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Prof. Pilar Marco takes helm of CIBER-BBN: Leading the future of Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine

Barcelona, June 21, 2024 – Prof. Pilar Marco has been appointed as the new head of the Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) thematic area at the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER). This prestigious appointment was confirmed during the CIBER Governing Board meeting held on June 20, 2024. Prof. Marco succeeds Ramón Martínez, bringing a wealth of expertise and a distinguished track record in biomedical research for more than a decade.

Prof. Marco is a research professor at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), specifically at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) in Barcelona. Additionally, she leads the Nanobiotechnology for Diagnosis research group and is the Scientific Director of our Custom Antibody Service, the Unit 2 of NANBIOSIS, as well as the coordinator of the Nanomedicine Research Program at CIBER-BBN.

An expert in antibodies and immunoassays

Recognized as an international authority in antibody-based technologies and the development of immunoassays for diagnostic purposes, Prof. Marco’s impressive academic and research portfolio includes 225 published articles and the supervision of 32 doctoral theses. She has also served as Principal Investigator in 14 European projects and over 20 national projects.

Her contributions to scientific innovation are evident in her dedication to knowledge transfer. Prof. Marco holds 15 patents and has signed 36 contracts with various companies, six of which are for commercial exploitation. Her work aims to bridge the gap between research and practical applications, ultimately improving the quality of life in society.

A new chapter in scientific collaboration

In addition to her role at CIBER-BBN, Prof. Marco coordinates the Strategic Diagnostic Initiative of the PTI+ Global Health and serves on the Technical Committee of the National Center for Certification of Health Products. Her leadership and vision are expected to propel CIBER-BBN into new frontiers of research and development in bioengineering, biomaterials, and nanomedicine.

Pilar Marco, Fernando Artalejo and Didac Mauricio

Joining Prof. Marco in the new leadership appointments are Fernando Artalejo, who will head the CIBER for Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), and Didac Mauricio, who will lead the CIBER for Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM). Together, these appointments mark a significant step forward in CIBER’s mission to advance biomedical research and improve public health.

Prof. Pilar Marco’s vision and expertise are set to drive CIBER-BBN’s mission forward, enhancing its contributions to scientific discovery and the development of cutting-edge biomedical technologies. Her leadership promises to strengthen collaborations and foster innovations that will benefit both the scientific community and society at large.

We congratulate Prof. Marco on her new role and look forward to the remarkable advancements that will undoubtedly emerge under her guidance.

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:

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The fight against rare respiratory diseases: New hope in detection and treatment

Researchers from IQAC-CSIC advance towards faster detection and treatment of cystic fibrosis and rare respiratory diseases, improving patient outcomes.

28 February 2024, IQAC-CSIC (Barcelona)

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a progressive autosomal recessive disease. It is caused by a mutation in the gene encoding the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) protein, disrupting its exocrine activity. While CF affects various organs, its impact on the lungs is particularly severe. This disease leads to the accumulation of thick, sticky mucus, obstructing airways and trapping bacteria, resulting in significant infections and extensive lung damage. Consequently, individuals with CF are highly susceptible to respiratory tract infections. In this regard, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are among the most prevalent pathogens.

Early detection of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus in CF patients is crucial to eradicate these pathogens before the development of chronic colonization. Moreover, even after the chronic colonization occurs, proper control of the bacterial burden is necessary to minimize progressive lung deterioration. Currently, the gold standard for detecting these bacteria involves conventional bacterial culture methods. However, as in any infectious process, time is of the essence, and these techniques typically take 2 to 3 days to be confirmed. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop faster, more sensitive, and specific diagnostic methods.

In this context, the Nanobiotechnology for Diagnostics (Nb4D) group at the IQAC-CSIC, in which the Unit 2 of NANBIOSIS (CAbS) is integrated, focuses much of its research on bacterial communication systems, specifically Quorum Sensing (QS).

Quorum Sensing is a fascinating mechanism that allows bacteria to react to the presence of other bacteria. In other words, QS regulates bacterial gene expression in response to fluctuations in microbial population density. QS-sensitive bacteria produce and release signaling molecules called autoinducers (AIs). Just the detection of a minimum concentration of AIs triggers radical changes in gene expression, activating processes such as biofilm formation or virulence.

