MISSION

Sex is a fundamental biological variable that decisively affects physiology, behavior, disease processes, and responses to treatments. The term “biological sex” encompasses a variety of genetic, hormonal, and anatomical characteristics that classify individuals as male or female. Although the inclusion of both sexes is essential for rigorous, reproducible, and responsible research, most fundamental and preclinical biomedical studies have been conducted without due consideration of the sex of experimental models.

The predominance of male experimental models, including cell lines and animal models, cuts across virtually all biological disciplines, from neuroscience to pharmacology and physiology. This persistent bias has hindered the understanding of conditions that more commonly affect women, potentially contributing to the lack of effective therapeutic developments. Moreover, the general underrepresentation of both sexes in preclinical research has been associated with a higher incidence of adverse drug reactions in one sex, likely due to an inadequate understanding of sex-specific differences in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

In this context, there is an urgent need to raise awareness about the importance of considering Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) and to strengthen its application in biomedical research and clinical practice. This conference aims to provide an evidence-based overview of the main pathophysiological differences between women and men, their influence on health and disease, and their implications for clinical practice, biomedical research, and health policies.