Nanbiosis

Leadership changes and their new contribution to cutting-edge MRI research

Prof. Ana Paula Candiota and Prof. Silvia Lope-Piedrafita lead NANBIOSIS Unit 25, advancing MRI research and glioblastoma imaging with innovative contrast agents.

Barcelona, December 2024. We are proud to announce that Prof. Ana Paula Candiota has been appointed Scientific Director and Prof. Silvia Lope-Piedrafita has taken on the role of Scientific Coordinator of Unit 25 of our ICTS. This pivotal Unit specializes in NMR and MRI biomedical applications and is jointly managed by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and CIBER-BBN.

Unit 25 has a longstanding reputation for excellence in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research, and the recent publication titled “Synthesis and Relaxivity Study of Amino Acid-Branched Radical Dendrimers as MRI Contrast Agents for Potential Brain Tumor Imaging” exemplifies its capabilities. The study, published last December 2 in the prestigious journal Acta Biomaterialia, highlights the critical role of Unit 25’s advanced MRI technologies in achieving groundbreaking results.

The MRI experiments for this research were conducted on the Unit’s state-of-the-art 7.0 T horizontal bore superconducting magnet (BioSpec 70/30, Bruker BioSpin), equipped with cutting-edge gradient systems (BGA12 gradient coil insert) and custom-designed coils.

Specifically these equipment was used in high-precision in vitro imaging, whole-body MRI of mice, and mouse brain imaging in a key focus area with optimized resolution and sensitivity.

The findings described in this publication underscore the innovative capabilities of Unit 25, particularly in imaging glioblastoma tumors using radical dendrimers. These dendrimers demonstrated selective tumor accumulation and exceptional imaging potential, paving the way for safer and more effective MRI contrast agents.

Recognizing Leadership Excellence

Prof. Ana Paula Candiota and Prof. Silvia Lope-Piedrafita have been integral to the success of Unit 25. Prof. Candiota’s expertise in biomedical imaging and her focus on glioblastoma research have been instrumental in advancing the research portfolio of the Unit. Meanwhile, Dr. Lope-Piedrafita’s contributions to experimental MRI protocols and her collaborative efforts have enhanced the technical and operational excellence of our Unit.

Their leadership positions mark a new era for Unit 25, ensuring continued contributions to biomedical research and collaborations with academic and industry partners.

About NANBIOSIS Unit 25

Unit 25 is part of NANBIOSIS-ICTS, and serves as a hub for cutting-edge MRI technologies for academic and industrial applications. The facilities and expertise within this Unit are available to researchers and companies worldwide, offering services ranging from preclinical imaging studies to the validation of results of molecular imaging with other facilities.

This new leadership reinforces NANBIOSIS mission to deliver world-class scientific support and innovative solutions for the biomedical community.

For further information of our services or collaboration opportunities, visit Unit 25 porfolio here.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:

New Database Provides Valuable Insights into Predicting Sudden Cardiac Death and Atrial Fibrillation

The BSICoS research group (Unit 27 of NANBIOSIS) shared 4 years of heart failure data from 1,000 patients on the Physionet portal for scientific use.

Zaragoza, December 2024. The BSICoS research group (Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation) from the Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), in whcih the Unit 27 of NANBIOSIS is located, has shared a clinical database containing information from 992 heart failure patients. These patients underwent a 24-hour electrocardiogram (ECG) recording and were monitored over a four-year period. This dataset enables advancements in research on predicting the risk of sudden cardiac death using Holter monitoring data.

The Sudden Cardiac Death in Heart Failure (MUSIC) multicenter study, involving eight hospitals across Spain, was designed to evaluate risk indicators for cardiac mortality and sudden cardiac death in individuals with chronic heart failure.

“[The study serves] to develop prognostic models to predict the risk of sudden death and cardiac death, apply the technologies we had, and seek new markers to improve the identification of high-risk patients for potential defibrillator implantation.”

Alba Martín Yebra, BSICoS research group

The initial goal of the project was “to develop prognostic models to predict the risk of sudden death and cardiac death, apply the technologies we had, and seek new markers to improve the identification of high-risk patients for potential defibrillator implantation,” explains Alba Martín Yebra, a researcher from the BSICoS group.

The MUSIC database includes 24-hour Holter recordings, high-resolution ECG data, and clinical data from blood analysis, echocardiography, chest X-rays, and prescribed medications. The database is available on www.physionet.org, an open-access platform managed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that hosts databases and open-source software for research purposes.

The work describing this database was presented at the latest edition of the “Computing in Cardiology” scientific conference held in Karlsruhe, Germany, where it garnered significant interest from researchers. “In our research group, working with this data allowed us to develop and validate new biomarkers for predicting sudden cardiac death. That’s why we decided to share it with the scientific community so that other groups can use it to validate and reproduce results in their research lines,” notes Alba Martín. Additionally, it serves as an invaluable testing ground for evaluating algorithms based on deep learning or artificial intelligence.

