NIMSB

With the aging population, managing chronic conditions becomes increasingly challenging, posing a threat to the sustainability of healthcare systems. The biggest challenge in early diagnosis of chronic diseases as well as choosing the most effective therapy for patients is our insufficient understanding of these diseases at the molecular and cellular level.  

To address this challenge, Max Delbrück Center and NOVA University joined forces to create the NOVA Institute for Medical Systems Biology (NIMSB). Located in a vibrant area in Oeiras, Portugal, and neighboring many top-level research institutes and technology innovation parks, NIMSB aspires to become a leading international Centre of Excellence in the development, integration and application of state-of-the-art medical systems biology approaches to medical research and innovation.

Under the shared vision of NOVA and Max Delbrück Center, research and innovation at NIMSB will drive advancements in precision medicine, focusing on developing new cell-centered diagnostic and therapeutic concepts for high morbidity and mortality diseases such as cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and cancer.

"We have a shared vision of what it takes to push the boundaries of precision medicine. The key to success is collaboration". Holger Gerhardt, vice Scientific Director of the Max Delbrück Center.

Organization

The Max Delbrück Center will work closely with NOVA and NIMSB to provide its expertise and experience in creating BIMSB, as well as in creating advanced technology infrastructure, fostering partnerships with hospitals, and designing concepts for innovation, education and training activities.

NIMSB will be modelled on MDC-BIMSB and aligned with the cell-based interceptive medicine Strategic Research Agenda developed by the pan-European LifeTime Initiative (led by Max Delbrück Center) to accelerate adoption of breakthrough technologies in medical systems biology.

Funding

The partnership between NOVA University Lisbon, Portugal, and the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin, Germany is funded by the European Union's "Teaming for Excellence" Action under the Widening Program of Horizon Europe, and receives complementary funding from Portuguese stakeholders.