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Sarah Moreira

Three IBEC researchers receive grants from the Spanish Association Against Cancer

Three research projects led by IBEC researchers Xavier Rovira-Clavé, David Esporrín Ubieto and Aránzazu Villasante have been selected by the Spanish Association Against Cancer for its 2025 Grant Programme. The grant presentation ceremony, held in Barcelona today, recognised the momentum behind these initiatives, which range from advanced cell therapy platforms to smart nanomotors and innovative paediatric tumour treatment strategies.

New insights into how bacteria control DNA synthesis open the door to next‑generation antimicrobials 

A study led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Molecular Biology Institute of Barcelona (IBMB) provides the most detailed picture to date of NrdR — the master regulator of ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs) in bacteria. Researchers obtained the first detailed images of the complete NrdR protein structure and showed how changes in the shape and grouping of this protein affect the way it controls key processes inside the cell. The findings, recently published in International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, increase our understanding of how bacteria regulate the production of the molecular building blocks of DNA, a crucial aspect for both fundamental microbiology and the development of new antimicrobial strategies.

A biological material that becomes stronger when wet could replace plastics 

A new study led by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has unveiled the first biomaterial that is not only waterproof but actually becomes stronger in contact with water. The material is produced by the incorporation of nickel into the structure of chitosan, a chitinous polymer obtained from discarded shrimp shells. The development of this new biomaterial, published in Nature Communications, marks a departure from the plastic-age mindset of making materials that must isolate from their environment to perform well. Instead, it shows how sustainable materials can connect and leverage their environment, using their surrounding water to achieve mechanical performance that surpasses common plastics.

IBEC promotes the medicine of the future with a knowledge transfer event during the Barcelona Health Innovation Week 2026

Today, researchers, clinicians and innovation experts gathered at a conference organised by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) as part of Barcelona Health Innovation Week 2026. The conference focused on accelerating the transfer of results towards a more personalised, preventive and sustainable future of medicine. The session emphasised the importance of strengthening interdisciplinary alliances to bring scientific advances to patients sooner, and highlighted the role of the Catalan biomedical ecosystem and the progress made by the Complementary Plan for Biotechnology Applied to Health in Catalonia.

Amayra Hernández-Vega receives a grant from the Pasqual Maragall Foundation to advance research on the early stages of Alzheimer’s

IBEC researcher Amayra Hernández-Vega has been awarded a grant from the Pasqual Maragall Researchers Programme to lead a project focused on studying the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The study will combine in vitro and human models of familial Alzheimer’s disease to identify age-related factors and potential inhibitors that could slow the early progression of the disease. The project was presented at an informative session on sleep and brain health, which was attended by around 500 people.

IBEC and the Lluís Vives Institute in Barcelona join forces to incorporate scientific research into the school 

As part of the Magnet programme. The Partnerships for Educational Success initiative, a collaboration between the Bioengineering Institute of Catalonia (IBEC) and a secondary school in Sants, promotes the integration of research into students’ skills-based learning. With the support of IBEC researchers and training for the teaching staff, students work on real scientific projects on health, the human body, cell biology, and the environment, among other topics.

Three IBEC projects receive ERC Proof of Concept funding to drive innovation in health, neuroscience, and biomedical technology 

Dr Benedetta Bolognesi, Dr Irene Marco-Rius and Dr Nicolò Accanto, who are all principal investigators at IBEC, have each been awarded a prestigious ERC Proof of Concept grant. These grants are awarded by the European Research Council to support the exploration of the commercial and societal potential of research projects conducted within European institutions. The three winning projects range from new platforms for discovering antiamyloid drugs, to advanced metabolic analysis technologies, to optical tools for studying the brains of animals moving naturally.

IBEC secures competitive funding to drive forward validation testing for three innovative health projects

IBEC has been awarded three grants in response to the call for proposals from the Strategic Plan for Health Research and Innovation (PERIS). These projects aim to validate hyperspectral technology for improving assisted reproduction, using bioprinted cell spheroids to combat type 1 diabetes and developing light-activated drugs to restore vision in patients with retinal degeneration.

Josep Samitier concludes thirteen years at the helm of IBEC

Josep Samitier will step down as Director of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) on 31 December 2025. Under his leadership since 2013, IBEC has become a leading institution in Spain for research excellence in bioengineering. Manuel Salmeron, an ICREA Research Professor at IBEC, will take over as interim director at the request of the Institute’s board of trustees.