The MUSIC study has been utilized in various works. According to Alba Martín, the dataset “is a valuable resource for developing and evaluating a wide range of non-invasive prognostic biomarkers derived from the ECG.” One aspect that makes it particularly interesting is the four-year follow-up period, which documents patient evolution after data collection.

Specifically, the BSICoS group has evaluated parameters based on heart rate turbulence, T-wave morphology, and its dependence on heart rate. These parameters were assessed for predicting mortality due to arrhythmias and the progression of heart failure, proving to be powerful risk predictors.

Finally, MUSIC has served as proof of concept for developing new signal processing techniques for atrial fibrillation, an area where the BSICoS group has been a pioneer.

Access to the MUSIC database: https://physionet.org/content/music-sudden-cardiac-death/1.0.0/

This article was written by Melania Bentué – I3A Communications and translated by the NANBIOSIS team.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:

NANBIOSIS enables new breakthrough study on Carotid Plaque vulnerability

NANBIOSIS Unit 26 identifies biomarkers of carotid plaque vulnerability, aiding stroke prevention with advanced NMR metabolomics and collaborative innovation.

Valencia, december 2024. NANBIOSIS Unit 26, one of our NMR Biomedical Applications Platforms, has once again demonstrated its essential role in cutting-edge medical research. A recent study, conducted in collaboration with multiple research institutions, identified key biomarkers associated with carotid plaque vulnerability, a critical factor in stroke risk.

A Collaborative Effort in Cardiovascular Research

The study analyzed metabolic differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid plaques, aiming to predict which plaques are at higher risk of rupture. Using advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, researchers studied 38 plaque samples and 70 serum samples to identify critical metabolites associated with plaque vulnerability.

The findings revealed that glutamate in plaques and threonine in serum are significant biomarkers for symptomatic cases, providing a foundation for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to prevent strokes.

NANBIOSIS Contribution

NANBIOSIS Unit 26, located at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Valencia (UV) and part of the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER-BBN), provided the RMN-600MHz required for this research, enabling high-resolution analysis of biological samples.

The Unit’s contribution included processing tissue and serum samples and applying metabolomic profiling techniques to identify and quantify metabolites, yielding robust and reproducible results. The high sensitivity and specificity of these analyses were pivotal to the study’s success.

Implications for Stroke Prevention

Carotid artery stenosis, caused by the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaques, is a leading cause of stroke. However, the risk depends more on plaque vulnerability than the degree of arterial narrowing. The discovery of biomarkers such as glutamate, myo-inositol, threonine, and histamine offers promising pathways for non-invasive diagnostics to assess plaque stability and stroke risk.

Looking Forward

This research highlights the value of metabolomics in understanding cardiovascular diseases and demonstrates NANBIOSIS’s role in fostering collaborative innovation. Future efforts will focus on validating these biomarkers in larger cohorts and exploring their clinical application for early diagnosis and prevention of stroke.

For more information on NANBIOSIS Unit 26 and its cutting-edge research infrastructure, visit NANBIOSIS Unit 26. For more information about this research, you can read the full scientific publication here.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:

NANBIOSIS Unit invited to PEGS, the Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit

NANBIOSIS’s Protein Production Platform showcased innovations in protein engineering at PEGS Europe 2024, featuring talks, posters, and session moderation.

Barcelona, november 2024. Last month, the NBT group and Unit 1 of NANBIOSIS (Protein Production Platform, PPP), from CIBER-BBN and IBB-UAB, was invited once again to participate in the prestigious PEGS Europe conference.

PEGS Europe, a prestigous conference

This year, the 16th PEGS Europe conference was held in Barcelona from November 5th to 7th. PEGS, or the Protein & Antibody Engineering Summit, is organized by the Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI) and is renowned for its focus on protein engineering and its applications in drug discovery, development, and delivery.

The NBT group and PPP from NANBIOSIS have been invited again to participate in the congress through two invited oral presentations and two posters, one of them also invited. Therefore, the PPP technical coordinator has been also invited to moderate the “protein process development” session.

The participation of our Protein Production Platform

Dr. Eric Voltà group presented the invited talk ‘Expanding the Boundaries of E.coli Disulfide-Rich Protein Nanoparticles That Selectively Destroy Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts’ within the track ‘Cell Line and Systems Engineering’.

Dr. Jose Luís Corchero Nieto presented the invited talk ‘Production of Vault-Like Nanoparticles in a Prokaryotic Expression System’ inside the ‘Protein Process Development’ track.

Roger Fernandez Palomeras exposed the poster ‘Engineering Recombinant Human Vaults to Target Cancer Stem Cells’.

Dr. Merce Márquez Martínez, technical coordinator of Unit 1 (PPP), was invited to moderate the ‘Protein Process Development’ track, present the poster ‘Optimization of Protein Solubility and Recovery of Precipitated Proteins’. She also has contributed as a co-author of the invited talk ‘Ferritin Vaccine Platform for Multiple Displays of IHNV Glycoprotein’ in the ‘Optimising Expression Platforms’ track by Sohrab Ahmadivand.

