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A CO2 optical sensor based on self-assembled metal–organic framework nanoparticles

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a known pollutant that affects the performance of humans in workplaces, schools and other indoor areas. Thus, the development of devices for sensing and monitoring CO₂ levels is crucial for many fields such as food packaging and for human safety indoors. Researchers of NANBIOSIS U4. Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit, led by Prof. Laura M. Lechuga, are co-authors of the article “A CO2 optical sensor based on self-assembled metal–organic framework nanoparticles published by Journal of Materials Chemistry A., wich shows an optical CO₂ sensor fabricated by integration of a metal–organic framework (MOF) onto bimodal optical waveguides.

The sensor showed a broad linear response, with limit of detections of 3130 ppm at room temperature and 774 ppm at 278 K; values that are below the threshold for CO₂ monitoring in food packaging and for human safety indoors. Furthermore, it is robust, selective, fast and reusable, and can be stored under humid conditions with no loss in performance. The results should enable the development of fully integrated MOF-based sensors for in situ gas sensing and other in situ practical applications.

Article reference:

Blanca Chocarro-Ruiz, Javier Pérez-Carvajal, Civan Avci, Olalla Calvo-Lozano, Maria Isabel Alonso, Daniel Maspoch and Laura M. Lechuga. A CO₂ optical sensor based on self-assembled metal–organic framework nanoparticles. J. Mater. Chem. A, 2018, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C8TA02767F

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NANOMEDICINE APPLICATIONS IN DRUG DELIVERY AND TARGETING: NANBIOSIS – NANOMED Industrial Forum

Yesterday took place in Barcelona, at Barcelona School of Management, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, a meeting of resarch groups and units of NANBIOSIS and CIBER-BBN and companies in the third B2B Forum organized by NANBIOSIS, in this case together with NANOMED SPAIN.

Thirteen companies and twelve groups from CIBER-BBN and CCMIJU (ten of them coordinating NANBIOSIS units) got together to explain, through short presentations of ten minutes, those lines of their work aimed at finding synergies and potential collaborations in the area of Nanomedicine apllications in drug delivery and targeting. There was also a talk by a representative of CDTI (Spanish National Center for Industrial and Technological Development) to explain the financing opportunities for the companies as well as a presentation by the NANBIOSIS Coordinator, Jesús Izco, to show the new Cutting Edge Biomedical Solutions offered by the ICTS-NANBIOSIS.

After lunch, the groups and companies had the opportunity to discuss in more detail, during bilateral interviews coordinated by NANBIOSIS a, those aspects that had attracted their attention, as well as, in some cases, to draw potential collaborations. The event was successfully developed with 45 attendees and more than 50 individual B2B mettings.

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Infections such as Candiasis will be detected in 30 minutes

Ramón Martínez Máñez, Elena Aznar and Ángela Ribes, researchers of Unit 26 of NANBIOSIS, NMR: Biomedical Applications II, in collaboration with researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València, with the Universitari i Politècnic La Fe Hospital and the Rovira i Virgili University, have developed a new material that allows to detect quickly and with a high sensitivity infections caused by Candida albicans, a type of fungus that can be found in different biological fluids, causing opportunistic infections such as Candidemia or Invasive Candidiasis.

According to Javier Pemán, head of section and head of the Mycology Unit of the Microbiology Service of the Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe,” infections are difficult to identify early, very frequent in most Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and represent an important challenge in critical patients”.

Currently, these infections are diagnosed by culturing the biological fluid to be studied and subsequent identification of yeast isolated by different microbiological techniques whose results can take between 3 and 4 days. Meanwhile, with this new material and method – patented by the UPV, the CIBER, the Hospital La Fe and the URV – the diagnostic time is reduced to only 30 minutes.

“The tests can be carried out quickly and practically in the same consultation in which the patient sample is taken, significantly reducing the equipment necessary to detect the presence of Candida albicans. Our work facilitates the diagnosis and medical decision-making, through the use of a powerful and fast tool to detect the infection”, says Ramón Martínez Máñez, scientific director of the CIBER-BBN and director of the IDM Institute at the UPV, as well as scientific director of NANBIOSIS U26.

Nanoporous films with molecular doors

The material developed by the CIBER-BBN research gourp, led by Ramón Martínez Máñez, is about nanoporous alumina films that incorporate “molecular doors” based on oligonucleotides. The characterization has been carried out in Unit 26 of NANBIOSIS, NMR: Biomedical Applications II.

“They are constituted by a porous inorganic support that is loaded with a dye and by simple strands of DNA. These strands are anchored to the surface of the support and act as “molecular doors” that inhibit the release of the indicator “, explains Ramón Martínez Máñez.

