The iBB is a multidisciplinary unit of Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon, dedicated to research in life sciences and engineering. iBB facilities are located on the Alameda campus (Lisbon) and the TagusPark campus (Oeiras). iBB is part of the private, non-profit institution IST-ID and one of the three units of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy (i4HB).
The 67 PhD researchers at iBB are distributed across five research groups covering bioprocess engineering, biological sciences, biospectroscopy, and stem cell engineering. Members of each group share knowledge, skills, and interests within their fields. The goal is to promote synergies and encourage joint projects that maximize the team’s collective expertise.
At iBB, we believe that bioengineering and biosciences are essential to addressing the most critical development challenges facing humanity. Our mission is to elucidate the complexities of living systems and apply engineering principles. Through its activities, iBB educates and empowers young scientists and bioengineers to drive global prosperity. Knowledge transfer and the promotion of scientific understanding are two additional pillars of iBB’s work.
Core values include a commitment to integrity and ethical conduct, excellence in research and innovation, and the sharing of knowledge.
iBB’s main areas of focus are Human Health and the Bioeconomy. In Human Health, we develop new approaches for producing cellular and molecular products for gene therapies, cell therapies, and regenerative medicine. Tools, technologies, and biomaterials are studied to support disease modeling, drug screening and delivery, and toxicological/pharmacological testing. We also study the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying certain degenerative diseases, microbial drug resistance, and opportunistic infections. These efforts are supported by functional, comparative, and metagenomic tools, as well as modern biophysical techniques.
In the Bioeconomy, iBB addresses challenges related to the sustainable biological production of biofuels, high-value bioproducts, food, carbon-based precursors, and commodity products from agroforestry residues; water resource recovery; and the exploration of marine microorganisms as a source of bioactive compounds. Data analysis tools, bioprocess technologies, and materials are also developed to overcome typical constraints in biomanufacturing.
iBB’s commitment to advancing global science is demonstrated by an extensive network of partners from prestigious institutions worldwide, co-authorship of 47% of its scientific publications with international collaborators, and active involvement in several European research projects (for example, seven ongoing since 2024).