News U4

Prof. Laura Lehuga, new Associate Editor at Analyst Editorial Board

Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS Unit 4 Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit, at Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, has joined the Analyst Editorial Board as an Associate Editor from today.

Analyst publishes analytical and bioanalytical research that reports premier fundamental discoveries and inventions and the applications of those discoveries, unconfined by traditional discipline barriers

Laura Lechuga is the CSIC Research Professor at the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Spain. She is the leader of the CIBER-BBN-ICN2 Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications Group, which focusses on the technological development of nanophotonic biosensors, their integration into portable lab-on-a-chip platforms and their application in clinical and environmental diagnostics. Professor Lechuga gained her PhD in chemistry in 1992 from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Between 2012 and 2015 she was an adjunct professor at the University of Norway within their department of Physics and Technology at the Artic. She has also been a distinguished visiting professor at the School of Electrical and Computer Sciences of the Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil) since 2013.

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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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Update and improvement of unit 4 of NANBIOSIS

NANBIOSIS U4-Biodeposition and biosensing, led by Prof Laura Lechuga, has been recently updated and improved as a result of its participation in the project FICTS-1420-27 , selected by the MINECO for co-financing by the FEDER Program in ICTS 2014-2020.

The Biodeposition has been updated with the ozone generation system with a new system (UV / Ozone Cleaner-Procleaner ™), with a lamp with improved power. In the case of the Biodetection unit, the current device has been to updated in order to make it more competitive. Optical components that improve the performance of the instrument in reference to sensitivity have been changed, the fluidic components has been updated (the flow cell that currently consists of 2 independent channels, peristaltic pumps and injection valves) to increase the automation of the current design and make it more competitive.

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Photonic Label-Free Biosensors for Real-Time Analysis of Untreated Clinical and Environmental Samples

The biannual Conference on Bioanalytical Sensors will take place in June 24 – 29 in Newport, US, with the theme “State-of-the-Art Bioanalytical Sensing Approaches for Healthcare and Therapeutics, Forensics, and Visualization of Living Systems”.

Prof. Laura M. Lechuga, Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS U4. Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit: is giving a Conference on “Photonic label-free biosensors for real-time analysis of untreated clinical and environmental samples”

The focus of this meeting is on the development of new bioanalytical tools that provide highly specific and quantitative molecular data of biological systems leading to real applications to the clinic. Specific topics will include micro- and nanofluidics systems, nanomaterials, in vitro and in vivo sensing and imaging, while also covering instrumental techniques, and real world detection/diagnosis.

Further information and PROGRAM

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Agreements signed with MINECO for the allocation of FEDER funds for NANBIOSIS ICTS

In the framework of the FEDER Program in ICTS 2014-2020, several projects related to the ICTS NANBIOSIS have been selected by the MINECO for co-financing with FEDER funds of the European Regional Development Funds program.

An agreement has been signed between MINECO and CIBER (partner of NANBIOSIS for the co-financing of the Project: “Purchase, installation and set-up of production and characterization equipment to complement the Units: U3-Synthesis of Peptides Unit, U18-Nanotoxicology and U20- In Vivo Experimental Platform”. The total budget of the project amounts to € 307,566.16, with 50% financing with FEDER Funds.

Also CSIC (The State Agency Superior Council of Scientific Investigations), institution that houses some of the NANBIOSIS units, as distributed ICTS, has signed an agreement with MINECO for the co-financing of the Project: “Purchase and installation and set-up of equipment and production and characterization laboratories to complement the units U2-Production of antibodies, U4-Biodeposition and biosensing, U6-Processing of biomaterials and U8-Micro, nanotechnology. The total budget of the project amounts to € 312.800,00 €, with 50% financing with FEDER Funds.

These two projects aim to increase the quantity and quality of the services offered by th implied units, with the objetive of positioning them as national and international benchmark in their respective fields of application. As a consequence, an increase in the performance (number of services and number of users) of each unit is expected, especially from companies (pharmaceutical and small biotechnology).

CSIC and CIBER are processing the necessary contracting procedures for the execution of these projects.

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Nanotechnology, gene therapy, omics therapies and ‘big data’

Nanotechnology, gene therapy, omics therapies and ‘big data’ were the topics discussed in the Forum on Emerging Technologies oganized on May 8 by nanotechnology, gene therapy, omics therapies and ‘big data’ were the topics discussed in the I Forum on Emerging Technologies held on May 8, organized by the CIBER Internationalization Platform, of which the CIBERER, the CIBER-BBN and the CIBERES.

The objective of this event, structured in sessions of presentations and scientific debates about the types of technologies addressed, was to promote the exchange of ideas and scientific knowledge with the aim of generating new collaborations among the CIBER research groups such as participation in transversal projects or the development of cutting-edge technologies.

NANBIOSIS was represented by Pablo Laguna (Unit 27, High Performance Computing), Laura Lechuga (Unit 4, Biodeposition and Biodetection Unit), José Luis Pedraz (Unit 10, Drug Formulation) and Rosa Villa (Unit8, Micro – Nano Technology Unit)

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I Forum on Emerging Technologies organized by CIBER

On May 8th, will take place in Madrid, at the Assembly Hall Ernest Lluch of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, organized by CIBER Internationalization Platform (CIBER-BBN, CIBERER, CIBERES) the I Forum on Emerging Technologies.

The objective of this meeting is to promote the exchange of ideas and scientific knowledge among the CIBER research groups with the aim of generating new collaborations for participation in cross-cutting projects and the development of border technologies. The content of the forum, centered on the type of technology and possibilities it offers, is structured in a program of lectures and scientific debates whose final objective is the discussion and the joint generation of ideas. This first edition of the forum will be focused on Gene Therapy, Nanotechnologies and Omic Technologies-Big Data.