The QS system is well-characterized for both P. aeruginosa and S. aureus. This makes the detection of these AIs, or even QS-regulated virulence factors (VFs) (such as the aforementioned biofilm formation), a promising approach for bacterial identification. As a consequence, by knowing how AIs and VFs work, doctors can predict how an infection may progress. Much like a bacterial molecular fingerprint.

The research team of Nb4D and CAbS.

Thanks to their solid know-how, the Nb4D group has developed specific antibodies against AIs and VFs of both bacterial species. With that under their belt, this group has designed ELISA assays capable of detecting these molecules. Then, using this popular technique, they managed to run detection tests in approximately 2 hours, both in bacterial isolates and sputum human samples.

Additionally, our researchers are evaluating these antibodies as therapeutic agents using cell cultures, using their antibodies to block dangerous VFs and AIs. These studies are yielding promising results in mitigating the cytotoxic effects caused by the aforementioned VFs and AIs.

Detecting Alpha-1-antitrypsin protein

In addressing rare diseases related to the respiratory system, the Nb4D group is also involved in developing a device for detecting Alpha-1-antitrypsin protein. The genetic deficiency of this protein causes damage to the lungs and liver, affecting 1 in every 2500 individuals in Europe. Rapid and highly sensitive detection of Alpha-1-antitrypsin levels should enable immediate treatment initiation, thereby preventing potential complications.

This research line represents an example of clinical cooperation. It involves collaboration with clinical personnel from Hospital del Mar, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol (Barcelona), and Hospital Son Espases (Mallorca). In addition, the interest has peaked to the point of attracting funding such as State ‘Plan Estatal de I+D+I’, as well as a grant from the ‘Fundació La Marató’ of TV3, among other sources.

Through innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, the Nb4D group is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals affected by rare respiratory diseases. This involves their work in cystic fibrosis among other conditions, pushing forward the understanding and management of these challenging diseases.

This article is in the context of Rare Disease Day 2024. To stay up to date, visit our news section here.

Additional information:

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).

In order to access our biomedical Solutions, apply 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:

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From the molecule to the bioassay by Custom antibody service (CAbS)-NANBIOSIS U2 as a PTI+Global Health Infraestructure

During 20-22 of November 2023, the III PTI+Global Health Scientific Conference were held in the Center for Human and Social Sciences, in Madrid.

In March 2020, the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) launched the the Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform (PTI) on Global Health to bring together research teams and enhance knowledge about the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which caused the pandemic. The PTI has mobilized and coordinates more than 400 scientists from 50 CSIC institutes in all areas.

The annual PTI+Global Health Scientific Conference are a meeting space where the results of the research carried out in the laboratories can be shown and discussed.

In the words of Margarita del Val, coordinator of the PTI+Global Health “In these III Conferences we are looking to the future to see how we evolve from the coronavirus to be prepared for future pandemics due to infectious diseases”. Iñaki Comas, coordinator of the PTI explained that this conference has been focused on “How to approach infectious diseases from a particular corner of knowledge but in an interdisciplinary way to be in a better position to face these global health challenges”.

The research caried out by the Nb4D group – NANBIOSIS U2 were presented by Julian Guercetti and Lluisa Villaplana:

“Towards a novel molecular signature for diagnosing infections based on Quorum sensing” M.-Pilar Marco; Juan Raya; Nuria Pascual; Nerea Castro; Carla Ferrero; J.-Pablo Salvador

“Immuno-μSARS2 chip: Correlating COVID-19 clinical severity with IgG personalized profiles” Julian Guercetti; Marc Alorda; Miriam Royo; Alicia Lacoma; Eduardo Padilla; Juan P. Horcajada; Silvia Castaneda; Agustín
Gutierrez-Galvez; Santiago Marco; J. Pablo Salvador; Pilar Marco, in this case with also with the participation of NANBIOSIS U3 Synthesis of Peptides Unit, led by Miriam Royo

“Using quorum sensing based antibodies as a new therapeutic strategy to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections” Lluïsa Vilaplana Holgado; Bárbara Rodriguez Urretavizcaya; M.-Pilar Marco Colás

The Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) – NANBIOSIS U2 was presented by Julian Guercetti as one a PTI+Salud Global Infraestructure

“Custom antibody service (CAbS) from the molecule to the bioassay” Nuria Pascual Duran; Andrea Bastias; Idoia Camí; J.Pablo Salvador; Julian Guercetti; Lidia Hinojosa; Montserrat Rodriguez; Pilar Marco

Nanbiosis Unit 2 (Custom Antibody Service-CAbS) is a technological facility established in 2009 as part of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Biomedical Research Center Network of Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN). Located within the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (CSIC) in Barcelona, the platform is equipped with a cell culture laboratory, housing the necessary equipment for obtaining, selecting, growing, and storing hybridomas. Additionally, the service offers laboratories for the synthesis of immunogens and the characterization of the produced antibodies.
The CAbS platform provides its monoclonal and polyclonal antibody production services to groups affiliated with CSIC and CIBER-BBN, as well as other research groups from public or private institutions and companies.
The primary goal of the service is to deliver high-quality service and scientific guidance in the production of immunoreagents, including polyclonal, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody fragments, as well as various probes such as protein and enzyme bioconjugates, biotinylated and fluorescent probes, biofunctionalized particles, and more.
The service is adaptable to each client’s needs and can produce antibodies against proteins, peptides, organic molecules, or other antigens through standardized or customized protocols. Special emphasis is placed on the immunogen design phase, a crucial aspect for modulating antibody selectivity and affinity.
One distinguishing feature of the CAbS service is its provision of guidance and assistance in preparing immunogens and producing antibodies for low-molecular-weight molecules, such as pigments, hormones, or anabolic agents. Service management is overseen by the NB4D group at IQAC-CSIC, a team with extensive experience in this field. Each service request is reviewed by a Scientific Committee, which produces a feasibility report before project acceptance. Users are kept informed of project progress at all stages and are consulted before proceeding based on the achieved results.
The services offered by the platform include:
• Preliminary discussion of project characteristics
• Design and synthesis of haptens
• Preparation of bioconjugates
• Hybridoma development
• Production of monoclonal antibodies
• Production of polyclonal antibodies
• Additional services (antibody purification, monoclonal antibody isotyping, etc.)
• Guidance and setup of immunoassays.

Recently, the unit has acquired a Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) instrument, which enables real-time detection and monitoring of interactions between two or more molecules without the need for labelling. The studies conducted with this instrument serve to determine specificity between compounds and/or characterize the kinetics and affinity of
these interactions. This SPR was funded by the European Commission – NextGenerationEU (Regulation EU 2020/2094), through CSIC’s Global Health Platform (PTI Salud Global).

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NANBIOSIS sesion in the CIBER-BBN and CIBEREHD annual meeting. SAFE-N-MEDTECH Project: Outcomes and Future Prospects.

The annual conference of the scientific áreas of CIBER (the most important Centre for Biomedical Research in Spain) are hotly awaited every year for the CIBER community as a foro to be updated about emerging key technologies and discuss about research lines and results, find new opportunities to collaborate and join efforts towards common objectives.

Moreover, this year, the Annual Conference of CIBER-BBN (Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine) has been organized as a collective event scheme together with the scientific area of CIBEREHD (Digestive and Liver Diseases). Both areas have already shared experiences of collaborative projects, demonstrating the complementarity of their fields. The results of these seed projects were presented on the firs working day, and a new edition of seed collaborative projects between the two areas was announced.

NANBIOSIS session took place in the afternoon of the second day. It was dedicated to SAFE-N-MEDTECH Project: Outcomes and Future Prospects.

SAFE-N-MEDTECH is a H2020 project (GA: 814607) funded by the European Commission under the topic DT-NMBP-02-2018-OITB for Safety Testing of Medical Technologies for Health (IA). The Open Innovation Test Bed (OITB) is an initiative launched by the European Commission with the aim of accelerating the development of medical devices based on nanotechnologies in Europe and abroad.

