On Wednesday, May 21, the Cytometrists Association of Catalonia (CITOCAT) was officially established. This new entity was created with the aim of promoting professional development, training, and collaboration among cytometry specialists in Catalonia.
The association brings together professionals from cytometry platforms across various universities and research centers in Catalonia and aims to become a meeting point for experts in this technique, which is essential in biomedical and biotechnological research. Its creation responds to the growing demand for specialization and cooperation in a constantly evolving field, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the quality of research in Catalonia.
Isabel Crespo, coordinator of the Cytometry and Cell Sorting Platform of IDIBAPS, is a founding member ot CITOCAT, and has actively contributed to the creation of this collaborative space. The association’s first presidency will be held over the next four years by Esther Castaño, head of the Biology Unit at the Scientific and Technological Centers on the Bellvitge Campus.
Among CITOCAT’s main objectives, as stated in its founding charter, are to promote research and dissemination in cytometry, primarily within Catalonia; to establish partnerships with other related organizations; to provide specialized and up-to-date training; and to organize activities that foster knowledge and development in the field.
The association benefits from the active involvement of cytometrists from institutions such as the University of Barcelona, Sant Pau Research Institute, UPF-CRG, Autonomous University of Barcelona, IDIBAPS, IDIBELL, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Girona Biomedical Research Institute, University of Lleida , the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute, and IRBLleida. These members form the founding group and ensure broad territorial and institutional representation in advancing the project.
