The NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology (NIMSB) recently hosted a pivotal meeting with the Max Delbrück Center – Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology (MDC-BIMSB) in Lisbon.

The two-day event, held on 6 and 7 June, aimed to solidify the partnership between these prestigious institutions, fostering advancements in precision medicine through collaborative research and innovation.

Cláudia Nunes dos Santos, Vice Director of NIMSB, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the meeting’s outcomes. “The meeting was an excellent opportunity to share our ongoing activities with our partners and to discuss ideas and exchange experiences”, she said. “My expectations for the future in relation to the NIMSB and the partnership with the MDC are extremely promising, as I believe that this collaboration will strengthen our research and innovation capacities, promoting significant advances in precision medicine by benefiting from single cell omics and data science, and contributing to innovative and impactful solutions in global health”, she concluded.

The agenda for the meeting was comprehensive, covering crucial aspects such as careers, education and training, dissemination strategies, recruitment strategies, and procedures for scientific collaborations.

Marta Cipińska, NIMSB Career Development and Education Program Coordinator at MDC-BIMSB, commented: “This team exchange event was crucial for setting the stage for future joint efforts and gaining a thorough understanding of the local research environment. Looking ahead, NIMSB and MDC plan to engage closely in various areas, including research, education, and training, emphasizing international collaboration to pave the way for impactful advancements in systems biology. I am very excited to see what we will build together.”

Juliana Roscito, Scientific Manager of NIMSB at MDC-BIMSB, highlighted the importance of the visit: “Our visit to Lisbon was essential to strengthen the connection between the NIMSB teams in Lisbon and Berlin. It gave us the chance to work together on action plans and get to know our partnering institutions.”

She further emphasized the collaborative spirit and future goals, stating that “with such an enthusiastic team, I’m confident we will quickly kickstart fruitful collaborations between NIMSB and MDC. We will work hard to make NIMSB visible and attractive to the international community, setting it on the path to success.”

The partnership between NIMSB and MDC-BIMSB represents a significant step forward in the realm of medical systems biology. By combining their expertise and resources, these institutions are poised to make groundbreaking contributions to global health, paving the way for innovative solutions in precision medicine.

During the event, participants visited the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB), as well as the Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET), both in Oeiras. This visit allowed members of the NIMSB and MDC-BIMSB teams to explore the infrastructure, laboratories, offices, and technological platforms of these institutes affiliated with NOVA. Additionally, the visit included a tour of the NOVA Medical School facilities in Lisbon. This was a valuable opportunity to closely observe state-of-the-art facilities and discuss potential future collaborations that could benefit both research and innovation in the field of systems biology and precision medicine.