CISeAL was born as a small laboratory in 1999, and developed into a center thanks to the collaborative efforts of Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and Ohio University, USA. The Center's growth was achieved with the support of Ecuadorian organisms, such as the Ministry of Public Health  and international organizations like the World Health Organization and the United States National Institutes of Health.

External funding allowed the Center to accommodate a growing number of students and researchers conducting research projects that had a deep impact in Ecuador. Joint work positioned CISeAL as a leading research organization at a national and global scale.

 

The Center’s constant growth led to the expansion of its infrastructure. In June 2016, CISeAL had its grand opening in PUCE's new campus in Nayón, Ecuador (near Quito). The new state-of-the-art level 2 and 3 biohazard research facility can accommodate 22 permanent research groups and support personnel, as well as visiting researchers and students.

The cornerstone of our research initiatives has been to address several aspects related to Chagas disease and improving the quality and safety of donated blood in Ecuador. 

Our scope has grown to include new research initiatives related to malaria, dengue, Zika, and other infectious diseases.  In addition, since 2003 CISeAL conducts the External Quality Control Program of all serological testing conducted by blood banks in Ecuador. Since 2013, the center's porfolio includes chronic diseases, particularly diabetes.