About
The Biosensors for bioengineering group is a junior group under IBEC’s Tenure Track scheme.
Our research is focused on multi tissues organs-on-a-chip (OOC) and more specifically in the metabolic crosstalk within tissues and their relationship with metabolic diseases. Our projects are focused on four key tissues regulating glucose homeostasis, namely, the pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. To achieve this objective, it is necessary a combined interdisciplinary approach.
Biomaterials and tissue engineering research
1) We have several lines of research related with skeletal muscle. Our first approach was with C2C12 mice cell line. We evaluated the influence of mechanical stiffness and geometrical confinement on the 3D culture of myoblast-laden chemically modified gelatin photo-cross linkable composite hydrogels in terms of in vitro myogenesis.
2) Encapsulation of beta-cells like from human skin fibroblast (collaboration with IDIBAPS). This work addresses two critical issues in the design of an efficient beta-cell replacement therapy: an accessible cell source for generation of substitute beta-cells and an adequate delivery device for transplantation. On one hand, we propose to generate transplantable functional insulin-producing beta-cells from fibroblasts through direct reprogramming strategies that bypass the pluripotent iPS stage. On a second objective, we are working in a new system of encapsulating beta-cells like in two steps, microencapsulation to protect cells from immune system and microencapsulation to mechanically protect them and manipulate them.
3) We are developing three-dimensional micro liver models using various biomaterials to recreate the in vivo-like mechanical properties and using hepatocytes and stellate cells. We are collaborating with Grifols company to test some drugs in our model.
4) We have a collaboration project with NovoNordisk to work in new approaches to encapsulate retinal cells.
Biosensing technology:
1) Integrating biosensors in an organ-on-a-chip. We are studying with in situ electrochemical biosensors the release of insulin under the effect of external stimuli, changes in glucose levels and myokines secreted by skeletal muscle (multi-OOC approach).
2) Related with this project we are implementing new biosensors systems. To fully exploit the potential of the organs-on-a-chip, there is a need to interface them to integrated sensing modules, capable to monitor in real-time their biochemical response to external stimuli, like stress or drugs. The goal of this project is to answer this need, by developing a novel technology based on integrating localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensing module to organs-on-a-chip devices to monitor disease and evaluate drug response in organs-on-a-chip models.
3) Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (collaboration with Hospital de la Fe and INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain). We have developed human skeletal muscle micro physiological tissues using micro molding technology and we have integrated them with amperometric biosensors to study the inflammatory process related with electrical and chemical stimuli. We have used transdifferentiated skin fibroblast human cells from DM1 patients and healthy human. Using this platform, we have started to evaluate different treatments, to screen drugs and to evaluate doses.
4) NMR integrated with OOC. The objective of this project is to develop a new technology based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging using dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP-MR) integrated with OOC devices to monitor disease and evaluate drug response in OOC models. As a proof-of-concept, this project will fabricate a biomimetic multi OOC integrated device composed of liver spheroids and pancreatic islets and develop the necessary DNP-MR hardware and software to study metabolic diseases and for future drug screening applications. We are working in collaboration with Oxford instrument and Multiwave companies.
