News

The hidden brain activity

Researchers of NANBIOSIS Unit 8 Micro and nano techonlogy unit, (Institut de Microelectrònica de Barcelona-CNM-CSIC/ CIBER-BBN ), led by Anton Guimera are coauthors of recently published article in the scientific magazine Nature Materials about the hidden brain activity, entitled “High-resolution mapping of infraslow cortical brain activity enabled by graphene microtransistors “

Recording infraslow brain signals (<0.1 Hz) with microelectrodes is severely hampered by current microelectrode materials, primarily due to limitations resulting from voltage drift and high electrode impedance. Hence, most recording systems include high-pass filters that solve saturation issues but come hand in hand with loss of physiological and pathological information. In this work, we use flexible epicortical and intracortical arrays of graphene solution-gated field-effect transistors (gSGFETs) to map cortical spreading depression in rats and demonstrate that gSGFETs are able to record, with high fidelity, infraslow signals together with signals in the typical local field potential bandwidth. The wide recording bandwidth results from the direct field-effect coupling of the active transistor, in contrast to standard passive electrodes, as well as from the electrochemical inertness of graphene. Taking advantage of such functionality, we envision broad applications of gSGFET technology for monitoring infraslow brain activity both in research and in the clinic.

Article of reference:

Masvidal-Codina, E., Illa, X., Dasilva, M. et al. High-resolution mapping of infraslow cortical brain activity enabled by graphene microtransistors. Nature Mater18, 280–288 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-018-0249-4

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Meshes in a mess: Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapies for soft tissue reinforcement

Unit 14 of Nanbiosis of Cell Therapy, led by Javier García Casado, has published a review on advances in the development of surgical meshes combined with stem cells. The work of the Nanbiosis team has been published in the prestigious journal “Acta Biomaterialia”

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Nanobiosensors for the monitoring of brain lesions

On March 11, the first meeting of the European project ABISens “Monitoring of Acquired Brain Injury and recovery biomarkers by the combined label-free nanoSensing of multiple circulating molecules” was held at the facilities of the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ICN2.

This new initiative aims to offer a new platform for photonic nanobiosensors that allows the identification and quantification of multiple brain biomarkers in blood with high sensitivity and in a short time. The new platform will use nanophotonic circuits in combination with the chemistry of oligonucleotides.

Two units of NANBIOSIS participate in the project Unit 4 Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit, led by Laura Lechuga, as coordinator of the EURONANOMED-III project and recenttly incorporated unit 29 of Oligonucleotide Synthesis Platform lead by Ramón Eritja. The project, which will also work with researchers from the Maugeri Spa Società Benefit Clinical Institute (ICSM) of Italy and researchers from the University of Bordeaux (UNIBO) in France, responds to the clinical need to evaluate patients after brain injuries that cause disabilities serious. The final tool developed after the project will be validated in samples of 40 patients with brain injury.

The project, which will last for 3 years and has a budget of more than € 700,000, is financed by the call for transnational research projects in nanomedicine, within the framework of the European research network ERA-NET Cofund EURONANOMED III (2016- 2021) “European Innovative Research & Technological Development Projects in Nanomedicine (ENM III)”. At a national level, the Carlos III Health Institute will be the entity that will finance the coordinating group of CIBER-BBN

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“Matrioskas” of nanoparticles, a new therapeutic approach against tuberculosis

Researchers of NANBIOSIS U9 Synthesis of Nanoparticles Unit Manuel Arruebo and Víctor Sebastián have participated in a research published in the journal Nanomedicine

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that poses a serious public health problem and, according to WHO data, 10.4 million people became ill with tuberculosis and 1.7 million died in 2016. Therefore, advance in the development of new tools for diagnosis and treatment is essential and the use of nanoparticles could open a new horizon to deal with the infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

In this line, researchers from the CIBER at the University of Zaragoza, and at the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, have demonstrated the superior effectiveness in-vitro after the use of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with rifampin. (one of the drugs used in combination for the treatment of tuberculosis), compared to the effect of the free antibiotic.

Researchers have encapsulated rifampicin in nanoparticles, which in turn have been encapsulated in ‘Matrioskas’ type macroparticles, resistant to the acid pH of the stomach. In this way, the microparticles could be administered orally, a non-invasive way and well accepted by the patient, resist gastric degradation and reach the intestine. There the PLGA nanoparticles loaded with the anti-tuberculosis drug would be released and cross the intestinal wall to reach the systemic circulation and potentially the alveolar macrophages infected by the intracellular pathogen, co-locating the antibiotic-laden nanoparticles with the pathogenic agent. Nowadays rifampicin is administered orally, however it is well known that up to 26% of the dose delivered is degraded in the stomach.

These nanoparticles were able to migrate through an in-vitro epithelial membrane that mimics the intestinal wall and thus be able to fulfill its function of transport and controlled release of the encapsulated drug, which in this way avoids contact with digestive enzymes and with low pH. “This study will lay the foundations for future research based on nanoparticles, aimed at the in vivo evaluation of these nanoparticles with antibiotics in mice infected with tuberculosis,” explains CIBERES researcher José Domínguez.

The researchers of this study initiated their collaboration thanks to the TARMAC project, funded thanks to an initiative of the CIBER-BBN, the CIBERES and the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR). This project focused on the development of new tools for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, particularly tuberculosis.

Article of reference: Vanesa Andreu, Ane Larrea, Pablo Rodriguez-Fernandez, Salvador Alfaro, Begoña Gracia, Ainhoa Lucía, Laura Usón, Andromeda-Celeste Gomez, Gracia Mendoza, Alicia Lacoma, Jose Dominguez, Cristina Prat, Victor Sebastian, José Antonio Ainsa & Manuel Arruebo. Matryoshka-type gastro-resistant microparticles for the oral treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/full/10.2217/nnm-2018-0258

From CIBER-BBN news

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Micro & nano(bio)technology for Diagnosis: Changes and Challenges

Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) participated as Keynote speakers at the Second European Biosensor Symposium (EBS2019) taking about “Micro & nano(bio)technology for Diagnosis: Changes and Challenges” at the 2nd European Biosensor Symposium 2019 that took place in Florence (Italy) Last February 18-21.

The EBS brougth toguether young scientists, experienced researchersand companies to push forward new approaches on biosensor and and their applications,

Pilar Marco spoke abaut the changes ocurred on the field of Diagnosis since the days of “house calls”, relying primarily on physical examination, to nowadays in which a wide portfolio of biochemical analytical tests is available, and pointed out the challenge to improve knowledge in microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip technologies, system integration, device automation, and signal readout, as well as simultaneously measure distinct sets of biomolecular features on a reproducible and reliable manner. Prof. Marco also gave some examples of technological alternatives to circumvent these limitations in the clinical diagnostic field.

Pictures by Rudolf Schneider https://bit.ly/2T0yYNi

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The European Union highlights the relevance of the JUMISC’s Cutting-Edge Infraestructures and Technology, recognized as ICTS.

Jesús Usón Minimally Invasive Surgery Center (JUMISC), from Cáceres, partnert of NANBIOSIS, has recently made headlines on the website of the European Commission as an innovative center for Biomedical and Health Research.

In the interview to his Director, Francisco Miguel Sanchez Margallo, he explained how European Funds allowed Infraestructures and Vanguard Technology for biomedical research at the CCMIJU, which have already been recognized, as part of NANBIOSIS, with CIBER-BBN and BIONAND, as “Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure” (ICTS).

Complete news at European Commision’s Website: https://ec.europa.eu/spain/news/investeu_caceres_es

https://ec.europa.eu/spain/news/investeu_caceres_es

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GLP Analytical Validation Study in Different Animal Species

Beatriz Moreno Lobato and Francisco Miguel Sánchez Margallo, Scientific Director and Coordinator of NANBIOSIS unit 19 Clinical tests lab at CCMIJU, have reclently published an study in the journal Thrombosis & Haemostasis: Research, with the aim to contribute with methodological results data to help the researcher to establish the validation of the analytical methods used within the research.

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system of management controls to ensure the uniformity, consistency, reliability, reproducibility, quality, and integrity of pre-clinical safety tests.

In the study, different hematological parameters (WBC, RBC, HB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and PLT) were validated in pig, sheep, dog and rabbit, calculatting the repeatability and the intermediate precision . The obtained results were statistically analyzed; the mean, the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation were calculated.

The study results ensure the quality and integrity of the measurements obtained in the CCMIJU Clinical tests lab (unit 19 of NANBIOSIS), which is necessary in the performance of preclinical studies.

Article of reference: Moreno-Lobato B and Sánchez-Margallo FM. Analytical Validation Study of Hematological Parameters under Good Laboratory Practice Regulations in Different Laboratory Animal Species. Thromb Haemost Res. 2019; 3(1): 1018.

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PILAR MARCO, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U2, interviewed by CIBER-BBN ISCIII Bulletin

Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) has been highlighted in the January Bulletin of CIBER-BBN ISCIII

In the interview, among other topics Prof. Pilar Marco talks about diagnostic devices based on nanobiosensors and the extraordinary impact that these technologies could have on health in the coming decades.

