CIBER

Breakthrough Nanotherapy for Colorectal Cancer: Innovative Research Involving NANBIOSIS

Breakthrough nanotherapy targets MSS colorectal cancer, inducing pyroptosis and immune activation. NANBIOSIS Units 1 and Unit 18 played a key role.

Barcelona, march 2024. For this World Colorectal Cancer Day, researchers from Dr. Mangues’ group (CB06/01/1031), in which NANBIOSIS Unit 18 is integrated, have published just last month a groundbreaking study on a novel targeted nanotherapy for colorectal cancer. Conducted in collaboration with three CIBER research groups across two thematic areas (BBN and ER), this research highlights the potential of CXCR4-targeted nanotoxic therapy to combat microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer, a subtype known for its resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors and its immunosuppressive tumor environment.

The study, recently published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine, demonstrates the efficacy of CXCR4-targeted cytotoxic nanoparticles in an immunocompetent mouse model of MSS colorectal cancer. This innovative nanomedicine approach selectively eliminates cancer stem cells (CSCs) expressing the CXCR4 receptor by inducing pyroptosis, a type of programmed cell death that triggers a strong immune response. Notably, the treatment leads to the recruitment and activation of eosinophils, key immune cells that contribute to tumor destruction.

The findings emphasize the potential of pyroptosis-inducing nanotherapies to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance innate immune responses against colorectal cancer. The involvement of NANBIOSIS Unit 1 and Unit 18 was instrumental in developing and characterizing this cutting-edge cancer nanotherapy. This contribution involved, respectivelly, the production of a significant range of the proteins used in the study, as well as the entire histological and toxicity studies.

For more details on this colorectal cancer breakthrough, access the full publication here: Dove Press
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S499192

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 hands-on material characterization seminar by NANBIOSIS experts and NANE

Technical Seminar on Materials Characterization by NANBIOSIS Unit 6 & NANE on April 1, 2025, at ICMAB-CSIC. Hands-on training & latest techniques. Register now!

Barcelona, march 2025. The Soft Materials Lab – NANBIOSIS Unit 6, in collaboration with NANE, is pleased to invite researchers, professionals, and students to a Technical Seminar on Materials Characterization. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).

This seminar will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the latest advancements in particle size analysis techniques and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment. Participants will be introduced to techniques such as laser diffraction analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and other advanced characterization methods.

Seminar Structure

• Theoretical session: Overview of fundamental principles and recent developments in materials characterization.
• Practical session: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment and analytical techniques.

Attendees who require proof of participation can request a certificate of attendance from the organizing company.

Registration and Contact Information

Interested participants can register [here] to attend this seminar.

For more information, you can contact NANE at:

• Phone: +34 911 175 111
• Email: info@nane.pro

Alternatively, you may reach out to Amable Bernabé (Soft Materials Lab – NANBIOSIS UNIT 6) at jabernabe@icmab.es.

This seminar is a valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in materials characterization. We look forward to your participation!

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 breakthrough in preventing infections in biomedical implants

A new TPU surface modification with an antimicrobial protein prevents biofilm formation in implants, offering an alternative to antibiotics and metal coatings.

Barcelona, february 2025. Infections associated with medical implants are a serious health issue. A new study presents a chemical modification of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with an antimicrobial protein that reduces the formation of biofilms of multidrug-resistant bacteria, offering an alternative to antibiotics and metal coatings in these devices.

A team of researchers has developed a new strategy to chemically modify TPU, a material widely used in medical devices, to endow it with antibacterial properties and prevent infections associated with biomedical implants. This innovation could represent a significant advancement in the safety and durability of medical implants. The study is part of a project funded by La Marató de TV3.

The study, led by Imma Ratera, researcher at the Nanomol-Bio group at ICMAB-CSIC and CIBER-BBN, and recently published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, describes how the chemical modification of the TPU surface and the self-assembled monolayer strategy are key to enabling the anchoring of the recombinant human α-defensin 5 (HD5) protein.

This specific surface functionalization promotes interaction with the antimicrobial protein, effectively inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation. The surface modification was achieved through a three-step process: activation of TPU with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), interfacial reaction with polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives, and finally, a simple click reaction between the PEG-maleimide terminated assembled monolayer and the HD5 protein.

The material has been characterized using advanced surface science techniques, confirming its antibacterial efficacy. The results show a significant reduction in the formation of biofilms of resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).

This technology offers a promising alternative to antibiotics and metals like silver, addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance in implantable medical devices. “This breakthrough could represent a paradigm shift in preventing infections in medical implants, reducing complications, and improving patient safety,” says Ratera.

This discovery opens new avenues for the development of antimicrobial surfaces in medical devices, with great potential to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with hospital-acquired infections.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and the Biomedical Research Networking Center – Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), in collaboration with the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), the Hospital Clínic-Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) with the Biomedical Research Networking Center on Infectious Diseases (CIBER-INFEC), and the Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí.

The luminescence characterization of the modified TPU surfaces was carried out at Unit 6 of the ICTS Nanbiosis, specializing in the preparation and characterization of nanostructured biomaterials.

For more information, you can consult the full article in ACS Applied Bio Materials.

Reference article:

Activating Thermoplastic Polyurethane Surfaces with Poly(ethylene glycol)-Based Recombinant Human α-Defensin 5 Monolayers for Antibiofilm Activity
Xavier Rodríguez Rodríguez, Adrià López-Cano, Karla Mayolo-Deloisa, Oscar Q. Pich, Paula Bierge, Nora Ventosa, Cristina García-de-la-Maria, José M. Miró, Oriol Gasch, Jaume Veciana, Judith Guasch, Anna Arís, Elena Garcia-Fruitós, Imma Ratera, the FUNCATH investigators
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 20 Feb 2025
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00732

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:

Awareness and research on Fabry Disease with a special event at ICMAB

Join us on April 29 at ICMAB for “Fabry Connections” to explore research, patient insights, and future challenges in Fabry disease. Register now!

Barcelona, february 2025. Today, February 28, World Rare Disease Day, NANBIOSIS reaffirms its commitment to advancing research and raising awareness of rare diseases such as Fabry disease. In this context, we are pleased to invite researchers, healthcare professionals, patient associations, and individuals affected by Fabry disease to the event “Fabry Connections: Science, Patients, and Future”, which will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the ICMAB-CSIC. This event is organized by our Unit 6, Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
• Venue: Carles Miravitlles Hall, ICMAB-CSIC (Campus UAB, Bellaterra)
• Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

An Event Dedicated to Research and Patient Engagement

This event is organized within the framework of the Nano4Rare project and the Fabry Disease Awareness Month. It aims to foster collaboration between scientists, medical professionals, and patient communities to discuss recent advancements and future challenges in Fabry disease research.

The program will feature:

• Keynote lectures by leading experts in the field, including Dr. Pablo Lapunzina (CIBERER).
• Presentations of research initiatives, including the Nano4Rare project.
• Roundtable discussions involving healthcare professionals and patient representatives.
• A dedicated space for patient associations to showcase their initiatives.
• Guided laboratory tours at ICMAB, where attendees can explore cutting-edge nanomedicine research for Fabry disease.

Join the Conversation and Register

Registrations are open until April 11, 2025. To learn more about the event and to secure your spot, visit Nano4Rare Event Page.

By participating in this event, we can collectively drive forward the research and awareness of Fabry disease and other rare conditions. We look forward to welcoming you at ICMAB on April 29!

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:

Advancing new treatments for Retinitis Pigmentosa within NANBIOSIS

NANBIOSIS Unit 10 develops lipid-based nanoparticles for gene and drug delivery, aiming for cost-effective, non-invasive treatments for retinitis pigmentosa.

