New research alliance for Barcelona

Three major Barcelona research institutes have announced they are forming a biomedical alliance, which is expected to make up a powerful center for research in southern Europe.

The new Biomedical Alliance of Barcelona will include research programs, infrastructure, and more than 2500 scientists from the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), the Scientific Park of Barcelona (PCB), and the Biomedical Research Park of Barcelona (PRBB).

Barcelona, the dynamic capital city of Spain's Catalonia region, has become a model of urban cultural renewal for southern Europe. Now, it is hoped the city will become an international center for biomedical research.

Andreu Mas-Collell, head of the Catalan government's department of research and universities, told The Scientist that the alliance will represent about 50% of the biomedical research potential of Catalonia. Central to the initiative is the idea of unifying research efforts and sharing resources. For example, the alliance will have...