The Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS) was created in 2003 and aims at improving human health through outstanding life-science research, cutting-edge medical innovation and delivery of specialized services. The ICVS is a R&D Unit incorporated in the School of Health Sciences (ECS) - University of Minho, strategically located in the Northern region of Portugal within a fast growing Cluster of Biomedical Science, Technology and Healthcare institutions, being organized around three interdisciplinary Research Domains: Microbiology and Infection, Neurosciences and Surgical Sciences. The strategy for the ICVS development has been centred in: i) establishing a research unit within an innovative Medical School guided by international standards of excellence; ii) fostering a strategic partnership with the affiliated Health Care Institutions and; iii) establishing a consortium with the research group 3B’s - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics - a leading research group in Health Technology. In the framework of the national R&D network, the ICVS has been consecutively evaluated by international panels with the maximum rank of “Excellent” and benefits from the guidance of a panel of renowned international scientific advisors. More than 250 researchers with complementary academic backgrounds are presently working at the ICVS. The biomedical, translational and clinical research results in more than 100 publications/year in international top-level scientific journals. Many of the ICVS researchers, including young scientists and MDs, have been honoured with awards for their scientific achievements. The ICVS/3B’s - Associate Laboratory results from a strategic partnership consolidated over the years with the 3B’s Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics.