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Institutional news

A new generation of therapeutic nanorobots set to transform the medicine of the future

Samuel Sánchez

Research carried out at IBEC by Samuel Sánchez and his team has led to the development of a new generation of therapeutic nanorobots. These nanorobots can move through the body, reach tumours and deliver drugs with great precision. These nanorobots have already reduced bladder tumours by up to 90% in preclinical models and are being investigated for use in treating other diseases. They were presented to the public at MWC26 through an immersive experience demonstrating how this technology could transform future treatments.

IBEC participates in the first Workplace Travel Plan launched by the Barcelona Science Park to promote more sustainable mobility

The University of Barcelona Science Park (PCB-UB) has launched its first Workplace Travel Plan (PDE), a joint initiative by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Biocat, the Scientific and Technological Centers of the UB (CCiTUB), and the PCB itself, aimed at improving commuting mobility and reducing the environmental impact of daily travel.

Barcelona hosts the fourth edition of the EMBL-IBEC Conference

The fourth EMBL-IBEC Conference, organised by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), focused on disease modelling, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. The event brought around 130 international bioengineering experts together at the PRBB in Barcelona this week.

IBEC welcomes a new international cohort of doctoral students in collaboration with hospitals and centres of excellence

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is pleased to welcome new international students to its PhD programme. This initiative offers excellent training and research opportunities in bioengineering, as well as strong collaboration with leading hospitals and institutions.

IBEC showcases its leadership in biomedical innovation at MWC26 with three disruptive projects

Last week, Barcelona played host to MWC26, the world’s premier technology and connectivity event. The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia was in attendance, showcasing some of its spin-offs and state-of-the-art biomedical technologies, including: Nanobots Therapeutics, Lumiris Spectral Solutions, and Drug4Sight.

BIST calls for reforms to turn scientific discoveries into European industry

The BIST Forum 2026 brought together scientists and representatives from academic, economic and social institutions to discuss how frontier research can help build Europe’s industries of the future. The event also announced the recipients of the BIST To the Mothers of Science and Ignite programmes.

Three IBEC researchers receive grants from the Spanish Association Against Cancer

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

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

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

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

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