Young researchers from CIBERES and CIBER-BBN met in El Escorial, where NANBIOSIS presented its organ-on-chip project “Chips R Us”.
Madrid, October 2025 — More than sixty young researchers from the CIBERES and CIBER-BBN networks gathered at the Euroforum center for the 2025 CIBERES–CIBER-BBN Young Researchers Conference (Jornadas de Personal Investigador Joven). The event fostered collaboration between early-career scientists in biomedical engineering, nanomedicine, and respiratory research, while highlighting the role of advanced micro- and nanotechnologies in healthcare innovation.
A platform for collaboration and emerging research
Organized by CIBERES (CIBER area of Respiratory Diseases) in collaboration with CIBER-BBN (CIBER area of Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine), the two-day conference promoted knowledge exchange and interdisciplinary cooperation.
The program included talks on international funding opportunities, citizen engagement in biomedical research, and multiple sessions dedicated to oral and poster communications covering fields such as nanoparticles for targeted therapy, respiratory infection diagnostics, sleep apnea detection, and biomimetic organ-on-chip models.
NANBIOSIS presents “Chips R Us”: advancing organ-on-chip technology
A highlight of the event was the presentation of “Chips R Us”, a project coordinated by NANBIOSIS, Spain’s distributed research infrastructure for biomaterials and nanomedicine. The project was introduced by Gabriel Alfranca, Communication Manager of NANBIOSIS and coordinator of the project, alongside Denise Marrero (CIBER-BBN), a researcher in the group led by Dr. Rosa Villa and Dr. Xavier Illa at the Microelectronic Institute of Barcelona (IMB-CNM, CSIC), where NANBIOSIS Unit 8 – Micro-Nano Technologies is located.
Their presentation showcased the project’s goal of developing organ-on-chip platforms — particularly lung-on-chip models — to improve disease diagnostics and enable tailored therapeutic strategies. These innovative microdevices are fabricated using the clean-room facilities of IMB-CNM, Spain’s largest installation for micro- and nanofabrication processes.
NANBIOSIS Unit 8: a cornerstone for biomedical microfabrication
NANBIOSIS Unit 8 is very close collaboration with the MICRONANOFABS network, a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS), same category as NANBIOSIS. The Unit offers expertise in CVD graphene fabrication, photolithography, metallization, and flexible biocompatible substrates such as polyimide and parylene — key technologies for creating biomedical implants, neuroprostheses, and organ-on-chip devices.
By integrating microelectronics and biotechnology, Unit 8 enables researchers from both academia and industry to translate nanotechnology into functional biomedical solutions. The Unit’s support for Chips R Us exemplifies how NANBIOSIS infrastructures accelerate innovation across disciplines.
Empowering young scientists in translational research
Throughout the sessions, early-career scientists from CIBERES and CIBER-BBN demonstrated their expertise in cutting-edge topics such as molecular biosensing, nanodiagnostics, respiratory disease modeling, and advanced biomaterials. The conference also featured networking sessions like “Posters & Beers,” where participants exchanged ideas in an informal setting.
In closing remarks, the organizers emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the role of national research infrastructures like NANBIOSIS in supporting translational and applied research. Events such as these not only strengthen cooperation among research centers but also provide young investigators with the tools and connections to shape the future of biomedical innovation.
What is NANBIOSIS?
The goal of NANBIOSIS is to provide comprehensive and integrated advanced solutions for companies and research institutions in biomedical applications. All of this is done through a single-entry point, involving the design and production of biomaterials, nanomaterials, and their nanoconjugates. This includes their characterization from physical-chemical, functional, toxicological, and biological perspectives (preclinical validation).
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NANBIOSIS has worked with pharmaceutical companies of all sizes in the areas of drug delivery, biomaterials and regenerative medicine. Here are a few of them:
