Page 4 - MemoriaBBN-Eng

ORGANIZATION

Introduction: CIBER-BBN in 2013

When reviewing the main actions and results from 2013 in CIBER-BBN, there seems
to be a clearly positive evolution, and while still far from representing the translational

levels we would like, these actions and results do show the consolidation of a trend in

the right direction. The milestones which I consider deserve being mentioned explicitly
in this report are described below.

Like every year, the annual evaluation of the groups in the centre for fiscal year 2012

has been done. Despite the evident effects of the economic difficulties existing during
the fiscal year, we can still continue to ponder several indicators that are still on the rise

in virtually all the evaluated aspects. This is most certainly the result of the system’s

inertia and of the researchers’ commitment, which at present has allowed us to absorb
the negative effects of a serious recession. I am afraid, though, that if the situation is not

reversed soon, our centres’ potential will be seriously affected, and the aforementioned

inertia will become a hindrance more than a salvation.
Letter from
As a result of evaluations from previous years and of the particular situations of each
the Scientific group, there is one group that left CIBER-BBN on December, 31, 2013, and several

Director
groups were asked to submit an action plan to reorient their activity and involvement in
CIBER-BBN. In addition, a new associated clinical group has been incorporated, bringing ó

such “explicit” associated clinical groups up to 3. We hope that the next call for propo-

sals within the framework of the AES (Accin Estratégica en Salud) includes the possible
participation of new groups, making CIBER-BBN healthily dynamic.

As for the more day-to-day activity, two forums with companies have been held: one

in bone therapies and the other in biomedical monitoring systems, in addition to three

others that are more clinically oriented, one in ophthalmology in collaboration with the
OFTARED Network, another one with the Cell Therapy Network TERCEL, and a third clini-

cal forum in cardiology with the Cardiovascular Research Network RIC. Conferences were
also held for disseminating the CIBER’s capabilities in some health research institutes,

such as the IMIBIC of Cordoba and the IBIS of Seville.
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As a continuation of some of these clinical forums held in previous years, joint projects T
R
between the CIBERES and SEPAR, started up at the beginning of 2013 as the result PO
of the “mini-call for proposals” jointly launched at the end of 2012. Four of the eleven E
L R
projects that were submitted were funded, and I believe that it can be considered a A
NU
success given what it means for promoting clinical-technological interaction. The same N
occurred at the end of the year with the call for proposal opened with the ECO Founda- A
/
tion (Foundation for Excellence and Quality in Oncology). In this case, eight applications BN
were submitted, and given the top-level and across-the-board quality of all the proposals B
R-
according to the panel of judges, six have been funded, again for the purpose of “sowing BE
CI
seeds” in clinical-technological projects and collaborations which in the near future may
be reported as a success.
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