In June this year the new Comparative Medicine and Bioimage Centre of Catalonia (CMCiB) started its normal working activities.  Located at the highest point of the campus, the CMCiB is a centre promoted by the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) and dedicated to biomedical research and training.  The centre is an important addition to scientific infrastructures in southern Europe and is the only one in Spain, it has been set up to become a reference in comparative medicine, bioimaging and computational models with a clear remit to promote alternative research models and methods.

A wide range of research projects will be carried out at the CMCiB.  Activities until now underway in the previous building will move into the new one in planned stages, but the CMCiB will also initiate a wide range of new tasks.  As well as preclinical studies, there is provision for new computational and imaging research methods, the refining of surgical techniques and the development of new devices and methods in surgery with a clear 3R policy (replace, reduce, refine).  The building has been designed to maximize its potential for teaching activities.  Its location on the campus is a clear mark of added value for Can Ruti, for research in Catalonia in general and for translational research and continuing education for health professionals.

From September the complete teaching area will be available (classroom for 40 professionals with audio-visual connections to the operating theatres and also video conference with the auditorium in the hospital).  The areas for comparative medicine will also be fully functioning, this includes all the area dedicated to surgery, the conventional areas of biocontainment and level three biological safety laboratories.  By the end of 2018 the majority of the bioimaging equipment will have been installed, including the 3 tesla magnetic resonance facility.

The CMCiB has opened its doors to staff of the research and healthcare centres on the campus and representatives from the principle Catalan biomedical research centres through a programme of guided visits.  These visits have been important to explain the potential of the facilities to the professional community and the opportunities the centre offers.  Any professional who would like more information should contact the staff of the CMCiB on cmcib(ELIMINAR)@igtp.cat.