CIBER

The Protein Production Platform (PPP) at the UAB Innovation Fair

The PPP advances antimicrobial peptide research, forging partnerships to combat antibiotic resistance and prevent medical device-related infections.

Barcelona, october 2024. During Antibiotic Awareness Week, we spotlight the Protein Production Platform (PPP) at NANBIOSIS Unit 1 for its pivotal role in combating antimicrobial resistance.

At the recent UAB Innovation Fair, the PPP showcased its cutting-edge technologies and established collaborations with experts in bacterial biofilms and nanomaterials. Together, they aim to develop innovative antimicrobial peptides as alternatives to traditional antibiotics, targeting nosocomial infections linked to medical devices. These efforts underscore the critical importance of advancing research and partnerships to address one of the greatest global health challenges: antibiotic resistance.

Protein Production Platform at the UAB Innovation Fair

Las month, our Unit 1, also known as Protein Production Platform (PPP), participated in the second edition of the UAB Innovation Fair, held at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). The event served as a vibrant meeting point for research groups, spin-offs, and companies, all focused to explore potential synergies and collaborative opportunities.

The fair provided an excellent platform for the PPP to showcase its capabilities and services. During the event, our Unit established valuable contacts with several diagnostic companies and protein research groups. These interactions not only highlighted the potential benefits these entities could gain from our services, but also opened the door to collaborations that could further enhance the platform’s offerings.

In addition to these interactions, the PPP, as part of the Nanobiotechnology (NBT) research group, connected with specialists in bacterial biofilms and nanomaterials. These experts expressed interest in collaborating on our research focused on antimicrobial peptides aimed at developing alternatives to traditional antibiotics, with the goal of preventing nosocomial infections associated with medical devices.

The PPP’s active participation in the UAB Innovation Fair not only highlights its commitment to advancing scientific research but also demonstrates its dedication to creating impactful partnerships. By engaging with a diverse array of stakeholders, the PPP is well-positioned to drive forward innovative solutions and contribute to the broader scientific community.

The fair was a resounding success, providing a dynamic environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The PPP looks forward to building on the connections made during the event and continuing to play a crucial role in the advancement of protein production technologies, nanobiotechnology research, as well as the ongoing battle against antimicrobial resistance.

The Protein Production Platform (PPP), also known as NANBIOSIS Unit 1, specializes in the production, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins and biomaterials. It leverages state-of-the-art technologies to support biomedical and nanotechnology research, focusing on applications such as cancer treatment, antimicrobial resistance, and advanced protein delivery systems. Operated by the Nanobiotechnology Group at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, it serves academic and industrial clients with customized solutions for protein engineering and synthesis.

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:

European Partnership Opens a New Era in Rare Disease Research

The European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA) kicked off last month, with an estimated budget of 380 million euros and the aim of improving the lives of 30 million rare disease patients in Europe and beyond.

Paris, october 2024. The European Rare Diseases Research Alliance (ERDERA), a new initiative under Horizon Europe, has officially launched with an ambitious mission to improve the lives of 30 million people affected by rare diseases across Europe and beyond.

Backed by a budget of €380 million, ERDERA brings together more than 170 organizations from the public and private sectors, led by the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in France. This collaborative effort aims to advance research on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for rare diseases, creating a robust infrastructure for innovation and patient support.

ERDERA’s focus is to build on the successes of previous projects, such as the European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases (EJP RD) and the SOLVE-RD project. It strives to create a seamless network of resources and expertise, fostering a globally competitive European research area for rare diseases.

NANBIOSIS participation in ERDERA

CIBER-BBN group led by Ramón Martínez, director of NANBIOSIS and Scientific Director of our Unit 26, together with Juan Antonio Bueren’s group (CIBERER), will participate in a work package aimed at accelerating key technologies in the field of advanced therapies. Specifically, these two CIBER areas will develop new gene and gene-editing therapies, both viral and non-viral, for rare diseases affecting hematopoietic, epidermal, inflammatory, and metabolic disorders. They will employ in vitro and in vivo approaches, as well as lipid nanoparticles for the encapsulation and controlled release of mRNA.

Unit 26 specializes in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technology, providing valuable capabilities for acquiring unique metabolic profiles from a variety of biological samples, including biofluids, cell lines, tissues, and animal models such as mice and rats.

This expertise is crucial in uncovering molecular markers that can help researchers better understand rare diseases, ultimately contributing to the development of more precise diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

NANBIOSIS Unit 26’s NMR capabilities complement ERDERA’s clinical research network, which aims to accelerate diagnostics and increase clinical trial readiness for rare diseases. The alliance’s comprehensive support services, including a Data Services Hub and an Expertise Services Hub, will benefit from the detailed metabolic profiling provided by Unit 26, further strengthening the infrastructure available to researchers.

Daria Julkowska, ERDERA’s scientific coordinator, highlighted the alliance’s vision of integrating cross-disciplinary expertise under a unified mission: “We have a tripartite mission: One; to bring under one roof a broad range of high-value services, resources and cross-disciplinary expertise to support rare disease research; Two, to boost clinical research by enabling every consenting patient living with a rare disease to be findable and enrolled in a suitable clinical study and finally, to spur innovation and EU competitiveness, through investment but also by aligning regional, national and European research strategies, and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders at a global scale.”

ERDERA’s roadmap, presented during its launch event on 28 October 2024, underscores the importance of collaborations with specialized research infrastructures like NANBIOSIS. Together, these efforts aim to bridge gaps in diagnosis and treatment for rare diseases, transforming the landscape of patient care in Europe.

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:

The Soft Lab held a new edition of the course on characterization and preparation of particulate materials

José Amable Bernabé, Technical Coordinator of Unit 6, hosted a course on “Characterization techniques for particulate materials”.

Barcelona, october 2024. For yet another year, José Amable Bernabé, of the Soft Materials Service at ICMAB and Technical Coordinator of NANBIOSIS Unit 6, offered this course. The course was an explanation of different techniques to characterize nanoparticles and particulate matter, including the fundamentals of these techniques, sample preparation, practical examples and results interpretation.

The course is offered every year through the CSIC training courses offered every year for all its staff, as reported in ICMAB webpage.

Soft Materials Service

The Soft Materials Service provides equipment and technical assistance for the preparation and characterization of micro-and nanostructured soft molecular materials (molecular surfaces, micro- and nanoparticulate molecular materials, plastic films, dispersed systems, SAMs, etc..) with interest in different areas of application (biomedicine, electronics, energy storage and other chemical and material application areas).

The Soft Materials Service, with Amable Bernabé and David Piña as technicians, participate in many European projects and give service to the whole ICMAB community, apart from the Nanomol Research Unit, and also to other CSIC centers and research institutions and companies.

On April 2022, the Service Materials Service, which is part of our Unit 6, obtained the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certification, which ensures the quality of the service provided and helps to continue with its improvement and extension to future services.

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:

A project on pediatric respiratory infections, led by NANBIOSIS, wins the CIBER Young Researcher Call

Chips R’ Us, a pediatric respiratory infection study, wins CIBER’s Young Researcher Call, developing an innovative lung model using Organ-on-Chip technology.

Vigo, october 2024. The project Chips R’ Us, focused on studying lower respiratory infections in pediatric patients, has been selected in the 2024 Call for Intramural Projects for Young Researchers of the Biomedical Research Networking Center (CIBER). An evaluation board composed of specialists from various CIBER thematic areas evaluated the proposals based on their novelty, feasibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and potential social impact.

Led by Dr. Gabriel Alfranca, a researcher in the area of Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) at the Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development, and developed in collaboration with NANBIOSIS-ICTS, the project will receive €5,000 in funding. The project will be presented at the CIBER Congress, which will be held in Valencia from November 27 to 29 this year 2024.

“We want to create a model capable of replicating lung conditions, especially for the most vulnerable patients. If we succeed, this device could be applied in the future not only for therapies in children but for any other respiratory disease“

— Dr. Gabriel Alfranca

The initiative aims to develop an innovative in vitro model using an Organ-on-Chip (OoC) device that simulates the microenvironment of the human lung. Through human alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiC) exposed to nasopharyngeal samples from both healthy pediatric patients and those with bronchiolitis, cellular responses to various stimuli can be observed in real-time. “We want to create a model capable of replicating lung conditions, especially for the most vulnerable patients. If we succeed, this device could be applied in the future not only for therapies in children but for any other respiratory disease,” says Dr. Alfranca.

The collaboration of CIBER-BBN with CIBER’s Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Cancer (CIBERONC), and Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) areas strengthens the proposal, with NANBIOSIS-ICTS playing a key role in manufacturing the device. The device will include advanced sensors and image analysis through artificial intelligence, enabling detailed monitoring of cellular changes and opening new possibilities for diagnosing and treating respiratory diseases.

With the support of the funding, Gabriel Alfranca’s team (formed by Carlos Castilla, Denise Marrero, Marta Camprubí and Sonia Alcolea) will have one year to develop the project, with the expectation that it will lay the foundation for future larger-scale research, particularly in the field of personalized medicine and the development of advanced diagnostic platforms.

The Chirs R Us project is an inter-area between CIBER groups. This includes the participation of our Unit 8 from CIBER-BBN. Leading the project is Dr. Gabriel Alfranca, member of the coordination team of NANBIOSIS.

First Congress for Young Scientific Researchers in Vigo

During the First CIBER Congress for Young Scientific Researchers, held in Vigo in June 2024, participants were encouraged to engage in a networking activity that could lead to a collaborative project idea. In addition to Chips R’ Us, two other finalist projects, Trientech and KKs6, were recognized for their innovation and quality. However, Chips R’ Us stood out for its multidisciplinary approach, involving collaboration between various CIBER areas, and its potential to develop a model with significant clinical impact in the personalized treatment of respiratory infections.

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:

Prof. Ramón Martínez, Director of NANBIOSIS, has been awarded the Spanish National Research Prize

Prof. Ramón Martínez Máñez wins the 2024 National Research Award for his work in nanotechnology, drug delivery systems, and biomedical, environmental sensors.

Valencia, october 2024. Prof. Martínez Máñez has been honored with the “Juan de la Cierva” National Research Award for the impact of his scientific career and its transfer in the field of chemistry, specifically in nanotechnology for controlled release systems and their use in sensors for medical, environmental, and agricultural applications.

The evaluators also highlighted the high number of patents obtained and licensed by the awardee and emphasized the number of companies he has created, one of which was among the first focused on the development of senolytics.

In additon of being deeply invested in NANBIOSIS, Ramón Martínez Máñez is Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and director of the Inter-University Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development Research (IDM, a joint UPV-UV center).

“Receiving this award is a great recognition of the work carried out over many years in the field of research and transfer, which would not have been possible without the support of my research group. It is also a great boost to continue striving and improving every day.”

— Prof. Ramón Martínez Máñez

“Receiving this award is a great recognition of the work carried out over many years in the field of research and transfer, which would not have been possible without the support of my research group. It is also a great boost to continue striving and improving every day,” said Ramón Martínez Máñez.

Prof. Ramón Martínez Máñez, professor at Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), is the Director of NANBIOSIS and is leading, together with Prof. Salvador Gil, our Unit 26. This Unit is specialized in NMR, and can acquire unique metabolic profiles of biofluids, cell lines, tissues and animal models such as mice and rats.

Regarding his upcoming challenges, the UPV professor and researcher highlighted three: continuing to advance in the development of new sensors and nanomaterials, promoting the application of research either in collaboration with companies or through the creation of spin-offs, and continuing their work in training new researchers.

“All of these are key to continuing to advance in this exciting world of science and contributing to its progress in our country, from our laboratories at the Universitat Politècnica de València,” added Ramón Martínez Máñez.

About Prof. Ramón Martínez Máñez

Born in Valencia on April 11, 1963, Martínez Máñez is one of the national and international leaders in the field of chemical research.

Among other lines of research, his group at the IDM Institute of UPV works on the development of nanometric devices with “molecular gates” for the controlled release of drugs. The studied nanoparticles are capable of retaining a load within their pore system and delivering it upon receiving a chemical, physical, or biochemical stimulus. These particles have been used, for example, for the selective release of cytotoxins to eliminate cancer cells and bacteria, as well as for the release of specific drugs in senescent cells, and for the release of substances in food or agricultural applications.

