ABOUT
The inability of the central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate has been attributed to several factors: First, the natural formation of cellular “bridges” essential for axonal regeneration does not occur at the site of injury. Second, the injured CNS fails to produce growth factors necessary to stimulate regeneration. Third, neurons in the injured CNS do not adequately initiate a “growth program” necessary for new regeneration. Finally, the environment of the injured adult spinal cord presents obstacles to regeneration, specifically due to inhibitory extracellular matrix molecules that accumulate around the injury site and the presence of inhibitory proteins in adult myelin that hinder regeneration.
We are committed to elucidating the molecular processes underlying neuronal regeneration and using these insights to develop practical strategies for repairing damaged CNS circuits.
Our research covers a broad spectrum from the identification of ECM molecules that impede axon regeneration to the development and application of advanced biomimetic materials in spinal cord injury (SCI) models.
Our group is interested in elucidating the molecular mechanisms governing regenerative failure after central nervous system injury and leveraging this knowledge to develop rationally tuned biomaterial strategies to reverse paralysis. Our goal is to translate these findings to humans.
RESEARCH FOCUS
Understanding the Barriers to Regeneration:
The primary focus of this research is to understand the role of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in spinal cord injury and regeneration.
Using quantitative mass spectrometry proteomics, our team is characterizing the ECM and ECM-associated proteome in spinal cords across developmental stages and injury conditions. This approach allows the identification of specific ECM components that change after injury, providing insight into potential therapeutic targets.
The comprehensive proteomic profile is further enhanced by transcriptomic profiling to identify soluble components, cellular contributors, and spatial information. This in-depth analysis of the ECM in both healthy and injured states aims to unravel the complex interactions and changes that occur and to guide the development of strategies to modulate the ECM to promote regeneration
Human spinal motor neurons grown on artificial matrix. SEM image of neurons interacting through their growth cones. Cells are falsely colored in green and purple.
New tools to study injury and regeneration in vitro:
This research area uses cutting-edge bioengineering methods and three-dimensional systems to mimic spinal cord structures and analyze their responses to injury in the laboratory. It uses two primary techniques:
1. Human Spinal Cord Organoids (hSCOs): hSCOs are generated using 3D printed organoid-on-a-chip technology, which creates a tubular shape that mimics the geometry of the spinal cord. This structure allows us to study how the shape of the tissue affects cellular organization within the organoids. In addition, by incorporating ECM signals at specific times after spinal cord injury, the study aims to explore the evolving nature of spinal cord injury and evaluate treatments based on ECM components identified through this research.
2. 3D printed human spinal cord constructs: This method combines two sophisticated printing technologies – cell bioprinting and volumetric printing – to produce a detailed, four-dimensional model of the human spinal cord with precise accuracy. The focus is on faithfully reproducing the white and gray matter of the spinal cord. It uses an exoskeletal framework to strategically place each bioprinted cell, closely mimicking the architecture of the spinal cord. This approach is designed to provide insight into the dynamic functional behavior of the spinal cord in vitro.
Translational Strategies for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury:
The third area of our research focuses on the development of innovative and effective biomaterial-based therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) using in vivo models. Our team is implementing two different approaches depending on the stage of injury:
1. Injectable functionalized synthetic hydrogels for acute injury: We are creating chemically defined hydrogels that mimic various ECM signals, specifically tailored to treat the early stages of spinal cord injury. The goal is to study their impact on factors such as inflammation, cell survival, blood vessel formation, glial scar formation, and nerve fiber regeneration
2. 3D printed spinal cord constructs for chronic injury: For more advanced chronic spinal cord injuries, we are developing artificial 3D constructs embedded with ECM signals and living cells. These constructs are designed to provide nutritional support, promote neural growth, and support the functional development of native cells in nearby tissues. The primary goal is to enhance the integration, maturation, and connectivity of transplanted cells, which is critical for restoring motor function in models of chronic spinal cord injury.
HIGHLIGHTS
Expanding Our Capabilities in 3D Bioprinting
We are pleased to share that our lab has incorporated a new Volumetric Bioprinter, currently unique in Spain, with support from the ERC Consolidator Grant. Our team has already followed hands-on training delivered by the Readily 3D team and printed the first structures, including the logo of the lab! The printer will be dedicated to scaffold fabrication to build more advanced spinal cord models and accelerate our research.
STAFF
Staff members
ibecbarcelona.euPROJECTS
Projects as Principal Investigator
ERC-CoG (European Research Council)
Engineered Humanized Spinal Cord Constructs for Advanced Regeneration
Project code: ERC-COG-2025-101230979
Period: 2026–2031
CaixaHealth (La Caixa Foundation)
Human Vascularized Spinal Cord Organoid Device for Drug Discovery after Traumatic Injury
Project code: HR25-00406
Period: 2025–2028
Generación de Conocimiento (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades)
In vivo Models of Humanized Spinal Cord Injury
Project code: PID2024-162574OB-I00
Period: 2025–2028
International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia (IFRP)
Human Vascularized Spinal Cord Organoids
Period: 2024–2026
R01 Grant NIH (National Institutes of Health)
Refining iPSC-Based Spinal Cord Model Systems by Fabricating Developmentally Programmed Extracellular Matrix Cues
Project code: R01 AG086270
Period: 2024–2029
Competitive Fellowships and Grants Obtained for Supervised Researchers
INPhINIT (La Caixa Foundation)
Recipient: Alexiane Touzé
Period: 2026–2029
Juan de la Cierva (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades)
Code: JDC2023-051798
Recipient: Xavier Barceló
Period: 2024–2026
FPI (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades)
Code: PRE2022-101803
Recipient: Palash Chavandranshi
Period: 2023–2027
IBEC Master Fellowship
Recipient: Anton Fornies
Period: 2023–2024
FI-STEP (AGAUR Generalitat de Catalunya)
Code: 2025 STEP 00182
Recipient: Rita Grimalt
Period: 2022–2025
PUBLICATIONS
Check for more detailed information on the outputs of the Group at IBEC CRIS portal.
Publications list:
EQUIPMENT
3D PRINTING
- Bio II Advance PLUS 3. Biological Safety Cabinet (TELSTAR)
- Anycubic Photon mono 4k + curing station (ANYCUBIC)
- Anycubic Photon M3 Premium + curing station (ANYCUBIC)
- Original Prusa Mini+ (PRUSA)
- LUMEN X Gen 3 3D Bioprinter (Lumenex)
- Volumetric 3D printer Tomolite v2.0 (Readily3D)
- R-GEN 200 BIOPRINTER (RegenHU)
- Microelectrode array (MEA) Maestro Pro (AXION Biosystem)
- IMARIS WORK STATION
ANIMAL FACILITY
- IH-0415 Infinite Horizon IMPACTOR Mouse/Rat
- DigiGait Imaging System – Mouse Only with Incline
- WPI Stereotaxic for mice, Digi and Portable, SGL M
COLLABORATIONS
- Samuel I. Stupp (Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University)
- Aitziber López Cortajarena (CICbiomagune)
- Juan Alberto Ortega (Universitat de Barcelona)
- Evangelos Kiskinis (Northwestern University)
- Ivan R. Sasselli (CSIC)
- Elena Sanchez Lopez (Universitat de Barcelona)
- Riccardo Levato (Utrect University)
- Simone Di Giovani (Imperial College)
- Antonio Oliviero (Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos de Toledo)
NEWS
LA VANGUARDIA: ¿Estudiar lesiones medulares sin recurrir a la experimentación animal?
El proyecto utilizará organoides creados a partir de células madre para reproducir lesiones medulares en condiciones similares a las humanas.
L’IBEC destaca a TERMIS‑EU 2026 amb una àmplia participació científica i un paper clau en el lideratge del congrés
L’IBEC destaca a TERMIS EU 2026, el congrés europeu de referència en enginyeria de teixits i medicina regenerativa, celebrat del 21 al 24 d’abril de 2026 al Palau de Congressos de Palma (Mallorca), amb una participació molt rellevant en un esdeveniment que ha reunit més de 1.600 investigadores i investigadors.
Se celebra a Barcelona la quarta edició de la Conferència EMBL-IBEC
La quarta edició de la Conferència EMBL-IBEC organitzada per l’Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) i el Laboratori Europeu de Biologia Molecular (EMBL) va girar al voltant del modelatge de malaltia del desenvolupament i medicina regenerativa, i va reunir aquesta setmana al PRBB de Barcelona prop de 130 experts i expertes internacionals en el camp de la bioenginyeria.
BUSINESS INSIDER: Científicos españoles desarrollarán un nuevo modelo humano que promete mejores tratamientos para lesiones medulares
Tras el fracaso del 95% de los tratamientos probados en animales, este proyecto innovador está generado a partir de células madre humanas. Liderado por la investigadora Zaida Álvarez, del Instituto de Bioingeneria de Catalunya (IBEC), este nuevo modelo ha recibido cerca de un millón de euros de la Fundación “la Caixa” en la convocatoria de Investigación en Salud 2025.
Zaida Álvarez guardonada amb una prestigiosa beca europea ERC Consolidator
The researcher at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant. This prestigious European funding supports excellent scientists and scholars who are consolidating their independent research teams to pursue their most promising scientific ideas. The €2.8 million SPINECRAFT grant, awarded for five years, will enable Álvarez and her team to build a high-fidelity, 4D human spinal cord model using advanced bioprinting and patient-derived cells. This platform aims to transform the study of spinal cord biology, neurodegenerative disorders, and regenerative therapies, setting the stage for breakthroughs previously out of reach.
L’IBEC rep finançament de la Convocatòria Health Research 2025 de la Fundació “la Caixa” per estudiar nous tractament per les lesions medul·lars
Zaida Álvarez Pinto, Investigadora principal de l’IBEC, liderarà un projecte de recerca biomèdica seleccionat en l’edició 2025 de la convocatòria d’Investigació en Salut de la Fundació ”la Caixa”. El projecte s’enfocarà en el desenvolupament d’una nova plataforma d’assaig de tractaments per a les lesions medul·lars i es portarà a terme en consorci amb l’IDIBELL, la UB, la Fundación Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos i la Fundacion Lesionados Medulares.
Bioenginyeria per a la medicina de precisió en el 18è Simposi de l’IBEC
El 18è Simposi anual de l’IBEC es va centrar en ‘Bioenginyeria per a la Medicina de Precisió’, una de les àrees clau d’aplicació de l’IBEC. Van ser prop de 300 les persones assistents a l’esdeveniment, entre les quals es trobava personal investigador local i internacional. Un ambient multidisciplinari en el qual experts i expertes d’altres centres i la mateixa comunitat de l’IBEC van tenir l’oportunitat de presentar els seus projectes i intercanviar coneixement.
L’IBEC i SEMIT organitzen el primer Congrés SEMIT a Barcelona
L’Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) i la Societat Espanyola de Medicina Regenerativa i Enginyeria de Teixits (SEMIT) han organitzat el Congrés inaugural SEMIT 2025. L’esdeveniment va reunir els principals experts nacionals i internacionals en medicina regenerativa i enginyeria de teixits, creant una plataforma única per a l’intercanvi de coneixements entre personal investigador, mèdic i indústria.
Set laboratoris addicionals de l’IBEC aconsegueixen el màxim nivell en la certificació My Green Lab
Seven more research groups at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have been certified by My Green Lab, reaching the highest rating, the Green Level, for sustainable laboratory practices. With these additions, IBEC core facilities and 70% of the Institute’s laboratories are now certified.
Una nanoteràpia recoberta de sucre protegeix les neurones en malalties neurodegeneratives
El nou tractament, basat en nanofibres i trehalosa, un sucre natural de les plantes, atrapa i neutralitza les proteïnes tòxiques per aturar la progressió de la malaltia. Un cop atrapades, les proteïnes tòxiques ja no poden penetrar en les neurones i es degraden sense causar danys. L’estudi, publicat a la revista Journal of the American Chemical Society ha estat desenvolupat per científics de l’Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) i la Northwestern University, als Estats Units.
L’IBEC rep finançament dels Instituts Nacionals de Salut dels Estats Units per avançar en la regeneració neural
La investigadora principal de l’IBEC, Zaida Álvarez, ha rebut finançament els Instituts Nacionals de Salut (NIH) dels Estats Units per desenvolupar models de medul·la espinal basats en cèl·lules mare. El projecte, coordinat per la Northwestern University amb la participació de l’IBEC i l’IDIBELL, permetrà estudiar malalties neurodegeneratives i desenvolupar nous tractaments per a lesions medul·lars i altres patologies neurodegeneratives.
Organoides de medul·la espinal per estudiar tractaments per a la paraplegia
Es tracta d’un projecte centrat en la creació d’un dispositiu imprès en 3D on es cultivarà un organoide de medul·la espinal humana per estudiar el dany medul·lar i el posterior testatge de fàrmacs. La recerca, liderada per la investigadora principal de l’IBEC Zaida Álvarez, ha rebut finançament part de la Fundació Internacional per a la Recerca de la Paraplegia.
L’IBEC es reforça amb tres nous grups de recerca en teràpies avançades i emergents
L’IBEC estrena el 2024 amb la incorporació de tres nous grups de recerca que seran liderats per Manuel Salmerón Sánchez, Zaida Álvarez Pinto i Xavier Rovira Clavé. Amb aquestes incorporacions, l’IBEC enforteix el seu posicionament en el camp de les teràpies avançades i emergents.
Investigadores de l’IBEC posen de manifest el paper de la dona en ciència en diferents mitjans
Coincidint amb la celebració del dia 11 de febrer, Dia de la Nena i la Dona en Ciència, Núria Montserrat és una de les tres protagonistes de la campanya de … Read more
Aconsegueixen neurones madures en el laboratori a partir de cèl·lules mare per poder estudiar malalties neurodegeneratives
Zaida Álvarez, investigadora de l’IBEC, i Alberto Ortega, investigador de la UB, han aconseguit les primeres neurones altament madures cultivades al laboratori, a partir de cèl·lules mare pluripotents, fent servir … Read more
Investigadors aconsegueixen cultivar neurones madures al laboratori per estudiar malalties neurodegeneratives
Investigadors de l’Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) i de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) han aconseguit crear les primeres neurones altament madures a partir de cèl·lules mare pluripotents induïdes … Read more
JOBS
Research in Training at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
RT-ZA // Deadline: 05/07/2026
Researcher in Training at the Biomaterials for neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: RT – ZA // Deadline: 6/04/2026
Postdoctoral Researcher at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: ERC-CoG-SPINECRAFT-Postdoc-Neuro // Deadline: 20/02/2026
Predoctoral at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: ERC-CoG-SPINECRAFT-PhD // Deadline: 20/02/2026
Technical Support to Research (Bioinformatician) at the Biomaterials For Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: GC-Bioinformatician // Deadline: 30/01/2026
PhD at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: PhD-ZA // Deadline: 04/11/2025
Researcher in Training for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: RT-ZA // Deadline: 12/03/2025
PhD at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: PHD_ZA // Deadline: 10/03/2025
Research Assistant at the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group
Ref: (RA_ZA)// Deadline: 30/10/2024
Laboratory technician at the Biomaterials for neural regeneration (LT_ZA)
Ref: LT_ZA // Deadline: 22/03/2023