Quasi-living systems: Merge and Emerge (NET-QUASI)

Date and Venue
Friday 23/05/2025 · 09:30h – 16:200 h
Dolors Aleu, Cluster II, Parc Científic de Barcelona

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 Registration

09:30 – Opening

09:40 – Keynote speaker: Prof. Jan Brugués, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany, “Self-organization of the cytoplasm by physical instabilities”

10:30 – Dr. Pau Guillamat, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “ From cells to smart surfaces: steering living nematics into shape”

10:50 – 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 – Coffee break

12:00 – Invited speaker: Prof. Jordi Ignés-Mullol, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, “Emerging phenomena and symmetry breaking in active nematics”

12:30 – Invited speaker: Prof. Maria Guix, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. “ Harnessing emergent behavior in living robotic systems”

13:00 – Miguel González-Martín, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain.  “ Development of mechanosensitive molecules for the mechanical control of transcription”

13:20 – Dr. Nina Kostina, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain.  “From Assembly to Action: Programming Shape and Motion in Synthetic Vesicles“

13:40 – Dr. Vladislav Petrovskii, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain, “Charge-density-mediated self-assembly in vesicles of polyelectrolyte–surfactant complexes” 

14:00 – Lunch

14:50 – Prof. Samuel Sánchez Ordóñez, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain. “Collective behavior of chemically powered nanomotors”

15:20 – Dr. Valentino Barbieri, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain.  “ Supramolecular Architects: Engineering Self-Assembled Nanodrugs”

15:50 – 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

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Plenary talks details:

Prof. Jan Brugués, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany

Self-organization of the cytoplasm by physical instabilities

Early development across vertebrates and insects critically relies on robustly reorganizing the cytoplasm of fertilized eggs into individualized cells. This intricate process is orchestrated by large microtubule structures that traverse the embryo, partitioning the cytoplasm into physically distinct and stable compartments. Despite the robustness of embryonic development, here we uncover an intrinsic instability in cytoplasmic partitioning driven by the microtubule cytoskeleton. We reveal that embryos circumvent this instability through two distinct mechanisms: either by matching the cell cycle duration to the time needed for the instability to unfold or by limiting microtubule nucleation. These regulatory mechanisms give rise to two possible strategies to fill the cytoplasm, which we experimentally demonstrate in vitro and in zebrafish and Drosophila embryos. Our results indicate that the temporal control of microtubule dynamics could have driven the evolutionary emergence of species-specific mechanisms for effective cytoplasmic organization. Furthermore, our study unveils a fundamental synergy between physical instabilities and biological clocks, uncovering universal strategies for rapid, robust, and efficient spatial ordering in biological systems.

Prof. Jordi Ignés-Mullol, Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Emerging phenomena and symmetry breaking in active nematics         

I will present experimental studies of a biomimetic active nematic model system, which forms when filamentous tubulin microtubules cross-linked by kinesin molecular motors are condensed at the interface between the aqueous medium and an oil interface. Consumption of ATP leads to the emergence of long-range orientational order of the filaments and to self-sustained flows driven by the unbinding of topological defects. Despite the apparent chaotic dynamics, the system features an intrinsic length scale that determines its adaptation to different interventions. I will present scenarios in which different self-organization modes and spatiotemporal patterns emerge due to changes in the interfacial rheology or to lateral confinement of the biomaterial.          

Prof. Alejandro Torres-Sánchez, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Barcelona, Spain

“Break to build: how mechanical fracture patterns the beating heart ”

Heart development poses a striking mechanical paradox: morphogenesis must unfold while the tissue is already beating—over 150 times per minute and undergoing strains of around 100%. This means building complex structure under dynamic, continuous mechanical load. It is well established that cardiac function influences morphogenesis, but how it contributes to the spatial patterning of developmental processes remains unclear. Here, we show that mechanical fracture of the cardiac extracellular matrix, driven by myocardial contractility, is essential for both the initiation and correct localization of trabeculation. These fractures arise in the ventricular outer curvature where mechanical stress accumulates due to tissue geometry and motion. The resulting fractures act as spatial cues, guiding cardiomyocyte delamination and shaping ventricular architecture. Our findings identify mechanical fracture as a morphogenetic mechanism, and offer a clear example of how early organ function feeds back to pattern form—highlighting the active role of tissue mechanics in developmental design.

Prof. Katherine Villa, Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), Tarragona, Spain

Programmable Self-Assembly in Photoactive Colloidal Motors via Light Shaping

Self-assembly in active matter systems is a powerful strategy for designing dynamic and adaptive materials. Photoactive colloidal motors provide a unique platform to study and control self-organization by harnessing light as both an energy source and a structuring tool. In this talk, I will present our recent advances in light-driven micromotors that integrate photocatalytic propulsion and optical patterning to achieve programmable self-assembly. In particular, I will introduce the development of visible-light-responsive polymeric colloids based on metal-complex systems that cluster upon illumination. By modulating light intensity, irradiation time, and spatial distribution, we can direct the formation of three-dimensional colloidal architectures exhibiting emergent behaviors driven by passive-active and active-active interactions. Moreover, the influence of the chemical fuel on the resulting cooperative behaviors will be discussed, shedding light on how fuel composition and concentration impact self-organization dynamics. These light-responsive micromotors not only provide insights into fundamental self-assembly mechanisms but also open new avenues for designing dynamic microstructures with tailored functionalities. Their ability to harness external energy inputs for controlled organization makes them promising candidates for applications ranging from environmental sensing, photocatalysis to micromanipulation.

Prof. Samuel Sanchez, IBEC, Barcelona, Spain

Collective behavior of chemically powered nanomotors

Chemically active nanomotors are out-of-the-equilibrium systems which create spatial variations in the chemical composition of their surrounding medium, which in turn generate chemical gradients and hydrodynamic flows that enable self-propulsion. At the level of individual particles, their motion and interactions depend on both their configuration and dynamic state. Moreover, the interplay between particle activity and external flows can induce robust directional movement, such as upstream rheotaxis or motion perpendicular to the flow direction. While such behaviors have been extensively studied at the individual level, recent advances have shifted focus toward the collective dynamics of active matter in 2D and 3D.

Active particles can spontaneously organize into ordered assemblies, exhibiting collective behaviors akin chemotaxis, cross-stream migration, topographical guidance or bioconvection seen in some living systems. This collective behavior presents numerous advantages compared to individual nanomotors, including expanded coverage and prolonged motion.

In this seminar, I will cover these bio-mimicking collective behaviors presented by simple chemically active colloids reported by our group over the last decade, the challenges in experimental settings and also the future avenues in this field. Some of these discoveries may have implications in motion in biological fluids, targeted drug delivery, and cancer therapy.

Dr. Maria Guix, Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Harnessing emergent behavior in living robotic systems

Soft robotic systems often present bio-mimicking designs that resemble actuation mechanisms of certain biological organisms, such as swimmers resembling fish or flagellated microorganisms. However, there are some unique properties from living organisms that are specially challenging to obtain in their artificial counterparts, such as self-healing, adaptability, or bio-sensing capabilities. Among these capabilities, it should be remarked the high level of adaptability, activity and autonomy that such biomaterials present, following the three principles of animacy, presenting also interesting emergent behavior depending on the culturing and robot’ design. In the field of bio-hybrid robotics, several platforms across different scales had been developed, but the ones based on living muscles has attracted increasing attention. Regarding the design and fabrication of these robotic platforms, 3D printing technologies are particularly advantageous for creating advanced living robots incorporating skeletal muscle cells. While biohybrid swimming robots generally resemble the design and motion principle of animals, exploring alternative configurations that are not bio-mimetic is of great interest, especially when providing additional advantages, like mechanical self-stimulation.In this talk, different fabrication techniques to generate living robots either at bigger or smaller scales to the small scales will be presented, as well as emergent shape configurations under controlled stress. Overall, the key features when designing these new generation of robots using living components as active material will be discussed, as well as their animacy level and their main applications in the biomedical and the environmental field. 

Date and Venue
Friday 10/10/2025 · 09:30h – 15:00 h
Baobab room, Tower I, Floor 11, IBEC

This workshop will explore the cutting-edge field of bioinspired material design, focusing on creating functional materials that mimic nature’s strategies to achieve life-like behavior. It will bring together leading scientists, including an invited speaker, researchers from Spain, and IBEC members, to present their advances in designing materials with specific functionalities inspired by natural systems. 

Programme to be announced.

Confirmed speaker: Prof. Dr. Bert Poolman (Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Groningen)

Date and programme to be announced.

This workshop will feature presentation of works on the reconstitution of essential hallmark functions of living cells within artificial/synthetic systems. Mimicking these functions in controlled environments provides valuable insights into the complexities of cellular machinery and enables the development of innovative materials. The workshop will bring together national and international researchers and will foster discussions on the intersection of biology, engineering, and materials science. 

Date and programme to be announced.

This workshop will be devoted to the design and development of materials with tunable properties that instruct living cells. By exploring the interactions between living cells and inert matter, researchers aim to direct cellular functions for therapeutic applications. The workshop will bring together national and international researchers, with a special focus on expertise in cellular mechanics, tissue dynamics, and bioinspired material design