News U9

NANBIOSIS Strengthens Internal Collaboration at 2025 Networking Event in Cáceres

NANBIOSIS held its 2025 networking event in Cáceres to boost collaboration among Units in biomaterials, nanomedicine, and biomedical research.

Cáceres, October 2025 — From 22 to 24 October 2025, the Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) NANBIOSIS held its annual internal networking event at the Centro de Cirugía de Mínima Invasión Jesús Usón (CCMIJU) in Cáceres, Spain. The event brought together Unit coordinators, researchers, and technical staff from across Spain to foster collaboration, share scientific progress, and explore new opportunities for joint projects in biomedical research, nanomedicine, and biotechnology.

A meeting to boost collaboration across NANBIOSIS Units

The three-day event was designed to enhance synergy among all the Units that make up NANBIOSIS, a distributed infrastructure offering cutting-edge services for biomaterials, nanomaterials, bioimaging, preclinical validation, and high-performance computing.

The meeting opened on 22 October with a welcome address by the Secretary General for Science of the Junta de Extremadura, who highlighted the strategic importance of research infrastructures like NANBIOSIS for innovation in health technologies. This was followed by an introduction to the initiative “Cutting Edge Biomedical Solutions”, reinforcing the mission of NANBIOSIS to support advanced biomedical development.

That afternoon, participants presented their work grouped under three scientific programmes:

• Programme 1: Production of Biomolecules (Units 1 to 3 and 29)
• Programme 2: Production of Biomaterials and Nanomaterials (Units 6 to 10)
• Programme 5: High-Performance Computing (Unit 27)

The day concluded with a networking session encouraging informal exchanges and inter-Unit dialogue, in the context of the outstanding facilities of CCMIJU, one of the three nodes that form NANBIOSIS.

Guided Tour and Technical Presentations at CCMIJU

On 23 October, participants took part in a guided tour of CCMIJU, visiting the centre’s advanced research facilities in preclinical studies, imaging technologies, and tissue engineering.

After a short coffee break, the morning continued with presentations from Programme 3: Preclinical Validation – Characterisation of Tissues, Biomaterials and Surfaces (Units 12 to 19, and 30). Finally, the last programme was explained that same day in the afternoon, with Programme 4: Preclinical Validation – Bioimaging (Units 20 to 26, and 28).

Similarly to the previous day, throughout the day networking sessions facilitated direct interaction between teams, helping identify new collaboration opportunities across scientific programmes.

To close the technical sessions, participants joined “The NANBIOSIS Contest”, an interactive Kahoot-style quiz promoting engagement and friendly competition. In the evening, a guided cultural visit of Cáceres allowed attendees to explore the historic city’s UNESCO World Heritage old town.

Strengthening the NANBIOSIS Network

The final day, 24 October, saw participants returning to Madrid, concluding an event marked by enthusiasm, collaboration, and a strong sense of community across the infrastructure.

This internal networking event successfully:

• Reinforced communication and coordination among NANBIOSIS Units.
• Promoted awareness of each Unit’s services, equipment, and expertise.
• Laid the groundwork for new interdisciplinary collaborations and new CEBS.
• Highlighted the role of NANBIOSIS as a national and international reference in biomedical innovation and nanotechnology.

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:

María Sancho, NANBIOSIS researcher, and Ana Serrano, awarded ERC Starting Grants

NANBIOSIS Unit 9 researcher María Sancho wins ERC Starting Grant to develop nanotherapies targeting cancer metastasis with extracellular vesicles.

Zaragoza, September, 2025 — María Sancho, researcher at NANBIOSIS Unit 9 (Synthesis of Nanoparticles Unit), has been awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant to lead a groundbreaking project in nanomedicine. Dr. Sancho, who we had the pleasure to intervew, works at the Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Films (NFP) group of the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA, CSIC-Unizar), the Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), the CIBER-BBN and NANBIOSIS.

Her project, SEVEN (Screening metastasis targeting properties of Extracellular Vesicle’s biomolecular corona for Engineering therapeutic biomimetic Nanoparticles), has received €1.5 million plus €343,500 for specialized equipment, bringing the total to nearly €1.85 million. Over five years, Sancho will establish her own team of three PhD students, two postdoctoral researchers, and a laboratory technician.

Pioneering nanomedicine against metastasis

SEVEN will investigate how nanomaterials and extracellular vesicles (natural nanocarriers produced by cells) interact with biological fluids. These interactions lead to the formation of a biomolecular corona, a layer of proteins and molecules that alters the surface identity of nanoparticles. This phenomenon often reduces their ability to selectively reach tumor cells.

By understanding and engineering this corona, Sancho aims to redesign therapeutic nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles to efficiently target cancer metastases, paving the way for personalized nanomedicine and improved drug delivery systems.

Sancho explains: “ERC Starting Grants are an exceptional opportunity for young researchers because they provide the technical and human resources needed to test new ideas and hypotheses. It is a dream for any young scientist at the beginning of their career, as it allows us to consolidate our research path.”

Scientific excellence and international recognition

María Sancho holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering (University of Zaragoza, 2020, Extraordinary Doctorate Award). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan under Prof. Luisa De Cola, supported by the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC). Since 2023, she has been supported by an AECC Postdoctoral Talent Grant and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship, which brought her back to Zaragoza. Her career has been recognized with distinctions such as the Premio Tercer Milenio and recognition of her thesis among the top ten in Spain by the Royal Academy of Doctors.

Ana Serrano also awarded an ERC Starting Grant

Alongside Sancho, Ana Serrano, professor at the Institute for Engineering Research of Aragón (I3A) and member of the Graphics and Imaging Lab, has also secured an ERC Starting Grant. Her project PROXIE (Perceptual Realities: Optimizing XR through Perceptually-Informed Experiences) explores how people perceive and interact with immersive extended reality (XR) environments, with applications in telemedicine, aerospace, cultural heritage, and education.

Boosting the international research profile of Zaragoza

With these new awards, the University of Zaragoza increases its ERC-funded projects to 22 since 2009, consolidating its role as a hub for cutting-edge biomedical and engineering 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:

Prof. Jesús Santamaría secures his third ERC Advanced Grant in tumor-targeting nanomedicine

Prof. Jesús Santamaría wins his third ERC Advanced Grant for a €3.1M project to boost tumor targeting in nanomedicine.

Zaragoza, 23 June 2025 – Prof. Jesús Santamaría, Chair of Chemical Engineering at the University of Zaragoza and Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS Unit 9, has been awarded his third European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant—a rare achievement shared by only five other researchers in Spain, as reported in the official Unizar webpage.

The newly funded project, ROMEO (“Cracking the code on tumor targeting with nanostructures: competitive kinetics and extracellular vesicles“), will receive €3.12 million over five years, exceeding the usual €2.5 million cap thanks to supplemental funding for major equipment.

ROMEO was selected among 281 proposals out of 2,534 submissions in the 2024 ERC Advanced Grant competition, under the Horizon Europe programme. The total ERC funding amounted to €721 million, with only 14 grants awarded to Spanish researchers.

Pioneering Strategies to Boost Tumor Nanoparticle Delivery

Despite decades of research, less than 1% of systemically administered nanoparticles reach tumors; up to 95% are sequestered by liver macrophages. The ROMEO project aims to overcome this barrier using:

1. Competitive kinetics: designing “decoy” particles that pre‐saturate macrophages, reallocating therapeutic nanoparticles toward tumors.
2. Extracellular vesicle (EV) vectors: employing tumor‑derived EVs that naturally home to their tissue of origin as targeted delivery vehicles.

The research will be led at INMA (CSIC‑Unizar) and IIS Aragón with a multidisciplinary team extending across chemistry, materials, and biology, including collaborators from I3A and IQAC‑CSIC in Barcelona.

A stellar record of excellence

The expertise of Prof. Santamaría in nanomaterials is well‑recognized: over 385 publications, 26 patents, leadership in 101 research initiatives (20 European-funded), and supervision of 39 PhD theses. Within the ERC framework, his grant history includes:

• HECTOR (2011, €1.85 M): Microwave‑activated catalytic microreactors.
• CADENCE (2017, €2.45 M): Tumor‑targeted catalytic therapy via in situ activation.
• ROMEO (2025, €3.12 M): Nanostructure and EV–based tumor targeting.

With total ERC Advanced Grant funding exceeding €7.4 million, his sustained success contributes to the University of Zaragoza’s tally of 20 ERC projects (€34.8 M total) since 2009.

NANBIOSIS Unit 9: A key driver in Translational Nanomedicine

As Scientific Director of NANBIOSIS Unit 9 – Synthesis of Nanoparticles, Santamaría oversees an advanced laser‑induced pyrolysis platform producing large quantities of hybrid, biocompatible nanoparticles. This Unit supports automated synthesis, comprehensive physicochemical characterization, and preclinical testing—making it a hub for both academic and industrial R&D in nanomedicine.

Unit 9 (U9) is part of the Nanostructured Films and Particles Group at INMA (CSIC‑Unizar), located at Campus Río Ebro, Zaragoza, with capabilities in microstructural, optical, magnetic, and functional analysis of nanoparticles.

And do not forget that our last Open Call of 2025 is open until June 30. Visit here for more information.

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 Dendritic Platinum Nanocatalysts for Selective Activation of Anticancer Drugs

PEGylated dendritic platinum nanoparticles enable targeted drug activation, reducing tumors in vivo. Developed with NANBIOSIS Unit 9, they enhance cancer therapy.

Zaragoza, february 2025. A recent study published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition (see reference at the end of the article) introduces a novel approach in cancer treatment through the development of PEGylated dendritic platinum nanoparticles. These nanoparticles exhibit high biocompatibility and selectively activate anticancer drugs within cancer cells.

The study was co-led by members of the Nanostructured Films and Particles (NFP) group, Dr. Jose I. Garcia-Peiro, Dr. Jose L. Hueso and Prof. Jesus Santamaria (Group Leader) that belong to CIBER-BBN, the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA-CSIC), the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Zaragoza and the Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Aragon (IISA). This group worked on the synthesis, functionalization and advanced characterization of the dendritic platinum nanoparticles. It was carried out with the support of the Platform of Production of Biomaterials and Nanoparticles of NANBIOSIS, more specifically by the Nanoparticle Synthesis Unit of the CIBER in BioEngineering, Biomaterials & Nanomedicine (Unit 9).

The other leading group in this study is headed by Prof. Asier Unciti-Broceta from the University of Edinburg. His group developed different probes and anticancer drugs with the suitable chemistry to induce a selective uncaging reaction and selectively release the active drug compound in the presence of the dendritic platinum nanoparticles. Dr. M. Carmen Ortega-Liebana, Dr. Catherine Adam as two of the main leading contributors and Dr. Alvaro Lorente-Macias, Dr. Jana Travnickova and Dr. Elisabeth Patton were also participants from Unciti´s group in Edinburg. In addition, Paula Guerrero and Prof. Jose Manuel Garcia-Aznar from the Aragon Institute of Engineering Research (I3A-University of Zaragoza) validated the results with 3D model culture studies.

Interestingly, the study demonstrates the viability and efficacy of the combination of the prodrug pro-SN38 with dendritic platinum heterogeneous nanocatalysts in two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, as well as in vivo zebrafish models. This study also paves the way to novel platinum formulations beyond classical platinum-based chemotherapeutics with higher toxicity and higher deactivation in tumor environments.

More information about the publication can be found: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202424037

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:

Innovative Copper-Based Nanoparticles Open New Frontiers in Glioblastoma Treatment

NANBIOSIS Unit 9 advances glioblastoma treatment with tailored copper nanoparticles, reducing tumor invasiveness and opening new therapeutic pathways.

Zaragoza, December 2024. Our Unit 9, specialized in nanoparticle synthesis, has achieved a breakthrough in the fight against glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of cancer. Utilizing state-of-the-art facilities and expertise, the Unit and its collaborators have developed novel copper-based nanostructures with tailored release patterns, demonstrating significant potential in inhibiting tumor progression and invasiveness.

A New Paradigm in Cancer Therapy

Glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by its high invasiveness and poor prognosis. Current therapeutic options are limited by the tumor’s ability to infiltrate surrounding tissues, making complete surgical removal and effective treatment challenging. Unit 9 has addressed these challenges by synthesizing copper-based nanoparticles with controlled release kinetics, a cutting-edge approach that enhances localized therapy while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Through a meticulous synthesis process, the authors of the publication created a series of nanoparticles, including Cu2O and core-shell configurations, which were further enhanced by controlled sulfidation techniques. These advancements allow precise tuning of copper ion release, adapting to the tumor microenvironment and directly influencing tumor proliferation and invasiveness.

Translating Innovation into Impact

In collaboration with leading academic and industrial partners, the efficacy of these nanoparticles was evaluated in advanced 3D tumor models. These models, developed using microfluidic devices, replicate the complex architecture of glioblastoma tumors, enabling realistic assessments of therapeutic outcomes. Results revealed that copper release intensity strongly correlates with a reduction in tumor spheroid size, invasiveness, and malignancy markers.

Key findings include:

• Enhanced Targeting: High-precision release patterns disrupted glioblastoma cell proliferation and inhibited the formation of invasive protrusions.
• Reduced Aggressiveness: Nanoparticles shifted the tumor phenotype to a less invasive state, as evidenced by changes in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers.
• Scalability and Customization: The synthesis protocol offers scalability and adaptability for diverse therapeutic needs.

Opportunities for Collaboration

These advancements underscore the transformative potential of nanoparticle-based therapies in oncology. From NANBIOSIS, we would like to extend an invitation to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to explore collaborative opportunities within our Units. By integrating these technologies into drug development pipelines, stakeholders can accelerate the transition from laboratory research to clinical application, addressing critical unmet needs in glioblastoma treatment.

About NANBIOSIS Unit 9

Our Unit 9 specializes in the synthesis of high-quality nanoparticles, offering tailored solutions for biomedical applications. As part of the NANBIOSIS-ICTS, the Unit combines cutting-edge technology and expertise to drive innovation in nanomedicine, supporting both academic and industrial R&D initiatives.

For more information and to discuss potential partnerships, visit the porfolio of Unit 9 here.

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 Solutions to Old challenges: Key Symposium on Nanomedicine Against Cancer

Symposium on nanomedicine vs cancer: experts gather Nov 28 in Málaga to tackle tumor-targeting challenges and advance innovative therapies.

Málaga, november 2024. On November 28th at 9:00 AM, the Salón de Actos at IBIMA (C/Severo Ochoa, 35, Málaga) will host the symposium “Targeting in Nanomedicine Against Cancer,” bringing together leading experts to discuss the critical challenges and advances in applying nanomedicine to oncology. Organized by IBIMA, this event will shed light on one of the most pressing issues in cancer nanomedicine: the difficulty of delivering nanostructures to tumor cells.

The challenges to overcome cancer

Cancer remains one of the world’s most significant health challenges, with nearly 20 million new cases annually and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. Despite notable advances in treatments—ranging from surgery and radiotherapy to immunotherapy and metabolic therapies—many patients continue to face poor outcomes. Nanomedicine has generated substantial excitement over the last three decades, particularly since the approval of Doxil™, the first nanomedicine for cancer. However, challenges persist.

One critical barrier is the targeting of nanostructures. Current technologies allow less than 1% of nanoparticles to reach tumor sites, with only a fraction successfully interacting with tumor cells. Addressing this bottleneck is essential for unlocking the full potential of nanomedicine in cancer treatment.

Featured Talks by NANBIOSIS Researchers

Several distinguished researchers from NANBIOSIS Units will present their work during the symposium. They will offer insights into cutting-edge strategies to overcome the targeting challenge:

• Dr. Jesús Santamaría (NANBIOSIS Unit 9, Universidad de Zaragoza): “Nanomedicine. Achievements and Limitations: The Targeting Problem with Nanoparticles in Cancer and Their Limited Clinical Translation”.
• Dr. Ana Martín Pardillos (NANBIOSIS Unit 9, Universidad de Zaragoza): “Targeting Strategies Based on Cells as Nanoparticle Vectors”.
• Dr. Ibane Abasolo (NANBIOSIS Unit 20, Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona): “Targeting Strategies Based on Extracellular Vesicles as Nanoparticle Vectors”.
• Dr. Carlos Caro (NANBIOSIS Unit 28, IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga): “In Vivo Nanoparticle Tracking: Biodistribution and Non-Invasive Techniques”.
• Dr. María Luisa García-Martín (NANBIOSIS Unit 28, IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Málaga): “Biological Barriers and Tumor Targeting“.

Bridging Science and Clinical Application

This symposium offers a unique platform for dialogue among researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, fostering collaborations to advance the practical application of nanomedicine in cancer treatment. With its focus on innovative targeting solutions, the event promises to contribute significantly to overcoming one of the most challenging hurdles in oncology.

Mark your calendar and join us at IBIMA on November 28th to explore the future of nanomedicine in cancer treatment.

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:

Jesús Santamaría awarded with the ‘Aragón Investiga’ for his Research Excellence

Prof. Jesús Santamaría, Director of NANBIOSIS Unit 9, wins the Aragón Investiga Award for his pioneering contributions to nanomaterials and research excellence.

Zaragoza, november 2024. The Aragón Investiga Award for Research Excellence has been awarded to Prof. Jesús Santamaría Ramiro, a distinguished researcher and Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, and Scientific Director of Unit 9 of NANBIOSIS.

Prof. Santamaría is the principal investigator of the Nanostructured Films and Particles group, where Unit 9 is located. He is also a key member of the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA), a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence jointly supported by the University of Zaragoza and CSIC.

A brilliant scientific career

Recognized as one of Europe’s leading researchers in the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials, Prof. Santamaría has dedicated his career to pioneering advanced methods for nanomaterial synthesis using non-conventional technologies. His work has found groundbreaking applications in nanomaterials, unconventional catalysis, and molecular recognition, significantly advancing these fields.

Among his most notable achievements are the foundation of the Aragón Institute of Nanoscience and the receipt of two prestigious Advanced Grants from the European Research Council (ERC), a testament to the transformative impact of his work.

The award was presented by Claudia Pérez Forniés, Regional Minister of Education, Science and Universities, of Aragón, during a ceremony that celebrated excellence in research and innovation.

NANBIOSIS congratulates Prof. Jesús Santamaría on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates his enduring contributions to the advancement of nanoscience and its applications.

Prof. Santamaría serves as the Scientific Director of the NANBIOSIS Unit 9 (Synthesis of Nanoparticles Unit), a facility dedicated to the development of nanoparticles and nanostructures for biomedical and technological applications. The Unit plays a crucial role in supporting cutting-edge research through its state-of-the-art synthesis capabilities.

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:

Latest breakthroughs in pulmonary drug delivery and cancer research at NANBIOSIS

On World Pharmacists’ Day, NANBIOSIS Units highlighted for breakthroughs in pulmonary drug delivery and cancer research, advancing treatments for respiratory diseases and brain cancer.

Barcelona and Zaragoza, September 2024. On World Pharmacists Day, we celebrate the vital contributions pharmacists make, not only in patient care but also in groundbreaking research that is shaping the future of healthcare. This year 2024, we want to give this significant date a little twist: by showcasing a few examples of how our Units are contributing to healthcare and new pharmaceutical approaches. Two key NANBIOSIS units —Unit 9 and Unit 25— are at the forefront of said scientific advancements, offering promising solutions for respiratory diseases and cancer treatments.

Innovative pulmonary drug delivery

One of the most appealing means to treat respiratory diseases is the delivery directly into the lungs by the use of aerosols containing the drug. This allows having a highly concentrated drug dose in the affected tissue, without exposing the rest of the body to it. However, when done as a dry aerosol powder, this strategy suffers an important drawback: the difficult dispersion of solid particles whose sizes are in the micron or even nanometric scale, which tend to form clusters and larger structures and thus hindering the delivery. And this is where Unit 9 comes to play.

In collaboration with the University of Zaragoza (UNIZAR), our researchers M. Pilar Lobera, Jesús Santamaría and their coworkers, have made remarkable strides in improving this type of pulmonary drug delivery. They have developed an advanced aerosol generator that addresses key limitations in traditional inhalers, including inconsistent dosing and poor control of particle size.

“All nanoparticles used in the validation of this method of aerosolization were synthesized by Unit 9, using coprecipitation, microfluidics or electro-spraying methods.”

— M. Pilar Lobera

This aerosol generator delivers highly dispersed particles directly to the alveoli, the deepest part of the lungs where drug absorption is most effective. The technology offers several crucial benefits:

• Precise particle control for targeted lung delivery, free of aggregates.
• Improved bioavailability, ensuring more effective treatment targeting the alveoli and other targeted regions within the lungs.
• Reproducible dosing across different patients, regardless of how damaged is their lung function.

These advances have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of respiratory conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and lung cancer. Capable of aerosolizing a wide range of particles containing diverse biomolecules, including proteins and peptides, the device also shows promise for inhaled vaccines.

In testing, the device achieved a fourfold increase in alveolar deposition compared to current inhalers, with 99% of particles sized optimally for deep lung delivery, all the way into the alveoli. This breakthrough marks a significant step forward in making inhaled therapies more effective and accessible for patients.

Advancing cancer research

Meanwhile, at NANBIOSIS Unit 25, located at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), researchers are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment through cutting-edge imaging technologies. Ana Paula Candiota explains to us how their Bruker 7T MRI/MRS/MRSI preclinical scanner allows scientists to noninvasively monitor cancer progression in live animal models. This is particularly interesting in orthotopic models, where tumors grow in their natural location. This technology is crucial for accurately assessing the efficacy of new cancer drugs over time, offering an advantage over traditional subcutaneous models.

One of the standout projects at Unit 25 involved testing a novel treatment for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Researchers used intranasally administered Catechol-Based Pt(IV) Coordination Polymer Nanoparticles encapsulating cisplatin. This innovative approach reduced the drug’s toxicity while maintaining its effectiveness, showing great promise for noninvasive cancer therapies.

“The encapsulation aimed to reduce cisplatin’s toxicity, and the study yielded promising results.”

— Ana Paula Candiota

The work being done at Unit 25 highlights the importance of advanced technology and collaboration in the fight against cancer. By enabling more precise evaluation of drug effectiveness and reducing harmful side effects, these innovations bring us closer to more targeted, patient-friendly treatments.

For more information about this research, see the original article here: https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12071221

Celebrating Pharmacists’ impact on research and healthcare

The groundbreaking research taking place at NANBIOSIS Units 9 and 25 reminds us of the essential role pharmacists play, not only in providing care but also in driving medical innovation. Whether that means improving drug delivery systems for respiratory diseases or developing noninvasive cancer treatments, their work is shaping a healthier future for all.

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: