ENCB Celebrates its 90th Anniversary, a Breeding Ground for Scientific Talent in Mexico

Enrique Soto

The Instituto Politécnico Nacional commemorated the 90th Anniversary of the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), the founding academic unit of the IPN, a bastion of educational excellence, and a breeding ground for scientific talent in Mexico. Due to its contributions, it is considered a global reference in the field of biology and a source of pride for this institution and the country.

The General Director of IPN, Arturo Reyes Sandoval, recalled that ENCB opened its doors on January 28, 1934, and throughout its history, it benefited from knowledge exchange with other countries such as the United States, where some professors specialized and returned with advanced knowledge. Similarly, it welcomed Spanish scientists fleeing the military regime of Francisco Franco, who helped shape the first generations of biologists in Mexico. "Therefore, we can consider it as one of the greatest bearers of the IPN's internationalization banner," he emphasized.

"Thinking about branches of medicine and immunology means thinking about the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas because those seeds germinated here at the Politécnico, through it," stressed the head of IPN among former directors, researchers, distinguished alumni, and special guests.

At the auditorium of the "Jaime Torres Bodet" Cultural Center in Zacatenco, Reyes Sandoval emphasized that through five undergraduate programs (Biochemical Engineering, Environmental Systems Engineering, Biology, Industrial Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Chemical Bacteriologist Parasitologist) and 15 graduate programs (master's and doctorate), professionals are trained to innovate and compete globally. He emphasized that it is no coincidence that 15 national science awards and six awards from the Mexican Academy of Sciences have been obtained at its alma mater.

He reported that undergraduate enrollment is nearly 5,000 students, with 500 postgraduate students and 815 faculty members. "We must be proud that more than half of the scientific staff are successful women at the national and international levels," he highlighted.

Reyes Sandoval pointed out that 180 ENCB professors are part of the National System of Researchers of the National Council of Humanities, Sciences, and Technologies, and all graduate programs are part of the National Postgraduate System, reflecting their high level and academic excellence.

The IPN General Director noted that ENCB is home to the National Laboratory of Vaccinology and Tropical Viruses, which positions this institution at the forefront of biological development.

He mentioned that in the facilities of this academic unit, the indelible pigment is produced, an innovation that contributes to preserving democracy in Mexico and countries in Central America and the Caribbean. He expressed that in the ENCB laboratories, Transferon was developed, a product whose active ingredient is the dialyzable extract of leukocytes (blood cells), for autoimmune, infectious, chronic degenerative, and respiratory conditions.

In remembering his teachers, who mentored his parents (also graduates of ENCB), Reyes Sandoval emphasized that this is one of the greatest celebrations for the Polytechnic because its community of students, teachers, and scientists contributes to shaping and transforming Mexico. "With innovations and disruptive ideas to bring about change, each of you puts La Técnica al Servicio de la Patria," he concluded.

In turn, the director of ENCB, Isaac Juan Luna Romero, congratulated former directors, students, and teacher-researchers, "whose work has led this academic unit to be considered the jewel in the crown of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional."

Subsequently, the head of the IPN delivered the lecture "Viral Vectors for the Development of Next-Generation Vaccines," in which he recounted his experience as a scientist leading research teams in international laboratories and at the University of Oxford, to develop vaccines against dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya.

Gaceta Politécnica #1776. (February 15th, 2024). IPN Imagen Institucional: Read the full magazine in Spanish here.