Staff
Javier Ramón Azcón
Projects
NATIONAL PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
Development of a “Muscle-on-a-Chip” (MoC) platform for the preclinical evaluation of potential therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (2020-2022) | DUCHENNE ESPAÑA, IV Convocatoria Ayudas a Proyectos de Investigación | Juanma Fernandez |
BLAD · BioLiver Assist Device (2020-2021) | AGAUR, Ajuts per a projectes innovadors amb potencial d’incorporació al sector productiu – LLAVOR | Javier Ramón |
INNOTEC- Javier Ramon- Naturfiltr (2021-2023) | TECNIO | Javier Ramón |
ASITOC Atomic-Sensor-Integrated Tissue-On-a-Chip: optically detected biomagnetism to understand muscular diseases (2021-2022) | BIST_Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology | Juanma Fernandez |
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
DAMOC · ‘Diabetes Approach by Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip’ (2017-2022) | ERC | Javier Ramón |
BLOC · Benchtop NMR for Lab-on-Chip (2020-2022) | European Comission FET-Open | Javier Ramón |
PRIVATELY FUNDED PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
Tatami · Therapeutic targeting of MBNL microRNAs as innovative treatments for myotonic dystrophy (2019-2022) | Fundació bancaria «La Caixa» | Javier Ramón |
FINISHED PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
Programa Faster Future 2020: COVID-19 (2021) | Fundraising | Javier Ramón |
INDUCT · Fabrication of a biomimetic in vitro model of the intestinal tube muscle wall: smooth muscle-on-a-chip (2018-2020) | MINECO | Javier Ramón |
Publications
(See full publication list in ORCID)
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Equipment
Micro and nanofabrication techniques:
- 3D microstructures on hydrogel materials
- Mini-bioreactor for 3D cell culture
- Microelectrodes fabrication
- Synthesis and chemical modification of polymers and surfaces
- Dielectrophoretic cells and micro particles manipulation
Characterization techniques:
- Optical Microscopes (white light/epifluorescence)
- Electrochemical techniques (Potentiometric/Amperometric/Impedance spectroscopy)
- Immunosensing techniques (Fluorescence ELISA/Colorimetric ELISA/magneto ELISA)
Equipment:
- Microfluidic systems (High precision syringe pumps/Peristaltic pumps/Micro valves)
- Biological safety cabinet (class II)
- Epifluorescence microscope for live-cell imaging
- Pulsar – a high-resolution, 60MHz benchtop NMR spectrometer from Oxford Instruments
Access to the Nanotechnology Platform (IBEC Core Facilities): equipment for hot embossing lithography, polymer processing and photolithography, chemical wet etching, e-beam evaporation and surface characterization (TOF-SIMS)
Access to the Scientific and Technological Centers (University of Barcelona): equipment for surface analysis (XPS, AFM, XRD), organic structures characterization (NMR) and microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, confocal)
Collaborations
- Prof. Josep Samitier
IBEC - Dr. Elena Martinez
IBEC - Dr. Anna Novials
Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) - Dr. Ramon Gomís
Institut d’Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) - Dr. Eduard Montanya
The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) - Prof. Enric Bertran
Physics and Engineering of Amorphous Materials and Nanostructures (FEMAN), Department of Applied Physics, University of Barcelona - Dr. Montserrat Costa
2020, Director Plasma Proteins Research, Bioscience Industrial Group, Grifols, Barcelona Spain, Collaborative project - Tryfon Antonakakis
2019, Co-Founder & CEO Multiwave Technologies AG 3 Chemin du Pré Fleuri 1228, Geneva Switzerland, FET-open project - Robert Hardy
2019, Project Manager Oxford Instruments plc Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England, FET-open project - Dr. Carlos Villaescusa
2018, Principal Scientist/Specialist, Project Leader, Department of Stem Cell Discovery, Novo Nordisk Denmark, Collaborative project
Clinical collaborations
- Project “TATAMI” funded by Fundación Bancaria «La Caixa» – CaixaHealth program. In this project, we are developing a platform to perform drug screening analysis in human engineered microtissues in close collaboration with Professor Ruben Artero from Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas de Valencia (INCLIVA) and medical doctor Vilchez from Hospital de la Fe (Valencia)
- We are also collaborating with Hospital de Sant Pau (Barcelona), with the group of senior professor Isabel Illa Sendra we are developing human microtissues to study the myasthenia gravis neuromuscular rare disease.
- In a Smart Specialization Project (RIS3CAT, ADVANCECAT project), I am working with senior professor Eduard Montanya from Hospital de Bellvitge (Barcelona) to develop transplantable patches of human pancreatic islets.
- Finally, we are collaborating with Doctor Jesus Castro from Hospital de la Vall de Hebron (Barcelona) to study chronic fatigue.
News
Dos proyectos con participación del IBEC seleccionados en la convocatoria de redes de doctorado MSCA
El IBEC coordinará SPM4.0 y participará como socio en ENTRY-DM, dos de los proyectos seleccionados en la convocatoria 2023 de redes de doctorado dentro del marco de las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA). Gracias a estos dos proyectos, el IBEC incorporará a tres nuevos doctorandos a su plantilla.
El IBEC desarrollará órganos en un chip en tres proyectos Pathfinder
BuonMarrow, OMICSENS y PHOENIX-OoC son los tres proyectos en los cuales el Grupo de Biosensores para la Bioingeniería del IBEC desplegará su amplio conocimiento en el ámbito de biosensores y órganos en chip. Los proyectos, que se desarrollarán con la financiación del prestigioso programa Pathfinder Open del Consejo de Innovación Europeo, prometen mejorar los tratamientos oncológicos e impulsar la innovación en diagnósticos.
