The president set up the new building of the IHEM

Through videoconferencing, the president inaugurated the new premises of the Instituto de Histología y Embriología de Mendoza “Doctor Mario H. Burgos” (IHEM, Histology and Embriology Institute of Mendoza). The five-storeyed work of 6150 square metres belonging to the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) was built on the premises of the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNCuyo, National University of Cuyo) in the southern section of the Facultad de Ciencias Médicas (Faculty of Medical Sciences).

The building required an investment of AR$31.000.000 of which AR$23.000.000 were provided by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, and AR$8.000.000 by CONICET for the 3.997 square metres finished in this first stage, in the framework of the Plan of Works for Science and Technology coordinated by the Science portfolio.

From the new building located in the Parque General San Martín, the opening was headed by the minister of Science, Technology and Productive Innovation, Dr. Lino Barañao, the president of the CONICET, Dr. Roberto Salvarezza and Francisco Pérez, the governor of the province.

In her speech, the president remarked the State’s investment in science and technology and said “at the IHEM, significant studies are being conducted in terms of pathology, embryology and fertility”. Furthermore, she added that “the institute has modern technology and state-of-the-art equipment”. She also highlighted the anti-seismic design of the construction.

During the event, minister Baraño noted that “this shows that the plan of works is really federal; and it is a great pleasure for me to see that young people have these high level facilities”. Besides, he added that according to the international press “Argentina stands out in the production of scientific knowledge and the efficiency at connecting science, production, economic activity and social problem-solving”.

For his part, Dr. Salvarezza highlighted the regional impact of this institute of double dependency, CONICET–UNCuyo, which “groups scientists of different disciplines that conduct research in biomedicine, one of the areas of strength of CONICET”. Regarding the city of Mendoza, he remarked “it is one of the main nuclei of the country. They have a large number of researchers and this institute, for its activity, has the possibility to transfer that knowledge to hospitals, with different diagnosis, such as the molecular one or microscopic biopsy, for instance”.

The IHEM is devoted to biomedical sciences and its facilities house 106 people: 35 researchers, 55 fellows, 16 technicians and administrative staff. Its lines of research comprise biology of gametes; cell and molecular biology in reproductive organs; interaction between cells and pathogenic microorganisms; intracellular transport; cell cycle and cancer; biological activity of natural and synthetic products; cellular and molecular neurobiology; and ecophysiology of ampullariidae.

The completed first stage of the building comprises the whole structure including the exterior surface and the underground garages, the ground floor and the first floor. The two functional floors have an animal facility especially designed for pathogen-free animals; biological safety cabinet; conditioned areas for optical and electronic microscopy; common equipment room and laboratories with benches and desks for researchers and fellows. Furthermore, it has living rooms, meeting rooms, a seminar room and in the administrative area, a secretary’s office, the vice-management and the director’s office.

It is important to highlight that the building has neoprene supports that keep the structure isolated from the soil in order to mitigate the effects of seismic movements, what makes the IHEM the first building of the country that has that type of seismic insulation.

The event was atended by Lic. Milagros López de Armentia, CONICET fellow, Anabela Fernández Sagasti, national deputy; Eng. Arturo Somoza, chancellor of UNCuyo; Dr. Rubén Bottini, director of CCT Mendoza; and Dr. Luis Mayorga, director of the IHEM.