The PRBB

The Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB)

is a building surrounded by wood 

located in front of the beach in Barcelona.

At the PRBB we do research, that is, we investigate.

To investigate is to find answers

to things we don't know.

We do research in biomedicine,

which is the science that studies health.

We investigate from the smallest level,

such as cells or molecules

that make up our body

up to the highest level:

individuals and entire populations.

Inside the building there are 8 centers where research is carried out.

The Hospital del Mar Research Institute 

studies diseases of the brain, heart and cancer.

It also investigates about bioinformatics,

which is studying biological data

with the help of computers.

The Department of Medicine and Life Sciences at Pompeu Fabra University (MELIS-UPF)  

studies how diseases work, 

the different systems and populations.

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) 

investigates genes.

Genes are in the DNA,

and they carry the information of what a living being is like and how it functions.

The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE: CSIC-UPF) 

investigates the evolution of living beings, 

that is, how they have changed through time,

as well as their differences and how to preserve them.

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal)

studies how the environment: air, water, radiation... 

affects our health.

At the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL Barcelona) 

they create mini organs in the laboratory 

to study how diseases affect them.

The Pasqual Maragall Foundation 

is looking for a solution for Alzheimer's disease 

and other diseases that affect the brain

as we get older. 

The Institute of Applied Radiopharmacy of Barcelona  

creates radiopharmaceuticals, 

which are a kind of radioactive molecules 

that are used to diagnose and treat diseases.

The PRBB has an animal facility.

The animal facility is the place where animals are cared for.

These animals are used for research and scientific studies

to improve health and well-being.

We also have different scientific and technical services.

Everyone at the PRBB can use these services.

There are microscopes, 

that are used to see very small things

and elements inside our bodies, such as cells 

or other parts that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

There are also freezers to store samples, 

machines to analyze DNA and proteins

and other very complex machines.

Research must follow standards of quality and integrity.

Integrity means ensuring that things are done well 

and with honesty.

At the PRBB we have a Code of Good Scientific Practice

to avoid bad practices. 

There is a working group that helps to share good practices 

and to solve problems.

Each PRBB center has protocols and resources

to ensure scientific integrity.

EDI is a group on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

It serves to help everyone to do science

regardless of gender, origin or other conditions.

There is a group for LGTBIAQ+ rights.

And there is also a group to improve the environment for people with disabilities.

These groups organize events to make people think about diversity

and help everyone feel included.

From the PRBB we organize an open day 

which is called OpenPRBB.

On this day everyone can visit the PRBB.

We also go to schools to explain what we do 

and we have radio programs that talk about science.

We have an online magazine called El·lipse

that publishes the news of the PRBB.

At the PRBB we want to ensure everyone's well-being.

This means that they are comfortable doing their job

and can do it in the best possible way.

That is why we do many social activities, workshops and courses open to everyone.

When we do research, we try to be sustainable.

This means taking care of the building 

to save energy and help the planet.

There is a group of people

that make proposals to improve sustainability 

in the laboratories and in the building.

The PRBB employs 1,700 people 

from 70 different countries. 

There are people who investigate, technical staff 

and administrative staff who provide support.

At the PRBB, scientists 

from different specialties and with different points of view

collaborate to create new ideas and ways to advance research.