IIS La Fe celebrates European Researchers’ Night 2025 with patient associations and donors as the main protagonists

The Health Research Institute La Fe (IIS La Fe) celebrated European Researchers' Night 2025 with a very special tribute to patient associations and individuals who contribute to fundraising for biomedical research. For the first time, the institution placed at the heart of this science outreach event those who, through their commitment and effort, make it possible for science to progress and improve the lives of thousands of patients.

The event, which gathered more than fifty attendees of very diverse ages, allowed participants to see first-hand how their support is transformed into scientific progress. During the opening session, Mariola Penadés, Director General for Research and Innovation, and María José Carrión, Managing Director of IIS La Fe, emphasized that social support is an essential driving force behind translational research and that every citizen contribution has a real impact on generating new knowledge.

The programme featured a wide variety of participatory activities, thanks to the collaboration of platforms, management areas, and research groups involved in its design and execution. This year, researchers and managers presented activities such as: Journey to the Heart of a Biobank (Biobanco La Fe); The Laboratory Animal: Why and How They Are Used in Research (Experimental Surgery and Animal Models Platform, PCEMA); The Neuron's Journey (TEMET-HD Trial); Mission: Magical Data (Big Data, AI, Biostatistics, and Bioinformatics Platform); PCR: Copying and Amplifying DNA to Make It Visible; Blood Under the Microscope Lens (Cell Biology Platform); C. elegans, a Small but Great Ally for Research (Molecular, Cellular and Genomic Biomedicine Research Group); and Alzheimer's: Myths and Realities (Alzheimer's Disease Research Group, GINEA).

With very positive feedback from the invited groups, the event achieved its goal: to open the doors of science to society, spark curiosity, and acknowledge the essential role of those who make it possible through their daily support.

A strong commitment to science communication

European Researchers' Night is a public science outreach event held simultaneously in hundreds of European cities, funded by the European Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the Horizon Europe programme. Its aim is to bring the work of researchers closer to society, foster interest in science, and show its impact on everyday life through workshops, talks, visits, and interactive activities open to all audiences.

IIS La Fe has celebrated this event without interruption since 2018. Since then, it has become an annual meeting point to bring science closer to society. Not even the pandemic interrupted this tradition, as in 2020 it was held entirely online.

In addition, this activity is part of the II Programme of Activities "Tu Hospital Investiga - La Ciencia de Cerca", supported by the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT). This project, which began last year with the I Programme of Activities "Tu Hospital Investiga - La Ciencia de Cerca", reinforces and consolidates IIS La Fe's commitment to science communication and the promotion of scientific knowledge among all groups, especially those most often overlooked.

The event recognizes and highlights the commitment of these groups by showing how their support drives biomedical research and improves people’s lives.

This activity is part of the II Programme of Activities “Tu Hospital Investiga – La Ciencia de Cerca”, funded by FECYT.