\n\n\n\n
Revealing the Invisible: 20 Years of IBEC Through Cyanotype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every day, in the laboratories of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), images are produced that give shape to research: cells, tissues, microscopic structures, graphs and maps. These images are born of a question, and researchers observe, compare and interpret them until they become knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To mark its 20th anniversary, IBEC invited photographer Roser Salarich to transform twenty images, contributed by its research groups, into cyanotypes, one for each year of the Institute\u2019s history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Invented almost two centuries ago, the cyanotype was one of the first photographic techniques to be placed at the service of science. Reviving it today creates a dialogue between the origins of scientific photography and contemporary research. It is a handcrafted process in which light, water and paper slowly reveal the image. Like scientific research, it demands precision, patience and care at every step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here, science and art share the same challenge: making sense of what, at first glance, appears abstract. This exhibition invites you to pause before each work, to look closely and take your time, and to discover that behind every image lies a research project, a team, and many hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because sometimes, to discover something new, we first need to look again.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cianot\u00edpia<\/strong> Imatge original<\/strong> Informaci\u00f3<\/strong> Life finds a way<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Albert Parra Mart\u00ednez<\/strong> Aquesta imatge mostra un embri\u00f3 hum\u00e0 de 9 dies, observat amb un microscopi confocal, en qu\u00e8 hem fet visibles els nuclis de les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules, l\u2019esquelet intern que les sost\u00e9 i dues prote\u00efnes que identifiquen diferents tipus cel\u00b7lulars. \u00c9s l\u2019edat en qu\u00e8, dins del cos, l\u2019embri\u00f3 s\u2019implanta a l\u2019\u00fater: un pas cr\u00edtic que, quan falla, \u00e9s una de les principals causes d\u2019infertilitat. Per estudiar-lo, hem creat un gel que imita les capes externes de l\u2019\u00fater. Aix\u00ed hem pogut gravar per primera vegada en temps real com un embri\u00f3 hum\u00e0 s\u2019hi implanta: s\u2019hi enterra exercint una for\u00e7a considerable, estirant i reorganitzant el teixit que l\u2019envolta. Els embrions provenen de donacions per a la recerca de parelles en tractament de fecundaci\u00f3 in vitro, amb el seu consentiment informat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This image shows a 9-day-old human embryo, observed with a confocal microscope, in which we have made visible the cell nuclei, the internal skeleton that supports the cells and two proteins that identify different cell types. This is the age at which, inside the body, the embryo implants in the uterus: a critical step that, when it fails, is one of the main causes of infertility. To study it, we created a gel that mimics the outer layers of the uterus. This allowed us to film, for the first time and in real time, how a human embryo implants: it burrows in, exerting considerable force and pulling on and reorganising the surrounding tissue. The embryos were donated for research by couples undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment, with their informed consent.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Wannabe neurons<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mariana Azevedo Gonzalez Oliva<\/strong> Aquestes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules s\u00f3n \u00abaspirants a neurones\u00bb: provenen d\u2019una l\u00ednia cel\u00b7lular humana que es cultiva al laboratori i que, amb el tractament adequat, adquireix caracter\u00edstiques de neurona. Les hem fet cr\u00e9ixer sobre un hidrogel sint\u00e8tic dissenyat per imitar la tovor del teixit cerebral i recobert de laminina, una prote\u00efna que ajuda les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules a adherir-s\u2019hi. Ajustant amb precisi\u00f3 les propietats mec\u00e0niques d\u2019aquests materials, podem reproduir les condicions d\u2019un teixit sa o malalt i estudiar com influeixen en el comportament de les neurones. La imatge \u00e9s un mosaic de diverses fotografies de microscopi unides que, en conjunt, cobreixen m\u00e9s de 2 mm\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These cells are \u201cwannabe neurons\u201d: they come from a human cell line grown in the laboratory that, with the right treatment, takes on neuron-like features. We grew them on a synthetic hydrogel designed to mimic the softness of brain tissue and coated with laminin, a protein that helps the cells attach to it. By precisely tuning the mechanical properties of these materials, we can recreate the conditions of healthy or diseased tissue and study how they affect neuronal behaviour. The image is a mosaic of several microscope photographs stitched together, covering a total area of more than 2 mm\u00b2.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Iris of origin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00d6zge \u00d6zgu\u00e7<\/strong> Aquest \u00abiris\u00bb \u00e9s un agregat esf\u00e8ric de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules mare pluripotents indu\u00efdes humanes, obtingudes reprogramant c\u00e8l\u00b7lules adultes i capaces de donar lloc a molts tipus cel\u00b7lulars. En condicions de cultiu controlades i amb els senyals qu\u00edmics adequats, aquestes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules s\u2019organitzen per si soles en estructures tridimensionals que reprodueixen alguns trets de les primeres etapes del desenvolupament embrionari. No s\u00f3n embrions, sin\u00f3 models in vitro que ens permeten estudiar com les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules cooperen per construir estructures cada vegada m\u00e9s complexes. El nostre objectiu \u00e9s entendre els principis f\u00edsics i moleculars que guien aquesta autoorganitzaci\u00f3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This \u201ciris\u201d is a spherical aggregate of human induced pluripotent stem cells, obtained by reprogramming adult cells and able to give rise to many different cell types. Under controlled culture conditions and with the right chemical signals, these cells organise themselves into three-dimensional structures that reproduce some features of the earliest stages of embryonic development. They are not embryos, but in vitro models that allow us to study how cells cooperate to build increasingly complex structures. Our aim is to understand the physical and molecular principles that guide this self-organisation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Mistakes create beauty<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Margherita Gallano<\/strong> En aquesta imatge es veuen els nuclis de diverses c\u00e8l\u00b7lules tumorals humanes, la part de la c\u00e8l\u00b7lula que cont\u00e9 l\u2019ADN. Cada nucli est\u00e0 envoltat per l\u2019embolcall nuclear, una doble membrana que estudiem perqu\u00e8 hi arriben els senyals mec\u00e0nics de l\u2019exterior, com les forces d\u2019estirament o de compressi\u00f3. Aquests senyals poden influir en quins gens s\u2019activen i, finalment, en el dest\u00ed de la c\u00e8l\u00b7lula. Per fer visibles prote\u00efnes concretes fem servir una t\u00e8cnica de tinci\u00f3 anomenada immunofluoresc\u00e8ncia. Idealment, el senyal s\u2019hauria de repartir de manera uniforme, per\u00f2 un error en el protocol va generar els anells conc\u00e8ntrics del fons. De vegades, un error tamb\u00e9 crea bellesa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This image shows the nuclei of several human tumour cells, the part of the cell that contains DNA. Each nucleus is surrounded by the nuclear envelope, a double membrane that we study because it receives mechanical signals from outside the cell, such as stretching or compression forces. These signals can influence which genes are switched on and, ultimately, the fate of the cell. To make specific proteins visible, we use a staining technique called immunofluorescence. Ideally, the signal should be evenly distributed, but an error in the protocol produced the concentric rings in the background. Sometimes, a mistake can also create beauty.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Connecting network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alice Perucca<\/strong> En aquesta imatge hi ha m\u00e9s del que es veu. Hi apareixen dos elements marcats amb fluoresc\u00e8ncia. Els petits \u00f2vals allargats, com grans d\u2019arr\u00f2s, s\u00f3n els nuclis, la part de la c\u00e8l\u00b7lula que cont\u00e9 l\u2019ADN. La trama fibrosa que omple l\u2019espai entre ells \u00e9s una xarxa de fibronectina, una prote\u00efna que forma fibres al voltant de les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules i les connecta. El que no es veu s\u00f3n les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules a les quals pertanyen aquests nuclis, uns fibroblasts, que s\u00f3n les que han fabricat la xarxa. No estan marcades amb fluoresc\u00e8ncia, per\u00f2 sabem que ocupen les zones fosques allargades que envolten cada nucli. Amb aquest experiment vol\u00edem mostrar que la fibronectina dibuixa patrons corbats i es distribueix igual que aquestes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules, que tendeixen a alinear-se com les fibres d\u2019un fil en un teixit t\u00e8xtil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is more to this image than meets the eye. It shows two elements labelled with fluorescence. The small elongated ovals, like grains of rice, are the nuclei, the part of the cell that contains DNA. The fibrous mesh filling the space between them is a network of fibronectin, a protein that forms fibres around cells and connects them. What we cannot see are the cells these nuclei belong to, fibroblasts, which are the ones that built the network. They are not labelled with fluorescence, but we know they occupy the elongated dark areas surrounding each nucleus. With this experiment, we wanted to show that fibronectin forms curved patterns and is distributed in the same way as these cells, which tend to line up like the fibres of a thread in a woven fabric.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Touching life<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beatriz Cantero Nieto<\/strong> Quan una c\u00e8l\u00b7lula o un teixit emmalalteix, no nom\u00e9s canvia la seva qu\u00edmica: tamb\u00e9 en poden canviar la forma, el relleu o la rigidesa. Aquestes imatges mostren macr\u00f2fags, unes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules del sistema immunitari, observats amb un microscopi de for\u00e7a at\u00f2mica (AFM, per les sigles en angl\u00e8s). En lloc d\u2019utilitzar llum, aquest microscopi \u00abpalpa\u00bb la superf\u00edcie de la c\u00e8l\u00b7lula amb una punta fin\u00edssima i en reconstrueix el relleu amb un detall de l\u2019escala del nan\u00f2metre, una milion\u00e8sima de mil\u00b7l\u00edmetre. Volem utilitzar aquestes propietats f\u00edsiques com a nous par\u00e0metres per entendre millor les malalties i, en el futur, desenvolupar noves eines de diagn\u00f2stic i ter\u00e0pia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a cell or tissue becomes diseased, it is not only its chemistry that changes: its shape, surface topography and stiffness can change too. These images show macrophages, a type of immune cell, observed with an atomic force microscope (AFM). Instead of using light, this microscope \u201cfeels\u201d the surface of the cell with an extremely fine tip and reconstructs its topography with nanometre-scale detail, a nanometre being one millionth of a millimetre. We want to use these physical properties as new parameters to better understand disease and, in the future, to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic tools.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Muscle masquerade<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Petra Bauzon<\/strong> Aquest teixit muscular tridimensional, creat al laboratori, penja entre dos petits pilars de silicona, com una goma el\u00e0stica estirada entre dos pals. L\u2019hem obtingut a partir de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules musculars humanes. Les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules es fusionen i formen fibres musculars alineades que es contrauen quan les estimulem amb electricitat o amb llum. Amb aquests teixits podem estudiar el funcionament del m\u00fascul en malalties com la distr\u00f2fia muscular de Duchenne, una malaltia gen\u00e8tica que el debilita progressivament, i provar com hi responen possibles f\u00e0rmacs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This lab-grown, three-dimensional muscle tissue hangs between two small silicone pillars, like a rubber band stretched between two posts. We made it from human muscle cells. The cells fuse together to form aligned muscle fibres that contract when we stimulate them with electricity or light. With these tissues, we can study how muscle works in diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disease that progressively weakens it, and test how potential drugs affect it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Starfish<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Miquel Bosch Padr\u00f3s<\/strong> Aquesta imatge mostra una petita col\u00f2nia de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules epitelials, les que recobreixen els \u00f2rgans i les superf\u00edcies del cos, amb les membranes marcades amb fluoresc\u00e8ncia per veure\u2019n el contorn. Les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules havien de quedar confinades en una zona preparada per a elles, per\u00f2, per manca d\u2019espai, algunes se n\u2019han escapat. Per pura casualitat, ho han fet formant cinc bra\u00e7os, com una estrella de mar. L\u2019atzar tamb\u00e9 forma part de la recerca: distingir qu\u00e8 \u00e9s fruit de la casualitat i qu\u00e8 amaga principis cient\u00edfics encara desconeguts \u00e9s una de les feines de la ci\u00e8ncia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This image shows a small colony of epithelial cells, the cells that line the organs and body surfaces, with their membranes labelled using fluorescence to reveal their outlines. The cells were meant to remain confined within a designated area prepared for them, but as space became limited, some escaped. By pure chance, they did so in a pattern resembling the five arms of a starfish. Chance is also part of scientific research: distinguishing between what is merely coincidental and what may conceal still-unknown scientific principles is one of the central tasks of science.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Lymphatic waffle<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sergi Rey<\/strong> Aquesta estructura plena de forats \u00e9s un dels primers prototips d\u2019una bastida d\u2019hidrogel impresa en 3D. L\u2019hidrogel \u00e9s un material tou i ple d\u2019aigua, i aquesta bastida s\u2019ha dissenyat per imitar els ganglis limf\u00e0tics, on es multipliquen de manera natural les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules T, unes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules del sistema immunitari capaces de destruir c\u00e8l\u00b7lules tumorals. En algunes immunoter\u00e0pies contra el c\u00e0ncer, s\u2019extreuen c\u00e8l\u00b7lules T del pacient, es modifiquen perqu\u00e8 siguin m\u00e9s actives i se\u2019n fan moltes c\u00f2pies abans de tornar-les a injectar. Els m\u00e8todes de cultiu actuals no permeten obtenir-ne prou de manera r\u00e0pida i assequible. Aquestes bastides volen facilitar que les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules T es multipliquin m\u00e9s i millor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This structure full of holes is one of the first prototypes of a 3D-printed hydrogel scaffold. Hydrogel is a soft, water-filled material, and this scaffold has been designed to mimic the lymph nodes, where T cells naturally multiply. T cells are immune cells capable of destroying tumour cells. In some cancer immunotherapies, T cells are taken from the patient, modified to make them more active and multiplied many times over before being injected back. Current culture methods cannot produce enough of them quickly and affordably. These scaffolds aim to help T cells multiply in greater numbers and more effectively.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Samuel S\u00e1nchez Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez<\/strong> Aquestes quatre esferes s\u00f3n nanorobots observats amb un microscopi electr\u00f2nic. Cadascun fa uns 450 nan\u00f2metres, m\u00e9s de cent vegades menys que el gruix d\u2019un cabell. S\u00f3n esferes poroses de s\u00edlice recobertes d\u2019ureasa, un enzim que descompon la urea present a l\u2019orina: aquesta reacci\u00f3 els impulsa, com si portessin un motor qu\u00edmic. Els punts foscos de la superf\u00edcie s\u00f3n nanopart\u00edcules d\u2019or, que permeten fixar-hi iode radioactiu i detectar-los als teixits. En ratolins amb c\u00e0ncer de bufeta, una sola dosi d\u2019aquests nanorobots carregats amb iode radioactiu va reduir la mida dels tumors prop d\u2019un 90%. S\u00f3n resultats precl\u00ednics, i ara es treballa per portar aquesta tecnologia cap a la cl\u00ednica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These four spheres are nanorobots observed with an electron microscope. Each one measures about 450 nanometres, more than a hundred times thinner than a human hair. They are porous silica spheres coated with urease, an enzyme that breaks down the urea found in urine: this reaction propels them, as if they had a chemical engine. The dark dots on their surface are gold nanoparticles, which allow radioactive iodine to be attached to them and the nanorobots to be detected in tissue. In mice with bladder cancer, a single dose of these nanorobots loaded with radioactive iodine reduced tumour size by around 90%. These are preclinical results, and work is now under way to bring this technology towards the clinic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Neuron fireball<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Karolina Zimkowska<\/strong> Aquesta esfera \u00e9s un organoide cerebral: un teixit diminut que creix al laboratori a partir de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules humanes i que reprodueix algunes caracter\u00edstiques de l\u2019escor\u00e7a del cervell. No \u00e9s un cervell, per\u00f2 s\u00ed un model \u00fatil per estudiar-lo. Per fer visibles les neurones, hi hem introdu\u00eft un virus modificat que s\u2019utilitza com a eina de recerca i que fa que les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules que infecta fabriquin una prote\u00efna fluorescent. El resultat \u00e9s aquesta xarxa densa de neurones entrella\u00e7ades. Aquests models ens ajuden a estudiar com les neurones humanes creixen, es connecten i s\u2019organitzen en tres dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This sphere is a brain organoid: a tiny tissue grown in the laboratory from human cells that reproduces some features of the cerebral cortex. It is not a brain, but it is a useful model for studying one. To make the neurons visible, we introduced a modified virus, used as a research tool, that causes the cells it infects to produce a fluorescent protein. The result is this dense network of intertwined neurons. These models help us study how human neurons grow, connect and organise themselves in three dimensions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Muscle bark<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ainoa Tejedera Villafranca<\/strong> Aquestes estructures allargades s\u00f3n miotubs, les fibres que formen els m\u00fasculs, cultivats al laboratori a partir de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules de pacients amb distr\u00f2fia muscular de Duchenne. Aquesta malaltia gen\u00e8tica rara provoca una p\u00e8rdua progressiva de for\u00e7a. Hem fet cr\u00e9ixer les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules dins d\u2019un hidrogel, un material tou i ple d\u2019aigua, perqu\u00e8 s\u2019organitzin en tres dimensions, com en un m\u00fascul real. Aquests models in vitro ens permeten estudiar com la malaltia afecta la capacitat del m\u00fascul per contraure\u2019s. Tamb\u00e9 poden servir de banc de proves per a futures ter\u00e0pies i contribuir a reduir l\u2019\u00fas de models animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These elongated structures are myotubes, the fibres that make up muscles, grown in the lab from cells taken from patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This rare genetic disease causes progressive loss of strength. We grew the cells inside a hydrogel, a soft, water-filled material, so that they would organise themselves in three dimensions, as in real muscle. These in vitro models allow us to study how the disease affects the muscle\u2019s ability to contract. They can also serve as a testing platform for future therapies and help reduce the use of animal models.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Fluorescent swirls<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Francesc Subirada<\/strong> Quan dos l\u00edquids circulen per un canal molt petit, tendeixen a avan\u00e7ar en paral\u00b7lel sense barrejar-se, com dos carrils d\u2019una autopista. Aquestes imatges mostren un mesclador microflu\u00eddic: un canal diminut amb un relleu al fons en forma d\u2019espiga (en angl\u00e8s, herringbone) que fa girar els l\u00edquids sobre si mateixos i n\u2019afavoreix la barreja. En aquest experiment hi fem circular aigua i aigua amb un colorant fluorescent. A mesura que avancen pel canal, les zones fosques i les brillants es van barrejant fins que la fluoresc\u00e8ncia es torna uniforme. El dispositiu s\u2019ha fabricat directament amb impressi\u00f3 3D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When two liquids flow through a very small channel, they tend to move side by side without mixing, like two lanes on a motorway. These images show a microfluidic mixer: a tiny channel with a herringbone-patterned relief on its floor that makes the liquids swirl around themselves and helps them mix. In this experiment, we pump water and water containing a fluorescent dye through the channel. As they move along the channel, the dark and bright regions gradually blend until the fluorescence becomes uniform. The device was fabricated directly by 3D printing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Face to face with co-infection<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n J\u00falia Alc\u00e0cer i Almansa<\/strong> Aquesta imatge mostra c\u00e8l\u00b7lules de l\u2019epiteli dels alv\u00e8ols pulmonars despr\u00e9s de l\u2019exposici\u00f3 a dos bacteris, Burkholderia cenocepacia<\/em> i Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>. Aquestes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules formen part de la barrera que protegeix els pulmons i est\u00e0 en contacte directe amb l\u2019aire que respirem. La imatge permet observar qu\u00e8 passa quan dos microorganismes infecten alhora aquest teixit i ens ajuda a entendre com interactuen els bacteris amb les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules pulmonars, com poden alterar-les i com respon l\u2019organisme davant d\u2019una infecci\u00f3. Aquest coneixement pot contribuir a comprendre millor les infeccions respirat\u00f2ries complexes i a desenvolupar noves estrat\u00e8gies per combatre-les.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This image shows alveolar epithelial cells from the lungs after exposure to two bacteria, Burkholderia cenocepacia<\/em> and Staphylococcus aureus<\/em>. These cells are part of the barrier that protects the lungs and is in direct contact with the air we breathe. The image lets us see what happens when two microorganisms infect this tissue at the same time, and helps us understand how the bacteria interact with lung cells, how they can alter them and how the body responds to infection. This knowledge can help us better understand complex respiratory infections and develop new strategies to fight them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Robot dance<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Marta Ard\u00e8vol Teijelo & Javier G. Fern\u00e1ndez<\/strong> Aquest bra\u00e7 rob\u00f2tic, que veiem aqu\u00ed en una simulaci\u00f3 per ordinador, s\u2019est\u00e0 entrenant amb intel\u00b7lig\u00e8ncia artificial perqu\u00e8 aprengui a localitzar ferides i a cobrir-les amb un biomaterial ja aprovat per a usos sanitaris. La idea \u00e9s que, en el futur, pugui treballar al costat de l\u2019equip m\u00e8dic, directament dins del quir\u00f2fan, com una eina m\u00e9s a les seves mans. Es tracta d\u2019un projecte en desenvolupament: el robot encara no s\u2019utilitza amb pacients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This robotic arm, shown here in a computer simulation, is being trained using artificial intelligence to learn how to locate wounds and cover them with a biomaterial already approved for medical use. The aim is that, in the future, it will be able to work alongside the medical team, right in the operating theatre, as one more tool in their hands. This is a project still in development: the robot is not yet being used on patients.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n A 12-hour difference<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Junyang Chen<\/strong> Aquestes dues imatges mostren el cervell de dos ratolins amb Alzheimer. A l\u2019esquerra, un ratol\u00ed sense tractar; a la dreta, un ratol\u00ed 12 hores despr\u00e9s de rebre un tractament amb nanopart\u00edcules. La trama fina que omple tot el cervell s\u00f3n els vasos sanguinis de la barrera hematoencef\u00e0lica, la frontera que separa la sang del cervell. Els punts de la vora exterior (especialment visibles al cervell sense tractar) s\u00f3n plaques d\u2019amiloide beta, acumulacions d\u2019una prote\u00efna caracter\u00edstica de l\u2019Alzheimer. En lloc d\u2019actuar sobre les neurones, com s\u2019ha fet habitualment fins ara, aquest tractament restaura la funci\u00f3 adequada de la barrera hematoencef\u00e0lica perqu\u00e8 pugui eliminar aquestes prote\u00efnes \u00abde rebuig\u00bb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These two images show the brains of two mice with Alzheimer\u2019s disease. On the left, an untreated mouse; on the right, a mouse 12 hours after receiving a nanoparticle-based treatment. The fine mesh filling the whole brain is the network of blood vessels of the blood\u2013brain barrier, the boundary that separates the blood from the brain. The dots around the outer edge (especially visible in the untreated brain) are amyloid-beta plaques, build-ups of a protein characteristic of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. Instead of targeting neurons, as has usually been done until now, this treatment restores the proper function of the blood\u2013brain barrier so that the brain can clear these \u201cwaste\u201d proteins.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Planet Kidney<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel Moya Rull<\/strong> Aquesta esfera \u00e9s un organoide de rony\u00f3: una estructura diminuta que creix al laboratori a partir de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules mare humanes i que reprodueix alguns trets del rony\u00f3. La imatge, presa amb un microscopi confocal, correspon al dia 16 del seu desenvolupament. Amb marcadors fluorescents hem identificat diferents parts de l\u2019organoide, com els t\u00fabuls, que al rony\u00f3 transporten el l\u00edquid que es convertir\u00e0 en orina, i els pod\u00f2cits, unes c\u00e8l\u00b7lules que fan de filtre de la sang. Aix\u00ed podem veure com s\u2019organitzen els diferents tipus de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules. Produ\u00efm organoides renals a gran escala i n\u2019estudiem l\u2019\u00fas en medicina regenerativa, encara en fase precl\u00ednica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This sphere is a kidney organoid: a tiny structure grown in the lab from human stem cells that reproduces some of the features of the kidney. The image, taken with a confocal microscope, shows the organoid on day 16 of its development. Using fluorescent markers, we have identified different parts of the organoid, such as the tubules, which in the kidney carry the fluid that will become urine, and the podocytes, cells that act as a filter for the blood. This allows us to see how the different cell types are organised. We produce kidney organoids on a large scale and are studying their use in regenerative medicine, which is still at the preclinical stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Chequered mutations<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yaiza Andres Jeske<\/strong> Hem fet servir un m\u00e8tode que analitza com afecta cada canvi possible en una prote\u00efna a la seva tend\u00e8ncia a formar amiloides. Els amiloides s\u00f3n fibres proteiques nocives que es formen quan les prote\u00efnes s\u2019agreguen d\u2019una manera determinada, i estan relacionats amb m\u00e9s de 50 malalties humanes. En aquest mapa, s\u2019avalua cadascuna de les mutacions de la prote\u00efna. Les mutacions en blau fan que la prote\u00efna tingui m\u00e9s tend\u00e8ncia a formar amiloides, mentre que les mutacions en vermell la redueixen. Aquests mapes ens ajuden a identificar quines parts de la prote\u00efna s\u00f3n m\u00e9s importants per a la formaci\u00f3 d\u2019amiloides i quines mutacions podrien contribuir a la malaltia en afavorir aquest proc\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We used a method that tests how every possible change in a protein affects its tendency to form amyloids. Amyloids are harmful protein fibers that form when proteins stick together in a specific way, and they are linked to more than 50 human diseases. In this map, each mutation in the protein is tested. Mutations shown in blue make the protein more likely to form amyloids, while mutations shown in red make it less likely. These maps help us identify which parts of the protein are most important for amyloid formation and which mutations might contribute to disease by increasing this process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Killer ball<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carles Verdaguer Ger\u00f3nimo<\/strong> Les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules NK (de l\u2019angl\u00e8s natural killer, \u00abassassines naturals\u00bb) s\u00f3n c\u00e8l\u00b7lules del sistema immunitari capaces de recon\u00e8ixer i eliminar c\u00e8l\u00b7lules tumorals. En aquesta imatge, c\u00e8l\u00b7lules NK obtingudes de sang de cord\u00f3 umbilical penetren dins d\u2019un tumoroide: un petit agregat esf\u00e8ric de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules de c\u00e0ncer de mama cultivat al laboratori que imita un tumor en tres dimensions. La imatge mostra que el nostre protocol permet que les c\u00e8l\u00b7lules NK arribin a l\u2019interior del tumoroide, i aix\u00f2 ens permet estudiar com es comporten quan s\u2019enfronten a un tumor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural killer (NK) cells are immune cells that can recognise and eliminate tumour cells. In this image, NK cells obtained from umbilical cord blood are penetrating a tumoroid: a small, spherical cluster of breast cancer cells grown in the lab that mimics a tumour in three dimensions. The image shows that our protocol enables NK cells to reach the inside of the tumoroid, which allows us to study how they behave when they encounter a tumour.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Neural Donette<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Rita Grimalt Mirada<\/strong> Quan creem models de teixits in vitro, no nom\u00e9s importa quines c\u00e8l\u00b7lules hi ha, sin\u00f3 tamb\u00e9 la forma que adopten. Aquesta imatge mostra un model de medul\u00b7la espinal crescut al laboratori a partir de c\u00e8l\u00b7lules mare pluripotents indu\u00efdes, \u00e9s a dir, c\u00e8l\u00b7lules adultes reprogramades. Per donar-li aquesta forma d\u2019anell, que recorda un d\u00f2nut, les hem fet cr\u00e9ixer en una plataforma impresa en 3D amb un pilar al centre. Aix\u00ed imitem el tub neural, l\u2019estructura embrion\u00e0ria a partir de la qual es desenvolupa la medul\u00b7la espinal, amb el seu canal central caracter\u00edstic. Com m\u00e9s s\u2019assembli el model al teixit real, m\u00e9s \u00fatil ser\u00e0 per estudiar les lesions medul\u00b7lars i la seva regeneraci\u00f3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When we build in vitro tissue models, what matters is not only which cells are present, but also the shape they take. This image shows a spinal cord model grown in the lab from induced pluripotent stem cells, that is, reprogrammed adult cells. To give it this doughnut-like ring shape, we grew the cells on a 3D-printed platform with a pillar in the centre. In this way, we mimic the neural tube, the embryonic structure from which the spinal cord develops, with its characteristic central canal. The more closely the model resembles real tissue, the more useful it will be for studying spinal cord injuries and their regeneration.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nLes obres \/ The works<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cyanotype<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Original image<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Information<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-01-la-vida-s-obre-cami-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Embri\u00f3](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-01-la-vida-s-obre-cami-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n01 \u00b7 La vida s\u2019obre cam\u00ed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bioengineering in Reproductive Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-02-neurones-wannabe-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Xarxa](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-02-neurones-wannabe-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n02 \u00b7 Neurones wannabe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Microenvironments for Medicine<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-03-l-iris-de-l-origen-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Agregat](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-03-l-iris-de-l-origen-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n03 \u00b7 L\u2019iris de l\u2019origen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-04-la-bellesa-de-l-error-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Nuclis](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-04-la-bellesa-de-l-error-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n04 \u00b7 La bellesa de l\u2019error<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cellular and Molecular Mechanobiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-05-xarxa-de-connexions-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Nuclis](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-05-xarxa-de-connexions-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n05 \u00b7 Xarxa de connexions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-06-el-relleu-de-la-vida-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Nou](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-06-el-relleu-de-la-vida-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n06 \u00b7 El relleu de la vida<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-07-antifac-muscular-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Teixit](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-07-antifac-muscular-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n07 \u00b7 Antifa\u00e7 muscular<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biosensors for Bioengineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-08-estrella-de-mar-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Col\u00f2nia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-08-estrella-de-mar-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n08 \u00b7 Estrella de mar<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-09-gofre-limfatic-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Bastida](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-09-gofre-limfatic-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n09 \u00b7 Gofre limf\u00e0tic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-10-fantastic-voyage-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Quatre](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-10-fantastic-voyage-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n10 \u00b7 Fantastic voyage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Smart Nano-Bio Devices<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-11-neurones-en-flames-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Organoide](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-11-neurones-en-flames-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n11 \u00b7 Neurones en flames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-12-escorca-muscular-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Fibres](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-12-escorca-muscular-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n12 \u00b7 Escor\u00e7a muscular<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biosensors for Bioengineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-13-remolins-fluorescents-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Mosaic](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-13-remolins-fluorescents-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n13 \u00b7 Remolins fluorescents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Nanobioengineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-14-cara-a-cara-amb-la-coinfeccio-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"C\u00e8l\u00b7lules](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-14-cara-a-cara-amb-la-coinfeccio-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n14 \u00b7 Cara a cara amb la coinfecci\u00f3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bacterial Infections: Antimicrobial Therapies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-15-dansa-robotica-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Simulaci\u00f3](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-15-dansa-robotica-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n15 \u00b7 Dansa rob\u00f2tica<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biointegrated Materials and Engineering<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-16-12-hores-de-diferencia-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Cervell](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-16-12-hores-de-diferencia-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n16 \u00b7 12 hores de difer\u00e8ncia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Molecular Bionics<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-17-planeta-renal-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Organoide](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-17-planeta-renal-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n17 \u00b7 Planeta renal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pluripotency for Organ Regeneration<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-18-escacs-mutants-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Mapa](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-18-escacs-mutants-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n18 \u00b7 Escacs mutants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Protein Phase Transitions in Health and Disease<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-19-ball-de-diables-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"C\u00e8l\u00b7lules](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-19-ball-de-diables-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n19 \u00b7 Ball de diables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spatial Biotechnology<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Cianot\u00edpia](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-20-donette-neural-cianotipia.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"Model](\"https:\/\/ibecbarcelona.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/ibec20-20-donette-neural-original.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n20 \u00b7 Donette neural<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n