Vitoria, february 2025. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a congenital rare disease that leads to progressive and irreversible vision loss. Both genetic mutations and inflammation contribute significantly to the progression of the disease. Researchers from the Drug Formulation Unit (U10) of NANBIOSIS, based at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), are pioneering innovative strategies to combat this condition. Their work focuses on developing lipid-based nanovehicles for gene and drug delivery, aiming for cost-effective and non-invasive treatments for RP patients.

Gene Therapy: A Novel Approach to Address Retinal Mutations

Unit 10 is engineering lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver genetic material to the retina effectively. In collaboration with the research group of Eduardo Fernández Jover, at Universidad Miguel Hernández (CIBER-BBN), they are testing these nanoparticles by delivering plasmids encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to retinal layers. This strategy allows researchers to assess gene delivery efficiency at different retinal depths. Since over 200 gene mutations have been identified at the outer retinal layer that contribute to severe retinal diseases, reaching these layers is crucial for therapeutic success. The next phase of research involves incorporating therapeutic genes such as RPE65, one of the most frequently mutated genes in RP, to evaluate their potential clinical benefits.

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Delivery: Enhancing Retinal Protection

Alongside gene therapy, the team is exploring the use of lipid-based nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory agents. In collaboration with the research group of Regina Rodrigo, at Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIBER-ER), they aim to encapsulate therapeutic compounds in these nanocarriers, protecting them from degradation and enabling controlled release into the retina. Notably, they have achieved successful non-invasive administration via eye drops, culminating in the application for a PCT patent (PCT/EP2024/052232). The next steps involve expanding this technology to treat additional retinal inflammatory conditions and investigating the encapsulation of other anti-inflammatory compounds.

“We aim to face retinitis pigmentosa by a multidisciplinary strategy using lipid nanoparticles to target the retina as potential cost-effective and non-invasive treatments for patients.”

Idoia Gallego Garrido, Scientific Coordinator of Unit 10.

A Multidisciplinary and Translational Strategy

The combined gene and drug delivery approaches spearheaded by Unit 10 offer a promising outlook for RP patients. By leveraging lipid nanoparticles, the researchers aim to develop cost-effective and non-invasive therapeutic solutions.

This research aligns with the commitment of NANBIOSIS to bridging scientific innovation with translational medicine, fostering collaborations between academia and industry to accelerate the development of advanced therapeutic solutions.

References

• Olivares-González, L., Velasco, S., Gallego, I., Esteban-Medina, M., Puras, G., Loucera, C., Martínez-Romero, A., Peña-Chilet, M., Pedraz, J. L., & Rodrigo, R. (2022). An SPM-Enriched Marine Oil Supplement Shifted Microglia Polarization toward M2, Ameliorating Retinal Degeneration in rd10 Mice. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 12(1), 98. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12010098
• Al Qtaish, N. H., Villate-Beitia, I., Gallego, I., Martínez-Navarrete, G., Soto-Sánchez, C., Sainz-Ramos, M., Lopez-Mendez, T. B., Paredes, A. J., Javier Chichón, F., Zamarreño, N., Fernández, E., Puras, G., & Pedraz, J. L. (2023). Long-term biophysical stability of nanodiamonds combined with lipid nanocarriers for non-viral gene delivery to the retina. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 639, 122968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.122968

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 Dendritic Platinum Nanocatalysts for Selective Activation of Anticancer Drugs

PEGylated dendritic platinum nanoparticles enable targeted drug activation, reducing tumors in vivo. Developed with NANBIOSIS Unit 9, they enhance cancer therapy.

Zaragoza, february 2025. A recent study published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition (see reference at the end of the article) introduces a novel approach in cancer treatment through the development of PEGylated dendritic platinum nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibit high biocompatibility and selectively activate anticancer drugs within cancer cells.

