One promise of science is to fix what seems unfixable, and the visible progress in knowledge, approaches, techniques, and technologies confirms that it plans to keep its word—especially in the health sciences. But as technologies advance and evolve, there is an impending need for highly qualified professionals who can understand, and apply the fundamentals of the work at hand.
This need was precisely at the heart of the course “Innovative Biotechnological Approaches in Health – From Research to Application,” held in April 2026 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina.
Over two intensive weeks, a diverse group of scientists from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together not only to learn, but to actively do science. What made this course unique was its strong emphasis on hands-on training, ensuring that participants didn’t just understand concepts but mastered techniques that are shaping the future of biotechnology in health.
Participants gained practical experience in cutting-edge methodologies, including the expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins and nanobodies; immunological and in vitro assays to evaluate antimicrobial, phage, and probiotic effects; and the use of Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo infection model.
Beyond technical skills, the course fostered critical thinking by encouraging participants to analyze, compare, and adapt biotechnological tools to real-world challenges, particularly in infectious diseases. But perhaps the most powerful outcome was not only what participants learned, but how they envisioned using it. Attendees translated newly acquired knowledge into actionable ideas for their own research contexts—demonstrating a clear pathway from laboratory science to societal impact.
Participants were selected from across the region and intentionally grouped to facilitate international exchange, making the course a platform for building networks that transcend borders. These connections are essential: strengthening scientific capacity in Latin America and the Caribbean depends not only on individual expertise, but on the circulation of knowledge, shared infrastructure, and sustained collaboration. In a region where access to advanced training opportunities can be uneven, initiatives like this are more than academic exercises—they are strategic investments in building an innovative scientific community.
From UNU-BIOLAC, we extend our sincere gratitude to the course coordinator, Prof. Dr. María Guadalupe Vizoso Pinto, the organizing institutions—INSIBIO (CONICET-UNT), the Faculty of Biochemistry, and the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of Tucumán—as well as all lecturers, collaborators, and supporting teams who made this initiative possible.
