Research Groups · Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology Research Groups Biomechanics & Cellular Biophysics. Nanobiotechnology Biomaterials, Implants & Tissue Engineering Medical

Cellular Biotechnology

Biomechanics & Cellular

Biophysics

Nanobio-technology

BiomaterialsImplants &

Tissue Engineering

Medical Signals &

Instrumentation

Robotics & Biomedical

Imaging

Cellular & respiratory

biomechanics

Nanoprobes & nanoswitches

Bionano-photonics

Nanoscale Bioelectrical

Characterization

Bio/non-bio interactions for

regenerative medicine

Molecular dynamics at

cell-biomaterial interface

Biomechanics &

Mechanobiology

Biomedical Signal

Processing and Interpretation

Artificial Olfaction

Neuro-engineering

RoboticsMicrobial Biotechnology

Nanobio-engineering

Molecular and cellular

neurobiotechnology

Control of stem cell potency

Microbial biotechnology

Research GroupsBiomechanics

& Cellular Biophysics

Nanobiotechnology Biomaterials, Implants & Tissue

Engineering

Medical Signals & Instrumentation


Imaging

Cellu

lar

Biot

echn

olog

y

Development of new and powerful methodological tools for research in cell biotechnology.

Group Leader: Prof. A. Juá[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]�

Research lines

•Structure and function of bacterial proteins that modulate virulenceexpression

•Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs), that contribute to DNA architecture andmodulate gene expression•Ribonucleotidil reductases (RNRs), key enzymes in all living organismsbecause they provide the nucleotide precursors for DNA replication and repair.Research of inhibitors

•Application of nanotools for bacterial biotechnology: dielectrophoresis•Dielectrophoresis as a tool for bacterial cell sorting and characterization•Nanomediag Project: Medical diagnosis of S.Typhimurium (enteric infections),E. coli 0157:H7 (bloody diarrhea and occasional kidney failure), L. pheumophila(Legionnaire’s disease)

Microbial biotechnology and host-pathogen interaction

Equipment•Technology of microbial culture facilities •Protein expression and purification systems•Process of biomolecule production •Protein and DNA electrophoresis, PCR•Lab-on-chip: dielectrophoresis

Group Future Interests•Lab-on-chip

•Medical diagnosis•Microfluidic studies

Group Clinical Interest•Access to patient samples•Access to patients

Microbial biotechnology and host-pathogen interaction





Engineering



Imaging

Cellu

lar

Biot

echn

olog

y

Group Leader: Prof. A. [email protected]

Strategies for the control of stem cell potency and its application in regenerative medicine


Research lines

Basic research•Mechanisms underlying regeneration (zebrafish heart)•Mechanisms underlying stem cell potency (human cells)

Applied research•Reprogramming of somatic cells to cardiogenic progenitors•Bioengineering approach to heart muscle differentiation

•Decellularized zebrafish heart

•Bioengineering approach to cartilage regeneration•Study the efficacy of iPSC from keratynocytes to in situ repair articular cartilage

•Disease-modeling through iPS cells•Familial Parkinson’s disease•Hemophilia A


Equipment/technology• Cell culture facilities• Molecular biology facilities• Neon transfection system• Zebrafish transgenesis• Generation & characterization of iPS cells• Directed differentiation of hES/iPS cells

Group Future Interests• Generation of patient-specific clinical-grade cardiomyocyte progenitors• Detailed functional/electrophysiological characterization• Large animal models of myocardial infarction

Group Clinical Interests• Feedback on cardiac diseases amenable to iPS-based modeling• Feedback on issues related to clinical delivery of cells• Skin biopsies from selected cardiology patients• Clinical trials


Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology




Engineering



Imaging

Cellu

lar

Biot

echn

olog

y

Group Leader: Prof. J.A. del Rí[email protected]

Development of strategies for neurodegenerative diseases and axonal neurogeneration, and angiogenesis

