Sant Joan de Déu and IQS-URL promote a pioneering Joint-Lab in 3D bioprinting for pediatric biomedical research

SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, and the Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS) have formalised a strategic agreement to create the Joint-Lab IQS - Sant Joan de Déu, an innovative initiative that combines the scientific, technological, and clinical capabilities of the two institutions with the aim of promoting biomedical research applied to maternal-fetal and paediatric health.

Although the Joint-Lab is now formally consolidated, the collaboration between both institutions goes back a long way and has made it possible to jointly address numerous research challenges. The new project seeks to establish a stable and cross-cutting alliance, aimed at generating clinical and social impact, integrating teams, infrastructures, and knowledge in fields such as 3D bioprinting, advanced materials, and computational simulation. This synergy will facilitate the acceleration of the transition from research to clinical practice, developing new technologies that improve the treatment of paediatric pathologies and reduce the time from idea to patient.

3D Bioprinting

3D bioprinting is a technology that allows the creation of three-dimensional structures of living tissues capable of imitating the shape, function, and microenvironment of real human tissues. It is used in biomedical research to develop models that help understand diseases and test new treatments without the need for direct experimentation on patients.

Training, mobility, and research

The Joint-Lab also commits to training a new generation of hybrid professionals, with clinical vision and technological capability, and will promote the mobility of students and researchers between the two institutions. In addition, the project foresees active participation in international calls and the creation of strategic alliances that expand the scientific and social impact of the unit.

With this agreement, Sant Joan de Déu and IQS-URL reinforce their commitment to translational research, innovation, and the improvement of paediatric care, positioning the Joint-Lab as a global reference centre in paediatric biomedical research.