NOVA Medical School had a strong presence at the launch event of NIMSB - NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology, which took place on October 23, 2023, at the Rectorate of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa. The mission of the new institute is to be a leading international center of excellence in the development, integration, and application of systems biology approaches to medical research and innovation.
NIMSB is a collaborative effort between Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin (BIMSB), Germany, with the support of the European Union through the Teaming for Excellence program under Horizon Europe, the Portuguese Government and the Oeiras Municipality. One of the main characteristics of NIMSB is its interdisciplinary spirit, and the institute will work closely with all NOVA Schools and multiple partners to build specialized critical mass and establish a robust infrastructure for a pioneering approach in Portugal that promises to boost the local research and innovation ecosystem in Precision Medicine.
António Jacinto, a professor and researcher at NMS, is the Project Coordinator for NIMSB at NOVA and was one of the individuals who presented the project at the launch event. During his inspiring presentation, António Jacinto shared the story of NIMSB, from being an idea to a funded project, and revealed some details of its implementation.
The launch had a broad presence from the academic and scientific community in the Lisbon area, and many individuals from our School attended, including Helena Canhão and Patrícia Calado, respectively the Dean of NMS and Vice-Dean for Research, as well as many researchers, professors, and research support teams.
NIMSB exemplifies the paradigm shift we are experiencing and the era in which Precision Medicine will reach patients with a greater emphasis on disease prevention rather than seeking solutions for possible cures.