Following the success of its first edition, the METALBIO Network presents the second edition of the METALBIO Online Symposium (II SymMET2026), reaffirming its role as an international forum for excellence in the study of metals and metal ions in biological systems. This new edition further strengthens the collaborative spirit initiated by METALBIO, a research network launched in 2015 that currently integrates 13 research groups across Spain and is supported by the AEI and the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RED2022-134091-T).

II SymMET2026 continues to promote interdisciplinary research at the interface of bioinorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, nanomaterials, and therapeutic systems, with an enhanced focus on emerging and translational applications. By fostering synergy among academic researchers, early-career scientists, and industry stakeholders, the symposium aims to deepen the understanding of metal-biomolecule interactions and to accelerate the development of metal-based therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Maintaining its successful structure while incorporating new perspectives, the symposium is organized into interconnected thematic blocks that reflect METALBIO’s core research lines: therapeutic metal complexes, diagnostic agents, functional nanomaterials, theoretical approaches to molecular interactions, and in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation. Together, these sessions address pressing global health challenges such as cancer, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, in alignment with international research priorities, including the Horizon Europe “Health” cluster.

The program will once again feature keynote lectures delivered by internationally recognized scientists (Block I), presenting state-of-the-art advances in the field of metals in biomedicine. These contributions will be complemented by presentations from leading national and international postdoctoral researchers (Block II), whose innovative work highlights future directions in metal-based therapeutic and diagnostic research. Industry participation remains a key pillar of the symposium (Block III), offering a strategic vision of the development, commercialization, and real-world application of metal-based therapeutic systems and nanotechnologies. Finally, the symposium includes interactive short presentation sessions open to early-career researchers from both within and beyond the METALBIO Network (Block IV), designed to stimulate discussion, enhance scientific visibility, and foster the creation of new collaborative links.

Overall, the second METALBIO Online Symposium consolidates the event as a dynamic and inclusive platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation, strengthening the impact of the METALBIO Network within the international bioinorganic and biomedical research communities.