Her research group Nb4D (Nanobiotechnology for Diagnosis) has an important collection of specific antibodies for different biomarkers and the CIBER-BNN/IQAC-CSIS platform CAbS (Custom Antibody Service) that constitutes the unit 2 of NANBIOSIS, they offer the possibility of producing specific and immunoreactive antibodies with the necessary expertise to generate antibodies “a la carte”, that is, being able to modulate to some extent the affinity and selectivity of these biomolecules, depending on the needs of each project. “And we do this, -Prof Marco explains- not only for molecules with high immunogenic capacity such as most proteins, but also for low molecular weight molecules, which in themselves are not capable of generating an immune response”. They are also able to chemically modify these antibodies and bind them to nanoparticles with defined optical, electrochemical or magnetic properties, thus converting them into nanoprobes able to detect biomarkers and generate an optical or electrochemical signal. We can also incorporate them in a controlled manner in transducer devices designed based on the latest advances in micro (nano) electronics to develop a new generation of diagnostic devices, much more sensitive and reliable, capable of providing quick answers and allowing a more accurate diagnosis early and accurate.

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NANBIOSIS Scientific Women in the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Today February 11 is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a day to raise awareness of the gender gap in science and technology.

According to the United Nations, while yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science, science and gender equality are vital to achieve the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Thus, in recent years, the international community has made a great effort to inspire and promote the participation of women and girls in science.

NANBIOSIS wants to acknowledge the efforts made by scientific women who struggle every day to contribute their bit to Science and highlight their essential role in nowadays research. Especially we want to recognize the work of scientists women involved in our units, whatever is the nature of their contribution: technical, scientific development, management, coordination, direction, etc; just to mention some examples:
Neus Ferrer in the Scientific Direction of Unit 1 Protein Production Platform (PPP)
Pilar Marco and Nuria Pascual in the Management and Scientific Coordination of U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS)
Miriam Royo in the Scientific Direction of U3 Synthesis of Peptides Unit
Laura Lechuga and M.Carmen Estevez in the Direction and Scientific Coordination of U4 Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit
Nora Ventosa and Nathaly Segovia in the Scientific Direction and Technical Coordination of U6 Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit
Isabel Oliveira and Teresa Galán in the Coordination of U7 Nanotecnology Unit
Rosa Villa and Gemma Gabriel in the Management and Scientific Coordination of U8 Micro – Nano Technology Unit
Gema Martínez in the Scientific Coordination of U9 Synthesis of Nanoparticles Unit
Fany Peña in the Scientific Coordination of U13 Tissue & Scaffold Characterization Unit
Mª Luisa González Martín in the of Direction and Scientific Coordination of U16 Tissue & Scaffold Characterization Unit
Gemma Pascual and Isabel Trabado in the Coordination of the U17 Confocal Microscopy Service
Mª Virtudes Céspedes in the Scientific Coordination of U18 Nanotoxicology Unit
Beatriz Moreno in the Scientific Direction of Unit 19 Clinical tests lab
Ibane Abásolo in the Scientific Coordination of Unit 20 In Vivo Experimental Platform t
Verónica Crisóstomo in the Scientific Direction of Unit 24 Medical Imaging
Ana Paula Candiota in the Scientific Coordination of Unit 25 Biomedical Applications I
Maria Luisa García in the Scientific Direction of U28 NanoImaging Unit from Bionand, recently incorporated to NANBIOSIS

Thanks to all of you and your teams!

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Label-free bacteria quantification in blood plasma by a bioprinted microarray based interferometric point-of-care device

Prof Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U4 Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit is coauthor of an article publish by ACS Sonsors that shows a portable and autonomous device based on optical interferometry that, when used with specialized nanoplasmonic, can detect directly bacterial cells of the patient’s blood plasma.

The work demonstrates the potential of a microarray based POC device for bacteria quantification. The contribution of NANBIOSIS, in particular Unit 4, has been fundamental by providing the molecular printers necessary for the generation of the biofunctionalized specific microarrayed chips used for the bacteria detection.

P. Dey, N. Fabri-Faja, O. Calvo-Lozano, R. Terborg, A. Belushkin, F. Yesilköy, A. Fàbrega, J. C. Ruiz-Rodriguez, R. Ferrer, J. J. González-López, M. C. Estévez, H. Altug, V. Pruneri, L. M. Lechuga. Label-free bacteria quantification in blood plasma by a bioprinted microarray based interferometric point-of-care device. ACS Sens., 2019, 4 (1), pp 52–60 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.8b00789

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