Who are we?

The Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research of Coimbra (iCBR-FMUC) is a multidisciplinary research unit of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra (FMUC). Committed with excellence in biomedical and clinical research, iCBR’s mission is to drive innovation in health by investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying chronic diseases, identifying new therapeutic strategies and disease biomarkers, and promoting innovative approaches that improve quality of life and well-being.

Transforming Knowledge into Health

iCBR fosters strong integration between fundamental research and clinical practice, bringing together scientists and healthcare professionals in a collaborative and nourishing environment that bridges the traditional boundaries between Medicine, Biology, and Engineering. This translational research model, supported by state-of-the-art laboratory and clinical facilities, enables the transformation of scientific discoveries into concrete solutions for public health and societal well-being.

iCBR’s scientific activity is structured into six strategic research lines, each jointly led by a clinical researcher and a fundamental researcher, ensuring an integrated “from bench to bedside” approach:

• Ageing and Quality of Life
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases
• Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO)
• Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Diseases
• Systemic Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases
• Vision Diseases

Fostering synergies for impactful science

It maintains strategic partnerships with local leading healthcare institutions, such as ULS Coimbra (Hospitals of the University of Coimbra) and IPO-Coimbra, ensuring a direct connection between research and clinical practice.

In partnership with the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), the iCBR is part of the Center for Innovation in Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CiBB), enhancing scientific cooperation and raising the quality of biomedical research to excellence.

Educate, Communicate, and Inspire

iCBR brings together more than 200 researchers, including scientists and clinicians, around 100 of whom hold a PhD, creating an ecosystem of scientific excellence and multidisciplinarity.

iCBR members are actively involved in Master’s and PhD teaching programs, both at FMUC and at national and international institutions, contributing to advanced training of the next generation of researchers. Being science communication and proximity to society a iCBR’s fingerprint, researchers are deeply involved in initiatives with the purpose of promoting science and health literacy and public engagement with science.

Excellence and Innovation in the Service of Society

The iCBR offers a vibrant and stimulating environment with state-of-the-art technological infrastructures, dedicated to advancing cutting-edge biomedical research and strengthening the connection between science, health, and society, with the goal of being recognized as an international reference unit.