News

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: