Page 14 - MemoriaER-Eng

SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMMES
t

he basic structure of CIBERER consists of Research Programmes (RPs) which allow
grouping CIBERER units according to their areas of scientific interest. Organizing into

RPs allows optimizing resource allocation, strengthening research groups, promoting
scientific, technical and clinical collaboration to improve scientific results and obtain a hig-

her degree of compliance with the proposed strategic objectives.

CIBERER programme structuring is complex, largely due to the idiosyncrasy inherent to
the field of RD, the field of medicine and the field of public health which covers over 7,000

diseases, mainstreaming all human organic systems. To scientifically, logically and ope-

ratively solve this complexity, an approach was chosen in which the RPs are supported
by biomedical research instruments, specifically by Biomedical Intramural Projects for RD

(PIBER) and by Transverse Instrument Support Platforms for RD (PITER).

The objective of the RPs is to organize the groups based on the large medical areas in
which the groups conduct their research. Conceptually speaking, 7 programmes are con-

sidered taking into account the fundamental biological and historical aspect characterizing
each RD either separately or as a classified group of diseases:

• Genetic Medicine Programme

• Inherited Metabolic Medicine Programme

• Mitochondrial Medicine Programme

• Pediatric and Developmental Medicine Programme

• Sensorineural Pathology Programme

• Endocrine Medicine Programme

• Hereditary Cancer and Related Syndromes Programme

Research groups join the different RPs according to the diseases in which they conduct their

scientific work and the aspects about such diseases being investigated. The groups are integra-

ted in a programme by means of participating in Lines of Research that are defined on the basis
of the programme itself and on the basis of the disease or group of diseases with respect to

which the most relevant research in the group in the field of RD is being conducted. Specifically,
participation of research groups in RPs is based on the following criteria:

• High scientific level in the disease/diseases in question.

• Proven capacity of interaction and cooperative research between groups. All CIBERER

groups working in the field of a specific line of research must participate in said line of
research.

•
Clear interest in developing translation actions, including clinical trials, and transfer
actions.

• Promoting internationalization activities, attending international scientific and clinical

forums.

The RPs operate by means of scientific, technical, translational and educational instrumental 13
activities using research support tools.
20
T
The RP model is an opportunity for refocusing the research conducted by the research groups R
PO
and for the groups to cooperate with one another, a higher capability of adapting to translatio- E
nal research needs, and the development of a more dynamic RD research model.
L R
A
The general characteristics of the 7 Research Programmes, i.e., description of each program- NU
N
me, objectives, the rare diseases studied and the groups forming each of the programmes, is A
/
provided below.
ER
ER
B
CI

14