About CiBB

The Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC) is a research institute founded in 1990, which fosters biomedical research and multidisciplinary graduate training at the University of Coimbra. CNC-UC was the first established “Laboratório Associado” in Portugal, and it has steadily increased its scope of scientific competences over the years, with strong focus on research in Neuroscience, Metabolism, Ageing, Neurodegenerative, Neuropsychiatric, Cardiac and Liver diseases, and on finding Innovative Therapies for these disorders.

The strategy at CNC-UC has been to develop strong fundamental research that can be translated to clinical and biotechnology applications. Close collaboration between basic researchers and the clinical faculty enables translation of basic knowledge into clinical practice, enhanced by strategic partnerships with the pharmaceutical industry. CNC-UC promotes technology transfer and the creation of biomedical and biotechnology enterprises, facilitated by its role as founding partner of the Biocant Biotechnology Innovation Center.
In parallel to developing high quality and impactful fundamental and applied research, CNC-UC is engaged in training the next generation of biomedical researchers, and in disseminating scientific information to the community.

Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR-FMUC) is a research Institution of the Faculty of Medicine – University of Coimbra and relies on excellent clinical and laboratory facilities as well as on a highly skilled and multidisciplinary scientific staff. iCBR is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research in health sciences. Particular strengths include research in Vision Sciences.

iCBR-FMUC fosters an environment for research, education and training that promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to health sciences, crossing traditional boundaries between Medicine, Biology and Engineering. Integration between basic and clinical research is essential for the advance of modern health sciences and iCBR-FMUC commits a major effort to support such integrated research programs.

The Multidisciplinary Institute on Ageing (MIA-Portugal) is the first institute in Southern Europe focused on the study of ageing biology, whose mission is to understand the genetic, molecular, cellular, environmental, and physiological bases of ageing. Founded in 2020 through a European Teaming for Excellence project, from the Horizon 2020 program (EC), it involves the University of Coimbra, the Commission for Coordination and Regional Development of the Center of Portugal (CCDRC), the Pedro Nunes Institute (IPN), the University of Newcastle, and the University Medical Center Groningen. 

MIA-Portugal is an institute open to international interactions and partnerships in the field of ageing biology, contributing to the global mission of producing new knowledge, developing new technologies, and new therapies that reduce or eliminate the burden of disease during ageing. Under the motto “Living Without Disease”, MIA-Portugal's development strategy is based on the interconnection of fundamental biomedical research and research in populational and clinical contexts, leveraging predictive, preventive, participatory, and precision medicine programs for healthy living.
Attracting and retaining highly qualified talent and providing advanced training for young researchers are integral to MIA-Portugal's main mission. The establishment in 2025 of its research activities in a modern biomedical research building, within the sophisticated ecosystem of the Health Campus of the University of Coimbra, will create unique working conditions to produce new knowledge, services, and products for quality of life.

Gene Therapy holds great promise for revolutionising modern medicine. It represents a paradigm shift in approaching disease treatment, as it address the root causes of diseases instead of focusing on treating their symptoms. With unparalleled potential for both cure and economic impact, this groundbreaking medical biotechnology demands cutting-edge research and innovation to address the thousands of severe human diseases.

With this in mind, the EU-funded GeneT project will establish a unique gene therapy research and innovation hub in the Centro region of Portugal. Anchored at the University of Coimbra, GeneT unites scientific excellence with international cooperation to pioneer new gene therapy solutions capable of alleviating suffering and fostering economic growth.

The main goal of the present project is the creation of a Gene Therapy research & innovation hub rooted in a Center of Excellence (CoE) located in the CENTRO (center) region of Portugal – the GeneT. This CoE will capitalize on the already existing RD&I capacity in the field at the University of Coimbra (UC) – the regional (and national) pivot of the innovation potential and knowledge transfer in Red Biotechnology – and act as an (inter)national enabler of scientific and business excellence in Gene Therapy innovation and manufacturing. Gene Therapy is the latest revolution in the treatment of severe human diseases with the highest curative and economic potential in the health sector. Extraordinary results have already been achieved in the treatment of a few neurological, ophthalmic, hepatic, oncological and hematological disorders with outstanding clinical and economic impacts. UC, notably its Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, has proven scientific excellence in specific areas of the field, and a matchless ecosystem to strive in this high added-value sector, which encompasses the Coimbra University Hospitals and the Biotechnology Park BIOCANT, recognized as the epicenter of the biotech industry in Portugal.