Additionally, Martínez Máñez’s team is working on the development of molecular probes for the detection, through color and fluorescence changes, of biomedical and environmental elements of interest, such as certain biomarkers or cells, drugs, nerve gases, etc.

Among the multiple recognitions he has received prior to this National Research Award, in 2016 he was honored with the Research Excellence Award from the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), and in 2018 with the Rey Jaume I Award for New Technologies.

Author of nearly 600 publications, Ramón Martínez Máñez has a prominent presence in the most significant journals in the field of multidisciplinary chemistry.

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:

Knowdlege growth: A chart-guide for cloning, production, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins from prokaryotic systems

The Nanobiotechnology Group and NANBIOSIS PPP have created a poster-guide for recombinant protein cloning, production, and purification in prokaryotic systems.

Barcelona, october 2024. The Nanobiotechnology Group, led by Prof. Villaverde, in collaboration with the NANBIOSIS Unit 1, Protein Production Platform (PPP), directed by Dr. Ferrer-Miralles, has created an in-depth guide in the form of a poster that compiles key strategies for cloning, production, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotic systems.

Drawing from their vast experience in the field, they have meticulously outlined techniques and best practices to address common challenges and optimize every stage of the process. The poster covers various aspects of recombinant protein workflow, including selecting the right expression vectors, optimizing culture conditions, purification strategies, and the essential steps for characterizing the final purified protein.

The poster is displayed at the PPP facilities for easy consultation by anyone interested and is also available in the platform website to provide wider support to scientists in overcoming common challenges in the recombinant protein field.

The development of this poster reflects the collective expertise of the Nanobiotechnology Group and PPP in the field of recombinant proteins, gained through years of hands-on research.

The development of this poster reflects the collective expertise of the Nanobiotechnology Group and PPP in the field of recombinant proteins, gained through years of hands-on research. Understanding the critical role that recombinant proteins play in fields ranging from drug development to bioengineering they aim to equip researchers with the tools they have found useful for troubleshooting challenges in recombinant protein production.

The doors of the PPP are always open to provide guidance and technical support, if necessary, to the entire scientific community in the successful isolation of highly pure, soluble, stable, and active recombinant proteins, not only in procaryotic expression systems, but also using mammalian and insect cells.

Download full guide in PDF (free of charge)

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:

Nanotechnology to slow down the growth of glioblastomas

Directors of Unit 20 and Unit 3, Ibane Abasolo and Miriam Royo, show us the ReachGlio project, which uses nanomedicines to slow glioblastoma growth by targeting tumors in the brain, improving drug delivery through nanoparticles.

Barcelona, october 2024. Each year, on October 9th, Nanotechnology Day is celebrated, a discipline dedicated to understanding and utilizing matter at a nanometric scale for purposes such as industrial or medical applications. Nanotechnology plays a fundamental role in many research lines developed at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR).

“Our goal is to propose one or more clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma using nanomedicines that can efficiently reach the brain and have antitumor activity.”

— Dr. Ibane Abasolo

One of the standout projects in this area is the ReachGlio project, which focuses on improving drug delivery designed to slow the growth of glioblastomas using multifunctional nanomedicines. “Our goal is to propose one or more clinical trials in patients with glioblastoma using nanomedicines that can efficiently reach the brain and have antitumor activity,” explains Ibane Abasolo, the project’s principal investigator.

ReachGlio is part of the TRANSCAN 3 program, involving seven European entities, including two Spanish institutions: the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and the Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). The Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) participate through the CIBER-BBN groups led by researchers Miriam Royo and Ibane Abasolo.

Nanomedicines with antitumor activity

Glioblastomas are among the most aggressive tumors due to their location within the brain and their ability to invade surrounding tissue. Additionally, they are highly heterogeneous tumors. All of this explains why the prognosis for patients with this type of tumor remains very poor, with no curative therapy options available.

“One of the main challenges for drugs designed to slow the growth of glioblastomas is how difficult it is for them to effectively reach the brain and distribute homogeneously within such a diverse tumor,” explains Miriam Royo, researcher of the project.

“One of the main challenges for drugs designed to slow the growth of glioblastomas is how difficult it is for them to effectively reach the brain and distribute homogeneously within such a diverse tumor.”

— Dr. Miriam Royo

To overcome this obstacle, the current project proposes the use of nanoparticles that incorporate existing drugs, which, although they have already proven capable of slowing tumor cells, have difficulty accessing the brain. These nanoparticles, specifically polymeric micelles, have small peptide sequences on their surface that act as targeting molecules. These peptides help the nanoparticles cross the blood-brain barrier, between the blood vessels and the brain, and once inside the brain, they guide them towards the tumor cells.

During the project, a drug (NGR-TNF) will also be tested, which makes the blood-brain barrier more permeable, in combination with antitumor treatments or the nanomedicines being developed. “This specific part is planned to be tested at the veterinary level in dogs that already suffer from spontaneous brain tumors, so we hope the project’s results can quickly reach glioblastoma patients,” adds Ibane Abasolo.

References:

• IQAC-CSIC webpage
• CIBER-BBN webpage

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:

Harnessing Nanotechnology in protein research: Insights from Dr. Neus Ferrer on new ways of fighting antimicrobial resistance

Dr. Neus Ferrer explores nanotechnology in protein research to combat antimicrobial resistance, focusing on innovative solutions using lysins and other recombinant proteins.

Barcelona, October 2024. In celebration of Nanotechnology Day, we take a closer look at the cutting-edge work of Dr. Neus Ferrer, director of the Unit 1, Protein Production Platform (PPP), at NANBIOSIS. Specializing in recombinant protein synthesis, Dr. Ferrer’s research tackles critical challenges in healthcare, particularly antimicrobial resistance, often referred to as the “new pandemic”. Through advanced nanotechnology approaches, her team in develops innovative solutions that could revolutionize treatment options in biomedicine and beyond.

The interview begins…

Interviewer: Welcome to these interview series, Neus. Let’s get started. First of, could you share with us a bit about your research area and the projects you’re currently working on?

Neus Ferrer: Throughout my career, I’ve mainly focused my projects on the production of recombinant proteins. In this field, I’ve worked on many areas related to biomedicine, primarily cancer and antibiotic resistance. Lately, I’ve been more focused on the latter: exploring new alternatives or synergistic possibilities with the use of antibiotics.

Antibiotic resistance is often referred to as the “new pandemic”, a massive issue. Many of us know people affected by antibiotic resistance: infections that aren’t detected in time or are misdiagnosed, which leads to resistance. this is sometimes the case of nosocomial infections. This requires us to update our tools to fight these resistant infectious agents. Could you tell us more about the strategies you use to tackle this problem?

Neus: Based on our understanding of how organisms interact with these microorganisms to overcome infections and how they communicate to inhibit or proliferate, we extract the factors that help control microorganisms and formulate them to interact at the infection site. All this is done using the same biological language that exists in these relationships. It’s basically combining the natural mechanisms that we and the scientific community have been investigating and discovering.

Could you give us a recent example of a strategy you’ve used in a project or publication you’re working on?

Neus: Yes, for example, we recently worked on producing proteins with notable antimicrobial activity: lysins. These are used by bacteriophages after completing their cycle [within the bacteria] to release themselves into the environment, meaning they can lyse and eliminate bacteria. Using this activity, we can also formulate these proteins to act on microorganisms in a somewhat specific way —not entirely, but it can be modulated.

Interesting. Tell us a bit about yourself on a personal level. What motivated you to pursue a career in science? What sparked that curiosity that all scientists seem to have?

Neus: I suppose it’s the curiosity of wanting to understand why we’re here, what we are, and how life works. How we function on a molecular level, how these interactions happen. I think it’s about finding meaning in what we do here, answering the question of where we’re going and what we’re doing.

That curiosity seems to be a common thread. Many people I’ve interviewed say the same thing. Have you had any “Eureka” moments in your career? Anything that stands out as your biggest contribution to your field, either professionally or personally?

Neus: I don’t think I’ve had any major “Eureka” moments, but rather several moderately intense ones. I remember during my PhD, at the time, recombinant techniques weren’t widely used yet, so I had to purify a protein from its natural origin, which was a very long and tedious process. When I finally managed to purify and identify the protein, that was a real “Eureka” moment for me —more on a personal level than in a professional one.
Later on, I had another moment while looking back at my work and reviewing the progress in recombinant proteins in the biopharmaceutical field. Summarizing and reflecting on the field was another significant “Eureka” for me because it allowed me to consolidate my experience along with that of others and present it in a way that could be useful to others.

It must be gratifying to see how much progress has been made with recombinant techniques, which you witnessed at their inception. Could you explain the recombinant technique to a general audience?

Neus: In biological systems, proteins perform numerous functions, but there are control mechanisms, and they’re only produced when needed. If you identify a protein with a function that’s useful for biomedicine, in natural systems, you typically have very small amounts. This was a drawback because you needed large quantities to get a little of the target protein. With molecular biology techniques, it’s possible to introduce genetic material into a cell artificially, making the cell produce a specific protein. This allows for large-scale production, which was revolutionary.

“With molecular biology techniques, it’s possible to introduce genetic material into a cell artificially, making the cell produce a specific protein. This allows for large-scale production, which was revolutionary.”

— Dr Neus Ferrer

By introducing external genes, you’re essentially turning organisms into protein factories. But earlier, you mentioned lysins, which are designed to kill bacteria. How do you prevent the bacteria from dying as they produce these proteins?

Neus: That’s an interesting question. Initially, we thought there would be difficulties producing these proteins within bacterial cells, as they have the activity of lysing them. However, we selected lysins that could theoretically be produced in our best prokaryotic production system, Escherichia coli. Additionally, we formulated the proteins in a way that they form small protein nanoparticles, reducing the biological activity within the cell.

So, the proteins naturally form these structures, preventing the bacteria from being affected by the lysins. Fascinating. Moving on to a more personal topic: What advice would you give to young people considering a career in science?

Neus: I’d encourage them to be brave, especially women. We need more women in science because society is 50% women, and science should reflect that. They should believe they can achieve the same or more than men, and I pass the torch to both men and women to move forward with their ideas.

What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your scientific career?

Neus: Job stability is the biggest challenge. The field is very competitive, and you have to give your 150-200%. But if you have that curiosity and motivation, you need to keep pushing forward. There are many success stories, like mine, where we’ve stabilized later in my career. So, I encourage everyone with that curiosity to pursue it and keep trying.

What support have you found most helpful in your career?

Neus: Collaboration is key. It’s crucial to share ideas and work as a team. Many opportunities arise from collaborations, whether it’s through partnerships or learning about new opportunities.

That’s far from the fictional image of the lone scientist in a lab. Collaboration is essential. And this is exactly what NANBIOSIS promotes. Can you tell us about the Unit you work in within NANBIOSIS and your role in it?

Neus: I’m in Unit 1, the Protein Production Platform (PPP), where I’m the scientific director. Since 2007, we’ve worked on over 400 projects, interacting with CIBER groups, companies, hospitals, technology centers and universities, including the university we are located at, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

That’s a beautiful journey from your early thesis days to leading a platform that returns research to society. How does NANBIOSIS contribute to academic research?

Neus: We’ve seen how our support helps researchers grow their projects in a wide variety of areas. We centralize knowledge and offer methodologies that would take years for groups to develop on their own. The projects that we work in are from a high level of complexity. It’s a challenging, but very rewarding role.

What about the private sector? How can NANBIOSIS contribute to the industry?

Neus: We’ve collaborated with the industry at various levels, helping with basic research and diagnostics. It’s different from academic work, but equally gratifying. Though you might not see the results for years, knowing you’ve contributed to a product reaching a patient is very fulfilling.

NANBIOSIS has Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions (CEBS) that present synergies between the Units in the network. How do these help solve market problems?

Neus: We offer a platform that can assist clients through the process, from basic research to a pre-clinical stage. Our expertise in recombinant proteins is crucial for this, and we are capable of producing recombinant proteins of any kind. We have the know-how and the capabilities for doing si.

How has NANBIOSIS contributed to your career?

Neus: NANBIOSIS has allowed me to materialize my knowledge into a platform that can pass this on to the future —whether through students or external clients. It’s a way to give back. We see this in a daily basis, because there are always students that come along with us who learn our methodologies. Our external clients also learn from us if they need it, not just providing them with services. For me, NANBIOSIS is all that: the ability, one way or another, to trasnfer the knowledge I acquired during all these years and make it tangible.

Thank you, Neus, for your time and insights.

Neus: Thank you! See you again.

This interview is fully available in Spanish in our Youtube channel (click 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:

Latest breakthroughs in pulmonary drug delivery and cancer research at NANBIOSIS

On World Pharmacists’ Day, NANBIOSIS Units highlighted for breakthroughs in pulmonary drug delivery and cancer research, advancing treatments for respiratory diseases and brain cancer.

Barcelona and Zaragoza, September 2024. On World Pharmacists Day, we celebrate the vital contributions pharmacists make, not only in patient care but also in groundbreaking research that is shaping the future of healthcare. This year 2024, we want to give this significant date a little twist: by showcasing a few examples of how our Units are contributing to healthcare and new pharmaceutical approaches. Two key NANBIOSIS units —Unit 9 and Unit 25— are at the forefront of said scientific advancements, offering promising solutions for respiratory diseases and cancer treatments.

Innovative pulmonary drug delivery

One of the most appealing means to treat respiratory diseases is the delivery directly into the lungs by the use of aerosols containing the drug. This allows having a highly concentrated drug dose in the affected tissue, without exposing the rest of the body to it. However, when done as a dry aerosol powder, this strategy suffers an important drawback: the difficult dispersion of solid particles whose sizes are in the micron or even nanometric scale, which tend to form clusters and larger structures and thus hindering the delivery. And this is where Unit 9 comes to play.

In collaboration with the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), our researchers M. Pilar Lobera, Jesús Santamaría and their coworkers, have made remarkable strides in improving this type of pulmonary drug delivery. They have developed an advanced aerosol generator that addresses key limitations in traditional inhalers, including inconsistent dosing and poor control of particle size.

“All nanoparticles used in the validation of this method of aerosolization were synthesized by Unit 9, using coprecipitation, microfluidics or electro-spraying methods.”

— M. Pilar Lobera

This aerosol generator delivers highly dispersed particles directly to the alveoli, the deepest part of the lungs where drug absorption is most effective. The technology offers several crucial benefits:

• Precise particle control for targeted lung delivery, free of aggregates.
• Improved bioavailability, ensuring more effective treatment targeting the alveoli and other targeted regions within the lungs.
• Reproducible dosing across different patients, regardless of how damaged is their lung function.

These advances have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Capable of aerosolizing a wide range of particles containing diverse biomolecules, including proteins and peptides, the device also shows promise for inhaled vaccines.

In testing, the device achieved a fourfold increase in alveolar deposition compared to current inhalers, with 99% of particles sized optimally for deep lung delivery, all the way into the alveoli. This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in making inhaled therapies more effective and accessible for patients.

Advancing cancer research

Meanwhile, at NANBIOSIS Unit 25, located at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), researchers are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment through cutting-edge imaging technologies. Ana Paula Candiota explains to us how their Bruker 7T MRI/MRS/MRSI preclinical scanner allows scientists to noninvasively monitor cancer progression in live animal models. This is particularly interesting in orthotopic models, where tumors grow in their natural location. This technology is crucial for accurately assessing the efficacy of new cancer drugs over time, offering an advantage over traditional subcutaneous models.

One of the standout projects at Unit 25 involved testing a novel treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Researchers used intranasally administered Catechol-Based Pt(IV) Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles encapsulating cisplatin. This innovative approach reduced the drug’s toxicity while maintaining its effectiveness, showing great promise for noninvasive cancer therapies.

“The encapsulation aimed to reduce cisplatin’s toxicity, and the study yielded promising results.”