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/neurobiotechnology


Research lines

•Neural regeneration and cell therapy•Molecules involved in axonal regeneration, microarray and genomic studies•Development of new mechanisms to induce axonal regeneration•Factors which determine the differentiation of neural stem cells•Development of new biomaterials for axonal regeneration in the injured CNS

•Neurodegenerative diseases•Natural and pathogenic functions of the cellular prion protein•Intracellular signalling in neurodegenerative diseases•Identification of new targets of neurodegeneration in asymptomatic stages•Alzheimer's and CJD diseases: Searching crosstalk points•Cell therapy in neurodegeneration

•Mechanisms of axonal guidance during development of the CNS•Characterization of axon guidance molecules•Analysis of gene expression during CNS development•Signaling transduction pathways during axonal development•Development of microfluidic devices to study axonal growth


ExpertiseCell culture of CNS• Primary neuronal cultures (15-21 days)• Neural Stem Cells isolation, maintenance and (> 1 year) and differentiation (15 days)• Organotypic slice culture (35-40 days)• Microfluidic culture of hippocampal neurons•Angiogenic model with HUVEC cells•In vitro Blood-brain barrier model

In vitro neuroinflammation/neurotoxicity models: Pharmacological screening of candidate molecules in vitro•Picospritzzer II: Injection at picoliter level of a compound in specific areas of the culture inorganotypic slices and measurement of local activation.•Slice electroporation with particular DNAs pharmacological analysis.•Gene therapy with human neural stem cells: lentiviral production

In vivo Neurotoxicity models•Neural death: tissue analysis (FluoroJade B and TUNEL)•Severe demyelinization: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (Multiple sclerosis modelof MOG inyection)•focal cervical lesion (spinal cord lesion)•Intra-cerebral or intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of pharmacs using Alzetmicropumps or surgery


Equipment•Molecular Neurobiology, Protein expression and purification systems, Lentiviral production and characterization, Technology of neuronal culture facilities (2D and 3D)•Alzet micropumps, Picospritzzer II, gene delivery methods: electroporation•LCi system of cell incubation with low cost (unique in BCN)•MicroCT for in vivo angiogenic analysis (SkyScan 1172)•IVIs system for in vivo analysis of fluorescence in animal models

Group Future Interests•Medical Diagnosis

-Biomarkers detection of age-related diseases, early detection in asymptomatic stages-Lab-on-chip

•Biomaterials for axonal regeneration•Angiogenesis assays in vitro (HUVEC cells) and in vivo (mouse) with micro CT system (SEA PCB collaboration with Xavier Cañas)

Group Clinical Interest•Identification of medical challenges•Feedback on issues related to clinical data•Patient samples•Clinical trials•Pharmacological screening potential in angiogenic and neural “hits”


Research GroupsNanobiotechnology Biomaterials,

Implants & Tissue Engineering



Imaging

Biom

echa

nics

&

Cellu

lar B

ioph

ysics


Study the mechanical behavior of pulmonary cells and their response

to stretching and inflammation

Cellular and respiratory biomechanics

Group Leader: Prof. D. [email protected]


Research lines

Improving the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases: translational research

Systemic level•Study the mechanical properties of the airways and lung tissues•Study of their alteration in the mechanical dysfunction•Focused on: sleep apnea syndrome, acute lung injury, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonar disease), pulmonar fibrosis

Cellular level•Mechanical properties of the cell and its response to inflammation and mechanical stress•Mechanisms of tissue damage and repair•Mechanical signaling involved in tissue regeneration by stem cells•Biophysical mechanisms regulating the adhesion and vascular transmigration of leukocytes•Mechanical determinants of carcinogenesis


Equipment/technology•Optical Tweezers•Surface Micro/Nano-patterning•Atomic Force Microscopy•Magnetic Tweezers•Cell culture•Cell stretching•Live cell fluorescence microscopy•Traction Microscopy

