The Hybrid Biofunctional Materials Laboratory at CIC biomaGUNE is led by Dr. Dorleta Jiménez de Aberasturi

The Hybrid Biofunctional Materials Laboratory focuses on the design of hybrid biomaterials responsive to specific stimuli, designed as such to gain a better understanding of cell-material interactions, propose advances in tissue engineering techniques, and seek solutions in the field of translational medicine. Thanks to the combination of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with organic polymeric materials, biological molecules such as proteins, extracellular matrix, etc., and living cells, complex hybrid biosystems can be created in a highly controlled manner, providing novel solutions for pre-clinical model design and characterization. The inorganic NPs are designed to provide the physical properties of interest including responses to externally applied physical changes (i.e. optical response, heating, or mechanical strength, etc.), while the organic compounds (polymers, proteins, etc.) contribute with structural support for cell growth, controlled porosity, protection against NP degradation and/or specific responsiveness. The human cells included are representative of each tissue model and are essential to understand their behaviour and model evolution trying to mimic native tissues.

The group is particularly interested in the development of hybrid functional inks for the fabrication of 3D printed models that can be used as ideal platforms to better understand the causes behind different diseases, perform drug screening studies or even be used as grafts. Additionally, the group is focused on the develop nanostructured contrast agents and/or sensors to understand such models.