One of Europe's first immune system research centers opens in Barcelona

Friday saw the inauguration of one of Europe's first research centre's dedicated entirely to the study of immunology.

The CaixaResearch Institute, which plans to reach maximum capacity by 2032 with around 40 research groups and 500 professionals, is also the first of its kind to launch in Spain. 

The research facility is backed with investment of €100 million to construct the site, and a similar amount again as a structural contribution for the first years of activity.

The stated aim of the CaixaResearch Institute is to “decipher the great enigmas surrounding the immune system for the benefit of society." It's planned for the centre to carry out work which will redefine the study of pathologies such as cancer or neurological and infectious diseases.

The inauguration was attended by the Catalan president, Salvador Illa, King Felipe VI of Spain, as well as the Minister of Research, Núria Montserrat, the Minister of Health, Mónica García, the Spanish government delegate in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto, and the president of the La Caixa Foundation, Isidre Fainé, among other authorities.

Doctors at the inauguration event explained that the immune system is like a very sophisticated orchestra that acts in a fast and effective first line of defense against external threats, such as viruses and bacteria, and boasts a memory system to respond better to threats that it has seen before. 

“The combination of speed, precision and adaptability makes the immune system one of the most complex systems in our body," Dr. Tabanero explained.