+34 620 10 75 37info@nanbiosis.com

Posts by Nanbiosis

You are here : Home / Articles by Nanbiosis (Page 61)

Cancer metabolism in a snapshot: MRS(I)

Margarida Julià‐Sapé, Ana Paula Candiota and Carles Arús, Scientific Director and Scientific Coordinators of Nanbiosis U25 NMR: Biomedical Applications I, are the authors of a new article in the journal NMR in Biomedicine: “Cancer metabolism in a snapshot: MRS(I)”

The article contains a revision of the contribution of MRS(I) to the in vivo evaluation of cancer‐metabolism‐derived metrics, mostly since 2016. Strategies include the following: (1) quantification of single oncometabolite content such as 2HG; (2) selected metabolite ratios such as total Cho to NAA in gliomas, ratios related to Cho, Cr, citrate and polyamines in prostate cancer or Lac/Pyr in hyperpolarized 13C MRSI; and (3) the whole 1H MRSI(I) pattern, through pattern recognition analysis, allowing detection of response to therapy in preclinical brain tumours before detectable volume changes.

• Read More

Quatsomes. A new family of nanocarriers for drug delivery

The XXXVII edition of the Biennial Meeting of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) will be held from the 26th to the 30th of May in Donostia-San Sebastian. 

Prof. Jaume Veciana, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS and unit 06  of NANBIOSIS -ICTS  Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit, will present on May 28th 2019 a lecture entitled “Quatsomes. A new family of nanocarriers for drug delivery” at the Simposium “From Chemistry to Nanomedicine” (http://bienal2019.com/simposios.php). In this lecture the advantages and disavatages of such a kind of nanocarriers will be presentaed as well as some of their applications as nanomedicines.”

Deadline for sending abstracts: January 30 (http://bienal2019.com/en/communications.php) 

Early registration until March 2. 

There are scholarships available for students members of the RSEQ and for any of the groups indicated in http://bienal2019.com/becas.ph

• Read More

New device could monitor treatments with anticoagulant to achive personalized therapies

  • Researchers from NANBIOSIS units 2 and 4 have designed a biosensor device based on gold nanostructures that precisely detects the presence of the anticoagulant drug from a small blood sample.
  • Treatments with anticoagulants such as Sintrom® (acenocoumarol) face the difficulty of adjusting the drug doses. This device will allow patients to self-regulate the dose.

 

Researchers of NANBIOSIS unit 4  Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2) and CIBER Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) have developed a biosensor device which allows the monitoring of anticoagulants such as Sintrom® (acenocoumarol) to deliver a personalized therapy in which the patient or doctor can adjust the drug dose to achieve the optimal effect.

The ICN2 Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications (NanoB2A) Group, led by CSIC researcher Prof. Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U4 (Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit), designed this plasmonic device containing gold nanostructures to which specific bioreceptors can be attached, in order to detect biomarkers in a reproducible and accurate way using a small sample of the patient’s blood and without the need for any prior treatment.

Previously, the Nanobiotechnology for Diagnostics (Nb4D) Group of the CSIC’s Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), led by Prof. M. Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U2 (Custom Antibody Service (CAbS),  produced haptenized proteins (similar to Sintrom®) and polyclonal antibodies specific for this anticoagulant in the U2 of NANBIOSIS. The large experience of U2 unit in the preparation of labeled proteins and production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies has resulted in the generation of specific antibodies capable of recognizing Sintrom®. Their usefulness has been demonstrated in a clinical study using an immunoanalytical technique with high sample throughput.

Building on their previous results, the two groups collaborated to develop an automated biosensor device allowing a personalized dose adjustment of this oral anticoagulant. Their results were recently published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics.

As stated by CSIC researcher Prof. Laura Lechuga, “we have studied the optimal conditions to develop this biosensor device and have obtained excellent sensitivity to detect the anticoagulant, which indicates that it is possible to measure very low concentrations of this drug”.

Since it is a quantitative and highly sensitive technology, this device is very suitable for its use in clinical environments, where it could provide a real time follow-up of the medication, or even for patients to manage the medication themselves, a significant breakthrough for people receiving anticoagulants.

Patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases or thromboembolic disorders are usually treated with anticoagulants such as Sintrom® to prevent blood clots formation. The problem is that this treatment entails risks, explain the researchers. “For example, in case the dose is too low, it would not achieve the expected effect and blood clotting may occur; On the other hand, in case the dose is too high, it could cause side effects such as internal bleeding. The right dose depends on many factors such as weight, age, diet and interaction with other medications. ”

 

Reference articles:

Nanoplasmonic biosensor device for the monitoring of acenocoumarol therapeutic drug in plasma Cristina Peláez, M Carmen Estévez, Alejandro Portela, Pablo Salvador, Pilar Marco, Laura M. Lechuga. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 119, 2018, 149-155 – DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2018.08.011

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for therapeutic drug monitoring coumarin oral anticoagulants in plasma J.Pablo Salvador, Dolors Tassies, Joan-Carles Reverter, M.-PilarMarco. Analytica Chimica Acta. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2018.04.042

• Read More

Bionand, recently incorporated to NANBIOSIS ICTS, among the three national biotechnology reference centers.

The Diario Sur of  Andalucía, publishes today  an article dedicated to BIONAND and its recent accreditation as ICTS by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, that resolved on November 6 the incorporation of the Nanoimaging Unit of BIONAND to the ICTS NANBIOSIS.

In the article, the Director of BIONAND, Jose Becerra Ratia, Professor of Cell Biology of the University of Malaga, explains the opportunities and commitments that imply for the Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND) its incorporation to NANBIOSIS.

• Read More

Antimicrobial peptides are a promising kind of molecules to fight multi-drug resistant bacteria

The project titled “Breaking the boundaries of resistance to antimicrobials; searching for new antimicrobials against multiresistant bacteria: work on polycytonic peptides and lipid nanoparticles (BARNAPA)” in which participates Fernando Albericio, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS unit 3 Synthesis of Peptides Unit, has been selected by La Marató TV3 and finnaced with 383.276,25 €.

According to Fernando Albericio, the project arises from the need of effective and safer antibiotics to fight resistant and multi-drug resistant bacteria. In this sens, the proyect developed in collaboration with Miquel Vinyas of the UB and with the Stefania Stefani group of the Universita de Catania  looks at antimicrobial peptides as a promising kind of molecules to achieve this goal.

Fernando explains the experimental session of the project: “The synthesis of molecules in the chemical laboratory may yield new cationic peptides analogs optimizing selectivity (increasing activity, reducing toxicity) to develop them as candidates for preclinical development. Natural molecules, such as teixobactin and colistin, may serve as scaffold for unlimited new antimicrobial peptides. Mechanisms of action and spectrum of activity should be elucidated first by means of biophysical studies (electron microscopy, flow cytometry, model membranes, electrophysiology). In addition, preparation of lipid nanoparticles will be carried out to explore new pharmaceutical formulations maintaining antimicrobial activity and reducing unwanted side effects. Testing studied molecules in front of clinical multidrug resistant isolates and biofilms produced by these bacteria will be also accomplished. The eventual synergism between the peptides and conventional antimicrobials has to be explored since previous results are promising. We hopefully expect this project to yield a few candidates and propose new delivery
formulations to start exploratory in vitro and in vivo tests (which should include acute toxicity determination, pharmacokinetics, and development of a model of respiratory infection in mice) to finally transfer it to a pharmaceutical company for further clinical assay and use”.

 

• Read More

Two units of NANBIOSIS in the project selected by La Marató TV3 to fight against bacterial infections

La Marató TV3 in its call for biomedical projects in infectious diseases has selected the project “Uses of molecular analysis of Quorum Sensing with the diagnosis of bacterial infections” of the Nb4D group, led by Mª Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of unit 2 of NANBIOSIS and in which Miriam Royo also participates Scientific Coordinator of unit 3 of NANBIOSIS, both in the IQAC-CSIC of Barcelona

The project of the Nanobiotechnology for Diagnosis (Nb4D) group of the CSIC and the CIBER-BBN has been selected among more than 200 candidates as a project of scientific excellence to be funded in the call for biomedical projects of the Fundació la Marató de TV3 and Catalonia Radio. The project, led in the Nb4D group by Dr. M.-Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of unit 2 of NANBIOSIS and Dr. Lluïsa Vilaplana, will be carried out in collaboration with Dr. M.-Teresa Martín (Hospital Vall d’Hebrón) and aims to study the potential of various molecules of Quorum Sensing as diagnostic tools for bacterial infections. The project, financed with € 227,684.84, also has the collaboration of Dr. Miriam Royo, Scientific Coordinator of Unit 3 of NANBIOSIS, of the Multivalent Systems for Nanomedicine group, also belonging to the CSIC and the CIBER-BBN.

