The Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine "López-Neyra" (IPBLN) forms part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and its activity is devoted to research in the area of biomedical sciences. The fields of research cover a wide range of issues concerning immunology, cell biology, molecular biology and pharmacology of important world-wide biomedical problems. Since the foundation nearly forty years ago of the centre as the National Institute of Parasitology, the IPBLN has broadened its spectrum of research projects and now constitutes a modern, well-equipped institute involved in both basic and applied biomedical research. The research staff is on continuous growth, increasing in number of group leaders and expanding its capabilities for resource acquisition and scientific production. It is organized in three departments: Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Cell Biology and Immunology and Molecular Biology. The institute is located at the Technological Park of Health Sciences of Granada (PTS; www.ptsgranada.com); this privileged location provides an appropriate environment to stimulate the interaction among different institutions and private entities interested in Health Sciences, including basic and applied research, health care, University education and transferring of knowledge to the productive sector.
The objectives of the research activity are aimed to the understanding of processes and the study of organisms of biomedical interest with a special emphasis in molecular parasitology, immunology and the development of new therapeutic strategies and procedures for diagnostic of diseases of world-wide impact.The development of new compounds and tools for the treatment of infectious diseases, the design of new procedures for diagnostic and the understanding of the molecular bases of infectious diseases, immune or neurodegenerative diseases or cancer are all important goals of the institute. All the pathologies studied at the IPBLN constitute important health problems, e.g. autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or Crohn disease; neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson or multiple sclerosis; and infectious diseases like tropical diseases, AIDS or hepatitis C, among others.
The IPBLN offers a great potential in the field of biomedical sciences, in its allocation at the PTS is prepared for significant interaction with private enterprises, and other public research institutes. An atmosphere of mutual collaboration and interaction with other countries is reflected by the participation of the IPBLN scientists in international networks and projects. The relationship with Latin-American and European countries is especially relevant.
The Institute also develops an important teaching role participating in postgraduate courses and accommodating many PhD students. In addition the institute promotes different activities for the development and dissemination of scientific culture.
The services provided by the core facilities are available not only to the personnel of the Institute but also to the general scientific community. The facilities include, among others: DNA sequencing, oligonucleotide synthesis, proteomic, and the library.