S Hasnain, S Holloway
JM Mato and M Martín Lomas

Basque Cooperative Research Centres CIC biomaGUNE and CIC bioGUNE, have signed a general agreement with the University of Liverpool (UoL) on academic and research cooperation and exchanges, which will contribute to strengthen collaboration between both centres and the United Kingdom in the field of science and technology.

The agreement includes a number of programs and activities, such as exchange of educational and research staff, Joint graduate school program, participation in seminar and academic meetings, Exchange of Publications and academic materials, Joint research activities and use of facilities at both CIC centres and UoL. The agreement also considers aspects such as the protection and application of intellectual property generated within this collaborative effort for commercial or other purposes.

Among the activities established, the International graduate school program will implement a 4 years PhD degree, which will be imparted jointly by the Designated Academic Staff at the University of Liverpool and the Visiting Professor from both Cooperative Research Centres. The research facilities of CIC bioGUNE and CIC biomaGUNE are considered as an extension of the facilities for the purpose of the PhD program, admitting doctoral students.

According to the general director of CIC bioGUNE and CIC biomaGUNE, “this collaboration agreement is very important as it will foster cooperative projects with an internationally renowned university, and with a clear positioning in research areas of particular interest for our centres, such as structural biology and its interface with molecular and cellular biology, for CIC bioGUNE, and nanobiotechnology for CIC biomaGUNE”.

The agreement becomes effective in January 2011 for a period of 5 years and may be renewed for another term of five years upon each expiry.