Research

Designed to play a pivotal role in tackling societal challenges, the research areas at CIC biomaGUNE are strategically aligned with both Regional, National and European strategies, with a particular focus on personalised medicine as one of the RIS3 priorities:

BIOFUNCTIONAL NANOMATERIALS. Design, preparation, and characterization of nanostructures incorporating biological functionalities, and study of their interaction with biological systems at cellular and organism levels. The goal of such biofunctional nanostructures is the development of applications in biotechnology and biomedicine, particularly in advanced diagnosis and therapy. Strategic focus is placed on:

• Engineering protein-nanomaterial hybrids toward functional nanostructures and bioinspired materials for biotechnology and biomedicine.
• Carbon nanostructures for biomedical applications: imaging and tissue repair.
• Plasmonic and hybrid nanostructures for biomedical applications: diagnosis, therapy, and the study of biological mechanisms.
• Unravelling the interactions of nanoparticles with biological systems, in vitro and in vivo, and their implications in nanomedicine.
• Design of nanostructured carriers for targeted drug delivery and emerging therapies, with a special focus on cancer research.
• Bioreactors and artificial metabolic cells.
• Glycoconjugate-based diagnosis, therapy, and targeting.
• Development of biosensing platforms and devices, from IVD devices to wearables.
• Applications of artificial intelligence (AI) to advanced data treatment and biomarker discovery.

SYNTHETIC BIOENGINEERING. Integrates the unique know-how in bionanomaterials design with our distinct imaging capacities, bridging in vitro / in vivo studies by incorporating approaches at the frontiers of biomaterials and bioengineering research. A strategic focus is placed on:

• Bionanomaterials for interfacing and re-programming biological systems.
• Bioengineering of advanced 3D disease models, including microfluidics and 3D printing.
• Organ-on-a-chip models.
• Programmable 3D platforms.
• Application of model systems for preclinical investigations on molecular principles of diseases and organ regeneration.
• Advanced, AI-based imaging tools for evaluation of 3D models and therapeutic effects.

MOLECULAR AND FUNCTIONAL IMAGING. Development of contrast agents for in vivo imaging, evaluation of therapeutic agents and models for quantitative marker transport. This line integrates imaging and preclinical animal research with nanoscience and bioengineering. Strategic Focus is placed on:

• Development of both radiotracers for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), toward specific diseases, e.g. cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac diseases, etc.
• Advanced in vivo MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) for preclinical applications.
• Integration of molecular imaging with biorecognition and stimuli-induced responses for applications in diagnosis and therapy.
• Visualization and quantification of pathophysiological changes underlying neurological and cardiovascular diseases, as well as various cancer types.
• Use of multimodal imaging and spectroscopy for biomarkers discovery for prognosis, diagnosis, and therapy of different vascular diseases.

To carry out this ambitious research programme, CIC biomaGUNE counts with a unique infrastructure, equipped with advanced nanoscience, chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular imaging facilities, including fully equipped research laboratories, Technological Platforms and the Molecular Imaging Facility which encompasses radiochemistry labs with a synchrotron, nuclear (PET, SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (2 MRIs with excellent capabilities for MRS) along with animal housing. Recognized as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) by the Spanish Government, it stands as one of the most comprehensive preclinical imaging research infrastructures in Europe.