Bioengineering to treat diabetes in the media
Javier Ramon
Group leader
Innovative bioengineered spheres might help treating diabetes
Researchers from IBEC, in collaboration with IDIBAPS in Barcelona, have developed nontoxic small spheres able to respond to variations in glucose levels, and producing insulin in vitro. These biomimetic spheroids containing pancreatic β-cells were prepared based on 3D bioprinting. This approach might help in the future improving clinical outcomes of β-cell transplantation strategies for diabetes treatment, as well as for in vitro drug screening platforms.
14th IBEC Symposium brings international experts and 300 attendees together
International experts and three hundred registered attendees met in the 14th IBEC Symposium, dedicated to regenerative therapies. Organised by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), speakers presented the latest advances in mini-organs, organs on a chip, 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering, among others.
New biosensor detects inflammatory marker in muscle with high sensitivity
In a recent publication in the journal Nanophotonics, IBEC researchers present a new biosensor for the direct and sensitive detection of the protein interleukin-6 in muscle, an indicator of inflammation and potential disease, proving the high performance of the device on bioengineered 3D skeletal muscles. This new approach may result in a promising tool for measuring the efficacy of drug candidates for diseases where inflammation is present such as muscular dystrophy.
Towards a treatment for myotonic dystrophy: the first 3D model with patient cells
IBEC researchers led by Javier Ramón and Juan M. Fernández develop the first three-dimensional model for myotonic dystrophy, a rare disease that currently has no cure. The model combines patient cells and bioengineering techniques and represents a major advance over the use of animals and cell cultures. This new model will help in the design of personalized and more effective treatments, and for drug testing in a much more efficient way.
Two IBEC projects granted by “Knowledge Industry Call” of the Catalan Government
A project led by Elisabeth Engel aimed to fabricate and test a dressing prototype for wound healing, and another project led by Javier Ramón with the goal of developing an artificial liver, have been granted by the Knowledge Industry Programme of the Catalan Government.
IBEC calls society to action to accelerate research against COVID19
The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) launches the Faster Future “A por la COVID19” campaign, with the aim of raising the 100.000€ needed to accelerate three research projects in collaboration with hospitals and patients associations.
IBEC participates in Innovation Day Barcelona 2020
From 31st October until 7th November participants from different fields and nationalities participated in the 3rd edition of the Innovation Day (i-Day), a series of events organised by EIT Health in partnership with local research and health institutions.
IBEC researchers awarded for their communication activities
Several researchers from IBEC have been awarded for their quality in spreading the word of bioengineering. From scientific talks, to videos and posters, IBEC scientists and engineers show their talent inside, but also, outside the lab.
Nanotechnology to improve human tissue growth in the laboratory
Researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have developed an innovative scaffold that allows muscle tissues growth at the millimetre scale in the laboratory.
This technology opens the door to potential applications in fields such as organ transplantation and engineering, drug screening and disease modelling.