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Discovery of a New Function of the Prion Protein Improves our Understanding of Epilepsy

Cellular prion protein (PrPc) plays an essential role in maintaining neurotransmitter homeostasis in the central nervous system. This discovery has been made possible by the observation that both a deficiency and an excess of the protein have a considerable effect on this homeostasis.

Surprisingly, in both cases, the central nervous excitability threshold is altered to such an extent that an epileptic seizure may result. Thanks to this discovery, we now have more tools at our disposal that can help us to deepen our basic understanding of epilepsy.

Discovery of a Novel Cell Adhesion Mechanism

In a process essential to the immune system’s response to infection, dendritic cells responsible for identifying pathogens communicate with the T-cells that destroy the infectious agents.

To achieve this, the dendritic cells must be correctly activated and migrate to the lymph nodes where they must adhere firmly to T-cells.

Novel Evolutionary Theory for the Explosion of Life

The Cambrian Explosion is widely regarded as one of the most relevant episodes in the history of life on Earth, when the vast majority of animal phyla first appear in the fossil record.

However, the causes of its origin have been object of debate for decades and the question of what was the trigger for the single cell microorganisms Precambrian Age (500 Mio. Years ago) to assemble and organize into multicellular organisms (Metazoans) has remained unanswered until now.

Project Kick-off for a New Bioelectronic Nose

Advances in odour sensing technologies and artificial intelligence have given impetus to the use of smell in various fields, such as food safety, disease diagnosis, security, and the environment. Current electronic noses, based on electronic sensors, have considerable limitations in terms of sensitivity, reliability, and selectivity.

IBEC hosts Summer School 2009 of International Society for Olfaction and Chemical Sensing

The research team of Artificial Olfaction at IBEC, led by Santiago Marco, organized the Summer School of the International Society for Olfaction and Chemical Sensing (ISOCS). It was held from September 28th, to October 2nd of 2009, at Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Barcelona, Spain. This Summer School was supported by the FP7 Neurochem European project, coordinated by the IBEC’s research team.

IBEC and IDIBELL Sign a Collaboration Agreement

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of joint research projects.  The agreement is part of the BIOPOL project.

ABC.es: Memorandum of Understanding between IBEC and IDIBELL

ABC.es reports: The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) have signed a collaboration agreement for the development of joint research projects.  The agreement is part of the BIOPOL project.