— Ana Paula Candiota

The work being done at Unit 25 highlights the importance of advanced technology and collaboration in the fight against cancer. By enabling more precise evaluation of drug effectiveness and reducing harmful side effects, these innovations bring us closer to more targeted, patient-friendly treatments.

For more information about this research, see the original article here: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071221

Celebrating Pharmacists’ impact on research and healthcare

The groundbreaking research taking place at NANBIOSIS Units 9 and 25 reminds us of the essential role pharmacists play, not only in providing care but also in driving medical innovation. Whether that means improving drug delivery systems for respiratory diseases or developing noninvasive cancer treatments, their work is shaping a healthier future for all.

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:

Gene Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis: new inspiring scientific collaboration

Researchers are advancing gene therapies for cystic fibrosis using non-viral delivery methods, focusing on patient needs and innovative treatments.

Basque Country, September, 2024 – As the world comes together to mark World Cystic Fibrosis Day, from NANBIOSIS we want to highlight the collaborative efforts between our Unit 10 “Drug Formulation” (U10), the University of the Basque Country, and the Cystic Fibrosis Patient Association of the Basque Country (Arnasa) in the fight against this genetic condition. Together, our institutions are advancing the development of gene therapies aimed at treating this life-threatening hereditary disease.

Gene Therapy: A new frontier in treating Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the CFTR gene, which affects the respiratory and digestive systems. Traditional treatments focus on managing symptoms, but the emergence of gene therapy offers new hope for a more effective, long-term solution. Gene therapy introduces functional copies of the mutated gene or corrects specific mutations, addressing the disease at its genetic root.

Unit 10, located at the NanoBioCel research group and led by Prof. José Luis Pedraz and Dr. Idoia Gallego Garrido from the University of the Basque Country, is leading the development of non-viral gene-editing systems to deliver therapies for CF. These systems are being tested in both 2D and 3D in vitro models of cystic fibrosis, offering a cutting-edge approach to targeting the disease.

In a recent interview, Lucía Enríquez, one of our researchers at Unit 10, explained, “Cystic fibrosis is a disease that often involves lung pathology, though it is not the only one. We work on developing therapies that are non-invasive, often of genetic origin, applying the most cutting-edge and effective techniques possible.”

Innovative delivery platforms: A key to success

While viral vectors have historically been used for gene therapy delivery, they present certain risks and limitations, including immune responses and insertional mutagenesis. This has spurred interest in the development of non-viral vectors, such as niosomes and lipid nanoparticles, which offer a safer alternative for gene delivery.

NanoBioCel’s research explores the potential of niosome formulations, in which non-ionic surfactants replace phospholipids, and other promising technologies like nanodiamonds, known for their biocompatibility and scalability. These non-viral vectors are poised to offer a more secure, efficient method for delivering gene therapies, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of CF.

One of the most exciting areas of research is the development of a non-invasive, inhalation-based gene delivery system. This method targets the lungs directly, making it a promising solution for CF, which primarily affects the respiratory system. However, this route presents unique challenges, as genetic material must overcome both intracellular and extracellular barriers within the lungs. Our research team is currently working on designing an efficient aerosol-based delivery system to overcome these hurdles.

A patient-centered approach: Collaboration with Arnasa

The partnership between NanoBioCel and Arnasa, the Cystic Fibrosis Patient Association of the Basque Country, is central to the success of this project. Arnasa plays a critical role in ensuring that the research is focused on the real-world needs of patients living with CF. By providing insight into the patient experience and highlighting the most pressing challenges, Arnasa helps guide the development of therapies that can significantly improve the quality of life for CF patients.

Arnasa’s commitment to advocacy and patient support has been instrumental in raising awareness about cystic fibrosis and the importance of investing in innovative research, especially during occasions like World Cystic Fibrosis Day.

Looking to the future

Unit 10 and its collaborators remain dedicated to advancing gene therapies and non-invasive treatments for cystic fibrosis. Through the integration of cutting-edge technology and patient-focused research, they aim to not only improve existing treatments but also create new therapeutic avenues that offer greater hope to those affected by this debilitating condition.

On World Cystic Fibrosis Day, we are reminded of the importance of continued research, collaboration, and awareness to drive progress and deliver better outcomes for patients worldwide.

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: