News U6

NANBIOSIS U6 organizes a seminar on Isothermal Titration Microcalorimetry in collaboration with IESMAT

Join NANBIOSIS and IESMAT on June 10 for a seminar on microcalorimetry with live demos and expert insights at ICMAB & online.

Date: Tuesday, 10 June 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Sala d’Actes Carles Miravitlles, ICMAB-CSIC & Online
Organized by: Unit 6 of NANBIOSIS (U6 Preparation and characterization of nano- and microstructured molecular soft materials – Soft Materials Service)
In collaboration with: IESMAT

Barcelona, june 2025. NANBIOSIS Unit 6 is pleased to invite researchers, professionals, and students to the upcoming Technical Seminar on Isothermal Valoration Microcalorimetry, organized in collaboration with IESMAT and hosted at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).

This theoretical and practical seminar will take place on Tuesday, 10 June 2025, from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM, offering both in-person and online participation options.

Welcome to a Journey into Thermal and Energetic Analysis

Microcalorimetry has become a powerful technique for characterizing materials through their thermal properties and molecular interactions. This seminar aims to provide both a conceptual and hands-on understanding of the use of Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) in scientific research and industrial applications.

Seminar Highlights

• 9:30–10:00 – Presentation of SOFT/U6 NANBIOSIS Services: Learn about the advanced characterization capabilities and collaborative opportunities offered by Unit 6.
• 10:00–11:00 – Isothermal Titration Microcalorimetry: A Versatile Tool for Understanding Molecular Interactions: Dive into the principles, applications, and advantages of ITC in materials science and biomedical research.
• 11:00–12:00 – Live Demonstration with Peaq-ITC: A hands-on session led by a Malvern Panalytical specialist, featuring real-time measurements and interaction with state-of-the-art equipment.

Why Attend?

• Gain insight into how microcalorimetry contributes to the development and evaluation of advanced materials.
• Engage directly with experts and discover real-world applications.
• Expand your network in the field of material characterization.

Register now to attend in person or follow the seminar online!
👉 [Register here]

For more information about NANBIOSIS U6 and upcoming activities, visit: https://www.nanbiosis.es/portfolio/u6-soft-materials-service/

This event is part of NANBIOSIS’ ongoing commitment to support scientific excellence and promote access to cutting-edge technologies in biomedical and materials research.

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).

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:

Event recap: “Fabry Connections” brings together science and patients at ICMAB

“Fabry Connections” united patients, researchers, and clinicians at ICMAB to advance Fabry disease care and nanomedicine-based therapies.

Barcelona, april 2025. On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB, CSIC) hosted the event “Fabry Connections: Science, Patients, and Future”, bringing together around 50 participants including researchers, clinicians, patients, and patient association representatives. The event aimed to create a multidisciplinary platform for sharing knowledge and advancing the future of Fabry disease research and treatment.

As we announced back in february 28, this special event was held within Fabry Disease Awareness Month (April) and is part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Nano4Rare project, which focuses on developing nanomedicine-based therapies for Fabry disease. Despite uncertainty caused by a blackout the day before, the event was held as planned—thanks to the commitment and flexibility of all speakers and participants.

Building bridges between science and patients

The day opened with welcoming words by Lourdes Fàbrega, Director of ICMAB, and Nora Ventosa, coordinator of the Nano4Rare project (together with Elisabet González, Scientific Coordinator of Unit 6), who emphasized the importance of organizing events that foster dialogue between researchers, clinicians, and patients. Throughout the day, the program featured insightful keynote lectures by Guillem Pintos (Vall d’Hebron Hospital), Maria Camprodon (Vall d’Hebron Hospital), and Sílvia Muro (IBEC), highlighting the evolution of Fabry disease diagnosis and treatment, and exploring future therapeutic approaches including advanced nanomedicine.

Centering the patient experience

One of the central themes of the event was the importance of patient-centered approaches in rare disease research and care. This was strongly emphasized during the roundtable discussions, where speakers discussed the need for early diagnosis, stronger collaborative networks, and patient inclusion in the research process.

A first roundtable on the importance of diagnosis included a Fabry patient, Alfredo Romero, and Simó Schwartz (Vall d’Hebron Hospital), Maria Camprodon (Vall d’Hebron Hospital), Jordi Cruz (MPS Lisosomales and FEDER foundation ) and was moderated by Guillem Pintos (Vall d’Hebron Hospital). A second roundtalbe, in the afteroon, was devoted to R+D challenges on LSD diseases and was moderated by Judit Tomsen (ICMAB-CSIC) and included the participation of Sílvia Muro (IBEC), Míriam Royo (IQAC-CSIC) and Ibane Abasolo (IQAC-CSIC). 

Jordi Cruz, Director of MPS Lisosomales and board member of FEDER, and Francesc Cayuela, President of the Catalan Federation of Rare Diseases (FECAMM), both underlined the vital role of patient organizations in supporting affected individuals and giving visibility to rare conditions. 

A look at research and innovation

The program included the presentation of the Nano4Rare project (EIC Transition) by Elisabet Gonzàlez, researcher at the Nanomol-Bio Group (ICMAB-CSIC) and coordinator of the Nano4Rare project, together with Nora Ventosa, both in Unit 6 of NANBIOSIS, as well as the presentation of the NEX-TRY project (ISCIII Instituto de Salud Carlos III) by Ibane Abasolo, leader of the Therapeutic Applications of Nanomedicine Research Group at IQAC-CSIC and Scientific Director of Unit 20. These sessions highlighted ongoing efforts to develop innovative therapies for Fabry disease and other rare conditions using advanced nanomedicine approaches. 

Attendees had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas during the coffee break and lunch sessions, which counted with wonderful dishes and was a time to enjoy and reflect. 

The event concluded with a guided visit to Nanomol Technologies, located at the UAB Campus, where participants toured the pilot plant for nanomedicine production, gaining a first-hand look at how research is being translated into therapeutic innovation.

Looking ahead

The “Fabry Connections” event was a vivid reminder of the power of collaboration across disciplines. It highlighted how research centers like ICMAB can become vital spaces where patients, scientists, clinicians, and associations come together to inspire progress and co-create a better future for people affected by rare diseases.

We thank all participants, speakers, and supporters for making this event possible and reaffirm our commitment to advancing research, raising awareness, and supporting the rare disease community.

About Nano4Rare

Nano4Rare is a European research project focused on the preclinical development of a nanomedicine candidate for Fabry disease treatment, aiming for clinical application. Nano4Rare is a European Innovation Council (EIC) Transition project, a program aimed for the validation of technologies and the development of business plans for specific applications (TRL 3-6). The project is coordinated by Nora Ventosa and Elisabet González, researchers at the Nanomol-Bio group at ICMAB-CSIC, and is linked to the Phoenix OITB EU project (Pharmaceutical Open Innovation Test Bed for Enabling Nano-pharmaceutical Innovative Products). 

NANBIOSIS participation

Several members of NANBIOSIS actively participated in the “Fabry Connections” event at ICMAB. Representing Unit 6, Prof. Nora Ventosa and Dr. Elisabet González presented the Nano4Rare project. Unit 6 specializes in the development, characterization, and scale-up production of molecular biomaterials with controlled nano- and supramolecular structure using compressed fluid-based technologies. Also present was Dr. Ibane Abasolo, Scientific Director of Unit 20, which offers preclinical validation of therapeutic compounds and biomarkers using advanced in vivo imaging and animal models. From Unit 3, Dr. Miriam Royo participated in a roundtable discussion on R&D challenges in lysosomal storage diseases; this Unit focuses on the synthesis, purification, and modification of bioactive peptides for therapeutic applications. Lastly, researchers from Unit 1, the Protein Production Platform (PPP), were also in attendance, such as José Luis Corchero. This Unit provides tailored services for the design, production, and purification of recombinant proteins using prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. Together, these Units showcased NANBIOSIS’ multidisciplinary capabilities in advancing nanomedicine for rare diseases like Fabry.

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).

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 hands-on material characterization seminar by NANBIOSIS experts and NANE

Technical Seminar on Materials Characterization by NANBIOSIS Unit 6 & NANE on April 1, 2025, at ICMAB-CSIC. Hands-on training & latest techniques. Register now!

Barcelona, march 2025. The Soft Materials Lab – NANBIOSIS Unit 6, in collaboration with NANE, is pleased to invite researchers, professionals, and students to a Technical Seminar on Materials Characterization. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 1st, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC).

This seminar will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the latest advancements in particle size analysis techniques and gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment. Participants will be introduced to techniques such as laser diffraction analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and other advanced characterization methods.

Seminar Structure

• Theoretical session: Overview of fundamental principles and recent developments in materials characterization.
• Practical session: Hands-on experience with cutting-edge equipment and analytical techniques.

Attendees who require proof of participation can request a certificate of attendance from the organizing company.

Registration and Contact Information

Interested participants can register [here] to attend this seminar.

For more information, you can contact NANE at:

• Phone: +34 911 175 111
• Email: info@nane.pro

Alternatively, you may reach out to Amable Bernabé (Soft Materials Lab – NANBIOSIS UNIT 6) at jabernabe@icmab.es.

This seminar is a valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and practical skills in materials characterization. We look forward to your participation!

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).

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 breakthrough in preventing infections in biomedical implants

A new TPU surface modification with an antimicrobial protein prevents biofilm formation in implants, offering an alternative to antibiotics and metal coatings.

Barcelona, february 2025. Infections associated with medical implants are a serious health issue. A new study presents a chemical modification of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with an antimicrobial protein that reduces the formation of biofilms of multidrug-resistant bacteria, offering an alternative to antibiotics and metal coatings in these devices.

A team of researchers has developed a new strategy to chemically modify TPU, a material widely used in medical devices, to endow it with antibacterial properties and prevent infections associated with biomedical implants. This innovation could represent a significant advancement in the safety and durability of medical implants. The study is part of a project funded by La Marató de TV3.

The study, led by Imma Ratera, researcher at the Nanomol-Bio group at ICMAB-CSIC and CIBER-BBN, and recently published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, describes how the chemical modification of the TPU surface and the self-assembled monolayer strategy are key to enabling the anchoring of the recombinant human α-defensin 5 (HD5) protein.

This specific surface functionalization promotes interaction with the antimicrobial protein, effectively inhibiting bacterial biofilm formation. The surface modification was achieved through a three-step process: activation of TPU with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), interfacial reaction with polyethylene glycol (PEG) derivatives, and finally, a simple click reaction between the PEG-maleimide terminated assembled monolayer and the HD5 protein.

The material has been characterized using advanced surface science techniques, confirming its antibacterial efficacy. The results show a significant reduction in the formation of biofilms of resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE).

This technology offers a promising alternative to antibiotics and metals like silver, addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance in implantable medical devices. “This breakthrough could represent a paradigm shift in preventing infections in medical implants, reducing complications, and improving patient safety,” says Ratera.

This discovery opens new avenues for the development of antimicrobial surfaces in medical devices, with great potential to improve clinical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with hospital-acquired infections.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and the Biomedical Research Networking Center – Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), in collaboration with the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), the Hospital Clínic-Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) with the Biomedical Research Networking Center on Infectious Diseases (CIBER-INFEC), and the Hospital Universitari Parc Taulí.

The luminescence characterization of the modified TPU surfaces was carried out at Unit 6 of the ICTS Nanbiosis, specializing in the preparation and characterization of nanostructured biomaterials.

For more information, you can consult the full article in ACS Applied Bio Materials.

Reference article:

Activating Thermoplastic Polyurethane Surfaces with Poly(ethylene glycol)-Based Recombinant Human α-Defensin 5 Monolayers for Antibiofilm Activity
Xavier Rodríguez Rodríguez, Adrià López-Cano, Karla Mayolo-Deloisa, Oscar Q. Pich, Paula Bierge, Nora Ventosa, Cristina García-de-la-Maria, José M. Miró, Oriol Gasch, Jaume Veciana, Judith Guasch, Anna Arís, Elena Garcia-Fruitós, Imma Ratera, the FUNCATH investigators
ACS Applied Bio Materials, 20 Feb 2025
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00732

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).

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:

Awareness and research on Fabry Disease with a special event at ICMAB

Join us on April 29 at ICMAB for “Fabry Connections” to explore research, patient insights, and future challenges in Fabry disease. Register now!

Barcelona, february 2025. Today, February 28, World Rare Disease Day, NANBIOSIS reaffirms its commitment to advancing research and raising awareness of rare diseases such as Fabry disease. In this context, we are pleased to invite researchers, healthcare professionals, patient associations, and individuals affected by Fabry disease to the event “Fabry Connections: Science, Patients, and Future”, which will take place on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the ICMAB-CSIC. This event is organized by our Unit 6, Biomaterial Processing and Nanostructuring Unit.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
• Venue: Carles Miravitlles Hall, ICMAB-CSIC (Campus UAB, Bellaterra)
• Time: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

An Event Dedicated to Research and Patient Engagement

This event is organized within the framework of the Nano4Rare project and the Fabry Disease Awareness Month. It aims to foster collaboration between scientists, medical professionals, and patient communities to discuss recent advancements and future challenges in Fabry disease research.

The program will feature:

• Keynote lectures by leading experts in the field, including Dr. Pablo Lapunzina (CIBERER).
• Presentations of research initiatives, including the Nano4Rare project.
• Roundtable discussions involving healthcare professionals and patient representatives.
• A dedicated space for patient associations to showcase their initiatives.
• Guided laboratory tours at ICMAB, where attendees can explore cutting-edge nanomedicine research for Fabry disease.

Join the Conversation and Register

Registrations are open until April 11, 2025. To learn more about the event and to secure your spot, visit Nano4Rare Event Page.

By participating in this event, we can collectively drive forward the research and awareness of Fabry disease and other rare conditions. We look forward to welcoming you at ICMAB on April 29!

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).

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 Consequences in Familial Hypercholesterolemia due to Abnormal LDL

Misfolded ApoB100 in LDL promotes plaque buildup in familial hypercholesterolemia, raising cardiovascular risk. Structural preservation may aid prevention.

Barcelona, febrero 2025. As recently published in the ICMAB webpage, a new study links ApoB100 protein structure (a key protein found in low-density lipoprotein, LDL, often called “bad cholesterol”) to increased cardiovascular risk in familial hypercholesterolemia. The study, led by IIBB-CSIC and CIBER, with the contribution of ICMAB’s SOFT Service (with NANBIOSIS Unit 6 at its core), shows that the protein structure directly contributes to an increased tendency to aggregate and form atherosclerotic plaques in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.

In these patients, LDL particles are smaller due to their high content of esterified cholesterol, and ApoB100 has a less flexible structure due to its high percentage of rigid alpha-helices. Developing strategies to preserve the structure of ApoB100 could be a new way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients.

ApoB100 protein structure drives LDL accumulation and increases cardiovascular risk, study finds

This new multicenter study reveals why the structure of the ApoB100 protein, present in LDL along with the so-called “bad cholesterol,” plays a crucial role in the tendency of LDL to accumulate in the arterial walls of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, thus promoting the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

The study is led by Vicenta Llorente Cortes, a researcher at the Biomedical Research Institute of Barcelona (IIBB-CSIC) and CIBER-CV, and Valerie Samouillan, a researcher at the University of Toulouse Paul Sabatier.

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a fairly common genetic disorder, affecting about 1 in every 200 or 300 people. Those affected have high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from birth and consequently have a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and greater rates of premature death due to these conditions.

But, why do LDL particles aggregate more in these individuals? Are there biochemical and physical differences that explain this? This is what the study, published a few weeks ago in the Journal of Lipid Research, aimed to clarify. The study involved 10 research centers in Spain and France. These include, in addition to IIBB-CSIC and CIBER, the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau), the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), the CIRIMAT Institute (Toulouse, France), and the Miquel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza.

ApoB100 Structure: Less flexible in small, dense LDL particles in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia

LDL particles in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia show a greater tendency to aggregate and form plaques. This is due, explains Vicenta Llorente Cortes, “to the fact that the ApoB100 protein in LDL has a particular structural conformation, with a high percentage of rigid alpha-helices [secondary structures], compared to LDL from healthy patients.”

Using samples from 35 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and 29 healthy individuals as a control group, the researchers demonstrated that in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, the protein present in LDL is smaller due to its high content of esterified cholesterol and has less structural flexibility compared to LDL from healthy individuals. As a result, these LDL particles have a lower ability to recover their structure at the arterial intima, promoting their accumulation on the inner walls of the arteries.

Various Techniques to Study LDL Particles

The study measured, among other things, the ease with which LDL particles aggregate using dynamic light scattering techniques (measured at the SOFT Service at ICMAB-CSIC, Unit 6 of NANBIOSIS), as well as the size, composition, and structure of LDL particles through electron microscopy.

As Llorente explains, one of the most impactful findings was the discovery of the difference in the percentage of flexible secondary structures in ApoB100 from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, which would not have been possible without the collaboration of the biophysics group led by Valerie Samouillan (University of Toulouse). This group applied the FTIR infrared spectroscopy technique to determine the protein’s structure and, in particular, quantify the stable alpha-helices and flexible alpha-helices in LDL from control and patient groups.

The results suggest that developing strategies to structurally preserve ApoB100, and in particular the percentage of flexible alpha-helices in LDL, could be a new way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients.

This finding offers a new perspective on how alterations in ApoB100 structure can directly influence the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, it opens possibilities for designing specific therapies aimed at modulating the content of flexible alpha-helices in LDL, contributing to the prevention of atherosclerosis.

“With these new peptide tools, we aim to preserve the structural flexibility of the ApoB100 protein in LDL from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.”

Vicenta Llorente

“In our research group,” adds Vicenta Llorente, “we are comparing whether PCSK9 inhibitors [a type of drug] can help preserve the percentage of flexible alpha-helices and whether these effects are comparable to those achieved through innovative peptide tools developed in our group specifically for this purpose. With these new peptide tools, we aim to preserve the structural flexibility of the ApoB100 protein in LDL from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia.”

ICMAB and NANBIOSIS contribution

Amable Bernabé, technician at the SOFT Service of ICMAB-CSIC, and part of NANBIOSIS (Unit 6), played a key role in this study, contributing to the analysis of LDL particle size using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) (Zetasizer) technique. He also participated in the development of the analysis method, interpreting the results, discussing them, and proposing complementary techniques to make the study more robust.

The SOFT Service offers state-of-the-art equipment and technical support for the preparation and characterization of micro- and nanostructured soft molecular materials. This includes molecular surfaces, micro- and nanoparticulate materials, plastic films, dispersed systems, and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). These materials have applications across various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, energy storage, and other chemical and materials sciences.

Reference article:

Maria Teresa La Chica Lhoëst, Andrea Martínez, Eduardo Garcia, Jany Dandurand, Anna Polishchuk, Aleyda Benitez-Amaro, Ana Cenarro, Fernando Civeira, Amable Bernabé, David Vilades, Joan Carles Escolà-Gil, Valerie Samouillan, Vicenta Llorente-Cortes.
ApoB100 remodeling and stiffened cholesteryl ester core raise LDL aggregation in familial hypercholesterolemia patients.
Journal of Lipid Research. 2025 Jan;66(1):100703. DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2024.100703

Watch the following video for more information:

More information about the publication can be found here. This article is a reproduction with a slight edition that does not alter the overall message.

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).

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:

A Breakthrough Therapy for Fabry Disease: nanoGLA Demonstrates Promising Results

Fabry disease therapy nanoGLA, developed by NANBIOSIS and our partners, shows superior efficacy in preclinical trials, targeting systemic and brain symptoms.

Barcelona, january 2025. An international research team led by the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) and CIBER-BBN, in collaboration with the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), has developed a groundbreaking nanotechnology-based therapy called nanoGLA for the treatment of Fabry disease. The innovative solution has shown remarkable efficacy in preclinical studies and has been published in the open-access journal Science Advances (see below for reference links).

What is Fabry disease?

Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme α-galactosidase A (GLA). This deficiency leads to the accumulation of fatty substrates (mainly globotriaosylceramide or Gb3) in cells, resulting in severe damage to various organs. The nanoGLA therapy employs peptide-guided nanoliposomes to deliver the deficient GLA enzyme effectively to the organs most affected by the disease. Researchers have successfully produced nanoGLA at the quality and scale required for preclinical trials, paving the way for clinical testing.

GLA inside nanoliposomes: nanoGLA

In studies with mouse models of Fabry disease, nanoGLA demonstrated superior efficacy compared to therapies using the non-encapsulated enzyme. It effectively targeted affected organs and, notably, the brain — a critical achievement that current therapies cannot match. These findings underscore nanoGLA’s potential to address both systemic and cerebrovascular manifestations of Fabry disease.

Highlighting the importance of this innovation, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) granted nanoGLA the Orphan Medicinal Product Designation in 2021, a significant milestone in its development.

The contribution of NANBIOSIS to this project was regarding the synthesis, processing and nanostructuring of the formulation (Unit 3 and Unit 6), and the preclinical assays using Fabry disease mouse models (Unit 20). Remember that if you want to collaborate with us, we are at the final stretch of our Open Call!

The product of scientific collaboration

This breakthrough is the result of collaborative efforts in which NANBIOSIS played a crucial role. These involve multiple international institutions, including ICMAB-CSIC, CIBER-BBN, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), and companies such as Nanomol Technologies SL and Leanbio SL, as well as IQAC-CSIC, the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB-UAB), and international partners like Joanneum Research–Institute for Biomedical Research and Technologies (HEALTH) (Austria), Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (Israel), Guangdong-Technion Israel Institute of Technology (China), Aarhus University (Denmark), and Labcorp Drug Development (UK).

“The nanoGLA formulation represents a promising opportunity for Fabry disease patients, especially in addressing neurological symptoms, which current therapies fail to tackle.”

Elisabet González, ICMAB researcher and lead author

“The nanoGLA formulation represents a promising opportunity for Fabry disease patients, especially in addressing neurological symptoms, which current therapies fail to tackle,” said Elisabet González, researcher at ICMAB and one of the study’s lead authors. “Our goal is to develop safer and more effective treatments by harnessing the potential of nanotechnology.”

The bright future of this research

The research was conducted within the framework of the European project Smart4Fabry, funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. Building on these promising results, the European Commission has provided further funding through the EU Phoenix and Nano4Rare projects to complete the preclinical phase and secure approval to begin clinical trials with human patients.

For more information, refer to the original study: “Targeted nanoliposomes to improve enzyme replacement therapy of Fabry disease,” published in Science Advances, Vol. 10, Issue 50, DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adq4738.

This article was adapted from the press release by ICMAB. Press contact: communication@icmab.es. Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB, CSIC).

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).

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:

The Soft Lab held a new edition of the course on characterization and preparation of particulate materials

José Amable Bernabé, Technical Coordinator of Unit 6, hosted a course on “Characterization techniques for particulate materials”.

Barcelona, october 2024. For yet another year, José Amable Bernabé, of the Soft Materials Service at ICMAB and Technical Coordinator of NANBIOSIS Unit 6, offered this course. The course was an explanation of different techniques to characterize nanoparticles and particulate matter, including the fundamentals of these techniques, sample preparation, practical examples and results interpretation.

The course is offered every year through the CSIC training courses offered every year for all its staff, as reported in ICMAB webpage.

Soft Materials Service

The Soft Materials Service provides equipment and technical assistance for the preparation and characterization of micro-and nanostructured soft molecular materials (molecular surfaces, micro- and nanoparticulate molecular materials, plastic films, dispersed systems, SAMs, etc..) with interest in different areas of application (biomedicine, electronics, energy storage and other chemical and material application areas).

The Soft Materials Service, with Amable Bernabé and David Piña as technicians, participate in many European projects and give service to the whole ICMAB community, apart from the Nanomol Research Unit, and also to other CSIC centers and research institutions and companies.

On April 2022, the Service Materials Service, which is part of our Unit 6, obtained the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Certification, which ensures the quality of the service provided and helps to continue with its improvement and extension to future services.

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).

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: