoctoral training also received a boost in 2009 when four new postdocs took up their positions as a result of an interdisciplinary call launched in 2008. This initiative aims to foster collaborations within IRB Barcelonas research areas and successful candidates are now carrying out their projects involving two of the Institutes research programmes. Postdoc opportunities at the Institute will expand even further, as IRB Barcelona has been awarded a substantial grant from the EUs Marie Curie Programme. We will receive nearly one million euros over the next four years to recruit outstanding international postdoctoral researchers. We expect to fill the first positions in 2011. Following the example of the PhD students, postdoctoral researchers also coalesced and launched some activities to support their community in this critical time of their careers. They formed a council who will help to facilitate interaction, both scientific and social, among postdocs from across the Institute, and will liaise with IRB Barcelona management. They have collaborated in the organisation of training courses and career development activities.
metastasis. The Scientific Coordinator of the MetCentre is IRB Barcelona Adjunct Director Joan Massagu. Since its launch, the MetCentre has begun a regular seminar and group discussion series, which brings together researchers from the Hospital Clnic, the Vall dHebron Hospital, the Hospital del Mar, the Hospital de Sant Pau and IRB Barcelona.
celona and clinical researchers at a number of centres across Barcelona closer together. Through the Institut dInvestigacions Sanitries Hospital Clnic-IDIBAPS, a series of scientific exchange meetings was launched to discuss local research developments in a variety of topics related to human health. Meetings held in 2009 focused on cancer, neurosciences, metabolic and liver diseases, and infectious diseases and world health.
Looking ahead
In just over four short years, IRB Barcelona has managed to achieve remarkable results. This can be seen in the success we have attained in recruiting top-level scientists from around the world, in achieving a respectable standard of publication, in attracting important resources from competitive international funds, in creating the infrastructure and activities necessary to facilitate excellence in our scientific and training endeavours, and in establishing strategic and fruitful collaborations. 2009 was no exception to this and no doubt we have taken major steps forward to achieving our goals.
Reaching out
IRB Barcelona continued to promote a series of outreach activities. The Barcelona BioMed Conferences, which were started in 2006, have established a firm niche in the international setting and continue to attract an outstanding line up of speakers for each event. In addition, several workshops and the forum dedicated to Science and Art demonstrated the capacity of IRB Barcelona to draw a wide range of audiences.
Joan J Guinovart
Director
Joan Massagu
Adjunct Director
n a scale stretching from the size of single molecules up to a multicellular organism, the cell lies almost exactly in the middle, and it is the link between the two levels. By transforming information in its genome into proteins and other molecules, a cell knows when to divide, what shape to take on, and how it should behave to build a multicellular organism. Whether that body develops in a healthy way or suffers from disease can usually be traced back to what happens within cells. The Cell and Developmental Biology Programme aims to reveal how these levels are linked by looking deeply into the cell to study how structures arise and contrib-
ute to the construction of an organism. Until about two decades ago, these questions were addressed in quite separate disciplines, but have since been drawn together into one which is showing rapid growth. Cell biologists are getting a handle on the processes that enable cells to create larger structures, and developmental biologists are now looking at the cellular mechanisms that underlie the growth of embryos. Bringing these themes together requires multidisciplinary experimental approaches that stem from modern molecular biology, classical genetics, biochemistry, advanced microscopy and state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic methods. The groups explore topics that include how signals are passed within and between cells, what controls cell migration and intercalation, how boundaries form between tissues during development and how tissue growth is controlled. Other themes include microtubule organisation, cell division in development and disease, epigenetic regulation and chromatin function, and how controlling the output of genes can be used for biomedical purposes. The research groups that form part of the Programme pursue these questions in several model organisms, among these yeast, Drosophila, frogs, mice and human parasites.
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Jens Lders I Postdoctoral Fellows: Marco Archinti, Neus Teixid I PhD Students: Florian Baier, Sabine Klischies, Nicolas Lecland I Research Assistant: Cristina Lacasa
hysics and life meet at the level of single molecules, the behaviour of which is dictated by their shapes and chemical properties. DNA, RNA, proteins and other molecules interact and transform each other in a complex dance that creates living organisms; a detailed understanding of life requires linking the behaviour of these components to their structures. This knowledge is crucial in research into genetic diseases, which are often caused by small structural changes in molecules. It is also required to improve drugs and develop new ones. A drug is usually a small
molecule that functions by plugging itself onto a protein and altering its behaviour. Without a structural picture of this interaction, it is generally impossible to know exactly how pharmaceutical agents work. The Structural and Computational Biology Programme gathers a wide range of expertise to examine these aspects of life. Great advances over the last three decades in techniques like X-ray crystallography and NMR, for which state-of-the-art facilities are available at IRB Barcelona, have provided detailed structural maps of many key biological molecules. But many remain to be explored, and it has also been difficult to get a look at the internal workings of molecular machines comprising many molecules. In many cases it is possible to deduce structural information about new proteins and their interactions by comparing their sequences with those of other known molecules. This approach requires the use of innovative computational tools, the potential of which has grown enormously since scientists have been able to draw on the wealth of information produced in genome projects.
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Maria Macias I PhD Students: Eric Aragn, Albert Escobedo, Nina Grner, Jordi Mas I Masters Student: Tiago Lpez I Research Assistant: Pau Martn I Lab Technician: Lidia Ruiz
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Miquel Pons I Research Associates: Pau Bernad, Jess Garca I Postdoctoral Fellows: Yolanda Prez, Alejandra Sornosa I PhD Students: Jascha Blobel, Giovanni
Cincilla, Tiago Cordeiro, Carles Fernndez, Arola Fortian, Oriol Marimon, Yandi Naranjo I Lab Technician: Isabel Latorre I Visiting Student: Lucas Gelain (Brazil)
he biomedical sciences are standing on the threshold of a new era in medicine that may one day make it possible to cure cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative conditions, and a variety of diseases that cannot be combated with vaccines, antibiotics, or existing drugs. Scientists have a wide range of new tools available to study the origins of disease and many new approaches to intervene in processes within cells. These tools have
already revolutionised medical diagnostics, and the vision for the coming decades is to learn to apply them to directly manipulate the molecules responsible for diseases. The Molecular Medicine Programme seeks to further knowledge in these fields and find new ways to put discoveries to use. The Programme boasts broad expertise in the fields of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, cell signalling and regulation, genomics, genetics and immunology. Ongoing activities include the study of the molecular bases of diabetes, obesity, inflammation, metabolic syndrome and rare diseases, and research into new treatments for these pathologies. The Programme also addresses the signalling pathways that control cellular processes, genome-wide investigations of disease processes, the biology of macrophage cells, the molecular basis of inherited aminoacidurias and the structural basis of membrane transporter function.
Understanding signals
Carme Caelles lab studies the principles that govern cross talk between some of the cells most relevant signalling pathways in the context of anti-inflammatory action. Their research efforts are directed to gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory activity of molecules, including the well-known anti-inflammatory drugs glucocorticoids. All these molecules share the ability to inhibit the activation of pro-inflammatory signalling such as the stressactivated protein kinase (SAPKs) pathways. For instance, blockage of SAPK activation is crucial not only for the anti-inflammatory action of these molecules, but also for other relevant pharmacological actions, such as the antidiabetic action of thiazolidinediones. A second focus of the group is the study of protein kinases of the NIMA family involved in the regulation of the cell division cycle.
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Carme Caelles I Research Associate: Joan Roig I Postdoctoral Fellow: Neus Teixid I PhD Students: M Teresa Bertran, Kader Cavusoglu, Rodrigo Gatica, Jordi Lanuza, Giuseppe Pulice, Laura Regu, Sara Sdelci I Lab Technician:
Cristina Vila
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Manuel Palacn I Research Associate: Jos Lus Vzquez I Postdoctoral Fellows: Chiara
Bartoccioni, Susanna Bodoy, Joana Fort, Lukasz Kowalczyk, Merc Ratera, Albert Rossell, Eva Valencia I PhD Students: Meritxell Costa, Gonzalo Delgado, Arturo Rodrguez, Laura Rodrguez I Lab Technicians: Susanna Bial, Vanesa Rodrguez, Jorge Seco I Project Manager: Olga Baus I Visiting Students: Meritxell Espin (Spain), Arantzazu Zubeldia (Spain)
he development of novel drugs involves designing new molecules or modifying existing ones in order to achieve a particular effect on cells and organisms. In the past, pharmaceutical science was a matter of trial-and-error finding a substance that helped ease the symptoms of a disease, and then using chemistry to extract and improve it. Often this was done in complete ignorance of how substances really worked. Today scientists have discovered what many drugs do usually they bind to a particular protein or molecular complex and change its shape or chemistry, thereby affecting how it interacts with other molecules. A wide variety of
techniques are now available to study and manipulate these interactions, as well as to find new targets proteins which play a key role in the development of a disease, and whose manipulation might restore cells to a healthy state. The Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology Programme includes several types of expertise necessary to carry out this new approach to drug design. The goal is to identify targets, reveal their functions and the nature of their interactions with other molecules, and build or modify molecules that can influence their behaviour. Researchers in this Programme synthesise a large variety of bioactive compounds, with special focus on nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, peptidomimetics molecules that resemble or imitate natural peptides and other chemical compounds. For these purposes, the groups use innovative methods such as enantioselective synthesis, solid-phase synthesis of libraries of bioactive compounds and multi-component reactions. The ultimate goal is to create substances that might be useful as drugs or tools to study biological systems, and work focuses on studying how drug candidates interact with their targets. The main tools used are NMR, computer studies, and mass spectrometry.
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Antoni Riera I Research Associate: Xavier Verdaguer I Postdoctoral Fellow: Catalina Ferrer I PhD Students: Nuria Aiguabella, Edgar Cristbal, Sean Doran, Yi Ning Ji,
Thierry Len, Pablo Martn, Mara Moreno, Marc Revs, Ana Mara Vzquez Lab Technician: Ferran Santacana I Visiting Scientist: Jean-Claude Kizirian (France)
Oncology Programme
ancers arise when fundamental processes that control the reproduction, differentiation, and behaviour of cells go astray. The Oncology Programme aims to improve the prognosis, prevention and treatment of cancer by studying the basic principles of development of this devastating disease. Research groups in the Programme focus on diverse aspects of how tumours arise and develop. There is a special emphasis on the mechanisms that transform benign tumours into malignant ones, on the relationship
between stem cells and cancer, and on the identification of programmes that cause certain types of cancer cells to produce tissue-specific metastasis. Groups in the Programme need strong ties to the clinical side of cancer research. Collaboration agreements with several oncology and pathology units of hospitals in the metropolitan area of Barcelona will facilitate the translation of basic research into clinically relevant diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
Research Group Members I Group Leader: Travis Stracker I Postdoctoral Fellow: Maria ngeles Tapia I PhD Students: Helena Gonzlez, Katrin Rein, Irena Stevanovic I Research Assistant: Suvi Aivio
Core Facilities
he research carried out at IRB Barcelona is supported by a wide range of Core Facilities that provide technical assistance as well as access to cutting-edge biomedical resources, instrumentation and services aimed to accelerate scientific results and conclusions. IRB Barcelona Core Facilities are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art tools for research, and offer an extensive number of services and techniques in advanced digital microscopy, biostatistics, bioinformatics,
functional genomics, mass spectrometry, protein expression and mouse models of disease. Services provided to IRB Barcelona researchers include cutting-edge genomic techniques to interrogate or alter genes on a genome-wide level, a complete range of state-of-the-art light microscopy imaging systems and techniques to assist researchers with their image processing, data interpretation, and presentation needs, spectrometric techniques to identify a broad range of biological species, software tools to facilitate the interpretation of experimental results, highthroughput protein expression activities to run many parallel variations of an experiment, and development and production of genetically modified mice for research purposes. These shared core facilities are strategically located in the Barcelona Science Park to ensure research synergies and efficiency. In addition to the core facilities run by IRB Barcelona, research at the Institute is also supported by platforms and facilities of the Barcelona Science Park, as well as technical services of the University of Barcelona.
Research
lthough metastasis has been considered a major health problem for centuries, the breakthroughs made with respect to its genetic determination, its molecular mechanisms and specific treatments have been minimal. Conceptual and technological advances that have arisen in recent years, however, now offer an unprecedented opportunity to tackle this devastating process. In an effort to develop a new strategy against metastasis, IRB Barcelona officially launched the Metastasis Research Centre (MetCentre) in July 2009, a new initiative aimed to channel resources and research efforts into the causes, mechanisms and treatment of metastasis. MetCentre brings together basic research groups from IRB Barcelona and clinical and translational groups from hospitals and technology platforms in the city, with the aim to perform joint investigation on metastasis. The funding available to MetCentre is devoted exclusively to metastasis research. The objectives of MetCentre are to implement and develop multidisciplinary protocols and technology to identify genes and functions of clinical relevance for cancer and metastasis; to establish a framework or reference to channel all efforts related to metastasis from a transversal and translational perspective; and to contribute to the design of new protocols for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment
of metastasis. The research focuses on the study of the overall metastatic process as well as its individual components: tumour angiogenesis, the progenitor cells that derive from bone marrow, cell motility and adhesion, interactions with the microenvironment of the tumour, and stem cells. The convergence of multidisciplinary disciplines at IRB Barcelona, organised into five research programmes on Cell and Developmental Biology, Structural and Computational Biology, Molecular Medicine, Oncology and Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, provide an ideal hotbed from which to launch multidisciplinary projects aimed to tackle the underlying causes of metastasis.
(From left to right) IRB Barcelona director Joan J Guinovart, the President of the Catalan Government Jos Montilla and IRB Barcelona adjunct director Joan Massagu during the official presentation of MetCentre in July 2009.
Board of Trustees
The IRB Barcelona Board of Trustees is the governing body of the Institute and is responsible for overseeing research activities, approving the operating funds and ensuring that the annual goals are met. The Board is chaired by the Minister of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Business of the Government of Catalonia and is composed of eleven members.
President
Honorable Mr Josep Huguet Biosca
Minister of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Business, Government of Catalonia
Members
Joan Roca Acn
General Director for Research, Department of Innovation, Universities and Business, Government of Catalonia
First Vicepresident
Honorable Ms Marina Geli Fbrega
Minister of the Department of Health, Government of Catalonia
Second Vicepresident
His Excellency and Magnificent Dr Ddac Ramrez Sarri
Rector of the University of Barcelona
Executive Board
The Executive Board of IRB Barcelona oversees the Institutes management performance, monitors the execution and progress of the functions delegated by the Board of Trustees and promotes scientific activities. The Board is presided by the Secretary of Strategy and Coordination of the Department of Health of the Government of Catalonia.
President
Miquel Gmez Clars
Secretary of Strategy and Coordination, Department of Health, Government of Catalonia
Other Participants
Fernando Albericio Palomera Joan J Guinovart Cirera
Director, IRB Barcelona General Director, Barcelona Science Park
Members
Joan Roca Acn
General Director for Research, Department of Innovation, Universities and Business, Government of Catalonia (since April 2009) General Director for Research, Department of Innovation, Universities and Business, Government of Catalonia (until April 2009) Vice-rector for Research, University of Barcelona
Members
Hans Clevers
The Netherlands Institute of Developmental Biology, Utrecht, The Netherlands Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA Department of Chemistry and Physics, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA Department of Genetics, Cambridge University, Cambridge, United Kingdom Center for Biotechnology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, USA Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
Tim Hunt
Cancer Research UK, London, United Kingdom Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom Institute for Organic Chemistry, Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany Department of Genetics and Tumor Cell Biology, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital, Memphis, USA Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Michael Czech
Christopher M Dobson
Charles J Sherr
Jos Elguero
Funding Sources
IRB Barcelona received the majority of its core funding in 2009 from the Government of Catalonia through the Department of Innovation, Universities and Business and the Department of Health. Additional funding was provided through competitive grants obtained from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the European Union, through FEDER funds and the Seventh Framework Programme, among others. IRB Barcelona scientists also received financial support from the University of Barcelona, the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and several Spanish CIBER networks.
Core Funding
Aguado F, Daz-Ruiz C, Parlato R, Martnez A, Carmona MA, Bleckmann S, Urea JM, Burgaya F, del Ro JA, Schtz G and Soriano E. The CREB/CREM transcription factors negatively regulate early synaptogenesis and spontaneous network activity. J Neurosci, 29(2), 328-33 (2009) Alarcn C, Zaromytidou AI, Xi Q, Gao S, Yu J, Fujisawa S, Barlas A, Miller AN, Manova-Todorova K, Macias MJ, Sapkota G, Pan D and Massagu J. Nuclear CDKs drive Smad transcriptional activation and turnover in BMP and TGF-beta pathways. Cell, 139(4), 757-69 (2009) Baos RC, Vivero A, Aznar S, Garca J, Pons M, Madrid C and Jurez A. Differential regulation of horizontally acquired and core genome genes by the bacterial modulator H-NS. PLoS Genet, 5(6), e1000513 (2009) Blobel J, Bernad P, Svergun DI, Tauler R and Pons M. Low-resolution structures of transient protein-protein complexes using small-angle X-ray scattering. J Am Chem Soc, 131(12), 4378-86 (2009) Boer DR, Ruz-Mas JA, Lpez-Blanco JR, Blanco AG, Vives-Llcer M, Chacn P, Usn I, Gomis-Rth FX, Espinosa M, Llorca O, del Solar G and Coll M. Plasmid replication initiator RepB forms a hexamer reminiscent of ring helicases and has mobile nuclease domains. EMBO J, 28(11), 1666-78 (2009) Carulla N, Zhou M, Arimon M, Gair M, Giralt E, Robinson CV and Dobson CM. Experimental characterization of disordered and ordered aggregates populated during the process of amyloid fibril formation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 106(19), 7828-33 (2009)
Casali A and Batlle E. Intestinal stem cells in mammals and Drosophila. Cell Stem Cell, 4(2), 124-27 (2009) Chavey C, Lazennec G, Lagarrigue S, Clap C, Iankova I, Teyssier J, Annicotte JS, Schmidt J, Mataki C, Yamamoto H, Sanches R, Guma A, Stich V, Vitkova M, Jardin-Watelet B, Renard E, Strieter R, Tuthill A, Hotamisligil GS, Vidal-Puig A, Zorzano A, Langin D and Fajas L. CXC ligand 5 is an adipose-tissue derived factor that links obesity to insulin resistance. Cell Metab, 9(4), 339-49 (2009) Comellas G, Kaczmarska Z, Tarrag T, Teixid M and Giralt E. Exploration of the one-bead one-compound methodology for the design of prolyl oligopeptidase substrates. PLoS One, 4(7), e6222 (2009) De Las Heras JM, Martinho RG, Lehmann R and Casanova J. A functional antagonism between the pgc germline repressor and torso in the development of somatic cells. EMBO Rep, 10(9), 1059-65 (2009) De Simone A, Richter B, Salvatella X and Vendruscolo M. Toward an accurate determination of free energy landscapes in solution states of proteins. J Am Chem Soc, 131(11), 3810-11 (2009) Espaol Y, Thut D, Schneider A and De Pouplana LR. A mechanism for functional segregation of mitochondrial and cytosolic genetic codes. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 106(46), 19420-25 (2009) Faustino I, Avio A, Marchn I, Luque FJ, Eritja R and Orozco M. Unique tautomeric and recognition properties of thioketothymines? J Am Chem Soc, 131(35), 12845-53 (2009)
Gao S, Alarcn C, Sapkota G, Rahman S, Chen PY, Goerner N, Macias MJ, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P and Massagu J. Ubiquitin ligase Nedd4L targets activated Smad2/3 to limit TGF-beta signaling. Mol Cell, 36(3), 457-68 (2009) Garca-Fandio R, Granja JR, DAbramo M and Orozco M. Theoretical characterization of the dynamical behavior and transport properties of alpha,gamma-peptide nanotubes in solution. J Am Chem Soc, 131(43), 15678-86 (2009) Gonzlez C. Below the convergence. Curr Biol, 19(8), R313-14 (2009) Guerrero-Valero M, Ferrer-Orta C, Querol-Aud J, Marin-Vicente C, Fita I, Gmez-Fernndez JC, Verdaguer N and Corbaln-Garca S. Structural and mechanistic insights into the association of PKCalphaC2 domain to PtdIns(4,5)P2. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 106(16), 660307 (2009) Haren L, Stearns T and Lders J. Plk1-dependent recruitment of gamma-tubulin complexes to mitotic centrosomes involves multiple PCM components. PLoS One, 4(6), e5976 (2009) Isidro-Llobet A, Alvarez M and Albericio F. Amino acid-protecting groups. Chem Rev, 109(6), 2455-04 (2009) Liesa M, Palacn M and Zorzano A. Mitochondrial dynamics in mammalian health and disease. Physiol Rev, 89(3), 799-45 (2009) Martnez AM, Schuettengruber B, Sakr S, Janic A, Gonzlez C and Cavalli G. Polyhomeotic has a tumor suppressor activity mediated by repression of Notch signaling. Nat Genet, 41(10), 1076-82 (2009) Martnez MT, Tseng YC, Ormategui N, Loinaz I, Eritja R and Bokor J. Label-free DNA biosensors based on functionalized carbon nanotube field effect transistors. Nano Lett, 9(2), 530-36 (2009) Mauvezin C, Orpinell M, Francis VA, Mansilla F, Duran J, Ribas V, Palacn M, Boya P, Teleman AA and Zorzano A. The nuclear cofactor DOR regulates autophagy in mammalian and Drosophila cells. EMBO Rep, Epub Dec 4 (2009) Querol-Aud J, Casaas A, Usn I, Luque D, Castn JR, Fita I and Verdaguer N. The mechanism of vault opening from the high resolution structure of the N-terminal repeats of MVP. EMBO J, 28(21), 3450-57 (2009)
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Research Collaborations
During 2009, IRB Barcelona scientists participated in 189 external collaborations involving research partners from academia and industry. Research groups also continued to carry out joint work among the Institutes research programmes through a further 43 internal collaborations.
Type of Collaborations
35%
49%
16%
Internal Collaborations
36% 47% 9% 8%
Industry
Research Institutes/Centres
Hospitals/Medical Centres
Universities
Funding Sources
31%
2%
Private Foundations/Industry
51%
16%
Research Areas
Cell & Developmental Biology
26% 26%
Structural & Computational Biology
9% 19%
Oncology
20%
Molecular Medicine
Funding Entities
Public Entities
Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) European Commission (EC) Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII-MICINN) AGAUR - Government of Catalonia MAEC/AECI - Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology & Higher Education European Science Foundation (ESF) Caixa Catalunya Obra Social Spanish Foundation for AIDS Research and Prevention (FIPSE) Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Industry
Almirall Laboratories Enantia Ferrer Group International Noscira GP Pharm Brainco Biopharma Palau Pharma Ipsen Pharma Hoffmann - La Roche Genmedica Therapeutics
Foundations
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria Foundation Marcelino Botn Foundation La Caixa Foundation La Marat de TV3 Foundation Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) Genoma Espaa Foundation
IRB Barcelona researchers also received financial support from the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), and as part of their participation in several research networks (CONSOLIDER, CIBERBBN, CIBERDEM, CIBERER, CIBERNED and RETIC).
IRB Barcelona thanks the following private donors: Juli Garca Gutirrez, Marta Luz Adalid, PRONOR SL
Academic Training
IRB Barcelona provides PhD students and postdoctoral researchers from around the world with a unique international and multidisciplinary scientific environment. More than 150 students are currently working on a PhD thesis at IRB Barcelona, 37% of whom are foreigners and 56% are women. Students generally spend up to four years at IRB Barcelona to complete their project and obtain their PhD degree from the university in which they are enrolled. The postdoctoral community at IRB Barcelona has more than 90 members and is highly international, with 45% foreigners. Special initiatives and activities are being implemented so that postdoctoral fellows get the most from their stay at IRB Barcelona.
tional PhD Fellowship Programme, which provides substantial funding to recruit talented students from across the world to do their doctoral thesis work at IRB Barcelona. Ten doctoral fellowships are granted each year to candidates selected from an internationally competitive pool of applicants. In 2009, a total of 270 applications were received. During the spring of 2009, the Institute also launched the IRB Barcelona PhD Fellowships Programme, a new predoctoral call. Five fellowships were awarded as part of this scheme which aims to serve as a bridge to cover the funding gap that students may experience between the time they receive their degree and when they begin to receive an external grant. IRB Barcelona continued to devote a considerable part of its resources to PhD training in 2009. The Institute coordinated a series of training and social activities aimed to provide PhD students with high-level training and close mentoring, as well
n exciting development for PhD activities was the introduction in 2008 of the la Caixa/IRB Barcelona Interna-
as to foster collaborations between students and scientists working in different research groups and programmes. PhD Introductory Course. Held at the beginning of September, the course gave PhD students a broad overview of the programmes and core facilities at IRB Barcelona and the Barcelona Science Park, and provided them with useful information for their PhD training period. Lab Rotations. After the introductory course, students participated in a series of lab rotations to experience different research environments and experimental approaches, and to get to know the lab members of other groups, thereby fostering possible future collaborations. Thesis Advisory Committee. Upon joining IRB Barcelona, all new PhD students are appointed a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC), comprised of both internal and external advisors. The TAC meets at least once a year and aims to mentor and guide students in all aspects related to their theses.
(From left to right) PhD students in Antoni Rieras group, the 1st IRB Barcelona PhD Student Symposium, and Minister Garmendia congratulating PhD student Eva Novoa during the certificate award ceremony of the 2008-2009 la Caixa/IRB Barcelona International PhD Programme, held in July 2009.
Footsteps Programme. Launched in 2009, this programme seeks to pair new PhD students with PhD student volunteers who have at least one year of experience at IRB Barcelona and act as guides or mentors.
ers came from around the world to participate in The Architecture of Life, the 1st IRB Barcelona PhD Student Symposium. The event brought together young motivated students and internationally renowned scientists to exchange knowledge on the architecture of life, encourage multidisciplinary discussions, learn about new fields, and create the basis for future collaborations. The symposium was organised by members of the PhD Student Symposium Organising Committee and was generously hosted at the CosmoCaixa museum in Barcelona.
PhD Student Council. In December 2009, new members were elected for the PhD Student Council. The councils mission is to organise student-run activities and to serve as a communication link between the student community and the Institutes management.
In addition to their laboratory work, IRB Barcelona PhD students are encouraged to participate in scientific seminars, journal clubs, international conferences, outreach and educational activities, group and programme retreats, and other social initiatives such as the monthly cool-off sessions, the IRB Barcelona football league and the hiking and running clubs. Activities of interest this year included: PhD Student Seminar Series. Launched in September 2009, this new initiative is organised monthly by PhD students. The seminars are always given by students and address the whole IRB Barcelona student community. First IRB Barcelona PhD Student Symposium. On 2-3 November 2009, more than 100 participants and speak56 2009 IRB Barcelona Annual Report
PhD Theses
During 2009, a total of 24 PhD students successfully defended their theses upon completion of their research project in an IRB Barcelona laboratory.
Amphipathic proline-rich cell-penetrating peptides: from development to cargo transport
Silvia Pujals, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisor: Ernest Giralt
Mariela M Marani, University of Buenos Aires (2009) Supervisors: Fernando Albericio and Osvaldo Cascone Javier Ruiz, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Fernando Albericio and Jan Spengler Guillermo Lpez, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Eduardo Soriano and Ferran Burgaya
Design and synthesis of peptides that neutralize bacterial endotoxins as therapeutic agents for the treatment of sepsis
Carles Mas, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisor: Fernando Albericio
El pptid beta-amiloide (Ab) associat a la malaltia dAlzheimer: I. Efecte dinhibidors peptdics en la citotoxicitat dAb; II. Reciclatge molecular en fibra dAb
Laia Snchez, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Ernest Giralt and Natlia Carulla
Functional and structural characterization of the L-arginine/ Agmatine exchanger AdiC. A model for APC transporters
Merc Ratera, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisor: Manuel Palacn
Role of EphB receptors in intestinal epithelial cell positioning and colorectal cancer progression
Carme Cortina, Pompeu Fabra University (2009) Supervisor: Eduard Batlle
Sntesi total de Lamellarina D i anlegs de cadena oberta: Aplicacions dalliberament cellular i dinhibici de topoisomerases
Daniel Pla, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Fernando Albericio and Mercedes lvarez
NMR and SAXS studies of protein oligomerization. The effect of arginine and glutamic acid on proteins and their complexes
Jascha Blobel, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Miquel Pons and Pau Bernad
The role of TREX1 exonuclease processing of ssDNA and implications on macrophage activation
Mara Serra, University of Barcelona (2009) Supervisors: Antonio Celada and Jorge Lloberas
Nuevas estrategias para el desarrollo de ligandos peptdicos para la purificacin de protenas por cromatografa de
2009 IRB Barcelona Annual Report 57
Postdoctoral Training
Postdoctoral training received a boost in 2009 when four new postdocs took up their positions as a result of an interdisciplinary call launched in 2008. This initiative is aimed at fostering collaborations within the different IRB Barcelonas research areas and successful candidates are now carrying out their projects involving two of the Institutes research programmes. Postdoc opportunities will expand even further, as IRB Barcelona has been awarded a substantial grant from the EUs Marie Curie Programme. The grant totalling nearly one million euros over the next four years will allow IRB Barcelona to recruit outstanding international postdoctoral researchers. The call will open soon and we expect to fill the first positions in 2011. After devoting efforts to strengthening the PhD Programme, in 2009 several new activities were introduced to help postdoctoral fellows get the most from their stay at IRB Barcelona. The postdoctoral community formed a Postdoctoral Council comprised of two representatives per programme. The goal of the council is to gather feedback and liaise with IRB Barcelonas administration offices to organise activities and networks of interest and value for the postdoctoral community. One of the first activities for the newly created Postdoctoral Council was the organisation of training initiatives to improve and foster interaction and collaborations within the postdoctoral community. An example of this was the first edition of Career Progression in Science in December 2009, an event coorganised with the Barcelona Science Park. The session provided young researchers the opportunity to look beyond the bench, into new and exciting career options.
Brunner A, Werbitzky O, Varray S, Quattrini F, Hermann H, Strong A, Albericio F, Tulla-Puche J and Garcia Y Publication number/date: WO2009003666 (8/1/2009)
Garca-Vicente S, Marti L, Mayoux E, Mian A, Serrano M and Zorzano A Publication number/date: WO2009138437 (19/11/2009)
Aymami J, Albericio F, Avino AM, Farrera J, Royo M and Navarro I Publication number/date: WO2009007397 (15/1/2009)
Hosta L, Pla M, Cruz LJ, Kogan M and Albericio F Publication number/date: WO2009095480 (6/8/2009)
59
2009
14 January 2009 I Multifunctional RNA binding proteins: From 11 February 2009 I Role of sub apical region proteins in tracheal
splicing to miRNA processing and beyond. Snia Guil, ICO-IDIBELL, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain transport chain in dynamic superstructures. Jos Antonio Enrquez, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain genesis of the vertebrate nervous system. Elisa Mart, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain development: Dissection of crumbs function. Annalisa Letizia, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Applications of dynamic nuclear polarisation for biomolecular NMR. Cristina Gabellieri, IRB BarcelonaUB, Barcelona, Spain
lates cell migration in mesenchymal vs epithelial cells: Has AhR a role in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition? Pedro M Fernndez, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain control of mitochondrial integrity. Mariusz Karbowski, University of Maryland, Biotechnology Institute, Maryland, USA I Elucidating signaling events through mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Judit Villn, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA and metastasis. Roger Gomis, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
mune homeostasis by LXR nuclear receptors. Antonio Castrillo, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain division in budding yeast. Zhanna Shcheprova, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
18 February 2009 I TGFbeta: From cytostasis to tumor progression 19 February 2009 I A new pro-drug approach based in DPPIV/CD-26
ment and bone remodelling in the adult. M ngela Nieto, Instituto de Neurociencias, Alicante, Spain pathway inhibitors separating the wheat from the chaff. Tommaso Cupido, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain maguks, as substrates for proteases during apoptosis. Sska Ivanova, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
enzyme. Mara Jos Camarasa, Instituto de Qumica Mdica (CSIC), Madrid, Spain ics through worldwide distributed computing: From protein folding to structure determination. Bojan Zagrovic, Mediterranean Institute for Life Sciences, Split, Croatia means of WW domain interactions. Begonya Morales, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I New model organisms for functional developmental genetics. Michalis Averof, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Crete, Greece
protein interaction interference as a new route to drug development. Robert Konrat, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
4 March 2009 I Insights into the opening of the Vault complex from
the high-resolution structure of the seven N-terminal domains of MVP. Arnau Casaas, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Evi/Wntless reveals betacatenin dependent and independent processes during planarian regeneration. Teresa Adell, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
1 April 2009 I Understanding human disease through protein interoping Zebrafish embryo. Steve Harvey, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
for diagnosis biomarkers in Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis. Jacques Borg, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain tions and its applications. Iaki Martnez, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
11 March 2009 I Wnt signalling in intestinal stem cells and colorectal cancer. Eduard Batlle, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I When
DNA cant find the way home: Crystal structure of MobMin complex with a 26-mer oligonucleotilde. Silvia Russi, IRB BarcelonaIBMBCSIC, Barcelona, Spain
and functional characterization of mitochondria in lung cancer. Nadge Bellance, Universir Victor Segalen, Bordeaux, France I Directional migration of neural crest cells. Roberto Mayor, University College London, London, UK screening and NMR: Targeting human telomerase RNA. Thomas L James, University of California, San Francisco, USA
function in cell division pathways. Bodo Lange, Max-Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany tumour suppressor activity in Drosophila. Silvia Muoz, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
22 April 2009 I The megabladder mouse: A genetic model of congenital obstructive nephropathy and bladder smooth muscle development. Kirk M McHugh, Nationwide Childrens Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Alzheimers disease and Niemann Pick type C neurodegeneration. Alejandra lvarez, Universidad Catlica de Chile, Santiago, Chile I Functional analysis of domain shuffling in the human parasite Entamoeba histolytica. Manuel Castro de Moura, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I DNA Conformation and biomolecular motors: New nanomedicine research targets. Sonia Trigueros, Oxford University, Oxford, UK multianalyte screening of antibiotics in milk samples. Maria Pilar Marco, IQAC-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
A promising strategy for Parkinsons disease. Mara Blanco-Prieto, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ceptor determines lethal outcome in inflammatory shock models in mice. Claude Libert, Department of Molecular Biomedical Research, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium regulators of HIF in Drosophila. Andres Dekanty, IRB Barcelona,
20 March 2009 I How voltage controls in conductions in ion channels. Francisco Bezanilla, University of Chicago, Chicago, USA
Barcelona, Spain I Novel applications for mass spectrometry. Marta Vilaseca, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
6 May 2009 I High-throughput screening for Sonic Hedgehog pathway inhibitors separating the wheat from the chaff. Tommaso Cupido, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
TR. Maral Vilar, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain brief summary. Carles Su, Instituto de Parasitologa y Biomedicina Lpez Neira, Granada, Spain
tumorigenesis? Chlo Feral, Universit Nice Sophia Antipoli, Nice, France I Essential roles for microRNAs in stem-cell maintenance in the early mouse embryo. Tristan Rodrguez, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
yoelii erythrocyte ligand determines its localization and controls parasite virulence. Osamu Kaneku, Institute of Tropical Medicine NEKKEN, Nagasaki, Japan in pancreatic cancer and Alzheimers disease. Pilar Navarro, Municipal Institute for Medical Research (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain
mechanism of enzymes from their structures. Alexander Wlodawer, National Cancer Institute-Frederick, Frederick, USA
Giacomo Cavalli, Institut de Gntique Humaine, CNRS, Montpellier, France I Aptamer-facilitated biomarker discovery (AptaBiD) for cells. Sergey Krylov, York University & Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, Toronto, Canada ligand binding. Soledad Royo, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
18 June 2009 I Cyclic peptides with inhibitory activity on integrin1 July 2009 I MicroRNAs and growth control. Hctor Herranz, IRB 3 July 2009 I Neurodegeneration and molecular therapy in Friedre-
26 May 2009 I Functions of the proteasome: From protein degradation and immune surveillance to cancer therapy. Alfred Goldberg, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
ichs ataxia. Javier Daz-Nido, Departamento de Biologa Molecular & Centro de Biologa Molecular Severo Ochoa, Madrid, Spain unpredicted domain and an unexpected substrate. Xavi Carpena, IRB Barcelona-IBMB-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain I Structural and functional studies of American conotoxins. Frank Mari, Florida Atlantic University, Florida, USA I A role for plant steroid hormones in stem cell and vascular patterning. Ana Cao, Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics-CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
dorsal closure as a model system. Dan Kiehart, Duke University, Durham, USA tion of mitotic progression. Claudio Sunkel, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Porto, Portugal Drosophila. Isabelle Becam, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
9 July 2009 I Centriole biogenesis and evolution. Mnica Bettencourt, Instituto Gulbenkian de Cincia, Lisbon, Portugal I Development of a fluorescent activity-based probe for profiling autotaxin in serum. Silvia Cavalli, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
mechanistic insights into the heme oxygenase catalysis. Masao Ikeda-Saito, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan I Novel mechanistic
and functional insights in the ubiquitin-like SUMO system. Stephan Muller, Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Munich, Germany
25 September 2009 I Fluorescence microscopy meets structural biology to study biomolecular complexes. Claus AM Siedel, HeinrichHeine-Univesitt, Dsseldorf, Germany regeneration. Enrique Blanco, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Muriel Arimon, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia-IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Signal integration by p38 MAPKs and CDKs. Angel R Nebreda, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain mediated stem cell tuning. Hannes Klump, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany tion by the UVDDB complex. Nicolas Thoma, Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
5 October 2009 I Confident assignment of post-translational modifications using top-down mass spectrometry. Julian Whitelegge, The NPI-Semel Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, USA
7 October 2009 I Polarity orientation memory in neuroblasts. Jens Januschke, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Modeling oncogene
dependence in 3D cell culture systems and mice. Martin Jechlinger, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA lecular simulations. Robert Fenwick, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
trolling social behavior in bacteria. Holger Sondermann, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA Towards murine models for human cancers. Pedro Velica, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK I p63 Mediates cellular senescence in cancer and aging. Bill Keyes, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain I Functional characterization of VP3, the multitasking protein of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus. Idoia Busnadiego, CNB-CSIC, Madrid, Spain lation of symmetric and asymmetric division in the Drosophila nervous system. Andrea Brand, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
pretation of the Hedgehog morphogen gradient. Andreu Casali, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain the inhibition of protein-protein interactions. Laura Nevola, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
peptides targeted to structural and/or functional domains: Assembly of Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis virus (IPNV) as a model system. Sergio H Marshall, Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile transporters? Baruch Kanner, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel I The GAIT system: A gatekeeper of inflammatory gene expression. Paul Fox, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, USA in mice. Manuel Fernndez, Queensland University, Queensland, Australia Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, La Jolla, USA
21 October 2009 I Study of the serylation system in Drosophila melanogaster. Tanit Guitart, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I
Crystal structures of avian reovirus and porcine adenovirus proteins. Pablo Guardado, University of de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
ploidy and cancer. Roco Sotillo, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA ity control. Richard J Youle, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, USA I The multifaceted role of circulating endothelial cells and progenitors in cancer. Francesco Bertolini, Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, Milan, Italy
17 September 2009 I Molecules in small spaces. Agust Lled, 23 September 2009 I Searching Drosophila for new genes involved
Pathogenic mediator and pharmacologic target. Steven E Shoelson, University of Harvard, Boston, USA
18 November 2009 I Protein folding mechanisms reloaded. Athi Narayan, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Epigenetics speaks up
28 October 2009 I The physical forces behind collective cell migration: Where is the leader? Xavier Trepat, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain I Expression and purification trials of a membrane protease. Nria Cerd, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Structural, mechanistic and functional analysis of c-Abl/Bcr-Abl and its tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Oliver Hantschel, Research Center for Molecular Medicine, Vienna, Austria
for silent DNA. Miguel Peinado, Institute of Predictive and Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC), Barcelona, Spain phenotypes: Linking nucleic acid metabolism with autoimmunity. Yanick Crow, St Marys Hospital, Manchester, UK
regulate the proliferation-to-differentiation switch. M Dolores Martn-Bermudo, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain I AFM studies on the mechanical resistance of proteins: effects of small ligand binding. Albert Escobedo, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain oligopeptidase inhibitors. Teresa Tarrag, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain cancer therapy. Ernst Wagner, University Munich, Munich, Germany
essential for microtubule growth. Guillermo Montoya, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Madrid, Spain I Genetic code reprogramming for the ribosomal expression of natural productlike non-standard peptides. Hiroaki Suga, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
tosis of human leukaemia cell lines: Role of Annexin A1 and its membrane localization. Walter dAcunto, Universit degli Studi di Salerno, Salerno, Italy I Planarian stem cells: A proteomic screening for novel neoblast genes. Gustavo Rodrguez, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Role of High Mobility Group (HMG), chromosomal proteins in cancer. MR Rajeswari, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India regulates meiosis, mitosis and tumour development. Ral Mndez, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain I Towards a universal BBB-shuttle: Evaluation of a first library of potential peptidic BBB-shuttles using different in vitro tools. Roger Prades, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
osteoblast biology. Francesc Ventura, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain I Structural approaches to a system of mitochondrial proteins. Maria Sol, Institute for Molecular Biology of Barcelona (IBMB-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain NMR spectroscopy. Shang-Te Danny Hsu, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
emergence of evolutionary systems biology. Jaume Betranpetit, Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain in nuclear receptor signalling control. Johan Tisserand, Institut de Gntique et de Biologie Molculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France I Novel peptide-mediated interactions derived from highresolution 3-dimensional structures. Amelie Stein, IRB Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain carnitine acyltransferases and its role against insulin resistance. Fausto Hegardt, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
6 November 2009 I Molecular regulation of glucose uptake and storage in muscle. Kei Sakamoto, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
nation of the charge of molecules. Ulrich Scheler, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, Dresden, Germany I SOCS36E specifically interferes with Sevenless RTK during Drosophila eye development. Isabel Almud, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain and future trends. Frantisek Svec, EO Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, USA
loss-of-function in Drosophila melanogaster. Nirmal Lorensuhewa, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Organisers: Cayetano Gonzlez (IRB Barcelona) and Helena Richardson (Peter Mac Research, Melbourne, Australia)
Advanced Strategies for the Expression of Proteins and Protein Complexes in Yeast Organisers: Miquel Coll (IRB-Barcelona & IBMB-CSIC), Maria Armenia Carrondo (ITQB, Oeiras, Portugal), Ma Cristina Vega (CIB-CSIC, Madrid), Albert Canals (IRB Barcelona & IBMB-CSIC)
The Barcelona BioMed Forum on Creativity, Science and Art, held on 11 November 2009, explored themes of nature and creativity within a scientific and artistic framework. A distinguished international panel of scientists and artists gathered to discuss questions ranging from such as what is science? What is nature? What is art? What do science and art have in common and how do they differ? What role does creativity play in both areas? Designed to be informative, entertaining and highly interactive, Creativity, Science and Art involved activities that ranged from lectures and debates to exhibitions and creative sessions. The forum featured an exhibition of a collection of works entitled Paisajes Neuronales (Neuronal Landscapes), provided generously on loan by La Caixa Obra Social, and was complemented by contributions from members of the IRB Barcelona community. The forum was preceded by a one-day artist-in-residence programme where local artists were selected to join an IRB Barcelona laboratory and work with our scientists to get a first-hand look at some of the techniques and methodologies used in todays biomedical research.
MetCentre Activities
The new IRB Barcelona initiative MetCentre, launched in July 2009 to create a multidisciplinary platform for metastasis research, held the following internal collaborative sessions throughout the year:
Speaker: Joan Massagu, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, USA)
Collaborative Events
In 2009, IRB Barcelona organised the following events in collaboration with other institutions:
Organisers: Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias Clnic-IDIBAPS & IRB Barcelona Organisers: Institut dInvestigacions Sanitries Clnic-IDIBAPS & IRB Barcelona
Organisers: IRB Barcelona and SET-Routes University Ambassador Programme (EMBL, EMBO, CERN)
eases and International Health Meeting Organisers: Institut dInvestigacions Sanitries Clnic-IDIBAPS & IRB Barcelona tion (CAPRI) 4th Evaluation Meeting Organisers: IRB Barcelona & Barcelona Supercomputing Center
Diseases Meeting Organisers: Institut dInvestigacions Sanitries Clnic-IDIBAPS & IRB Barcelona
Outreach Activities
During 2009, many IRB Barcelona scientists took part in a series of outreach activities organised by the Barcelona Science Park. The events were aimed at giving students a hands-on look at todays cutting-edge research and to encourage them to take up careers in science.
Research!
A series of weekly workshops for students and the general public
Guimerais, Xavier Just, Marta Llimargas, Laura Mendieta, Nuria Molist, Sara Preciado, Sonia Saborit, Manuela Snchez, Sarah Sherwood, Eleonore Sorianello, Mnica Torras, Emma Veza, Esther Vicente and Marta Vilaseca
IRB Barcelona participants: Muriel Arim, Elisabeth Castellanos, Consol Farrera, Anna Guimerals, Ana Janic, Leire Mendizbal, Irene Martn, Miguel Moreno, Mnica Pascual, Maria Serra, Lorena Valverde and Esther Zurita Topics: DNA analysis to track down a criminal, flies with cancer
IRB Barcelona participants (student tutors): Patrick Aloy, Antonio Celada, Albert Canals, Miquel Coll, Alfred Corts, Ernest Giralt, Cristina Minguilln, Modesto Orozco, Miquel Pons, Lluis Ribas de Pouplana, Antoni Riera and Xavier Salvatella
January-December 2009
IRB Barcelona participants: Carme Cortina and Elisa Espinet Topics: Introduction to the scientific method, DNA extraction, stem cells, microscope analysis
IRB Barcelona participants: Ana Janic, Thierry Leon, Irene Martn, Carles Martnez, Maria Moreno, Laura Nocito, Neus Rafel, Ldia Ruz, Isabel Sez, Pablo Sirkin, Jordi Valls and Delia Zafra
Open Day: What is the Barcelona Science Park? What is research about?
A one-day event to bring science closer to secondary school students
IRB Barcelona participants: Carme Cortina and Elisa Espinet Topics: RNA extraction, cell visualisation, in vitro cell culture, RNA analysis from tumoural cells, separation of benign and malignant tumoural cells
An event organised by IRB Barcelona aimed to help children experience the wonder of science and become researchers for a day IRB Barcelona volunteers: Anna Adrover, Anna Arnal, Lydie Babin, Elisenda Buti, Jorge Domnguez, Meritxell Gavald, Anna
Adjunct Director
Joan Massagu
Managing Director
Margarida Corominas
Research Programmes
Cell & Developmental Biology
Ferran Azorn, Jordi Casanova, Cayetano Gonzlez, Jens Lders, Marco Miln, Llus Ribas de Pouplana, Eduardo Soriano
Core Facilities
Advanced Digital Microscopy Julien Colombelli Biostatistics/Bionformatics David Rossell Functional Genomics Herbert Auer Mass Spectrometry Marta Vilaseca Mouse Mutant Protein Expression Nick Berrow
Scientific structure Administrative structure supporting scientific activities
Administration
Research & Academic Administration Margarita Navia Human Resources Sylvia Martnez Finance Alexandre Puerto Purchasing Yolanda Olmos Communications & External Relations Sarah Sherwood Information Technology Services Francisco Lozano Innovation & Strategic Projects Jorge Domnguez
Molecular Medicine
Carme Caelles, Antonio Celada, Joan J Guinovart, Manuel Palacn, Antonio Zorzano
Fernando Albericio, Ramon Eritja, Ernest Giralt, Antoni Riera, Mrius Rubiralta (until December 2009), Xavier Salvatella
Oncology
Eduard Batlle, MetLab, Elena Sancho (until October 2009), Travis Stracker
Joan Massagu
Adjunct Director
Margarida Corominas
Managing Director
Research Programmes
Marco Miln Miquel Coll
Coordinator, Cell & Developmental Biology Coordinator, Structural & Computational Biology
Eduard Batlle
Coordinator, Oncology
Administration
Research & Academic Administration: Margarita Navia (Head), Clara Caminal (Academic Officer), Snia Saborit (Project Officer), Adriana
Grosu (European Project Manager), Esther Cid (Research & Academic Administration Assistant) I Human Resources: Sylvia Martnez (Head), Silvia Aguad (Personnel Management Officer), Maria Rovira (Human Resources Officer), Cristina Mndez (Human Resources Assistant, since July 2009), Alba Cima (Human Resources Assistant, until July 2009) I Finance: Alex Puerto (Head), Thais Ravents (Finance Controller, since September 2009), Jos Lus Fernndez (Finance Controller, until September 2009), Elisava de la Hoz (Accounting Officer), Dan Maldonado (Accounting Officer), Stella Serra (Project Officer), Cristina Coletas (Finance Assistant) I Purchasing: Yolanda Olmos (Head), Xavier Lpez (Purchasing Officer), Sara Lpez (Buyer), Eric Gonzlez (Buyer) I Communications & External Relations: Sarah Sherwood (Head), Snia Armengou (Media Relations Officer), Anna Alsina (Information & Publications Officer), Meritxell Gavald (Conference & Event Coordinator), Tanya Yates (Editorial Support) I Information Technology Services: Francisco Lozano (Head), Roberto Bartolom (Systems Architect), David Villanueva (Systems Administrator), Jess Snchez (Systems Administrator), Rodolfo Scorians (Service Desk Technician) I Innovation
& Strategic Projects: Jorge Domnguez (Head), Cristina Horcajada (Technology Transfer Officer) I Programme Secretaries: Martha
Brigg (Cell & Developmental Biology), Vanessa Llobet (Structural & Computational Biology), Natlia Molner (Molecular Medicine), Eva Poca (Chemistry & Molecular Pharmacology), Sara Martorell (Oncology)
Total
439
22%
20% 26%
20% 7%
5%
Oncology
Core Facilities
Molecular Medicine
7%
Postdoctoral Fellows
Group Leaders
25%
10%
Research Associates
17%
41%
Researcher Affiliations
The IRB Barcelona community includes researchers who are hired exclusively by the Institute and scientists who are also affiliated to other institutions, including the University of Barcelona (UB), the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Below is a list of the IRB Barcelona researchers with double affiliations.
Other Researchers
Mercdez lvarez Ferran Burgaya Anna Diez (until December 2009) Annabel Fernndez (until March 2009) Josep Gelp Rodolfo Lavilla (until December 2009) Jorge Lloberas Albert Martnez Cristina Minguilln (until December 2009) Jess Urea Xavier Verdaguer
Other Researchers
Other Researchers
Anna Maria Aviny Jordi Bernus Maria Llusa Espins Xavier Franch Marc Furriols Maria Sol Cristina Vega
uring 2009, the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) fulfilled its objectives through implementing several activities in the fields of research, innovation, and the dissemination of science. The PCB also grew significantly with respect to surface area, infrastructures, and the number of people, companies and organisations working there. Following its expansion plan, which is expected to end in 2011, the PCB completed the remodelling work on the Towers R+D+I, thus bringing an additional 10,000m2 into use. During the first semester of 2009, the new spaces in the Towers R+D+I were taken up, reaching 97% occupation. Furthermore, construction work continued in the second phase of the Cluster building, the Energies building and the Services building; this work is expected to be completed during 2010. In addition to this growth, one of the highlights was the installation of the Centre Nacional dAnlisi Genmica (CNAG) in the PCB. In 2009, the Spanish Government committed to creating a scientific-technological centre for large-scale genome sequencing. With this objective, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Catalan government and the Barcelona Science Park Foundation signed a collaboration agreement to set up this sequencing centre in Barcelona. This initiative seeks to cover the increasing
demand for mass sequencing in relation to genomics research projects of great importance, thus guaranteeing the participation of Spain in the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and assuring Spains competitiveness in the strategic field of genomics, as well as in other sectors of significant economic relevance, such as biomedicine, agriculture and food biotechnology, renewable energies and environmental bioengineering. The first phase of this project consists of setting up CNAG and includes the development of infrastructures, the purchase of equipment, and the recruitment of personnel. It also encompasses the execution of a pilot study related to the sequencing of tumour samples as part of Spains participation in the ICGC. CNAG will then be consolidated as a scientific-technological facility through the award of competitive funding, which will then allow the centre to extend its activities to a wide range of R+D+I projects of strategic interest. In the field of innovation, special mention is given to the growth of the PCB-Santander Bioincubator, which has gone from hosting 10 companies at its start in 2007 to 16 companies at the end of 2009.
IRB Barcelona Barcelona Science Park Baldiri Reixac 10 08028 Barcelona Spain Tel: +34 93 402 0250 Fax: +34 93 403 7114 info@irbbarcelona.org www.irbbarcelona.org
Founded by