Research led by an IIBM scholar is published in *Nature Methods* as part of an innovative open science initiative

The study, led by Fernán Federici, a researcher at the UC Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering, was published in *Nature Methods*, one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the field of life sciences methodologies. The research highlights the progress made by Reclone, an international network that seeks to democratize access to biotechnology reagents and tools through an open science model.

The Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering (IIBM) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile received significant international recognition after a study led by Professor Fernán Federici was published in *Nature Methods*, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals in the development and dissemination of new methodologies for the life sciences.

The article, titled “Reclone: A Global Research Community Building Equitable Access to Reagents”, presents the progress made by Reclone (Reagent Collaboration Network), an international network that seeks to democratize access to essential tools and reagents for research in biology and biotechnology through a model based on open science and global collaboration.

This publication marks a significant milestone for the IIBM, as it showcases the work carried out by its researchers on one of the most internationally influential scientific platforms. The initiative currently brings together universities, research centers, companies, and scientific communities from more than 40 countries, with the goal of reducing the barriers that researchers in low- and middle-income countries face in accessing essential research resources.

Since its inception, Fernán Federici has been one of the driving forces behind Reclone, helping to build an international scientific community that promotes the open exchange of DNA, protocols, knowledge, and local production capabilities. Thanks to this collaborative effort, the network has developed an open collection of more than 580 DNA samples for research and protein production, established regional distribution centers in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, and trained hundreds of students, teachers, and researchers in molecular biology and biomanufacturing.

The publication also highlights the development of open educational resources and open-access protocols that integrate open-source hardware and open reagents, thereby strengthening practical training in molecular biology and facilitating the implementation of techniques such as PCR, LAMP, and RNA-based sensors in institutions with limited resources.

Among the paper’s co-authors is César Ramírez, a researcher at the IIBM, whose work has focused on the development of open technologies and the promotion of biotechnology innovation in Chile.

“Reclone has not only helped democratize access to the molecular tools needed to conduct research and educate future generations of scientists, but it has also demonstrated the potential of open science to enable the creation of startups based on these open-access technologies,” said Ramírez, an associate professor at IIBM and co-founder of NexEnzymes.

The recognition awarded by *Nature Methods* reflects the impact that a research model based on international collaboration and open access to knowledge can achieve. At the same time, it positions the IIBM as a key player in the development of solutions that strengthen scientific and technological sovereignty, expanding opportunities for researchers and students around the world to access high-level research tools.

With this new milestone, the Institute continues to strengthen its position in cutting-edge scientific research and reaffirms its commitment to developing open technologies that contribute to the advancement of biology, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering on a global scale.