Barcelona BioMed Conference Showcases Latest Insights into the Nature and Evolutionary Paths of Cancer Cells

This week, IRB Barcelona and the BBVA Foundation are hosting the 40th Barcelona BioMed Conference, which will showcase groundbreaking research in “CANCER IN CONTEXT: cellular, tissue, and organismal determinants of malignant fates”. Co-organised by Dr. Direna Alonso Curbelo, from IRB Barcelona, and Dr. Tuomas Tammela, from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute, the event brings together 150 experts from around the globe. It will take place from 27 to 29 November in the Casa de Convalescència, in the Modernist complex of Sant Pau, in Barcelona.

Cancers result from a complex interplay of genetic events and plastic epigenetic alterations, woven into dynamic interactions within the tissue microenvironment and host physiopathology. This complexity has posed a significant challenge in comprehending the essential factors governing cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to treatment. At the Barcelona BioMed Conference, leading scientists from renowned research institutes will present their latest scientific discoveries and discuss new concepts and technologies, including computational methodologies, advanced model systems, and innovative clinical studies, all aimed at deconstructing and understanding the complexities of cancer biology.

“In this new and exciting era of cancer research, this conference seeks to unravel new frontiers, exploring beyond genetics to better understand the contextual dimensions that shape cancer initiation and progression,” commented Dr. Alonso Curbelo, head of the Inflammation, Tissue Plasticity & Cancer lab at IRB Barcelona.

“Attendees will have the opportunity to explore novel technologies, including artificial intelligence, designed to study the determinants of tumour evolution, and emerging concepts for clinical translation will be a focal point of discussion,” said Dr. Tammela, co-organiser and Group Leader at the Sloan Kettering Institute.

The programme includes scientific sessions delving into different aspects of the cancer continuum, from its cellular origins and diverse identities of tumour cells to their evolutionary trajectories within the dynamic tissue ecosystems in which they evolve, and the challenges and opportunities associated with the clinical translation of research findings.

The conference will feature renowned specialists in the field, including Dr. Tyler Jacks, from the Koch Institute at MIT, a world leader pioneering the development of in vivo models to study the genetic and molecular complexities of cancer, Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, from the University of Cambridge, a major authority in early disease mechanisms, and Dr. Ido Amit, from the Weizmann Institute of Science, who has spearheaded cutting-edge single-cell technologies to dissect the cell-cell interactions shaping tumour ecosystems.

During this 3-day event, participants can anticipate in-depth discussions during scientific and networking sessions, the exchange of knowledge and new ideas, and collaborative opportunities that aim to shape the future of cancer research. This event not only marks the 40th event in the Barcelona BioMed Conference series but also a pivotal moment in ongoing efforts to decode the complexities of cancer, providing new avenues for understanding, predicting, and intercepting the evolution of tumours.