IBEC Seminar: Loïc Lannelongue
2025-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Online
Green Disc: open-access community-driven Digital Sustainability Certification scheme
Loïc Lannelongue, Research Associate at University of Cambridge
From genetic studies and astrophysics simulations to AI, scientific computing has enabled amazing discoveries and there is no doubt it will continue to do so. However, the corresponding environmental impact is a growing concern in light of the urgency of the climate crisis, so what can we all do about it? We will discuss how the new Green DiSC framework can support scientists and institutions in making their (computational) research more sustainable. We will present the scheme and the logistics of taking part, and answer any questions you may have.
You can registere here.

Nano Rare Diseases Day
2025-03-07 10:00 - 12:30 | Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Pg. de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, Esplugues de Llobregat
This event will be held in Spanish.
El Nano Rare Diseases Day es un evento organizado en el marco del Día Mundial de las Enfermedades Minoritarias donde se darán a conocer las últimas innovaciones en materia de Nanomedicina con temas que van desde el diagnóstico precoz, la liberación controlada de fármacos o el desarrollo de nuevas terapias.
Durante esta jornada, expertos en Nanomedicina de diferentes campos -investigación, empresa, práctica clínica, autoridades sanitarias, pacientes, etc.-, expondrán los últimos avances y nos darán la oportunidad de descubrir el generador de progreso que la Nanomedicina significa para la salud como creador de nuevas oportunidades en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de las enfermedades minoritarias.
Registro e información aquí.

IBEC Seminar. Science and poetry
2025-03-21 00:00 - 13:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
El pròxim 21 de març, coincidint amb el Dia Internacional de la Poesia, l’IBEC ha programat una sessió poètica especial conduïda per Mireia Casanyes. Aquesta activitat forma part de Ciència Radical, un programa cultural creat en col·laboració amb el CCCB, que busca explorar les connexions entre ciència, humanitats i arts per repensar la realitat que ens envolta. El seminari s’inscriu també dins la residència poètica de Mireia Casanyes a l’IBEC.

Workshop 2. NET-AI: AI fundamentals and use cases in healthcare
2025-03-28 09:00 - 14:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
In this second workshop of the AI for Bioengineering thematic network (NET-AI), an introduction, both theoretical and practical, to the fundamental concepts and main algorithms of artificial intelligence applied to bioengineering will be given. To this end, a first seminar will introduce the fundamental concepts of AI. This will be followed by a practical programming activity in Python, in which attendees will be able to bring their laptop to practice the implementation of simple AI models. Finally, a second seminar will offer a more specific vision of AI use cases in the healthcare field for decision-making.

Schedule programme
09:00 – Registration and Welcome
09:15 – Santiago Marco, IBEC group “Signal and Information Processing for Sensing Systems”, “AI fundamentals”
10: 15 – Coffee Break
10:45 – Moritz Marquardt, University of Stuttgart, AI practical activity (own computer required)
12:15 – Short break
12:30 – Plenary: Alexandre Perera, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC),“From Ontology-Based Classifiers for Rare Conditions to Transformer-Based Models for Type 2 Diabetes – Opportunities and Risks”
13:30 – Final remarks and closing
To register, click here.
Health Data Science: From Ontology-Based Classifiers for Rare Conditions to Transformer-Based Models for Type 2 Diabetes – Opportunities and Risks
Alexandre Perera
Health data science is transforming disease prediction and diagnosis through advanced AI models. This talk explores two key frontiers: ontology-based classifiers for rare diseases and transformer-based models for type 2 diabetes prediction. Ontology-based methods, such as those leveraging the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO), enhance diagnostic precision in rare conditions by mapping patient-reported symptoms to expert-curated knowledge bases (Manzini et al., 2022). Initiatives like Share4Rare promote citizen science and collaborative rare disease research, fostering data sharing and patient engagement (Radu et al., 2021). Additionally, expert models aid in the early identification of inherited kidney diseases, integrating clinical expertise with machine learning (Fayos de Arizon et al., 2023) For prevalent conditions like type 2 diabetes, deep learning models excel in trajectory prediction using longitudinal health records. Attention-based encoders and deep clustering approaches have demonstrated high accuracy in forecasting disease progression and personalizing treatment strategies (Manzini et al., 2022, 2025). However, the integration of AI in clinical decision-making presents both opportunities and risks, including model bias, explainability challenges, and ethical concerns regarding data privacy. This discussion highlights the transformative potential of AI-driven disease prediction while addressing the need for robust validation, transparency, and responsible deployment in healthcare.

Ibec Seminar. Emma Puighermanal Puigvert
2025-04-04 11:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Clearing the Haze: Cannabinoids in Brain Research and Therapy
Dra. Emma Puighermanal Puigvert, Group Leader at the Neuroscience Institute, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
Cannabinoids—compounds found in the cannabis plant—are powerful modulators of brain function that interact with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, a key player in processes like memory, mood, and neural communication. Two of the best known cannabinoids, THC and CBD, have gained increasing attention for their exciting therapeutic potential, and in the case of CBD, complete lack of psychoactive effects. Understanding how these compounds affect neuronal processes is key to optimizing their medical use while minimizing side effects. In this talk, Dr. Puighermanal will take us inside the neural circuits to explore how cannabinoids act at the cellular and molecular level. She will reveal how repeated THC exposure reshapes gene expression and synaptic function in memory-related brain circuits, and how this can explain some of its cognitive effects. Shifting gears, she will then present compelling evidence for CBD’s disease-modifying action in mouse models of Leigh syndrome—a severe pediatric mitochondrial disorder with no approved treatments to date. From decoding memory modulation to uncovering novel therapeutic pathways, this research sheds new light on the brain’s response to cannabinoids—and what it could mean for future medicine.

AFM BioMed Conference 2025
2025-04-08 - 2025-04-11 | University of Barcelona, Historical Building Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 585. 08007 Barcelona
AFM BioMed Conference 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy in life sciences and nanomedicine
The AFM BioMed Conference focuses on the application of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in life sciences and nanomedicine, exploring how AFM addresses key biological challenges and offers innovative solutions in healthcare.
The conference connects international academic and industry experts in life sciences, bringing together those involved in AFM technology and medical or biological research. It covers a range of length scales, from single molecules, membranes, and cells to multicellular systems and interfaces, integrating imaging and force measurements, and highlights technical developments and the integration of AFM with other analytical techniques. The meeting offers a thorough and insightful overview of advancements in these fields through keynote presentations, lectures, poster sessions, and discussion forums.
#AFMBioMed2025

PHD Discussion: Miquel Bosch
2025-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Force transmission in embryonic-like epithelia
Miquel Bosch (Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics Group)
Developing an adult organism from an embryo is a complex task. Cells need to divide, differentiate and arrange themselves in complex three-dimensional structures, a process known as morphogenesis. Apical constriction is a conserved morphogenetic mechanism in the animal kingdom, but the role of cellular forces during it remains understudied, especially in the human case. For this reason, we use human PSCs expressing a novel optogenetic tool, OptoShroom3. This tool allows to induce apical constriction in vitro on demand, with precise spatiotemporal control. We study force transmission within the cell layer and to the substrate and find that, contrary to our intuition, the apical and basal layer are effectively mechanically decoupled. This decoupling enables long range force transmission in this epiblast-like epithelia. Secondly, we can study the rheology of the tissue on multiple time and length scales by analyzing the induced deformation field. Since the state of the art for development and disease modelling relies heavily on stem cell systems, we foresee our study will have broad implications in the field whenever morphogenesis comes at play.

Ciència Radical. Debat: "Editar la humanitat" amb Katherine A. High i Salvador Macip
2025-04-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
La pionera i experta mundial en teràpia gènica Katherine A. High i el metge i escriptor Salvador Macip reflexionen sobre el futur de la nostra espècie en l’era de l’edició genètica en una sessió que s’obrirà amb CRISPR, una performance dels artistes digitals Bromo.
Aquesta activitat forma part de Ciència Radical, un programa cultural creat en col·laboració amb el CCCB, que busca explorar les connexions entre ciència, humanitats i arts per repensar la realitat que ens envolta.
Preu: 3€ (a l’ibec tenim un descompte pels nostres treballadors. l’han de demanar per e-mail)
Registre: https://entrades.cccb.org/muslinkIII/venda/index.jsp?lang=1&nom_cache=CCCB&property=CCCB&codiActiv=276&codiCicle=4

International Satellite Event. Sustainable Research: Fit For The Future
2025-04-29 08:30 - 19:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
IBEC, in collaboration with SuRe-CAT (Sustainable Research Catalonia network), Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB) and Nanomed Spain, is hosting an in-person satellite event of “Sustainable Research: Fit for the Future”, an event organized at EMBL Heidelberg together with EMBO, the Sustainable European Laboratories Network (SELs), and with support from the European Union’s Climate Pact.
This event provides an opportunity to engage in critical discussions on sustainability in scientific research, bringing together professionals from various research institutions across Catalonia.
The symposium will explore the vital role of sustainable practices within the scientific community. As researchers tackle global challenges, adopting environmentally responsible and socially equitable research methodologies is more important than ever. Topics covered will include green laboratory practices, the power of grassroots movements, organizational sustainability strategies, and the role of funders, all with a focus on the future of sustainable science.
Through keynote presentations and panel discussions, participants will connect with leading experts, exchange experiences, and collaborate across disciplines. By fostering a culture of sustainability in science, we can reduce our ecological footprint, enhance research integrity, and ensure the long-term viability of scientific progress.

Why join the Satellite Event?
This satellite event will serve as a hub for networking and collaboration within the local research community. It will be a dynamic platform where attendees are encouraged to share best practices in sustainable labs, addressing common challenges, and collaboratively exploring innovative solutions by submitting a candidature to participate in the “Sustainable research experience sharing” session (see abstract submission link). Through interactive round tables, expert-led discussions, and case studies from leading institutions, participants will gain practical insights and actionable strategies for integrating sustainability into their work. The event will also provide opportunities to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and collectively address sustainability challenges in research environments.
Attending a satellite event instead of travelling to the main symposium at EMBL Heidelberg allows for active engagement in meaningful discussions while reducing carbon footprints. Local participation minimizes the need for long-distance travel, making it a more sustainable choice for those living or working nearby.
By coming together, the research community can drive impactful sustainability initiatives, exchange innovative ideas, and pave the way for more environmentally responsible scientific practices.
Join us at PCB and take part in the movement toward a more sustainable future in research!
The on-site event will be in Spanish while the online event will be in English.

Visit of the Wageningen University Delegation
2025-05-05 09:00 - 15:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Next Monday we are hosting a group of researchers from the Laboratory of BioNanoTechnology at Wageningen University.
Join us for an engaging morning of scientific exchange, with presentations from both their team and ours.
If you’re interested in attending, you can access the event program.

Programme:
09:00 – 09:10 Sesión de bienvenida
09:10 – 09:30 Irene Marco-Rius, Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine Group at IBEC
09:30 – 09:45 Lluís Mangas, Ph.D Student of Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine Group at IBEC. “A DIY Bioreactor for in Situ Metabolic Tracking in 3D Cell Models via
Hyperpolarized 13C NMR Spectroscopy”
09:45 – 10:00 Gergő Matajsz, Ph.D Student of Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine Group at IBEC. “Developing Optimized C Metabolic Imaging Methods for Chorioallantoic
Membrane (CAM) Assays”
10:00 – 10:20 Mònica Mir Llorente, Nanobioengineering Group at IBEC
10:20 – 10:35 Floris Dekker, Ph.D Student at Wageningen University. “Magnetic Field Mapping with a 3D printer – using 3D printers as lab robots”
10:35 – 11:00 Coffee break
11:00 – 11:15 David Castañeda, Ph.D Student at Wageningen University. “T-Cup: A Cheap, Rapid, and Simple Home Device for Nucleic Acid
Amplification”
11:15 – 11:35 Julia Krug and Aldrik Velders, Group Leaders at BioNanoTechnology Laboratory.
11:35 – 11:50 Paulien Sterken, Ph.D Student at Wageningen University. “Visualizing electroactive biofilms using MRI”
11:50 – 12:05 Julia Wenink, Ph.D Student at Wageningen University. “Ultra-high field MRI of plants
12:05 – 12:25 Elisabeth Engel López, Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies Group at IBEC
12:25 – 12:45 Vittorio Saggiomo, Associate professor within the BioNanoTechnology Group
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:00 – 15:00 Laboratories visit

Workshop 1 NET-CNS. “Neurodegenerative Diseases: Unraveling Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms to Advance Prevention and Treatment
2025-05-09 09:30 - 16:30 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Exploring the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and CNS pathology, as well as emerging therapies and prevention strategies.
Schedule for workshop:

9:20 – 9:30 Welcome from Network coordinator
9:30 – 10:00 Mariano Martin, IBEC, “Amyloids ‘at the border’: deep mutagenesis and random sequence extension reveal an incomplete amyloid-forming motif in Bri2 that turns amyloidogenic upon C-terminal extension”
10:00 – 11:00 Salvador Ventura, Institut de Biotecnologia i Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, “A structure-based approach to tackle protein aggregation in Parkinson’s disease”
11:00 – 11:30 Coffee Break and Networking
11:30 – 12:30 Amaia Arranz, Achucarro, “Divergent Effects of APOE3 and APOE4 Human Astrocytes on Key Alzheimer’s Disease Hallmarks in Chimeric Mice”
12:30 – 13:30 Roundtable – Moderated by network chairs to debate the issues discussed
13:30 – 14:30 Lunch
14:30 – 15:00 Amayra Hernández, IBEC, “Dynamics of Axonal Degeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease Induced by Tau or Amyloid Beta Aggregation”
15:00 –15:30 Karolina Zimkowska, IBEC, “Neuronal Activity and p-Tau: Lessons from Primary Cultures to Cortical Organoids Modeling FTLD-17”
15:30 – 16:00 Closing remarks and end of the Workshop

To register, click here

PhD Discussion: Ángela Martínez-Mateos and Alice Perucca
2025-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
DnaA as a key regulator of ribonucleotide reductase genes in P. aeruginosa.
Ángela Martínez-Mateos, Bacterial Infections and Antimicrobial Therapies Group
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable opportunistic pathogen that exhibits both acquired and innate antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Due to its survival capabilities in various environments, discovering new therapeutic strategies is essential. Ribonucleotide reductases (RNRs), essential enzymes for dNTP synthesis, have become promising targets for fighting P. aeruginosa infections. There are three main RNR classes (I, II, III), each distinguished by how their radical is generated, the metal required, cofactor type, structure, and oxygen needs. P. aeruginosa encodes all three RNR classes in its genome and understanding them is crucial for comprehending its metabolic adaptability under different growth conditions, such as planktonic, during infection, or biofilm formation.
Our laboratory previously discovered that class Ia (nrdAB) is regulated by AlgR, a positive transcriptional regulator that controls mucoidy in P. aeruginosa, and by NrdR, the master negative regulator of RNR that regulates all three classes. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the regulatory network of the class Ia RNR, and we don’t fully understand which transcriptional regulators are involved in the fine-tuning of gene regulation for the different RNR classes.
This project aims to identify new transcriptional regulators through genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic approaches. It has been suggested that DnaA, among other transcriptional regulators, could be involved in the regulation of these pathways. Comprehensive studies of these regulators are necessary to elucidate the complex regulatory networks and hierarchical organization of these factors. Understanding these interactions is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat P. aeruginosa infections

Engineering the tumour ecosystem on a chip: a new tool to test cancer immunotherapies
Alice Perucca, Integrative Cell and Tissue Dynamics group
Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach in cancer treatment, offering the potential for durable responses and improved patient survival. However, a significant proportion of patients fail to respond to these therapies, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the factors that govern treatment success. The tumour microenvironment, a complex ecosystem comprising various cell types and extracellular components, plays a critical role in shaping anti-tumour immune responses and influencing immunotherapy efficacy. Understanding the intricate interplay between tumour cells, stromal components, and immune cells within this microenvironment is essential for identifying the mechanisms underlying treatment resistance and developing strategies to overcome it. This project focuses on the development of a novel microfluidic “cancer-on-chip” device, a promising approach to model and study these intricated interactions in vitro. The device recapitulates key aspects of the tumour microenvironment, including spatial organization and cellular interactions, including cells of the immune system. By recreating an in vivo-like environment, this platform provides insights into immune cell behaviour in the tumour ecosystem and facilitates the screening of novel immunotherapeutic strategies.

Research4talent
2025-05-16 10:30 - 13:00 | Auditori Antoni Caparrós, PCB, Tower D, c/Baldiri Reixac 4-8, Barcelona, Spain
The event offers you the opportunity to engage with our researchers and inquire about their day-to-day work in the lab, career trajectories, work-life balance, mobility, etc.
In 2024, IBEC signed more than 140 internship agreements for undergraduate and master’s students with a wide range of national and international universities.
If you are interested in IBEC’s eleventh edition of reSEARCH4TALENT, please register here.

8th Mutational Scanning Symposium
2025-05-21 08:00 - 2025-05-23 19:00
8th Mutational Scanning Symposium
Mapping and Modelling Variant Effects at Scale
Mutational scanning technologies and Multiplex Assays of Variant Effects (MAVEs) are key to variant interpretation and transform our understanding of the human genome.
At the 8th annual meeting of the ‘Mutational Scanning Symposium’, experts in the fields of functional genomics, protein science, precision medicine, variant interpretation, and computational genetics came from around the world to meet, present their work, discuss new methods and provide insights on the future of this science.
The conference will be a two and a half days hybrid meeting with onsite or virtual attendance. Discussions will center on a variety of exciting topics, including variant effect prediction, saturation mutagenesis, sequence/structure/function relationships and protein engineering, along with conversations about emerging technologies for functional assays and biophysical modelling.
#VariantEffect25

NET-QUASI: Workshop 1: Biophysical Principles of Self-Assembly and Self-Organization Across Living and Synthetic Systems
2025-05-23 09:00 - 16:30 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Self-assembly and self-organization are fundamental principles that govern the formation of complex structures and functions across biological systems. This workshop will explore how these processes emerge in nature, how they contribute to the organization of life, and whether similar behaviors can be replicated in engineered systems. By bringing together perspectives from biology, chemistry, and physics, our speakers aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms that drive self-organized processes in living matter across scales. A deeper understanding of these principles could not only provide insights into the fundamental organization of biological systems but also lead to the design of adaptive and responsive materials.
Scheduled Program:
09:15 – 09:30 – Registration
09:30 – 09:40 – Opening
09:40 – 10:30 – Keynote speaker: Prof. Jan Brugués, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, “Self-organization of the cytoplasm by physical instabilities”
10:30 – 10:50 – Dr. Pau Guillamat, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “ From cells to smart surfaces: steering living nematics into shape”
10:50 – 11:20 – Invited speaker: Prof. Alejandro Torres-Sánchez, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Barcelona, Spain, “ Break to build: how mechanical fracture patterns the beating heart ”
11:20 – 12:00 – Coffee break
12:00 – 12:30 – Invited speaker: Prof. Jordi Ignés-Mullol, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, “Emerging phenomena and symmetry breaking in active nematics”
12:30 – 13:00 – Invited speaker: Prof. Maria Guix, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. “ Harnessing emergent behavior in living robotic systems”
13:00 – 13:20 – Miguel González-Martín, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “ Development of mechanosensitive molecules for the mechanical control of transcription”
13:20 – 13:40 – Dr. Nina Kostina, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “From Assembly to Action: Programming Shape and Motion in Synthetic Vesicles”
13:40 – 14:00 – Dr. Vladislav Petrovskii, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain, “Charge–density-mediated self-assembly in vesicles of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes”
14:00 – 14:50 – Lunch
14:50 – 15:20 – Prof. Samuel Sánchez Ordóñez, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “Collective behavior of chemically powered nanomotors”
15:20 – 15:50 – Dr. Valentino Barbieri, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “ Supramolecular Architects: Engineering Self-Assembled Nanodrugs”
15:50 – 16:20 – Invited speaker: Prof. Katherine Villa, Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Tarragona, Spain. “ Programmable Self-Assembly in Photoactive Colloidal Motors via Light Shaping”
16:20 – closing remarks
To register, click here.

Nanomed Europe
2025-05-27 08:00 - 2025-05-30 17:00 | Universitat de Barcelona / Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
NME25 celebrates the 20th anniversary of ETPN and Nanomed Spain, hosted across multiple venues in Barcelona. This landmark event brings together ETPN’s vast network of scientists, innovators, industry leaders, and clinicians to advance nanotechnologies and HealthTech.

Ciència Radical. Debat: “La medicina del futur” amb Jorge Volpi i Josep Samitier
2025-06-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
Josep Samitier, director de l’Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya i expert en nanomedicina, conversa amb l’escriptor Jorge Volpi, autor de l’assaig La invención de todas las cosas, sobre com la biomedicina transformarà el cos i l’intel·lecte de la humanitat.
Aquesta activitat forma part de Ciència Radical, un programa cultural creat en col·laboració amb el CCCB, en el marc del Pla Complementari de Biotecnologia, que busca explorar les connexions entre ciència, humanitats i arts per repensar la realitat que ens envolta.
Tenim un codi de descompte per a les entrades. Per més informació, escriu-nos a: ibeccommunications@ibecbarcelona.eu
Registre aquí.

NET-NANO. Workshop 2: Selective targeting and biological barriers
2025-06-13 09:00 - 16:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
IBEC’s Next-Generation Nanomedicine Network (NET-NANO) is dedicated to bridging nanomedicine research with practical applications, enhancing our ability to diagnose and treat human diseases effectively. As part of this initiative, a series of thematic workshops are being organised. The second workshop, scheduled for June 13th, will delve into nanomedicine design for selective targeting and overcoming biological barriers. Leading international experts and IBEC researchers will present on topics ranging from nanoparticle design strategies for penetrating barriers like the blood-brain barrier, retina, and bacterial biofilms, to innovative targeting approaches using lipid nanoparticles, multivalent polymeric nanoparticles, and enzymatic nanomotors.
Scheduled Program:
09:00–09:10 – Welcome from Network Coordinator
9:10–09:40 – Prof. Silvia Muro (Targeted therapeutics and nanodevices, IBEC)“Isoform-dependent targeting and its relevance for the design of drug delivery strategies”
09:40–10:10 – Dr Núria Blanco-Cabra (Bacterial Infections: Antimicrobial Therapies, IBEC)“Targeting and crossing bacterial biofilms with nanomedicine to overcome chronic infections.”
10:10–11:10 – Plenary: Prof. Katrien Remaut (Ghent University, Belgium)“Investigating and overcoming biological barriers to lipid nanoparticle mediated messenger RNA delivery to the retina”
11:10–11:40 – Coffee Break & Challenge Board
11:40–12:10 – Marco Basile (Molecular Bionics, IBEC)“Multivalent Nanoparticles as Modulators of the Blood–Brain Barrier: A New Paradigm for Superselective Nanomedicine”
12:10–12:40 – Dr David Esporrín Ubieto (Smart Nano-Bio-Devices, IBEC)“Enzymatic nanomotors with enhanced motion in viscous media for advanced biomedical applications”
12:40–13:10 – Dr Sílvia Pujals (IQAC-CSIC and IBEC)“Super resolution methods for nanomedicine”
13:10–14:10 – Networking Lunch
14:10–15:10 – Plenary: Pablo Scodeller (Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Spain)“Identifying targeting peptides and biomarkers using phage-display”
15:10–15:40 – Roundtable Discussion
15:40–15:45 – Farewell from Network Representatives

