The I3PT opens its doors to bring biomedical research and innovation closer to the public

• More than fifty people participate for the first time in a day to get to know  up close the spaces, teams and projects that transform health from Parc Taulí

External breast prostheses personalized with 3D printing, an algorithm to optimize the ventilation of critical patients, a cognitive therapy with virtual reality and a lung developed inside a chip. Four initiatives that improve lives and that have a common denominator: they all originated at the Parc Taulí Research and Innovation Institute (I3PT).

Last Thursday, October 9, more than fifty people had the opportunity to meet them first-hand at the first open day of the I3PTAccompanied by the research teams, attendees were able, for a day, to tour the spaces and laboratories where research is carried out, and observe, through these four pioneering initiatives, how innovation becomes progress for health.

In the 3D lab, Paula Ferrer showed how the Pit3D project uses 3D printing to create fully customized external breast prostheses, improving the comfort and self-esteem of women who have undergone a mastectomy.

In the signals laboratory, Leo Sarlabous presented an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of automatically detecting asynchronies between the critical patient and the mechanical ventilator.

In the simulation laboratory, Sol Fernández showed an innovative cognitive neurostimulation technique with virtual reality, designed to reduce cognitive and emotional sequelae after admission to the ICU.

Finally, in the experimental research laboratory, Marta Camprubí, Aina Areny and Elena Campaña explained how they are working on the development of a lung model on a chip, a platform that recreates the functions of this organ to test new treatments under controlled and safe conditions.

The day reaffirmed the I3PT's commitment to bringing research and innovation closer to citizens, with the aim of involving them in scientific processes and orienting the results towards their needs, values ​​and expectations."Today we take another step in this link between the Institute and society: we want you to know what we do, how we do it and why it is so relevant for your well-being and for our future", emphasized the president of Parc Taulí, Dolores Costa, in the opening speech of the event.

In the same vein, the director of the I3PT, Salvador Ventura, recalled that science is a collective task that can only advance with the support of citizens: "When you [citizens] trust us, you give us the necessary push to continue doing research. You are a fundamental part of scientific progress."

Before the day ended, attendees put what they had learned to the test and received a small gift courtesy of the 3D Laboratory.

The Institute would like to thank the involvement of all the people who made this day possible -research staff, volunteers, participants and organizers-, and especially all those who wanted to learn firsthand how, from Parc Taulí, research and innovation work every day to improve the health and well-being of society.