The project, ended this september, counted with 28 partners with a total funding of 15 million euros. The Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) is partner of the project through the Spanish Research Infrastructure NANBIOSIS -ICTS integrated by CIBER, CCMIJU and Ibima -Platafprma BIONAND, several units of the ICTS NANBIOSIS carried out some of the F/Q, in vitro and in vivo characterizations applied to the Pilot Test Cases described in the project.

Ángel del Pozo, from Biokeralty Research Institute AIE, coordinator of the project, explained the development of the project with its outcomes and its future prospects.

M. Luisa González, from UEx and Scientific Director of U16 of NANBIOSIS, explained the joint with CCMIJU on the Stryker case materials, testing bacterial colonization. This joint experience in the project has been organized as a new cutting-edge biomedical solution that NANBIOSIS ofer to its clients.

Montserrat Rodríguez-Núñez, from NANBIOSIS U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) at IQAC-CSIC talked about the participation of the unit in the project by Assessment of affinity parameters for immunosensor development.

It also took place the annual meetting of the NANBIOSIS Scientific Advisory Committee to deliberate the key actions of the ICTS and.

Related news:

2023 Annual Conference of CIBER-BBN and NANBIOSIS with CIBEREHD
2023 Annual Conference of CIBER-BBN and NANBIOSIS

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The importance of bacterial Quorum Sensing (QS) research recognised in the Princesa of Asturias Awards

Today, Bonnie Bassler, Jeffrey Gordon, and Peter Greenberg are receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for their contribution to the knowledge of the role of the human microbiome and the bacteria Quorum Sensing.

Targeting Quorum Sensing allows understanding of bacteria behaviour and pathogenesis, but also developing new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for infectious diseases.

Bonnie Bassler has shown how small chemical signals are involved in such a communication process.

Peter Greenberg was one of the first scientists who assigned the term Quorum Sensing (QS) to such a sophisticated system used by bacteria to communicate and synchronize behavior. He was involved on the discovery of the QS signalling pathways of important pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their implication on virulence and biofilm formation, key for the establishment of chronic and antibiotic-resistant infections

Jeffrey Gordon is a pioneer of microbiome research. These billions of bacteria living in our bodies have an extraordinary effect on our health, determining metabolic or even neurological disorders. His discoveries are tackling global issues such as childhood malnutrition.

The winners explained at the press conference the importance of this award:

“I couldn’t imagine that was going to be awarded the “Premio Princesa de Asturias” when I see those who have achieved it… they are icons, they are my idols in all kinds of fields!”, said Bonnie Bassler. Peter Greenberg explained that it is not only a recognition of the work done over many years in their research group but also of the work done by all the scientists in microbiology “This honor that has been granted to us is a recognition of how important microbiology and science in general is”.

From NANBIOSIS ICTS we want to congratulate the winners and thank the Princess of Asturias Foundation for the recognition of a piece of research which is of specific interest in our  Unit 2-CAbS, research group Nb4D – from CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC, led by M. Pilar Marco. Her research line is focused on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases targeting the aforementioned Quorum Sensing (QS) and based on antibody-funded technologies. The QS is a sophisticated cell communication system controlling a series of cellular processes involved in pathogenesis, based on the release and detection of small signaling molecules (QSsm).

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New look of Nb4D – CAbS (NANBIOSIS U2) “Revolutionising Diagnosis”

Nb4D has a new look on line! Nb4D Group (of IQAC-CSIC and CIBER-BBN) has lunched a new website “Revolutionsising Diagnosis“ with the aim to facilitate a faster and easier navigation througth their “pioneering research to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches” and their solutions and expertise to help researchers and companies.

Antibodies, bioreceptors, hapten design and synthesis, immunoanalytical method development, new ivd tools, surface functionalization, therapeutic antibodies and much more knowledge and expertise revolutionising diagnosis.

The new website contains a page for CAbS-NANBIOSIS. Custom Antibody Service (CAbS), unit 2 of the ICTS NANBIOSIS

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Rare diseases international day 2023: some NANBIOSIS contributions

Today is the international day of rare diseases, a day to raise awareness and instigate change for people living with a rare disease. From NANBIOSIS we want to sume to this celebration and higtligh our commitment to helping people with rare diseases through research.

Dr. Ibane Abasolo, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U20, was at the WORLDSymposia conference last week in Orlando (FL, USA), where the latest advances in preclinical study and clinic of lysosomal storage diseases were explained. There, she presented the results obtained in the Smart4Fabry project coordinated by the CIBER-BBN where nanoliposomes were developed for the treatment of Fabry disease. The work, entitled “Preclinical Validation of Nanoliposomes for ERT for Fabry disease”, was a result of the collaboration of the groups of Dr. Ventosa and Dr. Corchero, both from CIBER-BBN, and the participation of units U1, U3, U6, and U20 of the ICTS Nanbiosis.

In addition, today Dr. Abasolo participated in the Nano Rare Day session, organized by the NanoMedSpain platform and the Barcelona Bioengineering Institute (IBEC) at the Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona, presented the work entitled “Use of natural and artificial nanoparticles for the treatment of lysosomal storage diseases”, where in addition to nanoliposomes, she also detailed how extracellular vesicles can be a good vehicle to improve replacement enzyme therapy in lysosomal diseases.

Also Dr. Juan Pablo Salvador from NANBIOSIS U2 CAbS has presented at in the Nano Rare Day session his talk on “Quorum Sensing to improve the management of cysticfibrosis“, explaining the difficulty of quickly identifying bacterial infections, which are common in patients with Cystic Fibrosis. In this sense, “Quorum Sensing”, a microbial communication mechanism through which the cells themselves regulate the expression of genes based on cell density, can help identify biomarkers and improve the management of cystic fibrosis.

Related news: Fabry Desease in the Rare Disease Day: A New Hope

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New method for the detection of RNA viruses such as SARS-CoV-2

Several CIBER-BBN groups at the University of Barcelona, the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) and the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA) —a joint institute of the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR)— have developed a new method for detecting RNA viruses based on the technology of using probes that form triplex structures. This innovative methodology opens up new options to detect viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the influenza A (H1N1) virus or the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a pathogen that affects newborns and requires differential diagnostic care.

This interdisciplinary work, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, is led by Carlos J. Ciudad and Verónica Noé, from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB) of the University of Barcelona ; Ramón Eritja, Anna Aviñó, Lluïsa Vilaplana and M.Pilar Marco, from IQAC-CSIC and CIBER-BBN; Manuel Gutiérrez, Antoni Baldi and César Fernández, from the IMB-CNM-CSIC, and Valeria Grazu and Jesús Martínez, CSIC researchers at the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials and Aragon INMA (CSIC-UNIZAR) and CIBER-BBN.

The research has counted with the expertise of two NANBIOSIS Units from CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC; NANBIOSIS U2 Customized Antibody Service (CAbS), led by Pilar Marco and Nuria Pascual, and U29 Oligonucleotide Synthesis Platform (OSP), led by Ramón Eritja and Anna Avinó.

This research work was carried out in the context of the PoC4CoV project, led by M. Pilar Marco and César Fernández and financed through the Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform of Global Health of the CSIC. Subsequently, the research has continued as part of a project financed by La Marató de TV3 in 2020 to fight against COVID-19 in which experts from the Faculty of Chemistry of the UB also participate.

Polypurine tweezers to capture viral RNA
The new methodology is based on the ability of polypurine tweezers (PPRHs) —designed by the UB cancer therapy group— to capture viral RNA and form a high affinity triplex. When this hybrid structure is connected to a molecular probe and is brought into contact with the affected patient’s sample, a viral agent detection signal is obtained. The method now presented in the scientific publication has been called the Triplex Enhanced Nucleic Acid Detection Assay (TENADA).

“PPRHs are unmodified single-stranded DNA hairpins that are made up of two mirror domains of antiparallel polypurines. These domains, connected to each other by a thymidine loop, are linked by intramolecular reverse Hoogsteen bonds. Molecular tweezers can specifically bind to polypyrimidine sequences in single-stranded (ssDNA), double-stranded (dsDNA) or RNA viruses through Watson-Crick bonds, thus forming an antiparallel triplex”, details Professor Carlos J. Ciudad, from the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology of the UB.