Un músculo artificial para estudiar la distrofia muscular de Duchenne
El sistema, desarrollado por el IBEC, está fabricado a partir de células de pacientes y es el primer modelo 3D de músculo capaz de reproducir el daño que provoca la distrofia muscular de Duchenne. El siguiente paso será fabricar una plataforma de órgano-en-un-chip que permita llevar a cabo estudios preclínicos de fármacos contra la enfermedad y monitorizar el daño muscular de manera más eficiente. El trabajo ha recibido financiación de Duchenne Parent Project España, una asociación sin ánimo de lucro dirigida por las familias de niños afectados por este tipo de distrofia.
Financiación europea para el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 1 mediante bioimpresión 3D
El investigador del IBEC Javier Ramón Azcón ha recibido una “ERC Proof of Concept Grant”. Se trata de una prestigiosa financiación que concede el Consejo Europeo de Investigación para explorar el potencial comercial y social de proyectos de investigación llevados a cabo en instituciones europeas. El proyecto de Ramón, Uniink, se enfoca en el tratamiento de la diabetes tipo 1 con terapia celular y bioimpresión 3D.
El investigador del IBEC James Eills asistirá a un encuentro con premios Nobel
El Dr. James Eills, investigador del IBEC, ha sido seleccionado para asistir al prestigioso Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting que reúne a destacados jóvenes científicos de todo el mundo con premios … Read more
Cumbre científica para luchar contra las enfermedades neuromusculares
Científicos y pacientes se reúnen en el IBEC para buscar nuevas estrategias de tratamiento para estas patologías minoritarias. El periódico Ara entrevistó a Juanma Fernández Costa, investigador postdoctoral del grupo … Read more
Crean un “gimnasio en un chip” que ayudará a estudiar la diabetes y desarrollar nuevos fármacos para su tratamiento
Coincidiendo con el día mundial de la Diabetes, investigadores del IBEC hacen público un estudio en que combinan células musculares y de páncreas en un mismo chip y demuestran que … Read more
Bioingeniería para tratar la diabetes en los medios
Investigadores del Instituto de Bioingeniería de Cataluña (IBEC) liderados por el Profesor de Investigación ICREA Javier Ramón, aparecen en los medios por un reciente estudio en colaboración con investigadores del IDIBAPS, en el que han desarrollado pequeñas esferas capaces de responder a variaciones en los niveles de glucosa y producir insulina in vitro.
Innovadoras esferas hechas con bioingeniería podrían ayudar a tratar la diabetes
Investigadores del IBEC, en colaboración con el IDIBAPS en Barcelona, han desarrollado pequeñas esferas capaces de responder a variaciones en los niveles de glucosa y producir insulina in vitro. Estos esferoides biomiméticos y no tóxicos contienen células β pancreáticas y se prepararon utilizando la bioimpresión 3D. Este enfoque podría ayudar en el futuro a mejorar los resultados clínicos de las estrategias de trasplante de células β para el tratamiento de la diabetes, así como para las plataformas in vitro de desarrollo de fármacos.
Las terapias regenerativas del futuro confluyeron en el Simposio IBEC, con expertos internacionales y más de 300 inscritos
Más de trescientos expertos internacionales en el campo de la investigación en terapias regenerativas se citaron en el simposio organizado por el Instituto de Bioingeniería de Catalunya (IBEC) para presentar los últimos avances en miniórganos, órganos en un chip, bioimpresión 3D e ingeniería de tejidos, entre otros.
Jobs
Research Assistant position at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: RA- JR // Deadline: 23/09/2024
Research Assistant position at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: RA- JR-2 // Deadline: 21/08/2024
Research Assistant at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: RA-JR-1 // Deadline: 29/08/2024
Postdoctoral Researcher at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: PR_JR/Deadline: 09/12/2023
Postdoctoral position at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: PD_JR/ Deadline: 10/11/2023
Laboratory Assistant at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: LA_JR/Deadline: 22/11/2023
Laboratory Technician at the Biosensors for Bioengineering Research Group
Ref: LT_JR//Deadline: 28th April 2023