Resounding Success at the 3rd Open Day of the CIEN Tissue Bank

Yesterday, June 24, the 3rd Open Day of the CIEN Tissue Bank (BT-CIEN) was held at the Alzheimer Centre of the Reina Sofía Foundation. The event brought together professionals, families, students, members of the public, and—most notably—numerous donors and relatives of donors, whose commitment and generosity are the foundation of our research efforts.

The event was inaugurated by María Ángeles Pérez, Managing Director of the Centre for Research on Neurological Diseases (CIEN), who welcomed attendees and highlighted the essential work carried out by the BT-CIEN, which plays a key role in advancing neurodegenerative disease research in Spain. During the opening ceremony, the brain tissue donor card was presented to the Secretary General for Research, Eva Ortega Paíno, in recognition of her commitment to science and her support for donation with research purposes.

The event continued with presentations of the main ongoing research programs and projects by Isabel López, neuropsychologist at the Clinical Assessment Platform. Dr. Alberto Rábano, Director of the Tissue Bank, then provided an overview of the most significant milestones in the history of BT-CIEN, as well as current data on its activity.

Another highlight of the day was the talk by Dr. Mario E. Ricciardi, neurologist at CIEN, who spoke about the critical importance of the clinical information associated with donors—an essential element for maximizing the scientific value of biological samples.

Attendees also participated in guided tours of the bank’s facilities, both in the morning and afternoon sessions, where they were offered a detailed explanation of the processes involved in the reception, processing, preservation, and distribution of tissue samples for research.

The high level of participation and the interest generated confirm the growing social awareness around biomedical research, and establish this Open Day as a key meeting point between science and society.

From CIEN and BT-CIEN, we sincerely thank all attendees for their presence and commitment. The participation of donors and their families was especially meaningful, reminding us of the human and altruistic values that underpin every scientific breakthrough. Initiatives like this strengthen our dedication to transparency, public engagement, and the advancement of science in service of brain health.