An effective and faster methodology than the PCR test
Among the advantages that it presents in the detection of viral RNA, it should be noted that the PPRHs methodology can be applied without the intervention of reverse transcriptase —the enzyme that converts RNA into DNA— or the thermocycler (the device that amplifies the material samples). DNA with polymerase chain reaction or PCR). In addition, it has a sensitivity and specificity equivalent to that of the PCR test and can provide results in less than an hour.

In the framework of the work, the team used the hybridization sandwich format in various biosensing devices. This approach uses two oligonucleotides: a triplex-forming PPRH hairpin to serve as the capture probe, and a labeled duplex-forming DNA oligonucleotide to serve as the detection probe.

“The triplex-forming PPRH hairpins were designed to bind to SARS-CoV-2 polypyrimidine sequences, while the detection probes were designed to complement a region near the polypyrimidine target site. Thus, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected by the formation of the ternary complex on the surface of the biosensor”, details Professor Verónica Noé (UB-IN2UB).

This methodology has been implemented in a compact electrochemical device that integrates an electrochemical cell with two electrodes on a chip —manufactured in the Micro and Nanofabrication White Room of the IMB-CNM-CSIC— and a paper fluidic component, and in a Lateral thermal flow implemented in nitrocellulose and using plasmonic nanoparticles and thermal paper that has been developed at the INMA (CSIC-UNIZAR).

TENADA: applications in biomedical research
PPRHs are described in the scientific literature as gene silencing tools for various genes mainly involved in cancer. In addition, they have also been incorporated as probes in biosensors for the detection of small RNA molecules (micro-RNA) to determine the state of DNA methylation and for the diagnosis of pneumonia caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Now, the new TENADA methodology proves to be effective not only in the detection of viral particles. The high affinity of PPRHs for viral RNA is a property that can be applied to inhibit the virus replication process. For this reason, the antiviral properties of CC1PPRH and CC2PPRH polypurine clamps in cells of the VeroE6 lineage infected with SARS-CoV-2 virions are now also being studied.

In parallel, the work of the different groups involved has also been the basis of a technology that was patented and licensed in July 2022 through the participation of the UB Patent Center, the CSIC and the CIBER-BBN. In turn, this patent has been licensed non-exclusively to the Spanish company Nanoinmunotech through the management of the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation (FBG-UB) in the technology protection process and the company’s license agreement. .

Article of reference:

Aviñó, A.; Cuestas-Ayllón, C.; Gutiérrez-Capitán, M.; Vilaplana, L.; Grazu, V.; Noé, V.; Balada, E.; Baldi, A.; Félix, A.J.; Aubets, E.; Valiuska, S.; Domínguez, A.; Gargallo, R.; Eritja, R.; Marco, M.-P.; Fernández-Sánchez, C.; Martínez de la Fuente, J.; Ciudad, C.J. «Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Virus by Triplex Enhanced Nucleic Acid Detection Assay (TENADA)». International Journal of Molecular Sciences, diciembre de 2022. Doi:10.3390/ijms232315258

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Happy Day of Chemistry! The role of Chemistry in a sustainable research in health

Today, November 15 is a day of celebration for us, the Day of the Chemistry in Spain!

Chemistry is the science that studies matter, how it is composed, its properties and how its structures are transformed and, as matter is everything, including living beings and ourselves, we can say that chemistry is omnipresent and transversal in all areas surrounding us. Chemistry is everywhere, we ourselves are chemistry and our health and our life is chemistry.

“Everything around us is chemistry in the environment, foods, what we use and what we touch every day. Our own body is a sophisticated complex factory with an infinite number of chemical processes taking place on a perfect and synchronized manner”- points Pilar Marco, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) from CIBER-BBN at IQAC-CSIC.

The crucial role of chemistry in everyday life is also evidence in the development of current technology and the economy. According the VCI Prognos Study, the Global growth forecast for Industrial Sectors, places the chemical industry in the fist position. As far as national picture, the INE Statistics on R+D Activities 2020 -last publish report-, chemical and pharmaceutical industry employs the 22,2 % of research staff recruited and the investment and expenditure on the chemical and pharmaceutical industry represents the 23,6% R+D and Innovation -above the motor vehicles industry.