The funds raised in the 2017 edition of the Marató de TV3 and Cataluña Radio will finance 36 biomedical research projects of excellence in infectious diseases to promote the creation of new tools for prevention and diagnosis, as well as more efficient treatments with the aim of earning more and more quality of life for patients.

Link to the news:
http://www.ccma.cat/324/la-marato-impulsa-36-projectes-de-recerca-biomedica-en-malalties-infeccioses/noticia/2884103/

• Read More

Lysosomal Rare Disorders: Focus on Fabry Disease

Last November 19, Vall d’Hebron held a seminar  on Lysosomal Rare Disorders: Focus on Fabry Disease as  part of the Rare Diseases Program at the Vall d’Hebron Campus, in collaboration with the European Commission, the Center for Biomedical Research Network on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) and the CIBBIM-Nanomedicine at Vall d Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) through the Smart-4-Fabry projec

In the  second plenary session, moderated by Nora Ventosa and Simó Schwartz, Scientific Directors of NANBIOSIS units 6 and 20 and devoted to New therapeutic strategies for lysosomal disorders, the speakers presented their findings regarding biomarkers, genetic variants and treatment protocols. Ibane Abasolo, Scientific Coordinator of NANBIOSIS Unit 20 gave a talk on Nanomedicine in lysosomal disorders. Project Smart4Fabry .

The Smart4Fabry project, coordinated by CIBER-BBN and with the participation of NANBIOSIS units U3 Synthesis of Peptides Unit, U6 Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit and U20 Functional Validation & Preclinical Research (FVPR), was described in the course of this specific day on lysosomal diseases and Fabry’s disease.

• Read More

BIONAND incorporated to the Spanish ICTS Map as a new node of NANBIOSIS

The Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy Council (CPCTI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has recently approved the updating of the National ICTS Map (Unique Scientific Technological Infrastructures). ICTS are large installations, resources, facilities and services, unique in its kind, that are dedicated to cutting edge and high-quality research and technological development, as well as to promote exchange, transmission and preservation of knowledge, technology transfer and innovation.

After the evaluation by the CPCTI of the ICTS activity during the last four years, NANBIOSIS maintains its presence in the new National ICTS Map, but it introduces a novelty compared to the prior one. NANBIOSIS, initially formed by CIBER-BBN and CCMIJU, incorporates BIONAND as new node, which has been included in the Strategic Master Plan for the next four years.

NANBIOSIS is the ICTS that provide a complete integrated cutting-edge biomedical advance solutions for companies and research institutions under a single contact point through the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials and their nanoconjugates, its characterization from a physic-chemical, functional, toxicological and biological (preclinical validation) point of view, focused on biomedical applications such as: IVDs, medical devices, biosensors, regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, therapeutic agents or MRI contrast agents.

The incorporation of BIONAND to NANBIOIS supposes for the ICTS the possibility of amplifying its capacities and in particular to complete and expand its offer of cutting-edge biomedical solutions.

BIONAND, located in the Technological Park of Andalusia and directed by Professor José Becerra Ratia of the University of Málaga (UMA), is a mixed character center participated by the University of Malaga and by the Andalusian Government, conceived as a space for excellence research in nanomedicine that has scientific infrastructures with unique avant-garde equipment, among which, the Nano-Imaging Unit, incorporated to NANBIOSIS, stands out.

BIONAND’s Nanoimaging Unit brings together a wide range of cutting-edge technologies, including high-field magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy, micro-CT, PET, SPECT, intra-vital optical imaging, electron microscopy, advanced optical microscopy, cell sorting and high content screening. The unit has been conceived and optimized to provide very diverse and integrated technological support for nanotechnology-based biomedical research, offering advance services to internal and external users.

The Nano-Imaging unit, headed by Dr. María Luisa García Martín, is a powerful last-generation of preclinical imaging facility that offers the possibility of acquiring micro and nano-scale images through a wide variety of techniques.

Dr. María Luisa García presented BIONAND as the new node of NANBIOSIS on November 12 in the session dedicated to NANBIOSIS that took place at the annual Scientific Conferences of CIBER-BBN.

In addition, last November 14, Dr José Becerra, represented NANBIOSIS in the General Assembly of Materplat, giving a talk about the “Customization of Implants and their biological function”. Further information

NANBIOSIS is working in the integration of the new node of BIONAND on the website and offer of NANBIOSIS

• Read More

NANBIOSIS with the research appointment “Towards a New Horizon”

NANBIOSIS has attended today the  10th  Research and Innovation Framework under the slogan “Towards a New Horizon“, organized by the CDTI and the European Commission, in collaboration with the Board of Castilla La Mancha has been held on November 20 in the downtown Congress Center of Toledo “El Greco“.

The objective of the Conference has been to review the new developments and analyze the participation of Spain in Horizon 2020 in order to draw conclusions that allow Spanish entities to better face the next calls for proposals. The new proposal of the European Commission (EC) for Horizon Europe has also been presented.

The Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Pedro Duque has opened  and chaired the institutional inauguration in which he has highlighted the importance of participation in H2020, not only for financing reasons but also for the impact generated by projects. Not in vain has it been revealed in the day that the Spanish returns in H200 so far exceeded 10% of the total granted, placing Spain as the 4th country of the EU in return and the first as project coordinator.

The Deputy General Director of DG EC Research and Innovation, Signe Ratso, has given a few strokes of the new Horizon Europe program for 2021-2027 in which figures between 1 and 1.2 billion € are being considered, to give continuity to the current Program with some evolution and innovations, but without supposing a revolution with respect to the previous one.

NANBIOSIS has participated in the preparation, coordination and execution of R+D+i European projects during the last years and will continue to do it. An event like the 10th  Research and Innovation Framework  “Towards a New Horizon“is a forum of great value not only for the information given, but also to exchange experiences and impressions and to do valuable networking for the next calls.

 

• Read More

EXPLORING COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ICTS FACILITIES

Members of the NANBIOSIS Coordination Committee have visited the ALBA Synchrotron and its representatives to exchange common research lines, points of view on their complementarity and discuss the collaboration possibilities of the facilities,  both recognized as Unique Scientific Technical Infrastructure  (ICTS) by the Spanish Government.

The ALBA Synchrotron consists of a complex of electron accelerators in which the electrons are forced to rotate at a speed of 1 million turns per second. When they are bent, synchrotron light is emitted, allowing to visualize the atomic structure and molecular analysis of materials and study their properties obtaining information that cannot be achieved in any other way.

ALBA offers synchrotron light to external users, both from the academia and from the industry, to perform outstanding studies of a very wide range of research sectors. It provides services to 1800 researchers per year performing more than 500 experiments.

Currently, ALBA has eight operational state-of-the art beamlines, four are under construction  and it has capacity for more than twenty beamlines, in total. Five of these beam lines are focused on biomedical applications. It is in these beamlines where the services of ALBA Synchrotron are complementary to those of NANBIOSIS, especially in the field of Structural / biochemical Characterization.

NANBIOSIS is a distributed infrastructure for biomedical research with outsourcing equipment and expertise of excellence to design and produce biomaterials, nanomaterials and their nanoconjugates as well as their characterization from a physic-chemical, functional, toxicological and biological (preclinical validation) point of view, focused on biomedical applications such as: IVDs, medical devices, biosensors, regenerative medicine, drug delivery systems, therapeutic agents or MRI contrast agents. NANBIOSIS provides more than 700 accesses per year and services to 100 companies.

Due to this complementarity, both ICTS facilities have explored collaborations possibilities and a list of initiatives were discussed. The starting point will be to put in common all the different services that both institutions provide in order to meet the most complex needs of its users and increase the scope of the biomedical solutions given to the health sector.

This new collaboration started with a presentation of ALBA and its complementarity with NANBIOSIS in the annual Conference of CIBER-BBN that took place in November 11-13 in Valladolid.

More information:

NANBIOSIS

ALBA Synchrotron

https://www.cells.es/en

Contact:

Contact Nanbiosis:  info@nanbiosis.com

Contact ALBA Synchrotron: industrialoffice@cells.es

 

• Read More