Group Future Interests•Regenerative medicine•Migration studies

Group Clinical Interests •Cooperation with research groups in clinical respiratory medicine -Identification of medical challenges•Feedback on issues related to clinical data•Clinical trials


Biom

echa

nics

&

Cellu

lar B

ioph

ysics


Engineering



Imaging


Nanoprobes & NanoswitchesGroup Leaders: Dr. P. Gorostiza / Prof. F. [email protected] / [email protected]

• Mechanics and nanostructure of biomembranes• Optical switches for remote control of biological activity

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/nano

Group Members/Brackground: Physicists Chemists / Pharmacists / Biologist Electronic Engineers Life Sciences

Aim of the group: Development of nanoscale tools to study biological systems.Instrumentation based on proximity probes, like electrochemical tunneling microscopyand spectroscopy. Preparation of molecular actuators, that can be switched with light(azobenzene), which can be attached to biomolecules to optically control their activity

Main Research Topics:

• Optical switches for fundamental studies of neurosecretion (exocytosis &endocytosis)• Engineering Light-switchable ion channels and receptors for applications inNanomedicine and Nurorehabilitattion• Membrane receptor landscape at the nanometre scale

Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches

Group Clinical Interests: Medical doctors or researchers expert in neurological diseases

The group can offer: Experience in developing optical switches to selectively control the fundamental

processes of secretion, exocytosis and endocytosis, in a way that is non-invasive, acute, and orthogonal to current pharmacological andelectrophysiological techniques

Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches

Research GroupsBiomaterials,




Imaging

Nano

biot

echn

olog

y Cellular

BiotechnologyBiomechanics


NanobioengineeringGroup Leader: Prof. J. Samitier

Nanobiosensors, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip

for in-vitro and in-vivo diagnosis

[email protected]

http://www.ibecbarcelona.eu/nanobioengineering

Biosensors

ElectrochemicalOptical

Microfluidics

Capillary electrophoresisMicrocounters

Blood filters

Piezo-jet / Dip-penMicrocontact printing

Surf. functionalisation

Nanostructured SurfacesCell/biomolecule characterisation

Nano-bio interactions

Research activities

Micro&Nanosystems for biomedical

applications

Nanobioengineering

Nanobioengineering

Previous Clinical Collaborations: Hospital Vall d’Hebrón (Barcelona) Hospital de Bellvitge (Barcelona) Hospital Clínic (Barcelona) ICVS (Braga, Portugal)

Group Clinical Interests:Diagnosis/Prognosis:

Collaboration with specialists in pathologies such as cancer (prostate,lung) and infectious diseases Access to clinical samples for biosensors validation

Regenerative medicine: Collaboration with tissue regeneration specialists (bone, heart, eye)

Surgery instrumentation: Collaboration with surgeons to develop new biosensors adapted tocurrent technological needs

Nanobioengineering

Group Members Background: Physics Materials Science Electronic Engineering Pharmacy Molecular Biology Chemistry

Laboratory Facilities: Electrochemical sensor characterization

equipment (EIS, voltammetry, flow cell system) Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) Optical Waveguide Lightmode Spectroscopy

(OWLS) Quartz crystal microbalance Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Nanoplotter equipment Microfluidics laboratory Fabrication facilities (Nanotechnology Platform

- PCB)

The group can offer: Expertise in all stages of the development of chemical/bio sensors (fabrication,functionalisation, characterization, validation) Experience in developing microfluidics systems for lab-on-a-chip devices Experience in developing nano-structured surfaces for cell therapy and tissueregeneration





Imaging

Nano

biot

echn

olog

y Cellular



Single Molecule Bionanophotonics Group Leader: Prof. Mª. [email protected]

Near-and far-field optical techniques forthe study of biological processes at thesingle molecular level

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/bionanophotonics

Group Members/Brackground: Physicists Electronic Engineers Biologists Chemists Techniccians

Aim of the group: Development and application of modern optical techniques for thestudy of biological processes at the single molecule level in order to understand therelationship between structure, function and dynamics of biomolecules in the living cell


• Optical tools with biochemical functional recognition at the single molecule level• Membrane receptor landscape at the nanometre scale• Single molecule cell membrane organisation and dynamics• Micro/nano-structuring biocompatible platforms for control & manipulation of cellmembrane organisation

Single Molecule Bionanophotonics

Group Clinical Interests: Medical doctors or researchers expert in biological processes and

diseases/pathologies of interest Topics such as human immune system, HIV virus, Fabry disease, as well as

the membrane organisation/structure of cells

The group can offer: New optical techniques/nanotools (multi-parameter scanning probe microscopes)

providing simultaneous topographic optical & biochemical recognition at the levelof single molecules with nanometric resolution in living cells

Previous Clinical collaborations: H. Vall d’Hebron, H. IrsiCaixa, H. Nijmegen

Single Molecule Bionanophotonics

Micro Time 200 (Fluorescence Lifetime Microscope)

Epi/Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Near-Field Optical Microscope (NSOM)





Imaging

Nano

biot

echn

olog

y Cellular



Electrical characterization ofbiological samples at thenanoscale by AFM

Nanoscale Bioelectrical CharacterizationGroup Leader: Dr. G. [email protected]

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/nanobioelec

Group Members/Brackground: Physicists/Mathematicians Electronic/Telecom. Engineers Biotechnologists Biophysical Chemists

Aim of the group: Development of experimental set ups based on Scanning ProbeMicroscopy and of adequate theoretical frameworks to measure and understandbioelectricity at the nanoscale (e.g. single cells, biomembranes, single biomolecules)


• Instrumentation for electric current/potential recordings at the nanoscale (currentsensing Atomic Force Microscopy). Applications of the instrumentation to:• Label free supramolecular organization of native biological membranes• Single receptor ligand-binding processes in olfactory receptors• Bioelectricity in single bacteria cells

Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization

Group Clinical Interests: Medical doctors or researchers expert in biological processes, bacteria and

olfactory receptors of interest Topics such as cell biomembrane organisation in relation to cell function

The group can offer: Optical techniques for label-free characterisation based on AC current-sensing

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) compatible with single molecule total internalreflection microscopy

Experience in developing new instruments for electric current/potentialrecordings at nm scale

Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization

Research GroupsMedical Signals & Instrumentation


Imaging



Biophysics

Nanobiotechnology

Bio/non-bio interactions for Regenerative Medicine

Group Leader: Prof. J.A. Planell

Biom

ater

ials,

Impl

ants

, Ti

ssue

Eng

inee

ring

Cell-substrate interactions for the design of third generation biomaterials

for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

[email protected]

Research topics•Tissue engineering of bone, vascular, ocular and neural tissue•Development of biomaterials for tissue regeneration•Research at the biointerface between surface materials and biological entities•Surface functionalisation•Stem cells research:

Bio/non-bio interactions for regenerative medicine

Expertise/technology

Biotool (Rapid prototyping)

Electrospinning

•Biomaterials development: •Biomaterials characterization andin vitro evaluation:

Cell culture facilities

Surface characterization

Clinical interests•Applications for the biomaterials developed in the group•Definition of clinical needs•Definition of surgical requirements•In vivo tests

Bio/non-bio interactions for regenerative medicine

Ongoing projects

•Composite biomaterial for bone regeneration that promotes revascularization•Biofunctionalization of materials for corneal regeneration •Development of nanostructured surfaces for controlling neural progenitor cells development

Research GroupsMedical Signals & Instrumentation


Imaging



Biophysics

Nanobiotechnology

Molecular dynamics at cell-biomaterial interface

Cellular interaction with biomaterial surfaces

Group Leader: Prof. G. [email protected]

Biom

ater

ials,

Impl

ants

, Ti

ssue

Eng

inee

ring


Research lines

•Dynamics of ECM proteins at cell-materials interface•Quantitative studies on the strength of cell adhesion•Electrospining of nanofibres from natural and synthetic polymers for tissueengineering applications: Bioinspired gel containing differently orientednanofibres and bioactive molecules resembling the natural spatio-temporalcues of the extracellular matrix•Dynamic behavior of integrins – the adhesive machinery that controls celladhesion and ECM assembly


The fate of type IV collagen in contact with endothelial cells

Equipment•Flow chamber for measuring the strength of cell adhesion•Experimental electrospinning device designed for the production of nanofibres from natural and synthetic polymers•Equipment for advanced cell culturing

Group Future Interests•New insights to the control of neovascularization•Development of artificial basement membrane•Endothelial progenitor cells

Group Clinical Interests •Identification of clinical challenges for regenerative medicine•Feedback on issues(clinical data) related to implication of regenerative cellular therapy•Clinical trials


Research Groups

Biomechanics and Mechanobiology

Study of the effect of mechanical stimuli on the biological response

Group Leader: Dr. D. Lacroix



Imaging



Biophysics

Nanobiotechnology

Biom

ater

ials,

Impl

ants

, Ti

ssue

Eng

inee

ring

Biom

ater

ials,

Impl

ants

, Ti

ssue

Eng

inee

ring

www.biomechanics.es

[email protected]

Research topics•How external and muscle loads are transferred to the tissues ?•How the cells sense these loads ?•How the signals are translated into the cascade of biochemical reactions to produce cell expression or differentiation ?•Bone mechanobiology (bone tissue engineering, bone distraction, fracture healing)•Spine biomechanics (mechanobiology of disc degeneration, disc angiogenesis, disc implant analysis)•Evaluation of implants


Clinical interests

•Medical data for patient specific models development and validation•Definition of clinical needs


Projects

•Bone tissue engineering: simulation of biomaterial/cells interaction to predict tissue formation•Prediction of results of Wrist proximal carpectomy•Functional prognosis simulation of patient specific spinal treatments

Research GroupsRobotics & Biomedical

Imaging

Medi

cal S

igna

ls &

Inst

rum

enta

tion



Biophysics


Engineering

Advanced signal processing techniques to improve monitoring, diagnostic, disease prevention and pathology therapy.

Biomedical Signal Processing and Interpretation

Group Leader: Prof. R. Jané[email protected]


Group Clinical Interests: Collaboration with specialists in respiratory pathologies such as COPD and SleepDisordered Breathing Collaboration with cardiologists Access to patients and clinical data (biomedical recordings, etc.)

Main Research Topics: Multichannel-Multimodal Biomedical Signal Processing Advanced signal processing techniques to define new indices of cardiac risk Sleep-disordered breathing analysis and interpretation Non-invasive respiratory monitoring Respiratory sounds analysis in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Multimodal interactions interpretation of blood pressure, electrocardiogram andrespiration


The group can offer: Computing server for high performance biomedical signal processing Beat to beat arterial blood pressure and haemodynamic monitor equipment Polisomnographic equipment available in the Sleep Laboratory of collaborator Hospital Sensors to obtain cardiac, respiratory and sleep biomedical signals Snoring analyzer equipment (SNORYZER) Databases of biomedical signals from Hospitals and Animal Laboratories BIOPAC system for multichannel cardiac and respiratory biomedical signal acquisition


Imaging

Medi

cal S

igna

ls &

Inst

rum

enta

tion



Biophysics


Engineering


Advanced Chemical Sensingand Signal Processing inspiredby the Olfactory Pathway

Group Leader: Dr. S. [email protected]

http://isp.el.ub.es/

Group Members/Brackground: Physicists Electronic Engineers Mathematicians Chemists Analytical Chemists

Aim of the group: Development of signal and data processing inspired by olfactorypathway. The interest is focused on the abstraction and identification of computationalsolutions with learning capabilities, suitable of application on real problems (e.g. Health:breath analysis, indoor air quality, etc.)


• Artificial olfaction system / odour perception• Statistical intelligent signal processing and chemometrics for artificial olfaction• Biologically inspired signal and data processing for chemical systems• Chemical sensor arrays & development of smart chemical instruments


Group Clinical Interests: Medical doctors or researchers expert in certain pathologies Access to samples and analysis results from pathologies Population information, typologies and other parameters related to pathologies

The group can offer: Data processing of all kinds, but especially of volatile compounds as they can

work from the development of sampling techniques (smart instruments, sensors,etc.), treatment and final evaluation.

Previous collaboration with the research group lead by Federico Gomez from theHospital Clinic.


Sensor arrayExcitationcircuitry

+-

Preprocessing

f1

f2

Dimensionalityreduction

ClassificationRegressionClustering Validation

vvu

=

0RΔR

Optimization feedback

Sensor arrayExcitationcircuitry

+-+-

Preprocessing

f1

f2

Dimensionalityreduction

ClassificationRegressionClustering Validation

vvu

=

0RΔR

Optimization feedback


Imaging

Medi

cal S

igna

ls &

Inst

rum

enta

tion



Biophysics


Engineering

Lab-on-a-chip solution to monitor neuronal activity

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/neuroengineering

NeuroengineeringGroup Leader: Dr. E. [email protected]


Research lines

Monitoring and control neuronal activity with the aim of empowering basic research, drug discovery and therapeutic action against neuropathologies

•Lab-on-a-chip electrophysiology:-Development of in vitro neuron monitoring devices: monitoring of electrical activity in all neurons participating in a microcircuit

•Optical techniques for the study of electroporation in primary cells

•Detection of early neuropathologies markers in cerebrospinal fluid

•Biomarkers analysis

Multiwell polymeric chip (1) for integrated electrophysiology on a largescale of an integrated microchannel (2). Neuronal activity measuredusing our devices (3) and an axon growing inside the microchannels (4)

Neuroengineering

Equipment •Dual-micromanipulator electrophysiology set up•UV laser scanning direct-lithography system•64-channel multielectrode array amplifier

Group Future Interests•Microdevices design•Dosimetry studies in neuronal tumors: radiation levels assessment•Novel optical techniques to monitor neuronal activity: photobleaching-free techniques

Group Clinical InterestsIdentification of medical challenges•Feedback on issues related to clinical data•Clinical trials

Neuroengineering

Research GroupsRo

botic

s &

Biom

edica

l Imag

ing



Biophysics


Engineering


Robot control strategies for theassistance to users and/or medicalstaff in surgery, rehabilitation and dailylife assistance to disabled and elder

RoboticsGroup Leader: Prof. A. [email protected]

www.ibecbarcelona.eu/robotics

Group Members/Brackground: Industrial engineers Electrical and electronic engineers Biomedical engineers Informatics engineers Computer vision

Aim of the group: Development of intelligent robotic systems to provide assistance tothe disabled and to the medical staff. The research focuses on the development ofrobot strategies for a friendly interaction in rehabilitation treatment, in increasing users’autonomy in daily life and in assisting the surgeon and staff in surgical interventions.


• Robotics research in rehabilitation• Research in surgical robotics• Research in Human Robot Interaction

Robotics

Group Clinical Interests: Interaction with Medical doctors and surgeons to solve specific problems Topics such as laparoscopic surgery, orthopedic surgery, study of surgical

procedures, functional rehabilitation

The group can offer: Once identified a medical or surgical problem leads us to investigate

programming techniques and control strategies for robots and robot-personcooperation.

Previous Clinical collaborations: H. Parc Taulí, H. Vall d’Hebron, H. del Mar, H.Neurologic, Fundació Institut Guttman.

Robotics

Documents

Research Groups · Molecular and cellular neurobiotechnology Research Groups Biomechanics & Cellular Biophysics. Nanobiotechnology Biomaterials, Implants & Tissue Engineering Medical