In addition, according to Professor Lluis Marsal, from the Rovira i Virgili University, the type of support used greatly simplifies the methodology of the experiment.

On how to detect the infection, Professor Martínez Máñez explains that the simple strands of DNA are selected taking into account a specific sequence of Candida albicans.

“When the presence of the DNA of this fungus is noticed, it interacts with the molecular door, the pores open and that is when the release of the dye that is inside the nanoporous support takes place, thus detecting the infection,” adds Elena Aznar , researcher of the CIBER-BBN in the IDM-UPV.

The diagnostic material is now in the clinical validation phase, thanks to the funding obtained through the CANDI-GATE project granted by the Polytechnic University of Valencia and the La Fe Health Research Institute and led by M. Angeles Tormo and Elena Aznar and through the CANDI-EYE valuation project granted by the CIBER-BBN and led by Elena Aznar.

Patent of reference:

“Porous material for the detection of Candida albicans, diagnostic method that uses it and method of preparation of it”. Spanish application pattent P201731069 2017-09-05.

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NANBIOSIS working on the development of next generation catheters

NANBIOSIS’ partners CIBER-BBN and JUMISC, with another 44 European partners, led by Philips Electronics Nederland B.V, will work on the development of next genration catheters.

The project, Position-II (Ref. n. 783132), that pretends to diversify the production of smart catheters (overcoming the obsolescence of current ones), improve their performance (facilitating their use to be smaller), reduce current production costs and break existing monopolies, has been submitted to the Call for Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL)- Horizon 2020, with a duration of three years -starting on 1/6/18- and with a budget of over €41M, (€10.4M-financed by European Union)

The objective of the participation of JUMISC in Position-II is to develop new catheters that, in combination with hydrogels and cell therapy, will have a regenerative effect to stimulate the recovery of cardiac areas damaged by heart attacks. NANBIOSIS U10. Drug Formulation, of CIBER-BBN, at UPV-EHU, coordinated by José Luis Pedraz and Jsús Ciriza, will microencapsulate the cells to be test and administered in porcine model at the JUMISC to validate the designed catheter.

The kick-off of the Eurpean project under Grant Agreement Ecsel-783132- POSOTION II 2017-IA took place on June 5 to 7 in Rotterdam, representatives of the NANBIOSIS-ICTS Steering Committee, unit 10 and unit 24 were present.

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Institutional impulse to accelerate 3D printing projects

Elisabeth Engel, Scientific Director of Unit 5 of NANBIOSIS, U5. Rapid Prototyping Unit, will led the research project, QuirofAM, to produce biodegradable and bioactive scaffolds printed in 3D as osteochondral and maxillofacial substitutes.

This is one of the projects to be promoted by LLAVOR 3D Community, an association of Catalan entities, created last month, which includes the IBEC (housing units 5 and 7 of NANBIOSIS). LLAVOR 3D Community aims to accelerate the development and adoption of additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies by the industry.

Within the projects of the LLAVOR 3D Community, new software tools, new materials, more efficient and versatile production processes, new post processes and surface treatments as well as new 3D printing applications will be developed, contributing to the creation of an R & D ecosystem in additive manufacturing technologies reinforcing the position of Catalonia as an international benchmark.

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Intestinal histopathological changes in a porcine model of pneumoperitoneum-induced intra-abdominal hypertension

Francisco Miguel Sánchez Margallo, Scientific Director of JUMISC, is co-author of the publication “Intestinal histopathological changes in a porcine model of pneumoperitoneum-induced intra-abdominal hypertension” by Surgical Endoscopy.

The study was performed with the participation of NANBIOSIS Units: U21-Experimental operating rooms, and U22-Animal housing. and showed that the evolution of intestinal injuries from pneumoperitoneum-induced IAH depends on the degree of IAP, these damages may be associated with decreases in APP and pH_i, and increases in Lc

For further information: click here

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Why research in micro-electronics? Neural interfaces, interaction between the nervous and the artificial system

Dra. Rosa Villa, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U8. Micro – Nano Technology Unit, explained last June, 11 at the Residence of Researchers of Barcelona the great scientific challenges in finding tools that allow a good interaction between the nervous and the artificial system.

This talk is part of the series of conferences organized by the CNM with the theme “Why research in micro-electronics?” Dr. Manuel Lozano, Director of the CNM, introduced the talk explaining that with microelectronic technology scientists can capture the signals that occur in the nerves and in the brain and presented Rosa Villa as a doctor with a PhD in cochlear implants (electronic medical devices that perform the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain). Dr. Villa now directs the group of biomedical applications of the CNM that currently uses nano technologies in their research. Her training in medicine and microelectronics has allowed her to tackle electronic-based projects with biomedical application. Her lines of research are focused, nowadays, on neural interfaces and on organ-on-chip technology, (a multi-channel 3-D microfluidic cell culture chip that simulates the activities, mechanics and physiological response of the entire organs and organ systems, the group of Dr. Villa works mainly the liver, very useful for the test of drug patho-toxicity).