Thanks to chemical and pharmaceutical research,

medicines, vaccines and health products have made great strides in fighting diseases and improving quality of life. Thanks to chemical and pharmaceutical medicine research, in few years, it will be possible, for example, to count on smart implants delivering personalised drugs only where cancer or infections are detected or biosensors circulating in our body to find diseases only one week after infection.

At the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia, four NANBIOSIS units of CIBER-BBN use chemistry to deliver new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches that improve the quality of life of the society.

One of the research lines of the Nb4D group-U2 CabS at IQAC-CSIC (led by Pilar Marco and Nuria Pascual) focuses on the chemical signals that bacteria emit to communicate with each other and thus develop virulence mechanisms. Their knowledge will allow the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to mitigate the serious problem of antimicrobial resistance.

NANBIOSIS U3 Synthesis of Peptides Unit– MS4N group, led by Miriam Royo, explores the use of diverse types of chemical multivalent platforms (oligomers, dendrimers, polymers, micelles and lipid nanovesicles) for the development of drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, protein delivery systems for the treatment of lysosomal diseases and macromolecular compounds that have intrinsically therapeutic properties with application to central nervous system diseases.

Chemistry plays an essential role in helping society achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In 2015 the United Nations created a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. This framework, comprising 17 aspirational goals known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Chemistry is key to achieve the SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being with the development of new technologies that will provide a deeper understaunding of human health, making posible better, cheeper and faster medical diagnosis and treatmens.

In this sense, Carlos Rodriguez Abreu, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS Unit for the characterization of nanostructured liquids (U12) explains: “The goals of sustainable development are producing a shift towards surfactants not based on petroleum derivatives, but derived from other raw materials that are more biocompatible and that allow a circular economy that is less aggressive with the environment. Quality control is necessary with regard to the properties of the products that contain surfactants, such as the droplet size in emulsions, the particle size in suspensions, their colloidal stability over time, among others. Additionally, products must be precisely formulated to optimize the use of raw materials and obtain the desired properties. In this context, the NANBIOSIS U12, acredited with ISO 9001:2015 by AENOR, offers a wide range of advanced analysis techniques for the determination of different colloidal properties such as droplet size and particle size, colloidal stability, viscosity, surface tension, pore size distribution, and determination of phase behavior and structure for the tailor-made formulation of surfactant and colloid systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

The Nucleic Acid Chemistry group at IQAC-CSIC – NANBIOSIS U29 Oligonucleotide Synthesis Platform (OSP) is developing new compounds based in DNA and RNA to detect and treat diseases participating in several projects with several research and industrial partners such as La Marato de TV3 (Covid), Oligofastx, Caminan2, Osteoatx. These new drugs use the natural mechanisms for gene regulation to treat undruggable diseases such Muscular dystrophy and others. Importantly special attention is made to design novel synthetic protocols to produce less organic waste what contributes to the sustainable development. 

We wish to all the family of chemistry professionals new projects and inspiration to achive humans Good Health & Well-Being and keep the world moving!

And Happy Chemistry Day, too, for all the chemistry enthusiasts!

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The first TECNIO Conference and NANBIOSIS’ researchers participation

More than 200 people attended the first edition of the TECNIO Conference that took place on October 19th, 2022 in Girona. Outstanding experts from research groups, companies and the Catalan administration discussed the model of technological sovereignty that Catalonia needs to generate high-impact innovation.

As far as Nora Ventosa, President of the TECNIO Association and Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U6 Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit (from CIBER-BBN and IQAC): “Political management is the key to ensure that the path of transference follows a high speed train”

Researchers of NANBIOSIS U2 Custom Antibody Service (CAbS) – Nb4D Group from CIBER-BBN and IQAC-CSIC presented their technological offer in the 1st TECNIO Congress

During the congress there were different presentations, round tables and an exhibition space to interact with the TECNIO agents.

For further informatio: https://www.eventbrite.es/e/tecnio-congress-2022-tickets-415838312587

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Nora Ventosa, president of the TECNIO Association.
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