OpenPRBB 2026: a morning of science and rain!

After a week of heavy rain that had us checking the weather forecast every day, on Saturday 3 October we woke up to clear skies and an autumnal sun that tempted us to head out. And the enthusiasm for discovering the science behind the centres at the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB) was evident from very early on: the first visitors arrived 30 minutes before the gates opened to collect their passes and take part in the guided tours.

As part of the Park’s 20th anniversary celebrations, the 19th edition of OpenPRBB saw nearly 800 people take part in guided tours; they were also able to attend a ‘Vermut científic‘ (science aperitif) and explore various exhibitions along the open-access route.

Experiencing science in the laboratories

Guided tours of the laboratories offer an opportunity to learn about the research, facilities and services at the PRBB centres from the very people who contribute to them on a daily basis. This year, two types of tour were offered:

60-minute tours, which visited two laboratories
90-minute tours, which visited three laboratories, with an interactive activity taking place in the last one.

An initiative that sparked the public’s curiosity and encouraged their participation; the public welcomed the opportunity to engage more directly with science.

“What I liked most was the high standard of biomedical research and the ability to communicate it in a simple and understandable way”
OpenPRBB 2026 testimonial

In addition, a couple of guided tours were offered in Catalan Sign Language (LSC) and an architectural tour led by Pinearq, the building’s architects, to celebrate Barcelona’s status as the World Capital of Architecture for 2026.

A researcher in a white lab coat and a pink volunteer T-shirt explains how scientific equipment works to two visitors during OpenPRBB 2026.

A volunteer in a pink T-shirt and lab gloves demonstrates a hands-on activity to two visitors next to a microscope.

Beyond the laboratories

Although the guided tours were the highlight of the day, they were not the only activity on the programme. The first-floor terrace hosted an open-access area where visitors could view three exhibitions and art installations:

‘Life Together’ – Exhibition by Gemma París. Art and Science Grant. MELIS-UPF Foundation and Vila Casas (2026)
‘The Limits of the Climate Emergency’ – Perspectives on climate change: Barcelona and the Sahel. Part of the ‘Climate, Health and Migration’ project, promoted by ISGlobal and the CASC.
‘Butterflies in a Click’. An exhibition of close-up photographs of European butterflies. IBE (CSIC-UPF).

The ‘Sustainability Waterfall’ was also installed in the inner courtyard. This sculpture, constructed from pipette tip boxes, aims to raise awareness of the large amount of rigid plastic generated in laboratories and the importance of giving it a new lease of life.

The Sustainability Waterfall, built from pipette tip boxes, aims to raise awareness of the amount of plastic generated in the PRBB’s laboratories and the importance of giving it a new lease of life.

To round off the day, OpenPRBB brought in science communicator Pere Estupinyà to moderate a ‘Vermut científic’ event dedicated to the future of biomedicine. Juana Díez and Marc Güell, from MELIS-UPF, and Sara Mederos and Pablo Villoslada, from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (HMRIB), spoke about emerging viruses, personalised medicine, neurotechnology and the role of artificial intelligence in laboratories.

A day that not even the rain could stop

Although the morning had begun with promising sunshine, around midday the sky darkened and a heavy downpour broke out. The rain forced us to delay the start of some guided tours and to move the ‘scientific vermouth’ from the inner courtyard to the auditorium.

However, thanks to the public and the volunteers’ ability to adapt, the day was able to continue largely as normal. The overall feedback from the attending public was very positive. After collating the results of the satisfaction survey, the experience was rated 9.31 out of 10, and 94 per cent of attendees said they would come again.

“What we liked most was the enthusiasm with which we were welcomed. The explanations were very clear and the activities very interesting.” OpenPRBB 2026 testimonial

The volunteers: the driving force behind OpenPRBB

But if there is one thing that keeps OpenPRBB alive year after year, it is the involvement of the Park’s community. This year, 230 volunteers dedicated their Saturday morning to sharing their work, showing visitors around the laboratories, accompanying them and making the open day possible.

“I really appreciated the dedication, passion and sense of responsibility they’ve shown” OpenPRBB 2026 testimonial

Their dedication and enthusiasm never go unnoticed. In fact, one of the most frequently mentioned points in visitors’ feedback has been the quality of the explanations and the friendliness of the staff who looked after them throughout the day.

“Congratulations on the initiative and for bringing science to the public. Those of us who work in the health sector appreciate this aspect, which is somewhat unfamiliar in my field. We’ll be back next year with friends. Well done!” OpenPRBB 2026 testimonial

Here at the PRBB, we can only thank everyone who took part in this 19th edition: those who came to discover what we do at the Park, those who returned for another visit, and, most especially, all the volunteers who made it possible for the PRBB to reopen its doors.