Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia

PhD Discussions Sessions: Aida Baelo and Arnau Biosca
2018-02-23 10:00 - 23:00 (Europe/Madrid) | IBEC, floor 11, Tower I, Baldiri Reixac 4-8, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
From the understanding to the treatment of biofilm wound infections
Aida Baelo, Bacterial infections: antimicrobial therapies group
Wounds represent a very common and serious health problem worldwide. The exposure of host tissue to the external environment allows the proliferation of a broad variety of pathogenic microorganisms, causing severe infections that are difficult to eradicate, such as diabetic foot ulcers, burn and surgery wounds. Bacteria infecting wounds arrange themselves in polymicrobial communities known as biofilms. The features displayed by the biofilm hinder and delay the healing processes, as such bacterial communities exhibit higher resistance to antibiotics and higher ability to evade the immune response. The understanding of the interaction between the components of this microbial community within the host is essential in order to develop new healing strategies that target bacteria growing in wounds. However, classic culture methods do not allow the simultaneous co-culture of different bacterial species, or the study in a more-realistic infection site environment, where several host factors are presented.
We use a novel in vitro culture approach, optimizing a method to assess bacterial viability in a wound biofilm model. This in vitro multispecies biofilm model resembles the natural conditions present in wounds and allows us to study a Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus co-culture, which are the predominant bacteria found in wounds. We show that P. aeruginosa and S. aureus reach an equilibrium in the wound-like environment, with both microorganisms replicating under these conditions. As replication is a crucial step to initiate an infection, we have first focused on the study of the differential role of the different P. aeruginosa Ribonucleotide Reductase (RNR) enzymes in bacterial growth within the wound biofilm model, as RNR are essential enzymes in DNA replication. Also, we use a set of biofilm-degrading enzymes targeting the wound biofilm so as to improve the antibiotic delivery in the local area of the infection site.
New antimalarial strategies and drug delivery systems based on nanotechnology
Arnau Biosca, Nanomalaria joint group
Despite the undeniable importance of malaria elimination on the global research agenda, available front-line drugs are rapidly loosing efficacy. Thus, alternative therapeutic strategies working through radically new mechanism are urgently needed. Also, improving the delivery of old antimalarial compounds to decrease their side effects and avoid resistance appearance is a priority. In this work we study two new antimalarial strategies and two new delivery systems.
First, using a combinational approach that uses experimental data and bioinformatics, we are exploring the cytotoxicity of protein aggregation on Plasmodium falciparum parasites as a new antimalarial strategy. He have observed and purified highly insoluble protein aggregates form living parasites from which we have selected a list of potential protein candidates to be tested as antimalarial agents. Also, we are investigating the antimalarial properties of Domiphen bromide (DMB) a highly hydrophobic compound predicted to inhibit a key enzyme of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, absent in humans and found on the apicoplast organelle, a relic chloroplast of Plasmodium parasites.
Second, malaria eradication calls for strategies to reduce the transmission of the parasite from the human host to the mosquito vector. In this regard, and taking as a template the previously immunoliposome model developed in our group, we are now engineering a dual immunoliposome that targets gametocytes, the transmissible form of the parasite, and is loaded with two distinctive drugs. On the bilayer, the hydrophobic drug DMB is incorporated, and on the aqueous phase, the potent anti-gemetocidal compound, pyronoridine tetraphosphate, is actively encapsulated.
Finally, curcumin, a natural compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa) presents promising antimalarial activity in vitro, but its low stability and intestinal absorption compromise their effectiveness in vivo. In this regard, we are working on the development of polymeric nanovectors for the improved abortion of curcumin in the intestinal mucosa.

Nano World Cancer Day 2018
2018-02-02 08:00 - 17:00
Fifth edition of the Nano World Cancer Day, February 2nd: ten simultaneous events
Austria, France, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and United Kingdom.

The Nano World Cancer Day 2018 is an event organized in the framework of the World Cancer Day (February 4th). It aims to amplify awareness about Nanomedicine and its ability to introduce new opportunities and game changers in the fight against cancer.
Simultaneous dynamic and informative events dedicated to press, students and Physicians are organized in 10 countries across Europe and beyond.
The Nano World Cancer Day offers a chance to discover the revolutions provided by Nanomedicine in healthcare:
Nanomedicine: disruptive innovations to beat cancer
In each country, local experts in Nanomedicine (researchers, entrepreneurs, oncologists, clinicians, public authorities, patients…) will deliver short speeches about the latest concrete and disruptive innovations in Nanomedicine and answer all questions the audience may have.
Initiated in 2013, the Nano World Cancer Day is an event organized by the European Technology Platform on Nanomedicine (ETPN) supported by European Project ENATRANS (Enabling NAnomedicine TRANSlation).

More details here: http://events.ibecbarcelona.eu/nwcd2018/

Sangeet Sabha - an Indian classical music evening at the PCB
2018-02-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Sala Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Only a few places left! Sign up here by 25th January 2018.

IBEC Seminar: Gregory Lanza
2018-01-31 15:30 - 16:30 | IBEC, floor 11, Tower I, Baldiri Reixac 4-8, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
IBEC Seminar: Gregory Lanza
Gregory Lanza (Professor of Medicine, Biomedical Engineering and Biology & Biomedical Sciences; Washington University)
Dr. Lanza is a full Professor of Medicine in the Cardiovascular Division of the School of Medicine, with affiliations in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, as well as Biology & Biomedical Sciences, in Washington University. He received a B.A. from Colby College, both an M.S. and a Ph.D. from the Department of Poultry Science in University of Georgia Athens, an M.D. from Northwest University, and conducted his medical residency and cardiology specialization in Washington University Medical Center. Dr. Lanza has been the recipient for a Searle Career Development Award, as well as NCI Unconventional Innovation Program Awards in 2000, 2002, and 2003, among several other recognitions. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Lanza is the Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer for Kereos, Inc. He serves in the editorial board of Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, & Medicine, the International Journal of Green Nanotechnology: Biomedicine, WIREs: Nanomedicine, and Theranostics.

IBEC PhD Discussions Complementary Skills Session: Sergi Udina
2018-01-26 10:00 - 11:00
From PhD to industry: tips for the researcher
Dr. Sergi Udina, R&D Director at JLM Innovation GmbH
Technology transfer usually focuses on technology only, but it can be argued that it is also about people. Transfer of researchers from Academia to industry is often an abrupt process and too often it involves inefficient transfer of the developed knowledge in the academia to the industry. This talk will provide examples, tips, and the speakers experience in this curvy road.

IBEC Seminar: Gopi Shah
2018-01-18 15:00 - 16:00 | IBEC, floor 11, Tower I, Baldiri Reixac 4-8, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Prospects of light sheet microscopy in developmental biology and cancer research
Gopi Shah (CRUK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge)
Light sheet microscopy is one of the fastest fluorescence imaging technologies available today. In the last decade, it has emerged as an ideal technique for visualizing biological processes occurring at various time and length scales: rapid three-dimensional processes such as the beating zebrafish heart can be captured at >400 frames/sec, large samples such as the developing zebrafish embryo (~0.7-1mm) can be imaged in toto at high resolution through multi-view imaging and delicate samples such as in vitro cultured 3D organoids can be monitored over days owing to its non-invasive nature.
Nonetheless, most biological studies demand a higher imaging throughput in terms of sample size, which has been a challenge for light sheet microscopy both in terms of microscope design and the volume of data generated. To address this, we have developed customised light sheet microscopes with real-time image-processing engine that projects the 3D image volume onto a 2D map, drastically reducing the amount of data generated as well as providing a panoramic view of the sample for ease of downstream analyses. We also designed a fluidic sample delivery system to pump embryos through the microscope, enabling time-lapse imaging and screening of several samples simultaneously. Together, these tools harness the high-speed imaging capability of a light sheet system to obtain multi-dimensional data from many samples, essential for systematic population analysis. In my talk, I will discuss how this work (a) has enabled integration of whole-sample live imaging, genetic information and analysis of an ensemble of specimen to understand large-scale tissue movements during zebrafish embryogenesis and (b) facilitates my vision of establishing high-throughput imaging of organoids for understanding tumor cell dynamics and developing organoids as a model for image-based screening and therapeutics.

Leadership & management Skills for Young Scientists
2018-01-17 09:00 - 18:00 | IBEC, floor 11, Tower I, Baldiri Reixac 4-8, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Training activity in Leadership & management skills.
The goal is to enable scientists to productively deal with challenges related to the human aspects of doing science.
Dates:
17th and 18th January 2018
In person class sessions: 12 hours. 1st day from 9:00 to 18:00; 2nd day from 18:00 to 13:00
Target Group:
Postdoctoral researchers.
Provider: Hfp Consulting.
Training activity in Leadership & management skills.

Leadership & management Skills for Young Scientists
2018-01-17 09:00 - 18:00 | IBEC, floor 11, Tower I, Baldiri Reixac 4-8, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
Training activity in Leadership & management skills.
The goal is to enable scientists to productively deal with challenges related to the human aspects of doing science.
Dates:
17th and 18th January 2018
In person class sessions: 12 hours. 1st day from 9:00 to 18:00; 2nd day from 18:00 to 13:00
Target Group:
Postdoctoral researchers.
Provider: Hfp Consulting.

How to be an effective researcher
2018-01-16 - 2018-01-17
Every organisation needs great leadership. Dynamic and purposeful leaders can literally
change the world. In academia the very best leaders are self-aware, skilful communicators with
excellent people skills. This course is designed to develop leadership skills for postdocs and focusses on identifying and honing everyone’ personal leadership style. It will bring leadership to all aspects of your personal and professional life.
Dates:
2 groups: 16th & 17th January and 18th & 19th January
Residential course at:
Centre ESPLAI Hostel
C/ Riu Anoia 42-54
El Prat de Llobregat

Target Group:
1st year PhD Students.
54 places in total for all BIST centres.