IBEC Seminar. Prof. Brendan Kennedy
2025-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Optical coherence elastography: imaging cell and tissue mechanics on the micro-scale
Professor Brendan Kennedy. Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Western Australia. Group Leader, BRITElab, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Western Australia. Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland
Abstract: As the importance of mechanical properties in the origin and progression of disease becomes ever clearer, new elastography tools are required to map cell and tissue mechanics on the micro-scale. Elastography has been developed over a wide range of spatial scales, from the cellular, for example, using atomic force microscopy, through to the whole organ, using ultrasound elastography and magnetic resonance elastography. However, existing techniques are not capable of probing tissue mechanical properties on the intermediate micro- to milli-scale: a scale critical in the onset and progression of many diseases. Optical coherence elastography (OCE) aims to bridge the scale gap in elastography techniques. Through the utilization of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure tissue motion, OCE is endowed with spatial resolution as high as 1-10 mm, much higher than is possible using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, and a sensitivity to tissue displacement on the nanometer-scale, providing the prospect to detect much finer changes in mechanical properties.
In this talk, I will describe methods we have developed at The University of Western Australia and Nicolaus Copernicus University to quantify tissue elasticity, ranging from mechanical loading methods to signal processing techniques to map the full strain tensor. I will focus on main two application areas. Firstly, the application of OCE to tumour margin assessment in breast cancer, where we have developed both ex vivo and in vivo OCE methods to detect tumour during surgery to enable surgeons to more accurately remove cancer. Secondly, in mechanobiology, I will describe the development of optical coherence microscopy-based elastography for imaging sub-cellular mechanics in three dimensions. I will describe a study we performed on tumour cell spheroids that reveals distinct stiffness in non-metastatic and metastatic spheroids embedded in both soft and stiff hydrogels.
Short Bio: Prof. Brendan Kennedy is Professor in the School of Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA) and is Head of BRITElab at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, also in Western Australia. He is currently Visiting Professor in the Institute of Physics at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. Prof. Kennedy received his PhD from Dublin City University, Ireland, in 2006. His doctoral thesis focussed on the use of nonlinear polarization rotation in semiconductor optical amplifiers for all-optical switching. His current research focusses on the development of optical coherence tomography and optical elastography and their application in a range of fields, particularly in surgery, mechanobiology and tissue engineering. He has published 1 book, 15 book chapters and >100 peer-reviewed journal papers. Prof. Kennedy has delivered >30 invited talks at national and international conferences. He has been Principal Investigator on competitive research funding of >€12 million and industry-sponsored research contracts of >€3 million. His work has been cited >8,000 times and he has a H-index of 39 (source: Google Scholar). He has won a number of awards and recognitions, including being elected as Optica Fellow in 2025. Prof. Kennedy is co-founder of OncoRes Medical, a medical device company developing OCE for use in surgery. He served as Chief Scientific Officer at OncoRes from 2017 to 2021. OncoRes has received >€30 million in venture capital funding and currently employs >40 people. In 2021, the company received the breakthrough designation from the US Food and Drugs Administration. Prof. Kennedy holds >40 granted patents from 8 patent families.

4ª Jornada Anual del GIPS
2025-06-17 09:00 - 17:00
El IBEC es el coorganizador de la Jornada Anual de este año, que se celebrará el próximo 17 de junio y lleva como título ‘Investigación traslacional en tecnología y salud’. La jornada, que tendrá lugar en el Auditorio Antoni Caparrós del Parque Científico de Barcelona, será ya la cuarta edición y cerrará un curso 2024-25 lleno de éxitos.

Sessió de cloenda de «Ciència radical»
2025-06-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
La catedràtica de Harvard i escriptora Naomi Oreskes reflexiona sobre el valor del coneixement científic al segle XXI en una sessió que s’obre amb l’estrena de l’audiovisual de nova creació de Hamill Industries i Maria Arnal i es clou amb la presentació del poemari científic Magmes.

Ibec Seminar. Dr. Maribel Vazquez
2025-06-26 12:30 - 13:30 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Microfluidic Modeling of Aging Retina
Dr. Maribel Vazquez,, Professor of Biomedical Engineering Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. https://vazlab.org
The dramatic rise of chronic and age-related eye diseases is expected to increase the number of adults with vision loss by 50% in the next decade. Health Disparities with age, sex, and geography will further exacerbate impacts of vision loss worldwide. The retinal neurovascular unit plays critical roles in preserving vision from dysfunction caused by common diseases of diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Our group has developed micro-physiological systems to examine cellular and molecular dysfunction across blood retinal barriers produced by food-derived, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) in circulating blood. Current projects measure changes in the permeability and resistivity of diabetic retinal barriers, evaluate the use of electric fields to replace photoreceptors in the macula, and examine newfound roles of glia in mediating retinal integrity within age-related and chronic, pathological environments. Results highlight the role of microfluidics-based systems in identifying mechanisms of neurovascular response and evaluating effectiveness of pharmacology at different stages of disease. The laboratory also highlights the blending of Health Disparities in the development of biomedical therapies and training of biomedical engineers.
Dr. Vazquez is a Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. She began her career in industry at Intel Corporation and then completed a Doctor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is an inducted Fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineers (AIMBE) and Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) for the contributions of microfluidic systems in the visual system. She received the 2023 AIMBE Professional Impact Award for the inclusion of Health Disparities within under/graduate training and was honored as the 2024 Plenary Speaker to the BMES Council of Chairs for integration of health disparities in Biomedical Engineering. She is an invited speaker in the special session of Retinal Engineering at the 2025 Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS).

