MDPI Spain Hosted “Biochemistry and Health: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities in Translational Biomedical Research” in Barcelona

On 22 October 2026, MDPI Spain hosted the scientific event “Biochemistry and Health: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities in Translational Biomedical Research” at the Parc Científic de Barcelona. The event brought together researchers and professionals from the biomedical community to discuss recent advances and emerging challenges in biochemistry and translational biomedical research, fostering scientific exchange across related disciplines.

The event was chaired by Dr. F. Xavier Avilés Puigvert, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Senior Researcher at the Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB-UAB), and Dr. Antonio Zorzano, Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Universitat de Barcelona (UB) and Principal Investigator at the Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona). Their participation helped frame the scientific discussions around current developments in biomedical research and the importance of connecting fundamental discoveries with clinical applications.

The program featured invited presentations, question-and-answer sessions, and a roundtable discussion, covering a broad range of topics at the intersection of biochemistry and health.

Exploring Nutrition, Metabolism, and Healthy Ageing

The first scientific session focused on nutrition, metabolism, and healthy ageing, exploring the role of biochemical mechanisms in understanding age-related diseases and promoting health.
Dr. José Luis Quiles Morales, from the Universidad de Granada (UGR), discussed the role of olive bioactive compounds in healthy ageing, examining their potential benefits from preclinical mechanisms to clinical evidence. His presentation highlighted the relevance of these compounds in understanding the relationship between nutrition, oxidative stress, and age-related health.

Dr. Anna Colell, from the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC) and the Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), addressed the relationship between cholesterol, mitochondrial oxidative stress, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease. Her talk explored the contribution of these interconnected processes to neurodegeneration and their relevance to understanding disease mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic strategies.

Cancer, Neurodegeneration, and Inflammation

The next session examined disease mechanisms and emerging therapeutic approaches in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Dr. José Miguel Lizcano de Vega, Professor of Biochemistry at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Head of Protein Kinases and Cancer Group at the Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), presented “Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy as Strategies to Improve Cancer Treatment: Preclinical and Clinical Development of ABTL0812 (Ibrilatazar)”. His talk explored the therapeutic potential of targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress and autophagy in cancer treatment, highlighting the development of ABTL0812 (ibrilatazar) from preclinical research to clinical evaluation.

Dr. Salvador Ventura, from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB-UAB), discussed structural biology and emerging therapeutic strategies for conformational diseases. His presentation highlighted the relevance of protein structure and conformational changes in understanding disease mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic approaches.

Viral Infections and Immunity

The program then turned to viral infections and immunity, examining the relationship between infectious diseases, cancer, and immune responses. Dr. Ester Ballana, from IrsiCaixa and the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), presented new perspectives on the relationship between viral infections and cancer, with a particular focus on innate immunity. Her presentation addressed the importance of understanding host immune responses to viral infections and their implications for cancer research.

New Therapeutic Strategies and Nanomedicine

Further presentations explored innovative approaches to drug development and the challenges of translating scientific discoveries into accessible therapeutic solutions. Dr. Xavier Fernández-Busquets, from the Unitat Conjunta de Nanomalària at the Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), addressed the development of new antiparasitic drugs in economically challenging environments. His presentation highlighted the importance of developing therapeutic strategies that take into account scientific and technological advances alongside the practical and financial constraints affecting drug discovery and development.

Biomarkers and Precision Medicine in Cancer

The final scientific presentation focused on the role of molecular mechanisms and biomarkers in advancing cancer research and precision medicine. Dr. Isabel Fabregat Romero, from the TGF-beta and Cancer group within the Oncobell Program at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and CIBERehd, examined the dual role of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in cancer. Her talk highlighted the complexity of this signaling pathway in tumor development and progression and its relevance to biomarker research and the development of more targeted therapeutic strategies.

Roundtable Discussion: AI, Research, and Healthcare

The roundtable discussion explored the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific research and healthcare, highlighting its potential to accelerate research and support the translation of scientific findings into clinical practice. Participants emphasized the importance of reliable data, shared repositories, human oversight, and critical thinking to ensure the responsible use of AI. The discussion also addressed the need for stronger collaboration between researchers and clinical professionals, improved scientific education, and better communication across disciplines to foster innovation and preserve originality in research.

Networking and Scientific Exchange

Alongside the scientific program, the event offered opportunities for participants to connect and exchange ideas during the coffee break and networking lunch. These informal gatherings encouraged conversations among speakers and attendees, allowing them to discuss the topics covered throughout the day, share research perspectives, and explore common scientific interests.
The networking opportunities complemented the formal sessions by fostering interaction across different areas of biochemistry and biomedical research. They also provided a setting for participants to strengthen professional connections and exchange ideas beyond the scheduled presentations.

Advancing Biomedical Research Through Collaboration

The event highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing biomedical knowledge, identifying new therapeutic targets, and improving approaches to disease diagnosis and treatment. By bringing together researchers working across complementary fields, the workshop encouraged dialogue on current scientific challenges and the opportunities emerging from translational biomedical research.
MDPI Spain is pleased to support initiatives that encourage scientific dialogue and strengthen connections within the research community. The event provided a valuable setting for discussing current developments in biochemistry and health and fostering further exchange among researchers working to advance biomedical research.

MDPI Journals Supporting the Event
The workshop was supported by several MDPI journals, whose participation helped promote scientific exchange and strengthen connections with the research community. Their support reflects MDPI’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and disseminating advances in biochemistry, biomedical research, and healthcare.