Foreword by the Director

The Instituto Universitario de Biología Molecular (IUBM) of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) was founded in 1971 under the leadership of Prof. Federico Mayor Zaragoza. Initially located in the Faculty of Sciences and closely linked to the Department of Molecular Biology, the Institute joined in September 1975 the newly created Center for Molecular Biology Severo Ochoa (CBM), established under the auspices of Prof. Severo Ochoa as a joint research center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the UAM. Since then, the IUBM‑UAM has brought together all UAM researchers working in CBM laboratories on topics related to molecular biology and biomedicine.

IUBM‑UAM researchers are organized along the Scientific Programs that structure the CBM: Genome Dynamics and Function, Tissue and Organ Homeostasis, Physiological and Pathological Processes, and Interactions with the Environment.

A total of 49 IUBM‑UAM members served as principal or co‑principal investigators of research projects active at the CBM. The Institute also maintains a strong commitment to education at all levels: in 2025, 11 doctoral theses supervised by IUBM‑UAM members were defended, and many others are in progress. The IUBM‑UAM carries out specific institutional activities, including the funding of the Award for the Best Doctoral Thesis defended at the CBM, as well as prizes for the Best Oral Communication and Best Poster at the Workshops of Students & Postdocs; the outreach activity “Conoce el CBM” (“Get to Know the CBM”). Finally, in December 2025 we inaugurated a new tradition of scientific excellence by holding the 1st Federico Mayor Zaragoza Memorial Lecture.

María Yáñez-Mó

Director IUBM-UAM