NET-AI. Workshop 3: "Deep learning for biomedical applications: fundamentals, trustworthiness and explainability"
2025-06-27 09:30 - 16:30 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
This third workshop will focus on Deep Learning. It will start with an introductory session where the fundamental concepts of the subject will be presented, which will then be put into practice during a hands-on activity focused on biomedical imaging. Then, two more sessions with international speakers will address critical issues such as trustworthiness and explainability of these models, two crucial aspects in the biomedical field.
Schedule programme:
9:40 – Registration
9:50 – Welcome from Network Coordinator
10:00 – Invited national speaker: Petia Radeva, University of Barcelona (UB), “Deep learning – why everybody talks about it?”
11:00 – Coffee break
11:30 – Invited national speaker: Roser Sala-Llonch, University of Barcelona, “Deep Learning in Biomedical Imaging: Hands-on with Neural Networks and CNNs” Practical activity – own computer required
13:30 – Lunch
14:15 – Invited international speaker: Lorin Werthen-Brabants, Ghent University, “Trustworthy and Reliable (Deep) Machine Learning for Healthcare”
15:15 – Invited international speaker: Aray Karjauv, University of Berlin, “Explainability Beyond Labels: Why We Need XAI for Self-Supervised Learning”
16:15 – Final remarks and closing
To registres click here

Bist Career Week 2025
2025-06-30 08:00 - 2025-07-04 17:00
Join the BIST Career Week! 5 days full of contents designed to help you in your career development. Learn trips and tricks in the morning, and explore new job opportunities in the afternoon. All activities are free and open to everyone.
Workshops: learn from experts and get ready for your next professional move. Every morning (Mon-Fri), online, from 10:00 to 12:00.
Roundtables: listen to professionals working in science-related jobs and ask them about their job and the paths they took. Every afternoon (Mon-Thu), online, from 15:00 to 16:30.
The BIST Career Week is an event organized by the BIST People Commission and counts with the support of the Barcelona City Council.
To register click here

5th Annual Meeting of the ISMRM IBERIAN CHAPTER
2025-07-02 08:00 - 2025-07-04 18:00 | Auditori Antoni Caparrós, PCB, Tower D, c/Baldiri Reixac 4-8, Barcelona, Spain
The ISMRM Iberian Chapter is blooming maturely as a shared environment between scientists and clinicians in the magnetic resonance imaging field. The meeting will be an opportunity for academic and social interaction, and we will be honored to have the following distinguished speakers.
In this 5th meeting, we will offer an exciting 2-day scientific program. Plenary lectures will feature leading experts in clinical, preclinical, and computational MRI. In addition, oral sessions and poster sessions will showcase the latest research findings in our community, while industry will have the opportunity to showcase their latest technological innovations in the field and contact future users.
As we believe in the importance of networking, there will be ample opportunities to connect during the coffee breaks.
I look forward to meeting you in Barcelona!

Workshop 2. NET-RARE: Humanized Models for Studying Rare Diseases
2025-07-04 09:30 - 13:30 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
NET-RARE second workshop will explore how humanized and bioengineered models can replace 2D cultures and murine models to better understand and replicate rare disorders. The goal is to examine the latest approaches for studying rare diseases in personalized human models.
The opening seminar will feature Juanma Fernández (IBEC). He will present a 3D model designed to study various muscular diseases, along with Organ-on-Chip (OOC) technology and a biosensor platform for detecting biomarkers of the pathology. Next, Anna Collado Gimbert (VHIR) will introduce their new personalized model for studying rare anaemia disorders. Her team, in collaboration with IBEC, has developed a spleen-like microfluidic filtering unit to model disease progression and create a diagnostic device for prognosis and patient stratification.
Following this, international speaker Francesco Saverio Tedesco (University College London) will present his research on enhancing muscle regeneration to develop treatments for severe and incurable childhood diseases, like muscular dystrophies. His team has developed a novel human engineered muscle model for advanced in vitro modelling of muscle disorders involving extracellular matrix, including COL6-related dystrophies.
After a networking break, the next talk will be given by Laura Siles (Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular) in Barcelona. The group develops 3D retina models using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and has extensive expertise in gene editing with CRISPR technology applied to patient-derived iPS cells. Finally, Marc Riu-Villanueva(IBEC) will share their research on neurodegenerative diseases.
Join us to explore the next steps in bioengineering using humanized models to advance biomedical research!
Workshop held in the framework of the IBEC Thematic Networks.
Registration (below) is mandatory.

Scheduled Program:
09:20 – Registration
09:30 – Welcome and introduction
09:40 – Juanma Fernández-Costa, IBEC Group “Biosensors for Bioengineering”, “Next-Gen preclinical models: Muscle-on-Chip meets nanoplasmonic biosensors for drug evaluation in muscular dystrophies”
10:10 – National invited speaker: Anna Collado Gimbert from the VHIR group “Childhood Cancer and Blood disorders”, “Deep characterization of red blood cells in sickle cell disease and other rare anemia disorders by microfluidics and machine learning algorithms”
10:40 – International invited speaker: Francesco Saverio Tedesco, professor of Neuromuscular Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London (UK), “Advanced in vitro modelling of neuromuscular diseases and therapeutics”
11:30 – Coffee break and Networking
12:00 – National invited speaker: Laura Siles from the Instituto de Microcirugía Ocular (IMO), “Retinal organoids and gene editing in Inherited Retinal Dystrophies: disease modeling using patient-derived iPSCs and potential therapeutic approximation”
12:30 – Marc Riu-Villanueva, IBEC group “Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology”, “Biochemistry and functional analysis of P301L Tau in human brain cortical organoids modelling tauopathies of the FTLD spectrum”
13:00 – Remarks and Closing

To register click here

PhD Discussion. Armando Cortés-Reséndiz and Maria J. Ugarte-Orozco
2025-07-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, IBEC, Baldiri i Reixac, Barcelona
Decoding skeletal muscle-liver axis in the context of sarcopenia: Towards the multi organ on a chip
Armando Cortés-Reséndiz (1),*, Francesco De Chiara (1), Javier Ramón Azcón (1,2)
1 Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
2 ICREA-Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
*acortes@ibecbarcelona.eu
Sarcopenia is characterized by marked reductions in skeletal muscle mass and quality, which impacts the mobility and autonomy of patients. [1] They suffer not only from low physical performance and strength but also face a greater risk of falls and further comorbidities, one of those being non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), as reported by some studies [2]. These have described a correlation between diminished muscle strength and the onset of NASH [2]. Thus, our study examines sarcopenic phenotypes in three-dimensional muscle tissues in contact with conditioned media from NASH.
This approach involves subjecting skeletal muscle tissues to incubation in culture media derived from a pre-established model of NASH. We encapsulated human hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSC) in a collagen-based hydrogel. After treatment, our model accumulates excess lipids upon a challenge with non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), shows activation of HSC, primary drivers of fibrosis, and exhibits a proinflammatory environment. We also show the presence of apoptotic phenotypes and paracrine signaling between cell types of the liver. Such conditions trigger an atrophic phenotype in healthy skeletal muscle tissues, fabricated by encapsulating human myoblasts in a Matrigel and fibrinogen matrix using PDMS casting. Skeletal muscle tissues were functionally evaluated as well by electrical pulse stimulation (EPS). We show that treated tissues exert lower contractile forces during EPS regime compared to our control conditions.
Both of our models pose valuable tools to aid in the identification of potential drug targets and therapeutic strategies, as they mimic key features and cellular microenvironments of sarcopenia and NASH. For this reason, our investigation marks a critical step toward understanding the intricate associations between these diseases. With the multi organ on a chip in sight, we will focus on integrating both models inside an organ-on-chip device.

Plasmonic Biosensors to evaluate complement activation in serum of patients with myasthenia gravis.
Maria J. Ugarte-Orozco 1*, Javier Ramón-Azcón 1, Eduard Gallardo Vigo 2
1 Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) – Barcelona (Spain)
2 Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. U.A.B. – Barcelona (Spain)
*mugarte@ibecbarcelona.eu
Myasthenia Gravis (MG), an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder affecting nerve-muscle communication, is characterized by antibodies (Abs) targeting neuromuscular junction (NMJ) receptors. Most patients (80-90%) possess antibodies recognizing the acetylcholine receptor (AChR-MG), these anti-AChR Abs play a crucial role in the complement activation system (e.g., sC5b-9). These Abs lead to the formation of membrane attack complex (MAC) in the NMJ, representing the most critical pathogenic mechanism resulting in AChR depletion and subsequent muscle weakness. [1][2] Complement inhibitor therapies are emerging as effective treatments for anti-AChR Abs; however, the main problem is that considerable variability in treatment response exists, and current clinical tests have difficulty differentiating primary pathogenic mechanisms in each patient. [3] The identification of complement activation biomarkers could facilitate the treatment selection. To address this, we aimed to develop a throughput and scalable plasmonic biointerface as an accurate diagnostic tool, measuring the release of soluble complement (sC5b-9) after its activation by anti-AChR Abs. This biosensor focuses on detecting complement activation in patient samples, confirming the patient’s eligibility for complement inhibitor therapy, such as Eculizumab. This strategy enables label-free detection of AChR autoantibody-mediated complement activation, providing a quick and accurate diagnosis of MG.
In this study, we introduce a biosensor based on a nanostructured polycarbonate substrate from Blu-ray discs with a thin gold layer, utilizing Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) for analysis. It employs antibody-antigen as biorecognition elements to detect sC5b-9 in serum samples. We successfully optimized the biofunctionalization of cys-Protein G, an antibody-binding protein targeting the Fc region that enables orientation to the antibody, exposing the binding sites towards the analyte to enhance surface sensitivity. The biosensing potential was demonstrated by the detection of sC5b-9 in commercial human serum, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.76 ng/mL in culture media and when working with human sera 0.92 ng/mL. Additionally, the performance of the plasmonic biosensor was assessed with a cohort of sera samples from patients provided by Sant Pau Hospital.
The label-free plasmonic biosensor we developed holds great promise for future applications in POC and portable devices within the realm of precision medicine. By offering detailed insights into the specific pathogenic mechanisms underlying MG in individual patients, our biosensor contributes to more accurate diagnosis and enables the development of personalized treatment strategies. The biosensor’s high sensitivity, scalability, and compatibility with clinical workflows position it as a valuable tool for advancing bioengineering and improving patient care in the field of precision medicine.

Reformant l’avaluació de la recerca per afavorir la qualitat i l’impacte científic
2025-07-17 09:30 - 13:30 | Auditori Antoni Caparrós, PCB, Tower D, c/Baldiri Reixac 4-8, Barcelona, Spain
Hi ha un gran consens entre la comunitat investigadora en general sobre la necessitat de reformar les pràctiques d’avaluació de la recerca. L’avaluació de la recerca, els investigadors i les organitzacions de recerca han de reconèixer els diversos resultats, pràctiques i activitats que maximitzen la qualitat i l’impacte de la recerca. Això, requereix basar l’avaluació principalment en dades qualitatives, per al qual la revisió per parells és central, recolzada per l’ús responsable d’indicadors quantitatius.
Per avançar cap a aquesta reforma de l’avaluació de la recerca, ja hi ha diferents iniciatives. Entre elles, CoARA, la Coalició per a l’Avenç de l’Avaluació de la Recerca.
Es tracta d’un esforç col·lectiu en què totes les institucions, des de les universitats, les organitzacions de recerca fins a les agències avaluadores i els finançadors, han de treballar juntes.
En aquest workshop aprendrem de les experiències de diferents institucions en la implementació dels principis CoARA i discutirem com podem avançar cap a un sistema de recerca d’avaluació més just i impactant.
To register cilck here

IBEC Seminar. Sung Hoon Kang
2025-07-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Torres I, Floor -1, Room 1
Bone-inspired materials with self-adaptable mechanical properties and rose prickle-inspired sutureless anastomosis devices for resilient and healthy future
Sung Hoon Kang, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
I will present our ongoing efforts to address current challenges in materials for structural/biomedical applications and surgical procedures to connect blood vessels together based on inspiration from nature.
First, I will present self-adaptive materials that can change their mechanical properties depending on loading conditions by the coupling between loading and material synthesis [1]. Bone provides structural support for human body, and it has been a subject of study and inspiration for novel materials due to its outstanding mechanical properties including toughness, self-healing, and remodeling capability, which is desirable to mitigate the failure of materials and structures through fracture and fatigue. However, it has been challenging for synthetic materials to change and adapt their structures and properties to address the changing loading condition to prevent failure.
To address the challenge, we are inspired by the findings that bones are formed by mineralizing ions from blood onto collagen matrices. I will present a material system that triggers proportional mineral deposition from electrolytes on piezoelectric matrices upon mechanical loadings so that it can self-adapt to mechanical loadings. For example, the mineralization rate could be modulated by controlling the loading condition, and a 30-180% increase in the modulus of the material was observed upon varying the cyclic loading condition. Moreover, our results showed that minerals were preferentially formed near the crack tip where stress was concentrated so that they contribute to blunting the crack tip and mitigating the propagation of the damage. As a result, the material system showed a decrease in crack propagation speed by ~90%, compared to samples tested in deionized water without mineral ions.
To expand the environment that the material can be utilized, we have investigated synthesis of liquid-infused porous piezoelectric composites inspired by bone and pitcher plant [2]. I will present our synthesis approach and resulting mechanical properties. The material showed over 36 times increase in modulus and 30 times increase in dissipation after 12 million loading cycles, demonstrating self-adaptive behavior in air. Furthermore, the material can be (re)programmed to generate multiple shapes by self-folding based on spatial distribution of mechanical loading. [3]. We envision that our findings can contribute to new strategies for making resilient and sustainable materials for dynamically changing mechanical environments, with potential applications including infrastructure, vehicle, and healthcare [4].
Second, I will present biomedical devices that can connect blood vessels together without suture. Vascular anastomosis, the surgical connection of adjacent blood vessels, is a foundational surgical skill critical for plastic and reconstructive surgery, transplant surgery, vascular surgery, and many other surgical specialties. The current standard of anastomosis is manually suturing two tubular structures together around an opening with fine sutures often requiring a microscope or vessel loupes. This is a century old technique with many challenges. Suturing technique requires extensive surgical training in resource-intensive settings. Procedures are long (60 to 90 minutes per anastomosis), expensive (up to $35,000 per procedure), and, at times, require specialized equipment (surgical microscope costing over $100,000 per unit). Even in the hands of skilled surgeons, the anastomosis can be complicated by leakage or thrombosis; 27% of cases result in complications and 25% require reoperation. Consequently, there is a pressing need for a more efficient and safer alternative to handsewn anastomosis.
Inspired by rose prickles that are used by the plant for climbing walls, we report a sutureless anastomosis device with anchors designed to hold free vascular ends together with traction. We utilized 3D printing to find an optimum geometry of anchors by conducting ex-vivo tensile testing and flow measurements, as well as in-vivo testing with porcine models. We identified an optimum geometry from ex-vivo testing with porcine vessels, which showed the failure force of our device is comparable or better than that of the handsewn suture (4.9 N) with stretch force tolerance up to 6.3 N. Based on pulsatile flow testing with porcine vessels, we found no leakage up to 45 mL/min flow rate, well above the physiologic blood flow rate in a microvascular flap after anastomosis (13.7±5 mL/min). Compared with handsewn anastomosis, the device resulted in minimum deformation of the anastomotic site. From in-vivo non-survival porcine studies (N=10), the device showed successful anastomosis (< 5 min per anastomosis) with no leaking for both arterial and venous anastomoses. There was no thrombosis or other technical failure identified during the 4-hour observation period after device implantation. Our anastomotic device has the ability to innovate the way blood vessels are put together making current procedures faster, easier, and safer. We envision our sutureless anastomotic device will contribute to significantly improve medical readiness and make anastomotic techniques more accessible to a broad range of clinicians, researchers, and patients across the world.

Ibec Seminar. Dr. Genís Prat Ortega
2025-09-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Baobab room, Floor 11, Tower 1
Neurostimulation to correct neural circuit and motoneuron dysfunction
Dr. Genís Prat Ortega, PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
Neurostimulation therapies such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) or deep brain stimulation have shown unprecedented clinical success in improving voluntary motor control. In this case the stimulation can be understood as a neuroprosthetic because it assists movement but its effect vanishes when turned off. In my presentation, I will show how neurostimulation can be used not only as an assistive neuroprosthetic but also as a therapy to correct neural network dysfunction. Specifically, I will show my postdoctoral work where we used SCS to correct motorneuron dysfunction in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is an inherited neurodegenerative disease causing motoneuron dysfunction, muscle weakness and early mortality. Three therapies can slow disease progression enabling people to survive albeit with lingering motoneuron dysfunction and severe motor impairments. Starting from preclinical evidence showing that motoneuron dysfunction in SMA originates from the loss of excitatory inputs from primary afferents, we hypothesized that artificial augmentation of sensory neural activity with electrical stimulation could compensate for this loss thereby reverting motoneuron function. To test this hypothesis we implanted three adults with SMA with epidural electrodes over the lumbosacral spinal cord to stimulate the sensory axons of the legs. We stimulated participants for 4 weeks 2 hours per day while they executed walking and strength tasks. Remarkably, our neurostimulation regime led to robust improvements in strength, walking and fatigue paralleled by reduced neuronal hyperexcitability and higher motoneuron firing rates. Our data indicates that neurostimulation can reverse a degenerative process of circuit dysfunction thus promoting disease modifying effects in a human neurodegenerative disease. Finally, I will discuss future neurostimulation applications to correct neural network dysfunction.

The Attendance to this seminar will count for the PhD Certificate of Excellence.