This invitation solidifies the prestige of our Protein Production Platform and the researchers involved in it. With its focus on transversal application of protein engineering, this event contributes significantly to find new solutions to overcome current healthcare challenges and foster collaboration with our researchers.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:

New Solutions to Old challenges: Key Symposium on Nanomedicine Against Cancer

Symposium on nanomedicine vs cancer: experts gather Nov 28 in Málaga to tackle tumor-targeting challenges and advance innovative therapies.

Málaga, november 2024. On November 28th at 9:00 AM, the Salón de Actos at IBIMA (C/Severo Ochoa, 35, Málaga) will host the symposium “Targeting in Nanomedicine Against Cancer,” bringing together leading experts to discuss the critical challenges and advances in applying nanomedicine to oncology. Organized by IBIMA, this event will shed light on one of the most pressing issues in cancer nanomedicine: the difficulty of delivering nanostructures to tumor cells.

The challenges to overcome cancer

Cancer remains one of the world’s most significant health challenges, with nearly 20 million new cases annually and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Despite notable advances in treatments—ranging from surgery and radiotherapy to immunotherapy and metabolic therapies—many patients continue to face poor outcomes. Nanomedicine has generated substantial excitement over the last three decades, particularly since the approval of Doxil™, the first nanomedicine for cancer. However, challenges persist.

One critical barrier is the targeting of nanostructures. Current technologies allow less than 1% of nanoparticles to reach tumor sites, with only a fraction successfully interacting with tumor cells. Addressing this bottleneck is essential for unlocking the full potential of nanomedicine in cancer treatment.

Featured Talks by NANBIOSIS Researchers

Several distinguished researchers from NANBIOSIS Units will present their work during the symposium. They will offer insights into cutting-edge strategies to overcome the targeting challenge:

• Dr. Jesús Santamaría (NANBIOSIS Unit 9, Universidad de Zaragoza): “Nanomedicine. Achievements and Limitations: The Targeting Problem with Nanoparticles in Cancer and Their Limited Clinical Translation”.
• Dr. Ana Martín Pardillos (NANBIOSIS Unit 9, Universidad de Zaragoza): “Targeting Strategies Based on Cells as Nanoparticle Vectors”.
• Dr. Ibane Abasolo (NANBIOSIS Unit 20, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona): “Targeting Strategies Based on Extracellular Vesicles as Nanoparticle Vectors”.
• Dr. Carlos Caro (NANBIOSIS Unit 28, IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga): “In Vivo Nanoparticle Tracking: Biodistribution and Non-Invasive Techniques”.
• Dr. María Luisa García-Martín (NANBIOSIS Unit 28, IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga): “Biological Barriers and Tumor Targeting“.

Bridging Science and Clinical Application

This symposium offers a unique platform for dialogue among researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, fostering collaborations to advance the practical application of nanomedicine in cancer treatment. With its focus on innovative targeting solutions, the event promises to contribute significantly to overcoming one of the most challenging hurdles in oncology.

Mark your calendar and join us at IBIMA on November 28th to explore the future of nanomedicine in cancer treatment.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:

Jesús Santamaría awarded with the ‘Aragón Investiga’ for his Research Excellence

Prof. Jesús Santamaría, Director of NANBIOSIS Unit 9, wins the Aragón Investiga Award for his pioneering contributions to nanomaterials and research excellence.

Zaragoza, november 2024. The Aragón Investiga Award for Research Excellence has been awarded to Prof. Jesús Santamaría Ramiro, a distinguished researcher and Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, and Scientific Director of Unit 9 of NANBIOSIS.

Prof. Santamaría is the principal investigator of the Nanostructured Films and Particles group, where Unit 9 is located. He is also a key member of the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA), a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence jointly supported by the University of Zaragoza and CSIC.

A brilliant scientific career

Recognized as one of Europe’s leading researchers in the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials, Prof. Santamaría has dedicated his career to pioneering advanced methods for nanomaterial synthesis using non-conventional technologies. His work has found groundbreaking applications in nanomaterials, unconventional catalysis, and molecular recognition, significantly advancing these fields.

Among his most notable achievements are the foundation of the Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and the receipt of two prestigious Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC), a testament to the transformative impact of his work.

The award was presented by Claudia Pérez Forniés, Regional Minister of Education, Science and Universities, of Aragón, during a ceremony that celebrated excellence in research and innovation.

NANBIOSIS congratulates Prof. Jesús Santamaría on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his enduring contributions to the advancement of nanoscience and its applications.

Prof. Santamaría serves as the Scientific Director of the NANBIOSIS Unit 9 (Synthesis of Nanoparticles Unit), a facility dedicated to the development of nanoparticles and nanostructures for biomedical and technological applications. The Unit plays a crucial role in supporting cutting-edge research through its state-of-the-art synthesis capabilities.

What is NANBIOSIS?

The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them: