“IBEC PhD fellowships associated with the MICIU funded projects “Generación del Conocimiento 2024” (FPI grants)

The PhD fellowships offer a 4-year predoctoral contract with the following gross annual salary:

• 24.296,54€ for the 1st year 
• 24.296,54€ for the 2nd year 
• 24.296,54€ for the 3rd year 
• 24.500€ for the 4th year 

Moreover, 7.000€ is also offered for mobility and training, including the university enrolment fees, during the 4-year period. Indemnities will be paid at the end of the labour contract.

Predoctoral researchers will have to enrol in a university of their choice (mainly University of Barcelona-UB; Polytechnic University of Catalonia-UPC and University Pompeu Fabra-UPF). IBEC doesn’t grant the doctorate degree, instead, it provides the experimental experience you need to complete the PhD. The awarding body of your PhD will be the University at which you are enrolled as a doctoral student. 

University enrolment fees will be covered by the fellowship. 

PhDs will provide an annual report from the Doctoral School confirming the positive scientific progress related to the PhD thesis carried out during the year. PhDs who finish and defend their PhD thesis before the end of the 4-year period of the fellowship will be able to sign an up to 1-year postdoctoral contract. The aim of this contract is to provide an orientation period to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the PhD thesis and start looking for postdoctoral opportunities, including those through other competitive fellowships. Under no circumstance the total duration of the PhD and postdoc contract cannot exceed 4 years.

The expected initial date is January 1^st 2026 (to be confirmed, depending on the publication date of the final resolution of the call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024),  when a predoctoral contract will be issued , once they have been admitted on a Doctoral Programme.

Other general conditions:

Gross salary provides full social security coverage, which includes health and accident insurance, pension and unemployment benefits. Working conditions at IBEC also include: 

• Yearly 23 working days of paid holidays 
• 9 leave days for personal matters 
• Measures to reconcile work and family life, such as: 
  • Parental leave (16 weeks) 
  • Leave for breastfeeding 
  • Shorter hours for guardianship or leave to care for children and relatives 
• Flexible schedule working hours 
• Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC
• Additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona

IBEC provides Training and PhD discussions specially devoted for PhDs to prepare the thesis and presentation skills. IBEC also provides Seminars with top names in bioengineering and nanomedicine from all over the world in order to offer the opportunity to discuss and network the developments. IBEC also offers different courses to give the opportunity to learn new skills such a leadership communication, time management, and language skills. The institute also holds an annual symposium on a different scientific theme, as well as hosting and organizing several other project-based or general scientific meetings and workshops throughout the year. 

As part of the PhD fellowship, PhD’s are encouraged to take up research placements in other centers. Thanks to these stay, young researchers benefit from transnational and multidisciplinary mobility and have the added value of enabling PhD Students to obtain an international PhD, a recognized distinction which significantly improves their chances of a successful career. 

All PhDs should commit themselves to participate in outreach and education activities.

In order to enhance and acknowledge the excellence of the training program developed for IBEC’s PhD fellows, we issue a Doctoral Certificate of Excellence funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa award. This certificate is awarded to those fellows who meet the quality requirements of the institute. Additionally, all candidates that received a Doctoral Certificate of Excellence will be eligible for a Doctoral Award. The awardees will receive a prize in an award ceremony at the IBEC Symposium.

Within the Wellbeing Programme, IBEC offers a catalogue of activities on healthy habits, wellbeing and mental health.

IBEC is committed to awareness of diversity and gender equality in science and society. This follows our mission to carry out interdisciplinary research at the highest international quality level which, by crating knowledge, helps to improve health and quality of live, and generate wealth.

Highly qualified researchers of all nationalities willing to join a stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality scientific environment are welcome to apply. 

The following requirements are common to the fellowships available: 

• Candidates should be ready to enter an official doctoral programme in January 2026 (under Spanish Law). By this time, they must have obtained a university degree and a master’s degree; or must hold an official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which at least 60 are at master’s level. Candidates who expect to be awarded with such degrees by October 2024 are eligible to apply. 
• Candidates must have a strong commitment to scientific research and an excellent academic record. 
• Candidates must have good working knowledge of English. 
• Candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. 

Candidates must not have held a PhD contract exceeding twelve months by the beginning of the fellowship (January 2026).

We offer 7 PhD Fellowships associated to the following individual research projects: 

• Group: Molecular Bionics 
• PI: Amayra Hernández Vega
• Project: Tau initial Solid Transition in axons in Alzheimer’s Disease (TauiST)
• Abstract: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) affects around 50 million people worldwide, and this number is expected to reach 150 million by 2050, creating a significant economic and social burden. Consequently, finding an effective treatment for AD is not only a medical concern but a global imperative. Early signs of AD pathology can be detected up to 20 years before symptoms arise, suggesting that we are intervening too late, by which time neuronal damage may already be irreversible. As a result, the field is shifting towards early intervention. The discovery and advancement of AD biomarkers for early diagnosis will soon enable reliable detection of asymptomatic individuals. However, achieving effective early intervention requires a shift in therapeutic strategies.
  For years, AD research has focused on symptomatic stages, leaving a knowledge gap and a lack of models to target the early stages of the disease. This project aims to address this gap by investigating an early event in the disease: the initial solid transition of tau from its healthy, endogenous configuration in neurons, where it is transiently bound to axonal microtubules. Tau has prion-like properties, which we will exploit to seed the initial transition from its microtubule-associated form to its solid aggregated state, mimicking the early changes seen in AD. We will develop in vitro reconstituted and neuronal models of this initial solid transition, using fluorescence microscopy to monitor it, live. Using these models, we will investigate the immediate consequences of this transition on axonal transport and explore age-related triggers of this early process.
  We believe that this project, and the knowledge and models generated, will be crucial for finding an effective treatment to halt the initial phase of AD pathology.
• Reference: Project PID2024-160613OA-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Biomedical signal processing and interpretation
• PIs: Raimón Jané Campos + Yolanda Castillo Escario
• Project: Smart mHealth systems for sleep apnea detection, monitoring and treatment: a multimodal approach for individuals with different health conditions (mHealthSleep4U)
• Abstract: Sleep apnea is a medical condition that is largely underdiagnosed despite affecting more than one billion people worldwide. This is in part due to the limitations of current diagnostic techniques, including their high cost, complexity, discomfort for patients, and long waiting lists. For these reasons, there is an increasing need for simpler cost-effective solutions for sleep apnea detection.
  The project “Smart mHealth systems for sleep apnea detection, monitoring and treatment: a multimodal approach for individuals with different health conditions” (mHealthSleep4U) aims to develop a next generation of smart mHealth systems integrating smartphones, wearables, and wireless devices for non-invasive sleep apnea diagnosis, continuous monitoring, and personalized treatment through multimodal signal analysis.
  The system will combine acoustic, accelerometry, and oximetry data, in addition to other physiological signals.The project will present new tools, algorithms, apps, and devices to accurately extract clinical indices and provide new digital biomarkers and artificial intelligence (AI) models for sleep apnea. This approach will promote predictive and personalized medicine, addressing both clinical and technical challenges associated with sleep apnea management in patients with different health conditions. Specifically, the mHealthSleep4U proposal focuses on the evaluation and characterization of sleep apnea in 3 different use cases: 1) general population, including healthy subjects and sleep apnea patients of different ages and genders, 2) spinal cord injury (SCI) or stroke patients, and 3) post-COVID or fibrotic patients.
  Different tasks will be developed during the project, starting with the validation of the proposed mHealth system against gold-standard techniques in both hospital and home settings. Large-scale, multi-night studies in the general population will assess sleep apnea, high-resolution sleep position, and positional therapy delivery through a smartphone app, while also developing predictive models for cardiovascular risk. Novel sensors, such as tattoo electrodes, will be explored for comfortable ECG/EMG monitoring. The system will be adapted to the needs of SCI and stroke patients to evaluate the impact of sleep apnea on rehabilitation and prognosis. Moreover, we will evaluate sleep apnea and respiratory function in post-COVID and fibrotic patients using mHealth tools and acoustic biomarkers derived from cough, voice, and breathing sounds.
  By combining smartphone and wearable devices with innovative multimodal signal processing and AI algorithms, the mHealthSleep4U project will enable non-invasive, home-based sleep apnea detection, multi-night monitoring, and prediction of cardiovascular risk and other comorbidities. The proposed accessible tools can alleviate the health and economic burden of sleep disorders, enabling early detection, unobtrusive remote monitoring, positional therapy delivery, and personalized follow-up at home. By reaching not only sleep apnea patients but also underserved high-risk groups such as individuals with SCI, stroke, post-COVID, or fibrosis, this technology has the potential to improve sleep quality and health in the overall population.
  Reference: Project PID2024-160620OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Biomimetic systems for cell engineering
• PI: Elena Martínez Fraiz
• Project: Bioprinted cancer-on-chip: A breakthrough tool for exploring the cancer immunity cycle (BIOCHIC)
• Abstract: Colorectal cancer is among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems. While immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, their effectiveness in solid tumors like colorectal cancer remains limited due to immune evasion mechanisms and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The BIOCHIC project seeks to address these challenges by developing a bioprinted cancer-on-chip model that accurately replicates the tumor microenvironment and its vascular and lymphatic networks, enabling real-time monitoring of immune cell migration and infiltration. Microphysiological systems (MPS), integrated with microfluidic technology, allow the co-culture of tumor spheroids, immune cells, and fibroblasts under dynamic conditions, enabling the study of tumor-immune interactions in physiological conditions. Conventional fabrication methods rely on replica molding using silicon-based materials and irreversible chip sealing.
  BIOCHIC proposes an alternative fabrication method based on the 3D printing of silicon-based inks and the 3D bioprinting of hydrogels that mimic the tumor microenvironment. This new methodology provides the easy creation of complex, vascularized structures that mimic immune cell trafficking and tumor progression. BIOCHICs approach aims to simulate the cancer immunity cycle by focusing on three critical steps: dendritic cell infiltration into the tumor, their trafficking to the lymphatic vessels, and the cytotoxic T cell tumor migration. The projects fully 3D-printed cancer-on-chip will integrate the blood and lymphatic barriers, controlled chemokine gradients, and reversible sealing for real-time monitoring and further analysis. By combining microfluidics, biomaterials, and immunology, BIOCHIC not only advances colorectal cancer research but also has broader applications in bioengineering, biomaterials science, and immunotherapy development, maximizing its translational impact in cancer treatment.
• Reference: Project PID2024-162957OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Targeted therapeutics and nanodevices
• PI: Silvia Muro
• Project: New isoform-dependent brain-targeting for enzyme therapy (BRAINZYME)
• Abstract: Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are genetic defects affecting 1 in 2,000 newborns, comprising approximately 60 diseases due to defects in lysosomal enzymes. This leads to buildup of macromolecules in cells, causing life-long debilitation to death. An example is acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), which can affect the central nervous system (CNS) and/or peripheral organs (lungs, spleen, liver). Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is the most accepted treatment but is plagued by inefficient enzyme targeting across the blood brain barrier (BBB) to reach the brain, precluding its use for most LSDs, while delivering enzyme to other tissues and entering cells via routes that reach lysosomes. Previously, we discovered that ICAM-1, a receptor overexpressed during pathological states, including the BBB and tissues affected by LSDs, can be targeted using nanocarriers to effectively reach lysosomes. ICAM-1 targeting was originally achieved by coupling nanocarriers to a commercial anti-ICAM-1 antibody (Ab), but this Ab failed to recognize ICAM-1 from animal species used in pre-clinical development and 50% of ICAM-1 isoforms lacked the region bound by this Ab. We then identified and patented new multispecies, isoform-dependent Abs solving this problem, but LSDs affect pediatric populations and require chronic treatment, and no nanocarrier is yet approved for such use as their long-term accumulation in diseased-lysosomes may cause a secondary storage. 
  Our hypothesis is that this problem can be solved by creating new multimodular fusion proteins for ERT, uniting an enzymatic region and a targeting region derived from our new multi-species isoform-dependent anti-ICAM-1 Abs, with additional elements for enzyme release after reaching lysosomes to prevent off-target effects. Our preliminary results support this strategy, which will be evaluated in this project through the following steps: 1-Design, characterize, and optimize new fusion proteins, including cloning, purification, structure, stability, targeting and enzymatic activities; 2-Study, select, and refine fusion proteins in cellular models, including their specificity, interactions, transport, and affects; and 3-Examine their benefits and risks in animal models, including pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, biochemistry, therapeutic and side effects. Results from this project hold fundamental value about isoform-dependent targeting, a term coined by us, and multifunctional-protein design and translational relevance regarding effective ERTs for ASMD treatment, easily expandable to LSDs currently lacking CNS-targeted treatment for maximal scientific, social and economic impact. The project is multi and inter-disciplinary, including bioengineering, biotechnology, cellular biology, pharmaceutical sciences, and biomedicine. Unique cellular and animal models and state-of-the-art methodology will be used, offering an optimal opportunity to train a diverse and gender-balanced team of students and postdoctoral associates. The project will engage collaborators, consultants, patient groups, and industrial partners, increasing visibility and impact for the field, our group and institutions. Active publication in high-rank peer-review journals, presentation in national+international congresses, divulgation and outreach, and entrepreneurial activities will maximize the fundamental and practical impact of the project at a local, national, and international levels.
• Reference: Project PID2024-156424OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology
• PIs: José Antonio del Río Fernández + Rosalina Gavín Marín
• Project: Tau-mediated sequential hypersynchrony and decoupling in primary 4R Tauopathies: Functional biochemical insights and genetic and pharmacological interventions (THRIVE)
• Abstract: A widely classical notion was that dementia and seizures exemplify two primarily independent disorders, a supportive argument being that not every individual with generalized seizures goes on to develop progressive cognitive dysfunction. However, during the last years, several studies have challenged this notion and have suggested a different view regarding the relationship between epileptic seizures and AD: instead of being a complication of AD, epileptiform activity including both convulsive and non-convulsive seizures may represent an early primary disturbance and contribute to network dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and disease progression in AD. Another complementary view suggests that the association between epilepsy and AD appears to be bidirectional. This bidirectional relationship may be due to underlying shared pathophysiologic hallmarks, including decreased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta 42 (AB42) and increased hyperphosphorylated tau protein (pTau). In this sense, various pioneer studies conducted in humans and animal models also including pure tauopathy models, have demonstrated that the use of some antiepileptic drugs (e.g., levetiracetam) improves cognitive functions in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). The role of Ab in enhancing neuronal network excitability in AD mouse models is characterized. However, the role of Tau, the other major neuropathological hallmark of AD besides Ab and a better correlate of cognitive impairment in sAD in neuronal network excitability remains unclear with different studies reporting conflicting roles (e.g., enhancement vs suppression. In AD, although several hypotheses are described, a current vision indicates that Tau counterbalances the effects of hyperexcitability that are potentiated by extracellular AB. However, What Explains Hyperexcitability in Primary Tauopathies and Other Non-AB Diseases? Excitability of neuronal networks is aberrantly increased in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and in mouse models with FTD-associated with Tau mutations. In addition, Tau-dependent increases in neural activity in the absence of Ab deposition have also been observed in models of synucleopathies. 
  Our proposal aims to modulate neuronal activity in cases of hyperactivity based on Tau as a target. Additionally, it seeks to determine the described interrelationship of PrPC in the seeding and spreading of mutated Tau in murine humanized models. Lastly, considering the translational nature of the proposal, we aim to analyze in detail, in humanized models, gene expression changes at the single-cell level of affected neurons using RiboTag. To achieve this, we aim to move away from models with significant deficiencies. While it is evident that animal models will be used in the project, our objective is to minimize their use as much as possible and instead replicate the observed processes in patients through humanized platforms. In this regard, we count on the collaboration of national and international research groups, including biotech companies that have expressed interest in this proposal. At the same time, we aim to establish two pathways for modulating this hyperexcitability, potentially improving cognition. This approach aligns with various international research projects, particularly those exploring non-invasive techniques (such as transcranial stimulation or TMS) to modulate heightened neural activity in patients.
• Reference: Project PID2024-162521OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Smart nano-bio-devices
• PI: Samuel Sánchez Ordóñez
• Project: Biodegradable Organic Nanobots for the Treatment of Mucinous Tumors (BiOrganiBOTS)
• Abstract: The project aims to revolutionize cancer therapy by developing enzyme-powered, biodegradable nanobots capable of crossing biological barriers, such as the mucus layer in mucinous tumours. Traditional nanomedicine faces challenges related to the low efficiency in targeted drug delivery due to these protective barriers. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by engineering nanomotors that can self-propel through complex environments and deliver drugs with high precision. The research employs PLGA-nanomotors, chosen for their biocompatibility and adaptability. A key aspect of the project involves creating advanced tumour-on-chip platforms to replicate the tumour microenvironment of a mucinous cancer model, providing a robust model for evaluating nanobot performance. Key goals include optimizing nanomotor synthesis, assessing biocompatibility, and demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in preclinical models. This initiative builds on previous achievements, including enzyme-powered nanomotors that disrupt mucus through oxygen bubble generation. The project aligns with strategic research priorities in precision medicine, supporting sustainable, biodegradable nanotechnologies while addressing global health challenges. Expected outcomes include improved cancer treatment protocols, reduced drug toxicity, and better patient outcomes.
• Reference: Project PID2024-161645OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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• Group: Integrative cell and tissue dynamics
• PI: Xavier Trepat Guixer
• Project: Mechanobiology of micropatterned human pluripotent stem cell colonies (MECHSTEM)
• Abstract: Engineered multicellular systems derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are transforming our ability to model complex human tissues, offering unprecedented insights into development, disease, and regeneration. Some of the most insightful models are based on simple micropatterned hPSC monolayers, which, under suitable culture conditions, undergo patterning and morphogenesis events that recapitulate essential features of gastrulation and organogenesis. The dynamics of these processes are governed by an interplay between mechanics and biochemistry that remains poorly understood. 
  The goal of this proposal is to combine experimental and theoretical approaches to unveil the multiscale mechanobiology of hPSC colonies and investigate its potential to guide early patterning and morphogenesis. We hypothesize that the mechanics of hPSCs are regulated across multiple length and time scales, ranging from subcellular tensions and protrusions to long-range mechanical transmission throughout the colony. We further hypothesize that these multiscale mechanics are tightly linked to the patterning and morphogenesis of hPSC colonies. To test these hypotheses, we will first develop experimental tools to measure and control the mechanics of the monolayer at multiple spatiotemporal scales. Using these tools, we will provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanics of micropatterned colonies of hPSCs, from local sensing of tension, rigidity, and viscoelasticity to global flows and tissue transitions. Next, we will study the interplay between cell fate specification and mechanics in hPSC colonies modeling human gastrulation. Finally, we will develop computational models bridging local clutch dynamics and cell polarity with emergent supracellular behaviors, establishing a predictive framework for the multiscale mechanobiology of hPSC colonies. By elucidating the mechanobiology of hPSC colonies, this research will advance our understanding of early development and establish a foundation for synthetic applications in developmental biology and tissue engineering.
• Reference: Project PID2024-162677NB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU. 

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From September 19^th until October 16^th 2024, an online application form will be available through the IBEC dedicated site From 29^th September, an online application form will be available through the IBEC dedicated site www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd    

You will be required to provide the following information in your application: 

• Personal data 
• A scan of your degree and Certified Academic Record, showing grades obtained (degree and masters). It should include the grades obtained and the date of obtention for each individual subject. If these are not in Catalan, Spanish or English, applicants should attach a translation in one of these languages^[1].
• Education, training and research experience. 
• Explanatory document certifying that the candidate is eligible to apply for a doctoral programme when the number of ECTS does not appear in the Certified Academic Record. This explanatory document may be an official description of the country’s educational system issued by the university or published on its website, or the admissions requirements to the university’s doctoral programme. 
• Research outputs, including publications, Presentations in conferences, Awards/fellowships 
• Scientific and technical skills acquired during your academic and research track 
• Cover letter, including motivation for applying and adequacy to the group and IBEC 
• Up to 2 contacts from lecturers or researchers with whom you have studied or worked and who can judge your potential as a PhD. 

Only those applications submitted before the deadline provided with all the required information and documents will be evaluated. 

Once the application is submitted, candidate will automatically receive an acknowledgment of receipt.

^[1] For the future enrolment in the Doctoral program, Official University only accepts an official translation of educational certificates. The verification of an equivalent level of studies will be made by the university when the admission to the PhD Programme procedure starts. Should this verification not be successful, the fellowship would be withdrawn.

IBEC holds the HR Excellence in Research Award in recognition of our ongoing commitment. The recognition by the European CIBEC holds the HR Excellence in Research Award in recognition of our ongoing commitment. The recognition by the European Commission has been renewed several times, last one in February 2022. 

Our Recruitment and Selection Policy is based on the OTM Strategy (Open, Transparent and Merit-based recruitment) http://www.ibecbarcelona.eu/jobs/ and accept applications without distinction on any grounds. Candidates with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Our commitment to OTM-R principles can also be found in our Gender and Diversity plan. In line with the principles defined in the OTM-R procedure, selection processes are governed by the following principles: 

• Transparency throughout the whole process 
• Equal opportunities in the selection and hiring of personnel 
• Non-discrimination on grounds of sex, age, ethnic, national or social origin, religion, sexual orientation, language, disability, political opinions or social and economic condition 
• Merit based evaluation 
• Confidentiality as the cornerstone of the selection process 
• Principle of public dissemination of the selection processes, which must also be internationally comparable 

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee led by the corresponding IBEC Principal Investigator of the Research Group. 

Criteria	Score
Academic and professional career of the candidate	0-50
a) Scientific and technological contributions	0-45
b) Mobility and internationalization	0-5
Adequacy of the candidate to the research activities to develop	0-50
TOTAL SCORE	100

• September 29th, 2025: Launch of the call. 
• October 29th, 2025: Deadline for submission of applications. 
• October 30th – November 21st, 2025: Evaluation of the candidates: CVs and online interviews. 
• November 25th, 2025: Communication of the results: the acceptance letters will be sent to the shortlisted candidates. Applicants who have not been successful but have received a positive evaluation will be put on a waiting list for future positions in case a final candidate withdraw the offer. 
• As of January 1st, 2026: Start of the predoctoral contract (to be confirmed, based on the resolution of the call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities).

If you have any further questions about PhD fellowships, or if there are particular issues you’d like to discuss regarding your application, please contact phd@ibecbarcelona.eu

Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd

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