Students from the MISB (UIMP-CSIC) master's degree in integrative synthetic biology have spent time at the institute as part of the integrated laboratories module. The aim is to gain first-hand knowledge of the lines of research as possible destinations for their master's thesis.

 

The ten students from the fourth edition of MISB visited some of the research groups at I2SysBio on 25, 26 and 27 June 2025. After being welcomed by the institute's director, Gustavo Gómez, and the coordinator of this visit, Juli Peretó, a seminar entitled “How to give a talk” was given by Manuel Porcar. In addition to working in different laboratories, they were able to visit two biotechnology companies in the UV Science Park: Darwin Bioprospecting Excellence and ADM-Biopolis. The midday seminars were given by Daniel Ramón, Carla Rubio, Irene Otero-Muras and Pablo Carbonell and covered topics such as innovation and technology transfer, as well as the creation of so-called “biofoundries”. On the last day, María Suárez (Laboratory of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Wageningen University & Research) gave a seminar on ‘Metabolic modelling, design of experiments and machine learning to optimise microbial cell factories’. Finally, the stay ended with the students presenting their experiences and impressions.

 

The MISB, which is part of the Menéndez Pelayo International University UIMP and the CSIC, is organised by three CSIC research centres: the National Centre for Biotechnology CNB, the Margarita Salas Centre for Biological Research CIB and the Institute of Integrative Systems Biology I2SysBio (a joint centre with the University of Valencia). The MISB is a pioneering postgraduate programme that combines advanced teaching and research at CSIC centres. The aim of the MISB, which can be considered the first postgraduate school on synthetic biology in Spain, is to prepare the next generation of researchers in synthetic biology, familiarised with new ways of exploring living systems. The integrated training, research and innovation programme on synthetic biology includes an integrated laboratory module in which participants join a research group to learn about its activity from within.

 

The MISB lasts two years (120 credits) and the special pre-registration period for its fifth edition (2025-2027) will be from 14 July to 11 September 2025. It is recommended for students of life sciences or physical-chemical sciences, as well as those more oriented towards technology, computer sciences or engineering.