With the participation of leading figures from the Max Planck Society and prominent local researchers, the meeting reaffirmed the importance of
international cooperation and knowledge without borders in the face of global challenges.
After three days of intense academic exchange, the fifth edition of the Frontiers in Bioscience Symposium concluded today at the Deseo Cultural Center. Organized by the Buenos Aires Institute for Biomedical Research (IBioBA, CONICET-Max Planck), the event brought together more than 450 participants and some twenty experts in various fields of the biosciences.
The opening remarks were delivered by Damián Refojo, director of IBioBA, who highlighted the vital support provided by the Mercosur Structural Fund (FOCEM) and the Max Planck Society in making this event possible. In a speech marked by the geopolitical relevance of knowledge, Refojo noted: “I like to think that the presence of our German colleagues sends a message: science is international, knowledge knows no borders, and collaboration is always stronger than isolation”.
The scientific program, coordinated by Refojo and Moritz Helmstaedter, director of the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, covered the latest advances in cell biology, neuroscience, developmental biology and gene regulation, and plant biology.
A highlight was the public lecture dedicated to the impact of science on current health challenges. Peter Mombaerts, director of the Max Planck Unit for Neurogenetics in Frankfurt, spoke about the importance of continuing to pay attention to COVID-19; while Andrea Gamarnik, head of the Molecular Virology laboratory at the Instituto Leloir, presented on viral replication and immune evasion mechanisms in dengue.
The panel was introduced by the directors of FOCEM’s Biomedicine Project: Eduardo Arzt, founder of IBioBA, and Wilson Savino of Fiocruz (Brazil), who emphasized the importance of the philosophy of “cooperating rather than competing” for the advancement of knowledge.
The future of research took center stage during two poster sessions where more than 200 doctoral and postdoctoral students presented their ongoing projects. Thanks to the grants awarded by FOCEM through IBioBA, 50 students from different Argentine provinces and Mercosur countries were able to attend and share their findings, strengthening regional scientific ties.
Moritz Helmstaedter closed the symposium by thanking all the speakers for the quality of their presentations, but especially for the energy, focus, and commitment of all the students who presented their work during the poster sessions: “This gathering shows us that science has a bright future ahead. Seeing all of you here has been truly inspiring”, he said.
About the Symposium
The event is a postgraduate and scientific outreach activity organized by IBioBA as part of the Mercosur FOCEM Biomedicine Project.