In this talk, Rosa Villa explains her second line research of neural interfaces, the development of suitable interfaces between the biological systems and electronic devices and how they study the improvement of the necessary technologies to restore the motor skills or to know how the brain works applying microelectronic techniques. These investigations run into the main problems of biocompatibility and conectivity and Rosa Villa shows us her letter to Santa Claus to solve them and how graphene is being of great help.

You can see the whole conference clicking here

The video includes a funny class by Eli Prats to produce graphene at home.

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Interpretation of motion analysis of laparoscopic instruments based on principal component analysis in box trainer settings

Francisco Miguel Sánchez Margallo, Scientific Director of CCMIJU and NANBIOSIS U21. Experimental operating rooms, is co-author of the publication “Interpretation of motion analysis of laparoscopic instruments based on principal component analysis in box trainer settings” published by Surgical Endoscopy

The study results show that three new HSMAPs per hand were defined for PG and PC tasks, and two per hand for KS task. PG presented validity for HSMAPs related to insecurity and economy of space. PC showed validity for HSMAPs related to cutting efficacy, peripheral unawareness, and confidence. Finally, KS presented validity for HSMAPs related with economy of space and knotting securitya. Thus, PCA-defined HSMAPs can be used for technical skills’ assessment. Construct validation and expert knowledge can be combined to infer how competences are acquired in box trainer tasks. These findings can be exploited to provide residents with meaningful feedback on performance. Future works will compare the new HSMAPs with valid scoring systems such as GOALS.

The study has been develloped with surgical facilities of high technology that allow in vivo efficacy assays of drugs, nanomedicines, biomaterials and others, performed at unit 21 of NANBIOSIS.

Article of reference: Oropesa, I., Escamirosa, F.P., Sánchez-Margallo, J.A. et al. Surg Endosc (2018) 32: 3096. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6022-6

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NANBIOSIS U2 incorporates a new Nitrogen tank to store cells

NANBIOSIS U2. Custom Antibody Service (CAbS), is incorporating new equipment as a result of its participation in the project FICTS1420-27, selected by the MINECO for co-financing by the FEDER Program in ICTS 2014-2020.

Recently the purchase and installation and set-up of a new nitrogen tank to store cells has taken place. The storage of cell lines of monoclonal antibody-producing hybridomas is a process in which the cells are conserved when they are cooled to temperatures typically at -196 ° C in liquid Nitrogen tanks. With temperatures below -130 ° C the activity Biological ceases and storage at these temperatures is vital to keep the material unaltered. The increasing activity of the NANBIOSIS U2 the makes necesary to incorporate a new tank of liquid Nitrogen for the storage of new hybridoma lines.

For further information:

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Graphene will be manufactured with greater economic and biomedical benefits at NANBIOSIS unit 8

The unit 8 of NANBIOSIS U8-Micro, nanotechnology, will offer HIGH-QUALITY GRAPHENE GROWN ON ONE-layer or multi-layer CU SHEETS, as well as graphene transferred to different rigid and flexible parylene substrates while preserving their valuable initial properties

This unit has recently upgraded the Aixtron Black Magic Pro 4-inch System for the growth of graphene. It has also been purchased, installed and set-up by the unit parylene deposition device on flexible substrates. With this acquisition the unit will be able to offer high quality graphene grown in monolayer or multilayer CU sheets, as well as graphene transferred to different rigid and flexible parylene substrates while preserving their valuable initial properties.

ICTS NANBIOSIS currently has a CVD equipment from the Aixtron house (model Aixtron BM 4 “) that is specifically designed for the growth of nanotubes and carbon nanofibers on defined areas, which in turn are compatible with the growth of graphene, However, due to differences in the temperature conditions of the growth of these different materials, this machine requires an upgrade to Aixtron BM Pro 4 “, which is the one contemplated here. This update has been previously made with success in other equipment installed in the United States, such as the Texas Instruments company.

The growth of graphene can be done on different substrates both rigid (pyrex, silicon, silicon carbides) and flexible polymers such as SU8, polymides etc. Currently in the ICTS NANBIOSIS are optimized the processes for the manufacture of devices in rigid and flexible substrates of SU8 and polymidas and now with this new acquisition will include the manufacture with materials such as parylene that will provide greater profitability in the processes as well as greater benefits biomedical and

This upgrade has been confinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Plurirregional Operational Program of Spain (POPE)2014-2020

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Nanoporous films with molecular doors