The Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-Ri) is a research unit affiliated with the University of Algarve (UAlg) established in November 2021.
Devoted to lifespan health research, ABC-Ri focuses on understanding the aging process, its impact on human development, and diseases affecting several aspects of health, including conditions related to the brain, cancer, as well as chronic and rare diseases. The research spans the entire lifespan, addressing ways to prevent and manage diseases, improve health, and promote longevity.
ABC-Ri is a member of the Algarve Biomedical Center (ABC) consortium, which brings together the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the Algarve University Hospital, and ABC-Ri. ABC-Ri takes the lead in the ABC Collaborative Laboratory, a 5th generation CoLAB approved in 2022 by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT). The ABC CoLAB comprises 12 entities, including private companies, academic and research organizations, and public institutions.
Organization
ABC-Ri is coordinated by a director and an executive board, alongside with a coordination commission and the scientific council. Our organizational structure ensures strategic guidance and adherence to the highest scientific standards, facilitating collaborative, innovative, and impactful research aimed at improving human health and well-being. The ABC-Ri research is organized in three main hubs focusing on Cancer, Brain/Neuroscience, and Health and Life Support, each comprising dedicated teams of scientists addressing specific challenges in biomedical research. Our center also houses the GeneSis platform, a dynamic hub including a statistical and data analysis hub, the research facilities and that serves as an incubator for novel ideas.
Green
At ABC-Ri, we are deeply committed to environmental awareness and sustainability practices. We consider ourselves as a green research center, as we prioritize reducing our ecological footprint and promoting sustainable initiatives in our daily operations. We actively implement strategies such as reusing, reducing, and recycling materials and consumables whenever possible, replacing single-use plastics with eco-friendly alternatives like glass, and conscientiously switching off equipment and lights when not in use to conserve energy. Furthermore, we prioritize purchasing from companies that minimize packaging, and we even repurpose the end of toilet paper rolls for use in our animal facility, a simple yet effective way to minimize waste. Through these efforts, we try to minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier, greener future for generations to come.
Inclusivity
At ABC-Ri, we are deeply committed to promote an environment of inclusivity, equality, and no discrimination. We believe that diversity is essential for driving innovation and excellence in biomedical research. As subscribers of The ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion, we actively implement concrete, positive, evidence-based actions to promote equity and inclusivity at all levels of our organization. Additionally, we adhere to the gender equality plan of the University of Algarve, ensuring equal opportunities for all researchers regardless of gender, background, ethnicity, religion, or career stage. We are dedicated to creating a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to our shared mission of Advancing Lifespan Perspectives to push forward a healthier future through research, development, and innovation.
FAIR
ABC-Ri is dedicated to supporting the FAIR principles – Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable – in our research practices. We recognize the importance of ensuring that data and research outputs are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable to maximize their impact and facilitate scientific advancement. By adhering to these principles, we aim to enhance the transparency, reproducibility, and usability of our research, ultimately contributing to the global scientific community’s efforts to accelerate discovery and innovation in the biomedical field.
