The University of Navarra has obtained two grants from the Ministry of Science and Innovation to coordinate research networks on conflict communication and mediation and on cancer immunotherapy. They will be led respectively by Inés Olza, of the Institute for Culture and Society (ICS), and Juan José Lasarte, of the Cima. 

The thematic network on 'Conflict communication and mediation: interaction, relational links and social cohesion' (CoCoMInt) aims to officially unify for the first time groups from Spanish universities working in linguistics and pragmatics of conflict and mediation. Specifically, it integrates 11 teams from ten centers: University of Navarra, University of Barcelona, Complutense University of Madrid, Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Valencia, University of Seville, University of Alcalá, University of Almería, University of Córdoba and Pablo de Olavide University.

It aims to develop unified models to study this binomial; to promote the sum, unification and exchange of data through a common platform of linguistic corpora; and to generate spaces for training and joint reflection. It also seeks to consolidate and promote this research in an international and interdisciplinary manner and to transfer the knowledge generated to different social agents.

"We want to contribute in a special way to the promotion of social cohesion, inspiring strategies for reconciliation and conflict resolution," said Inés Olza, principal investigator of the ICS's group 'Vínculos, creatividad y cultura' (Bonds, creativity and culture). "We will also focus on social and gender equality, paying special attention to groups that are particularly vulnerable in contexts of social and interpersonal conflict," she added. 

The team hopes that the results of network will be echoed in the future by similar groups and initiatives in other areas of knowledge beyond Philology orlinguistics, such as psychology, sociology, Philosophy orlaw. 

Immune system and cancer

After years of research and clinical trials in the fight against cancer it has been shown that most anti-tumor strategies often fail because of tumor escape mechanisms and a hostile tumor microenvironment. "Regulation of the innate and adaptive immune response plays a key role in cancer development . It is therefore essential to better understand the relationship between tumors and the immune system, and to look for ways to modify the tumor microenvironment to promote an antitumor response," explained Dr. Juan José Lasarte, co-director of the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program and coordinator of the network of Immunotherapy of Cancer (REINCA) . 

The knowledge of the basic mechanisms of immune system function and its role in cancer control is progressing very rapidly, so that in recent years its translation into immunotherapy strategies that are benefiting many cancer patients is accelerating. "Immunotherapy is a field multidisciplinary, and there are a variety of alternatives to achieve an antitumor immune response. Thus, therapies based on vaccination strategies, adoptive T-cell therapy, anti-tumor antibodies or strategies to block immune response inhibition systems, as well as adoptive cell therapy strategies are being clinically tested." 

The network REINCA proposes promote initiatives and collaborations with researchers, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry and organizations with the goal to promote activities to improve the therapies currently available for cancer patients. 

These networks are part of the University of Navarra's Strategy 2025 for research with impact and focus, within the lines 'Sustainability/Society and Digital Communication' and 'Personalized Medicine/Oncology'.