Biodonostia Health Research Institute

We would like to welcome you to the BioDonostia Health Research Institute, the first institute for health research in the Basque Country. The Institute preferentially boosts translational research focusing on the patient; it covers all research carried out in Gipuzkoa within the framework of the Basque Health Service (Osakidetza) and aims to improve people's health through its multi-institutional and inter-disciplinary collaborative structure. This website aims to be a showcase of our activity. There have been many milestones along the way since it was created back in 2008, thanks to the commitment shown by the researchers, public bodies and other funding bodies. Out of all these milestones, it is fitting that we should highlight the inauguration of the renovated building in 2010 and its accreditation in 2011 as a Health Research Institute by the prestigious Carlos III Institute of Health (Instituto de Salud Carlos III), which meant that it joined the elite group of accredited Health Institutes at a national level. Our research is arranged in 7 subject areas that bring together around 300 researchers in 23 groups. With the purpose of boosting scientific advances, the BioDonostia Health Research Institute (HRI) has managed to establish a unique composition that makes it stand out from all the other Institutes, through the integration of the most important technological agents in Gipuzkoa. At its heart is the Donostia University Hospital (Hospital Universitario Donostia), and as is the case with most Health Research Institutes, the University also forms an integrated part, which in our case is the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU). Added to this core are the Regional Government of Gipuzkoa, the Euskampus Foundation and the Ikerbasque Foundation, thanks to which the critical mass of research has been increased by incorporating internationally renowned personnel. The unique nature of the Institute lies in the rest of its members. Primary Healthcare and Regional Hospitals are included. Also integrated in the Institute is the Gipuzkoa Science and Technology Park, which not only houses the Hospital, but also a high number of technology-based centres, among which are those that form the Institute: Vicomtech-IK4, CIC microGUNE, Cidetec, Osatek, Inbiomed and the Matia Gerontology Institute, and recognised centres that do not actually come under its governing bodies: CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE, Onkologikoa, BCBL, CITA Alzheimer and the Dr Carlos Elosegui Foundation at the Policlínica Gipuzkoa. The research subjects tackled are: micro and nano biotechnologies, biomaterials, molecular imaging, audiovisual technologies, e-health, gerontology, cognition, brain and language, among others. The Institute aspires to be a centre of reference in the field of health research on an international level, and preferentially promotes innovation in medical and health technologies to advance in the system's sustainability. This is why it participates in the ITEMAS network (Medical Technology Innovation Network), being one of its 22 units on a national level. For me, it is both a challenge and a responsibility to lead this team of professionals, and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them on the extraordinary work they are doing. I would also like to express my appreciation for the continued support we have received from all the Bodies that make up the Institute, working together with the common purpose of improving people's health and generating wealth in our region.