EBRAINS welcomes University of Santiago de Compostela as new associate member

The membership will give USC the opportunity to co-design future iterations of EBRAINS’ cutting-edge tools and services, as well as strengthen the collaboration across Europe in the field of brain science and health.

University of Santiago de Compostela (USC)

Founded in 1495, the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) is one of Europe's oldest universities and among Spain's leading public research institutions. With campuses in Santiago de Compostela and Lugo, USC is internationally recognised for its excellence in education, research, innovation, and knowledge transfer, with strong expertise in biomedical sciences, neuroscience, and health research. 

Offering 66 undergraduate studies, 81 university master’s degrees and 57 doctoral programs, the University hosts a community of more than 20,000 students. The USC comprises 29 research institutes and 5 Singular Research Centers, including CiMUS.

Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS)

The CiMUS (Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases) at the University of Santiago de Compostela is a leading biomedical research center dedicated to cutting-edge research in the field of chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Its mission is to generate high-impact knowledge, connected to society and focused on serving patients. 

Its activity is organized into two main programs: Molecular Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Integrative Research. These programs bridge fundamental knowledge with clinical application, with a clear orientation toward technology transfer and therapeutic innovation.

CiMUS is an open and collaborative center that fosters synergies with universities, healthcare institutions, the business sector, patients’ associations and innovation entities at regional, national, and international levels.

It currently holds dual accreditation attesting the quality and impact of its research: on one hand, the CIGUS recognition (Network of Research Centres of the Galician University System) granted by the Xunta de Galicia, and, on the other, the ‘María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence’ distinction, awarded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

“Joining EBRAINS represents a significant strategic step for the University of Santiago de Compostela, reinforcing our commitment to excellence in neuroscience and interdisciplinary research. Through EBRAINS, our researchers gain access to cutting‑edge digital infrastructures, including advanced data repositories, simulation tools, and collaborative platforms that enable us to address complex brain-related challenges at multiple levels. For the Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases, membership in EBRAINS is a unique opportunity to bridge molecular medicine with large-scale computational neuroscience. This participation strengthens our role within the European research landscape, fostering synergies with leading institutions and enhancing the global visibility and impact of our scientific output. By integrating our expertise into this shared ecosystem, this collaboration will allow us to participate in other large-scale European initiatives that are essential for advancing precision medicine and developing new therapeutic strategies for neurological and chronic diseases”, said Professor Jose Luis Labandeira-García, Principal Investigator in the Neurodegenerative Diseases Area at CiMUS and representative of USC in EBRAINS. 

“We are very happy to welcome USC as an associate member at EBRAINS”, said Professor Philippe Vernier, Joint-CEO of EBRAINS. “The university brings it with substantial experience in both neuroscientific and multidisciplinary research, as well as special expertise in molecular medicine.”