Some Units of NANBIOSIS will participate:

José Luis Pedraz, Scientific Director of Unit 10 Drug Formulation, will speak of “Development of non-viral vectors for gene therapy“
Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of Unit 4 Biodepositon and Biodetection, will talk about “Nanodispositive biosensors for advanced clinical diagnosis
Rosa Villa, Scientific Director of Unit 8 Micro–Nano Technology, Ramón Martínez, Scientific Director of Unit 26 NMR Biomedical Applications II and Esther Pueyo, researcher of U27 High Performance Computer will moderate the sessions.

Programme and registration details

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New methodology for cancer screening paves the way for more targeted treatment options

Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of Unit 4 of NANBIOSIS, is co-author of a new paper published in Scientific Reports. According to Cesar Huertas, co-author of the article, the Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is converted into a functional product, such as a protein. It is controlled by a complex regulatory network wherein diverse cellular mechanisms enable the cell to respond to its ever-changing environment. One such mechanism is alternative splicing (AS) of mRNA precursors, a particularly flexible regulatory control point where diverse protein isoforms of differing, even opposing, functions are generated. However, these regulation pathways are not without their tripping points; missteps can occur which can sometimes trigger the onset of serious illnesses, including cancer. The good news is that these missteps are reversible, so if we are able to detect them (and we are), we can develop targeted therapeutic responses to treat their precise origin.

Recent research from the ICN2 an CIBER-BBN Nanobiosensors and Bioanalytical Applications group, coordinator of NANBIOSIS Unit 4, has focused on the specific detection of Fas gene isoforms (Fas567 and Fas57), the aberrant splicing of which gene is implicated in tumour growth. Specifically, the overexpression of Fas57 is known to contribute to cancer aggressiveness, making the expression ratio of mRNA Fas isoforms a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of cancer.

Their work involved adapting the group’s label-free bimodal waveguide biosensor for use on long mRNA sequences, in order to detect this expression ratio. The similarity between the two isoforms and the fact that they occur only in very low concentrations in cells meant that the new sensor needed to be both highly selective and extremely sensitive, especially given that the demands of cost- and time-effectiveness warranted a device that required no sample pre-amplification stage.

Following exhaustive analysis and optimisation, the group has achieved a multiplexing nanophotonic biosensor that can detect the two Fas isoforms in parallel at concentrations as low as 580 fM, making it potentially the most sensitive amplification-free device for the analysis of alternatively spliced isoforms developed to date.

Taken as a blood test, this sensor promises a far less invasive diagnostic approach than biopsies in the not too distant future. Its ease-of-use, relative low cost and speed (less than 30 minutes) together would make it attractive for routine use not only in cancer screening, but also for monitoring the progression of cancers already detected and/or being treated, and the follow-up of patients in remission.

Full details on how the group’s device was adapted and optimised to this new task can be found in the paper below.

César S. Huertas, Santos Domínguez-Zotes & Laura M. Lechuga. Analysis of alternative splicing events for cancer diagnosis using a multiplexing nanophotonic biosensor. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 41368 (2017); doi:10.1038/srep41368
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep41368

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Laura Lechuga in the fight against cancer

Dr. Laura Lechuga, Scientific Director of Unit 4 of NANBIOSIS is highlighted in Cinco Días. Elpais Economía for its fight against cancer and, in particular, for the device developed with its team to detect the disease in matter of minutes

“Have you ever wondered why glucose meters are so smart that they just measure sugar? The answer is that they carry specific proteins that only interact with sugar, “explains the doctor. The same idea lies in the device designed by Laura Lechuga and her research group “With a minimum sample of the patient, it is possible to detect the presence of different diseases depending on the protein located in the micro-receiver, in an economic and fast way”.

Due to these characteristics, this developed technology, has great potential for greatly improving health in underdeveloped countries, as well as in other fields like measure the presence of pollutants or toxic agents in the environment.

In the news published by Cinco Días. Elpais Economía other scientists in the fight against cancer are interviewed, as Angel Raya (from CIBER-BBN) about the regenerative medicine.

More information here

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A multiplexing nanophotonic biosensor for cancer diagnosis

The group Biosensors and bio-analytic applications, led by Laura Lechuga, coordinator of Unit 4 of NANBIOSIS, has developed a methodology through a nano-photonic sensor (known as bimodal waveguide interferometer) capable of quantifying, directly and mark-free, the different messenger RNA isoforms generated by alternative splicing.

The expertise in biodeposition and biodetection systems of Lechuga’s group has permitted a thorough analytical study and optimization of the methodology, achieving not only total selectivity, but also excellent levels of sensitivity and reproducibility, and obtaining the lowest levels of detection in direct detection of messenger RNA isoforms generated by this mechanism without the need for PCR amplification (polymerase chain reaction).

The results of the study have recently been published in Scientific Reports (of the Nature group) and show a new methodology for the analysis of alternative splicing processes in a fast, simple and direct way, overcoming the main problems of conventional techniques. In addition, it opens the possibility of developing more efficient tools for the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy, providing a more informative, specific and precise analysis.

Article of reference:

Analysis of alternative splicing events for cancer diagnosis using a multiplexing nanophotonic biosensor. Scientific Reports 7, Article number: 41368 (2017) doi:10.1038/srep41368.

A multiplexing nanophotonic biosensor for cancer diagnosis

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