The Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM) is an experimental research centre in the areas of molecular and cellular biology and biomedicine.
The CBM is a joint research centre, hosting researchers belonging to the Spanish Higher Research Council (CSIC) and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Founded in 1975, the CBM is one of the largest Spanish multidisciplinary research centres in biomedicine, with expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics and genomics in several research areas: immunology, virology and microbiology, neuroscience, and cell and developmental biology.
This broad expertise confers the centre the needed versatility to undertake new research challenges in emerging topics and unresolved biomedical problems.
Our mission: Exploring the molecular basis of life for the benefit of society.
Our more than 450 collaborative scientists and over 90 research groups address challenges in a broad range of disciplines, and stand out for their important scientific output and technology transfer to the industry and the clinic. They are supported by state-of-the-art technology provided by 14 Scientific Core Facilities and 9 Technical Services with over 65 highly experienced staff.
The CBM is also highly committed to the modern and professional training of hundreds of early career researchers, and to research communication through a pioneer Comms & Outreach Office with more than 20 years of experience.
Strategic goals
The CBM know-how, expertise and pedigree help us achieve our strategic goals:
Consolidate our unique scientific niche in the Spanish landscape and become an international benchmark in immunity, inflammation and metabolism research.
Attract competitive early career researchers, according to our gender and diversity plan, and foster the activity of recent incorporations above international standards.
Obtain international competitive funds and attract investments from the biotech/pharmaceutical sector, according to the increasing applicability of our research output.
The CBM in numbers
Scientific staff
Data from 2022
Research support staff
Data from 2022
Publications
Data from 2023
Data from years 2021 & 2022
Seminars, lectures and thesis
Data from years 2021 & 2022
Gender equality
Data from 2022
Scientific Reports
2021-2022
Our history
The CBM was established in 1975 as a joint institution between the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), under the initiative and tutelage of Nobel laureate Severo Ochoa. He brought together several of the most active groups in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology to establish the CBM.
Our founders, together with Severo Ochoa, include Federico Mayor Zaragoza, Eladio Viñuela, David Vázquez and Antonio García Bellido, each of whom has had a permanent and important legacy in the CBM and many other research institutions in Spain and wolrdwide.
We have been the home to leading scientists such as Margarita Salas, who established her lab here from the creation of the institute until her passing in 2019, or Ginés Morata, whose work in genetics and development was recognised with the Princess of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research in 2007. Our comunity of scientist includes several recipients of other prestigious awards, as well as several members of the Academia Europaea and many other Societies and Academies.
