News

NANBIOSIS Supports Preclinical Validation of Light-Activated Therapy Against Resistant Breast Cancer Cells

NANBIOSIS Unit 20 validated a light-activated cancer therapy in a breast cancer model, supporting a promising strategy to target resistant tumor cells.

Barcelona, July 2026 — Researchers have demonstrated a promising photopharmacology strategy that uses light to selectively activate an anti-cancer compound, eliminating therapy-resistant tumor cells while minimizing effects on healthy tissue. The study, published in ACS Chemical Biology, included preclinical validation at NANBIOSIS Unit 20 (Functional Validation & Preclinical Research, FVPR), highlighting the role of the infrastructure in advancing innovative cancer therapies.

The research was led by scientists from the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) in collaboration with the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). Their work focuses on cancer stem cells, a small but highly resilient population of tumor cells capable of surviving conventional treatments and driving tumor relapse.

The team developed a chemically modified version of chloroquine that remains inactive until exposed to light. Once illuminated for just a few seconds, the compound releases its active form and prevents the formation of tumor spheres, three-dimensional cellular structures enriched in cancer stem cells. Laboratory experiments also showed that the treatment works by inhibiting autophagy, a cellular process that helps these resistant cells survive.

As a proof of concept, the researchers validated the strategy in a murine breast cancer model at NANBIOSIS Unit 20. The compound was administered directly into the tumor and activated through external illumination. The experiments confirmed that the drug becomes active only when exposed to light inside the tumor, remaining inactive in the dark. This localized activation could significantly reduce unwanted effects on healthy tissues while improving treatment precision.

Although still at an early stage of development, the findings open new possibilities for more selective cancer therapies. The research team is now working to optimize the molecules so they can be activated by green or red light, wavelengths that penetrate deeper into tissue and could enable treatment of larger or less accessible tumors.

By providing specialized facilities for in vivo functional validation and preclinical research, NANBIOSIS Unit 20 played a key role in demonstrating the feasibility of this innovative therapeutic approach. The study exemplifies how NANBIOSIS supports cutting-edge biomedical research by helping translate promising laboratory discoveries into potential future clinical applications.

NANBIOSIS Unit 20 is directed by Dr. Vanessa Diaz at VHIR and provides advanced in vivo models and preclinical validation services for biomedical researchers developing new therapies and medical technologies.

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).

If you want to collaborate with us, visit our Order Request page.

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

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:

NANBIOSIS Unit 26 to Present NMR and Metabolomics Capabilities at Universitat de València

NANBIOSIS Unit 26 will present its NMR and metabolomics capabilities in a free seminar at Universitat de València on 2 July 2026.

Valencia, July 2026 — On Thursday, 2 July 2026, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals will have the opportunity to learn more about the biomedical applications of nuclear magnetic resonance and metabolomics during the seminar “Biomedical Imaging and Metabolomics Section: Our Experience”.

The event will take place at 13:00 in Seminar Room D, on the main floor of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the Universitat de València. It is organized by the Biomedical Imaging and Metabolomics Section of the Central Research Unit in Medicine (UCIM).

The seminar will present the equipment available in the section, with special emphasis on recent improvements, updates, and their biomedical applications. In particular, the session will highlight the capabilities associated with NANBIOSIS Unit 26 – NMR: Biomedical Applications II, a key infrastructure for biomedical research based on nuclear magnetic resonance and related analytical techniques.

Attendees will learn more about the following services and technologies, all particularly oriented towards their biomedial application.

With regard to the Imaging Platform:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI-3T)
• PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography / Computed Tomography)
• IVIS (In Vivo Imaging System)
• Irradiator

With regard to the Metabolomic Platform:

• Chromatographic techniques
• 600 MHz NMR spectroscopy
• Hematology and biochemistry analyses

These tools support research in metabolism, biomarker discovery, and the study of disease-related biological processes, helping to advance biomedical research and translational applications.

The seminar will be delivered by Carlos Ezquer Garin and Mustafa Ezzeddin Ayoub (Musta), Senior Technicians of the Biomedical Imaging and Metabolomics Section at UCIM, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Universitat de València.

Those interested in attending are invited to confirm their participation by contacting musez[at]uv.es. Alternativelly, you can also reach out through our contact form and we will forward your application directly to the Unit.

Through initiatives such as this seminar, NANBIOSIS continues to promote access to advanced research infrastructure and strengthen collaboration in the biomedical sciences.

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).

If you want to collaborate with us, visit our Order Request page.

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

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:

New rapid blood test prototype could help detect pancreatic cancer in minutes

Researchers develop a rapid blood test prototype for pancreatic cancer, highlighting the potential of antibody-based diagnostics for early detection.

Barcelona, June 2026 — A multidisciplinary team of researchers in Barcelona, including notable names from CIBER and NANBIOSIS, has developed a prototype diagnostic test capable of detecting pancreatic cancer in minutes from a blood sample. The study, published in Talanta, demonstrates the potential of a low-cost, easy-to-use device for identifying a key biomarker associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common and deadliest form of pancreatic cancer.

The work was carried out by scientists from the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), the Institute for Biomedical Research of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC), and the Hospital del Mar Research Institute (HMRIB). The prototype was evaluated using plasma samples from 20 patients with pancreatic cancer and 20 healthy individuals.

The test detects soluble AXL (sAXL), a protein that is abnormally elevated in more than 70% of pancreatic tumors. Using a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay—similar to commercial rapid tests—the device provided clear differentiation between samples from patients and healthy controls in just a few minutes.

“This is the first application of a quantitative lateral flow immunoassay for detecting sAXL in plasma,” explains Juan Pablo Salvador, researcher at IQAC-CSIC and corresponding author of the study. The measurements were validated against ELISA, a standard laboratory technique, confirming the diagnostic relevance of the new approach.

Early diagnosis remains one of the major challenges in pancreatic cancer, as more than 85% of patients are diagnosed at stages when surgery—the only curative treatment currently available—is no longer possible. Fast, minimally invasive, and affordable diagnostic tools could therefore have a significant impact on patient survival.

The study also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and translational research. Supported by the CSIC BBQ-CSIC 2022 seed funding program, the project involved experts in nanobiotechnology, cancer biology, hemostasis, and clinical oncology, with additional support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the Spanish Pancreatic Cancer Patients Association (ACANPAN).

NANBIOSIS Unit 2 contributes expertise in antibody technologies

The development of the immunoassay benefited from the expertise and facilities available at NANBIOSIS Unit 2 (Custom Antibody Service, CAbS), located at IQAC-CSIC and directed by Prof. Pilar Marco. Unit 2 specializes in the development and production of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and the performance of immunoassays under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system.

Its capabilities in antibody production, purification, and assay development support innovative diagnostic technologies with translational potential, contributing to advances in precision medicine and point-of-care diagnostics.

Reference

Vázquez-Bellón, N., Rodríguez-Núñez, M., Martínez-Bosch, N., Barranco, L. E., Visa, L., García de Frutos, P., Marco, M. P., Navarro, P., & Salvador, J. P. Lateral flow immunoassay detection of soluble AXL for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma diagnosis. Talanta (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2026.129973.

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).

If you want to collaborate with us, visit our Order Request page.

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

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:

NANBIOSIS Unit 6 Research Featured During ICMAB Scientific Advisory Board Visit

NANBIOSIS Unit 6 contributed to advanced nanomedicine research showcased at the ICMAB Scientific Advisory Board visit.

Barcelona, May 2026 — Researchers from Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) recently presented a poster highlighting innovative developments in fluorescent nanovesicles, dendrimers, and organic nanoparticles for sensing and bioimaging during the visit of the institute’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The visit formed part of the evaluation activities linked to the Severo Ochoa excellence accreditation awarded to ICMAB.

The poster showcased multidisciplinary research focused on the development of advanced nanomaterials for biomedical imaging, biosensing, and diagnostic applications. Among the technologies presented were highly stable fluorescent quatsomes for bioimaging and nucleic acid sensing, ultrabright nanoparticles for deep-tissue imaging, and multifunctional dendrimers combining fluorescent and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) capabilities.

Part of this research was carried out with the support of NANBIOSIS Unit 6, whose contribution was acknowledged in the poster. The Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS, Ramón Martínez Máñez, also participated in the Scientific Advisory Board committee involved in the visit.

The work reflects the growing impact of nanotechnology and advanced biomaterials in the development of next-generation biomedical imaging and sensing tools. These innovative platforms could contribute to improved diagnostics, real-time monitoring, and future personalized medicine applications.

The poster included contributions from researchers affiliated with CIBER-BBN and ICMAB-CSIC, with several of the presented studies recently published in leading scientific journals in materials science and nanomedicine.

NANBIOSIS Unit 6: Advanced materials for health

The poster highlights the mission of NANBIOSIS Unit 6, located at ICMAB-CSIC and coordinated by Prof. Nora Ventosa. This Unit specializes in the development, characterisation, and scale-up of molecular biomaterials with applications in biomedicine.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and operating under ISO 9001 quality standards, Unit 6 offers advanced technologies such as the DELOS-SUSP method, a compressed-fluid-based process for producing highly controlled micro- and nanostructured materials. Its unique capability to scale processes from laboratory to industrial levels supports both research and technology transfer.

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).

If you want to collaborate with us, visit our Order Request page.

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

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:

Platinum Nanoparticles Boost Radiotherapy Effectiveness Against Cancer

Researchers from INMA and NANBIOSIS have developed ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles that significantly boost radiotherapy effectiveness against cancer.

Zaragoza, May 2026 — Researchers from the Aragon Nanoscience and Materials Institute (INMA), together with collaborators from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the University of Elche, have developed ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles capable of significantly enhancing the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer treatment.

The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, demonstrates that platinum nanoparticles measuring just 2–3 nanometres act through a dual mechanism to attack tumours. On one hand, platinum amplifies the radiation effect, increasing DNA damage in cancer cells. On the other, the nanoparticles locally generate oxygen inside tumours, helping overcome tumour hypoxia — one of the main causes of resistance to radiotherapy.

The research was led by José Ignacio García-Peiró, Miguel Encinas, José Luis Hueso and Jesús Santamaría, all members of CIBER-BBN and Unit 9 of NANBIOSIS.

Experiments carried out in cell and animal models showed a strong reduction in tumour growth while using low radiation doses, without detecting systemic toxicity. The ultrasmall size of the nanoparticles also facilitates their elimination through the urinary system, improving biocompatibility and safety.

Although still at the proof-of-concept stage, this work represents a promising step toward more effective and targeted radiotherapy strategies in cancer treatment.

The full article, Ultrasmall Platinum Nanoparticles for Radiation-Enhanced Cancer Therapy, is available in Advanced Functional Materials.

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).

If you want to collaborate with us, visit our Order Request page.

Leading scientists

The main value of NANBIOSIS is our highly qualified and experienced academic scientists, working in public institutions, renowned universities and other research institutes.

Custom solutions

Designed for either scientific collaboration or the private industry, we adapt our services to your needs, filling the gaps and paving the way towards the next breakthrough.

Cutting-Edge facilities

Publicly funded, with the most advanced equipment, offering a wide variety of services from synthesis of nanoparticles and medical devices, including up to preclinical trials.

Standards of quality

Our services have standards of quality required in the pharmaceutical, biotech and medtech sectors, from Good Practices to ISO certifications.

In order to access our Cutting-Edge Biomedical Solutions with priority access, enter our Competitive Call here.

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: