The Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC) Coimbra

The Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC) is a Research Institute committed to excellence in Bioscience and Biomedicine.
It was the first Associated Laboratory in Portugal, and is part of the Network of European Neuroscience Institutes (ENI). The CNC is also involved in collaborations between the Portuguese government and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard Medical School (HMS).

The CNC brings together researchers from the Faculties of Medicine, Pharmacy and Science and Technology at the University of Coimbra, as well as from the University Hospitals (HUC) and Pharmaceutical industries. The diverse scientific background has been crucial in advancing innovation in fundamental and translational research.

Besides top-quality basic research, the goal is to translate basic knowledge into clinical applications in order to improve diagnostics and develop novel therapeutical approaches. Furthermore, as a founding partner of the biotechnology association Biocant, the CNC has shown its commitment to foster the creation of novel Biomedical and Biotechnology enterprises.

To train new researchers on cutting-edge areas the CNC promotes the Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (BEB).

Community-based educational activities include the organization of student visits to CNC Laboratories, as well as other events related to the “Brain Awareness Week” or to the “Ciência Viva” initiatives.
Furthermore, translational research has allowed a strengthening of ties with Hospitals and Pharmaceutical industries. As a founding partner of the biotechnology association Biocant, the CNC has shown its commitment to foster technology transfer and the creation of novel Biomedical and Biotechnology enterprises.