The Oza Campus of the University of A Coruña (UDC) has become the epicenter of international research on cellular aging since Monday. Until Wednesday, July 22, the fifth edition of the Cellular Aging and Metabolism Symposium (CAMS 2026) is bringing together more than one hundred specialists from universities, hospitals, and research centers in Spain and other European countries. The aim of the meeting is to delve into the biological mechanisms that link cellular aging to the development of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.
The symposium was opened this morning by the Rector of the University of A Coruña (UDC), Ricardo Cao, who highlighted the work of the Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA) and the Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña (INIBIC) in this field. During his address, Cao emphasized that aging is one of the main health challenges of the coming decades and that the challenge is not only to extend life, but to do so with health and quality. He also mentioned the recent agreement to offer the second cycle of the Bachelor's Degree in Medicine in A Coruña in collaboration with the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (CHUAC), an initiative that strengthens the integration of teaching, research, and clinical practice.
A leading conference on cellular aging
Over three days, participants will analyze topics such as cellular senescence, metabolic alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction , epigenetic regulation, and inflammation. All of these processes are related to the functional decline that accompanies aging and can contribute to the development of cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and oncological diseases . Understanding their cellular and molecular causes is essential for advancing prevention, early diagnosis, and the development of more precise therapies.
The scientific program brings together national and international researchers who will present the latest advances in cellular metabolism, mitochondrial function, senescence, and cancer. The symposium is organized by Juan Fafián and MarĂa Arufe, members of the Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Group (TCMR), which belongs to CICA and INIBIC. This group's work integrates cell therapy, regenerative medicine, and the study of cellular aging with the aim of translating basic knowledge into new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Research, training and healthcare
During the inauguration, Rector Ricardo Cao emphasized the close relationship between research and university education. The University of A Coruña's (UDC) academic offerings in health sciences will be strengthened by the agreement to offer the second cycle of Medicine in A Coruña, an initiative that will allow for greater integration between teaching, biomedical research, and healthcare . Cao highlighted the importance of events like CAMS 2026 in fostering new collaborations and ensuring that scientific advances translate into tangible benefits for society.
The Interdisciplinary Center for Chemistry and Biology (CICA), established in 2015, currently brings together more than 200 researchers in areas such as Biomedicine, Food, Pollution and Health, and Nanoscience and Advanced Materials. Since 2024, it has received financial support from the European Union through the Galicia FEDER 2021-2027 Program and is part of the CIGUS network of the Xunta de Galicia (Regional Government of Galicia). Research excellence, technology transfer, and the dissemination of knowledge to society are the three pillars of the center, which also stands out for its high percentage of female researchers, exceeding 50%.
An event open to the public
In addition to the scientific program, CAMS 2026 includes an outreach activity open to the public. This Monday at 19:00 p.m., the Café de Macondo in A Coruña will host the session "Aging and Quality of Life," moderated by Sandra Rego, communications officer at CICA. Participants will include Cleo Bishop, from the Blizard Institute at Queen Mary University of London and president of the International Cell Senescence Association; Estela Area Gómez and Ignacio Benedicto, from the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research (CSIC); and M. Carmen de Andrés, from INIBIC. The experts will address, in an accessible way, the biological mechanisms of aging and the main challenges for promoting healthy longevity.
The fifth edition of CAMS consolidates A Coruña's position as a meeting point for the scientific community working on understanding and preventing age-related diseases. The symposium reinforces the role of the University of A Coruña, CICA, and INIBIC in research on aging, metabolism, and health, while also highlighting the need for increased life expectancy to be accompanied by improved health, independence, and quality of life . Understanding the cellular and molecular causes of these diseases is the first step in developing strategies for healthier aging.