The study was co-led by members of the Nanostructured Films and Particles (NFP) group, Dr. Jose I. Garcia-Peiro, Dr. Jose L. Hueso and Prof. Jesus Santamaria (Group Leader) that belong to CIBER-BBN, the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA-CSIC), the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Zaragoza and the Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Aragon (IISA). This group worked on the synthesis, functionalization and advanced characterization of the dendritic platinum nanoparticles. It was carried out with the support of the Platform of Production of Biomaterials and Nanoparticles of NANBIOSIS, more specifically by the Nanoparticle Synthesis Unit of the CIBER in BioEngineering, Biomaterials & Nanomedicine (Unit 9).

The other leading group in this study is headed by Prof. Asier Unciti-Broceta from the University of Edinburg. His group developed different probes and anticancer drugs with the suitable chemistry to induce a selective uncaging reaction and selectively release the active drug compound in the presence of the dendritic platinum nanoparticles. Dr. M. Carmen Ortega-Liebana, Dr. Catherine Adam as two of the main leading contributors and Dr. Alvaro Lorente-Macias, Dr. Jana Travnickova and Dr. Elisabeth Patton were also participants from Unciti´s group in Edinburg. In addition, Paula Guerrero and Prof. Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar from the Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A-University of Zaragoza) validated the results with 3D model culture studies.

Interestingly, the study demonstrates the viability and efficacy of the combination of the prodrug pro-SN38 with dendritic platinum heterogeneous nanocatalysts in two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, as well as in vivo zebrafish models. This study also paves the way to novel platinum formulations beyond classical platinum-based chemotherapeutics with higher toxicity and higher deactivation in tumor environments.

More information about the publication can be found: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202424037

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:

Spain-Portugal Collaboration Advances New Preclinical MRI and Machine Learning Research

Dr. Candiota’s visit to I3S strengthens Spain-Portugal collaboration in preclinical MRI, advancing data compatibility and future machine learning studies.

Barcelona-Porto, February 2025. Dr. Ana Paula Candiota, Scientific Director of Unit 25 of NANBIOSIS, is currently undertaking a short scientific stage at the Preclinical MRI Lab of the Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S) at the University of Porto. This initiative highlights the strong international collaboration between Spanish and Portuguese research institutions and is supported by a mobility call from CIBER-BBN.

Dr. Candiota is working alongside Dr. Rui Simões, the current head of the I3S Preclinical MRI Lab and a former member of her research group from 2006 to 2010. Their joint efforts focus on evaluating the compatibility of magnetic resonance (MR) data acquired at different magnetic fields (3T and 7T) and under different Bruker Paravision versions. This work is crucial for integrating data in future studies utilizing machine learning approaches. Complementing this research, the 7T MR dataset will be acquired and completed by the Scientific Coordinator of Unit 25, Dr. Silvia Lope, at our facilities in Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Insternational Collaboration to strengthen NANBIOSIS

This collaboration also plays a strategic role in the ongoing upgrade of the preclinical MR scanner of Unit 25. Notably, the 3T MR equipment at I3S operates under the same Bruker Paravision version that will soon be installed at the NABIOSIS Unit. Dr. Candiota’s stay in Porto will facilitate her familiarization with the new console’s capabilities, ensuring a smoother transition and enhanced research potential at NANBIOSIS.

As part of this international exchange, Dr. Candiota has been invited to deliver a seminar at I3S, fostering further collaborative opportunities between Spain and Portugal in preclinical imaging research. This initiative underscores the importance of cross-border scientific cooperation in advancing biomedical research and technological innovation.

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:

Interview with Esther Pueyo: Studying the Heart with latest Bioengineering

Interview with Esther Pueyo Paules on her research in cardiac signal processing, computational modeling, and the challenges of balancing science and life.

Zaragoza, febrero 2025. As part of our commitment to showcasing outstanding research within the NANBIOSIS network, we are pleased to present an interview with Esther Pueyo Paules, a biomedical engineer specializing in signal processing and computational simulation. She is a researcher at the “Biomedical Signal Interpretation and Computational Simulation” group within the Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón (I3A, UNIZAR), where NANBIOSIS Unit 27 is integrated.

“Scientific research is fascinating”

Esther Pueyo

A Passion for Scientific Research

“Scientific research is fascinating,” says Esther. “It requires sacrifices, but achieving small advances that contribute to better knowledge is highly rewarding. In my case, I strive to better understand the functioning of the heart through the processing of electrical signals, in order to propose new ways to treat diseases.”

Throughout her career, Esther has not faced obstacles due to being a woman, whether in Spain or the United Kingdom. “Science will undoubtedly improve by incorporating both men’s and women’s perspectives equally. Significant progress has been made in recent years, though balancing professional and personal life remains a challenge.”

She encourages young minds with a passion for experimentation and discovery to pursue scientific research. “You can transform the future!” she affirms.

A Journey into Research

As a child, Esther did not have a clear vocational calling and never imagined she would dedicate her career to research. At school, she enjoyed a wide range of subjects, making it difficult to choose a field of study. “I considered Physics, Medicine, Mathematics, or Engineering. In the end, I chose Mathematics, and I am very happy with my decision. Right after graduation, I had the opportunity to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, which made me realize how exciting research in this field is.”

Her professional journey has taken her to the University of Zaragoza, the University of London, and the University of Oxford, with research stays in various European and American institutions.

Innovating in Cardiovascular Research

Esther’s research focuses on processing electrical signals, primarily related to the cardiovascular system. These signals, obtained from patients, are analyzed using mathematical and engineering tools to extract crucial information not visible at first glance. This data can significantly aid in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

She also works on developing mathematical models that describe cardiac electrical function across multiple scales, from cellular activity to the entire body. “Through computational simulations, we aim to better understand heart behavior and propose new treatments tailored to each patient’s unique characteristics.”

“Through computational simulations, we aim to better understand heart behavior and propose new treatments tailored to each patient’s unique characteristics.”

Esther Pueyo

Women in Research: Overcoming Challenges

Esther has never felt that being a woman has been an obstacle in her research career, either in Spain or the UK. “There has been remarkable progress in recent years. However, balancing professional and personal life remains an ongoing challenge. I feel fortunate to have continued my research while raising my children.”

Her journey exemplifies how dedication and scientific curiosity can lead to significant contributions to biomedical research. At NANBIOSIS, we celebrate the work of researchers like Esther Pueyo Paules, whose innovative approach continues to advance the field of cardiovascular health.

This interview was translated from Spanish. The original article can be found 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 Consequences in Familial Hypercholesterolemia due to Abnormal LDL

Misfolded ApoB100 in LDL promotes plaque buildup in familial hypercholesterolemia, raising cardiovascular risk. Structural preservation may aid prevention.

Barcelona, febrero 2025. As recently published in the ICMAB webpage, a new study links ApoB100 protein structure (a key protein found in low-density lipoprotein, LDL, often called “bad cholesterol”) to increased cardiovascular risk in familial hypercholesterolemia. The study, led by IIBB-CSIC and CIBER, with the contribution of ICMAB’s SOFT Service (with NANBIOSIS Unit 6 at its core), shows that the protein structure directly contributes to an increased tendency to aggregate and form atherosclerotic plaques in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

In these patients, LDL particles are smaller due to their high content of esterified cholesterol, and ApoB100 has a less flexible structure due to its high percentage of rigid alpha-helices. Developing strategies to preserve the structure of ApoB100 could be a new way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

ApoB100 protein structure drives LDL accumulation and increases cardiovascular risk, study finds

This new multicenter study reveals why the structure of the ApoB100 protein, present in LDL along with the so-called “bad cholesterol,” plays a crucial role in the tendency of LDL to accumulate in the arterial walls of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, thus promoting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

The study is led by Vicenta Llorente Cortes, a researcher at the Biomedical Research Institute of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC) and CIBER-CV, and Valerie Samouillan, a researcher at the University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a fairly common genetic disorder, affecting about 1 in every 200 or 300 people. Those affected have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from birth and consequently have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and greater rates of premature death due to these conditions.

But, why do LDL particles aggregate more in these individuals? Are there biochemical and physical differences that explain this? This is what the study, published a few weeks ago in the Journal of Lipid Research, aimed to clarify. The study involved 10 research centers in Spain and France. These include, in addition to IIBB-CSIC and CIBER, the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the CIRIMAT Institute (Toulouse, France), and the Miquel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza.

ApoB100 Structure: Less flexible in small, dense LDL particles in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

LDL particles in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia show a greater tendency to aggregate and form plaques. This is due, explains Vicenta Llorente Cortes, “to the fact that the ApoB100 protein in LDL has a particular structural conformation, with a high percentage of rigid alpha-helices [secondary structures], compared to LDL from healthy patients.”

Using samples from 35 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and 29 healthy individuals as a control group, the researchers demonstrated that in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, the protein present in LDL is smaller due to its high content of esterified cholesterol and has less structural flexibility compared to LDL from healthy individuals. As a result, these LDL particles have a lower ability to recover their structure at the arterial intima, promoting their accumulation on the inner walls of the arteries.

Various Techniques to Study LDL Particles

The study measured, among other things, the ease with which LDL particles aggregate using dynamic light scattering techniques (measured at the SOFT Service at ICMAB-CSIC, Unit 6 of NANBIOSIS), as well as the size, composition, and structure of LDL particles through electron microscopy.

As Llorente explains, one of the most impactful findings was the discovery of the difference in the percentage of flexible secondary structures in ApoB100 from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, which would not have been possible without the collaboration of the biophysics group led by Valerie Samouillan (University of Toulouse). This group applied the FTIR infrared spectroscopy technique to determine the protein’s structure and, in particular, quantify the stable alpha-helices and flexible alpha-helices in LDL from control and patient groups.

The results suggest that developing strategies to structurally preserve ApoB100, and in particular the percentage of flexible alpha-helices in LDL, could be a new way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients.

This finding offers a new perspective on how alterations in ApoB100 structure can directly influence the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it opens possibilities for designing specific therapies aimed at modulating the content of flexible alpha-helices in LDL, contributing to the prevention of atherosclerosis.

“With these new peptide tools, we aim to preserve the structural flexibility of the ApoB100 protein in LDL from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.”

Vicenta Llorente

“In our research group,” adds Vicenta Llorente, “we are comparing whether PCSK9 inhibitors [a type of drug] can help preserve the percentage of flexible alpha-helices and whether these effects are comparable to those achieved through innovative peptide tools developed in our group specifically for this purpose. With these new peptide tools, we aim to preserve the structural flexibility of the ApoB100 protein in LDL from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.”

ICMAB and NANBIOSIS contribution

Amable Bernabé, technician at the SOFT Service of ICMAB-CSIC, and part of NANBIOSIS (Unit 6), played a key role in this study, contributing to the analysis of LDL particle size using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) (Zetasizer) technique. He also participated in the development of the analysis method, interpreting the results, discussing them, and proposing complementary techniques to make the study more robust.

The SOFT Service offers state-of-the-art equipment and technical support for the preparation and characterization of micro- and nanostructured soft molecular materials. This includes molecular surfaces, micro- and nanoparticulate materials, plastic films, dispersed systems, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). These materials have applications across various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, energy storage, and other chemical and materials sciences.

Reference article:

Maria Teresa La Chica Lhoëst, Andrea Martínez, Eduardo Garcia, Jany Dandurand, Anna Polishchuk, Aleyda Benitez-Amaro, Ana Cenarro, Fernando Civeira, Amable Bernabé, David Vilades, Joan Carles Escolà-Gil, Valerie Samouillan, Vicenta Llorente-Cortes.
ApoB100 remodeling and stiffened cholesteryl ester core raise LDL aggregation in familial hypercholesterolemia patients.
Journal of Lipid Research. 2025 Jan;66(1):100703. DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100703

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More information about the publication can be found here. This article is a reproduction with a slight edition that does not alter the overall message.

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