As in previous years, the BIST Forum 2025 has provided a great opportunity to strengthen institutional collaboration and highlight scientific excellence. In this edition, the BIST Ignite Awards have recognised the work of two projects involving ICN2: TriBioNics, represented by Dr Elena del Corro, and MOLOPEC, represented by Dr Sara Martí.
On 20 February, the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) held a new edition of the BIST Forum at CaixaForum Barcelona. The event brought together many researchers and representatives from the seven centres that make up the BIST community (ICN2, ICFO, IFAE, CRG, IRB, IBEC and ICIQ). A number of political and institutional personalities were also present, including the Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, the Catalan Minister of Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat, the President of the European Research Council, Prof. Maria Leptin, and the President of the European Innovation Council, Dr Michiel Seffer.
The day included a series of presentations and roundtable discussions on key issues such as research investment, technology transfer and science communication. In addition, the role of precision medicine was highlighted during the session "Precision Health: A BIST Integrative Contribution for Healthy Aging", where the BIST Precision Medicine Taskforce presented the progress of its joint initiative to promote healthy ageing.
The BIST Ignite Programme: Promoting scientific excellence
The event concluded with the presentation of the BIST Ignite Awards, which were given by ICREA Prof. Jose A. Garrido (ICN2) and Prof. Lluïsa-Maria Mir (IFAE). These awards recognise outstanding collaborative projects between BIST centres and provide €50,000 in funding. This year, ICN2 was represented in the two winning projects:
- TriBioNics: Led by Dr Elena del Corro (ICN2 Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices Group) and Dr María Crespo (IBEC), this project focuses on the development of graphene microelectrodes for the precise stimulation of skeletal muscles and the treatment of muscle disorders.
- MOLOPEC: Represented by Dr Carles Ros (ICFO), Dr Sergi Grau (ICIQ) and Dr Sara Martí (former member of the ICN2 Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group), this project aims to develop organic fuels and more sustainable solutions for solar energy storage. Following the departure of Sara Martí, ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol will now lead ICN2's contribution to the project.
In addition, the BIST Ignite programme will fund five new early-stage multidisciplinary projects, including Breath-CO2, in which Dr Alba Garzón (ICN2 Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group) is involved.
Through these initiatives, ICN2 and the BIST community continue to foster interdisciplinary research, technology advancement and innovation.