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Zaida Álvarez, principal investigator of the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration group. Photo / IBEC
 10.12.2025

Researcher Zaida Álvarez, awarded a prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant

Zaida Álvarez, principal investigator at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based in the Barcelona Science Park, has been awarded an ERC Consolidator Grant, one of the most prestigious and competitive funding sources in the European Union. This research grant, awarded by the European Research Council (ERC), supports outstanding scientists and academics at the stage of their careers when they are consolidating their independent research teams to develop their most promising scientific ideas. Álvarez is among the 11.3% of candidates selected across Europe, chosen from 3,121 proposals submitted in this call.

A €2.8 million funding over five years will allow the researcher, who leads the Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration group, and her team to develop the SPINECRAFT project (Engineered Humanized Spinal Cord Construct for Advancing Health and Disease Research). The project aims to build a high-fidelity 4D human spinal cord model using advanced bioprinting and patient-derived cells. This platform seeks to transform the study of spinal cord biology, neurodegenerative disorders, and regenerative therapies, laying the foundation for breakthroughs that were previously out of reach.

Current laboratory models of the central nervous system (CNS) struggle to replicate its extraordinary complexity, limiting progress in understanding neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Traditional 2D cultures, 3D organoids and animal models fall short of capturing the intricate structure and dynamic function of the CNS, slowing advances in neuroscience. SPINECRAFT aims to change this. The project will create a cutting-edge, 4D human spinal cord construct that mirrors the architecture and functionality of the real spinal cord.

By combining advanced imaging, computational modelling, bioprinting and innovative bioinks, researchers will fabricate a high-fidelity model populated with human neural and vascular cells. This platform will not only enable detailed studies of spinal cord biology but also integrate patient-derived cells to recreate disease-specific environments, such as those seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

“This recognition marks a pivotal moment for our research and for the field of spinal cord regeneration. With SPINECRAFT, we expect to generate a high-fidelity human model that will allow us to study disease mechanisms with unprecedented resolution and pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. We finally have the tools to ask questions that were previously inaccessible and to move closer to real treatments for patients”, explains Álvarez.

This ambitious approach represents a paradigm shift in CNS research. SPINECRAFT will set new standards in tissue engineering and open doors to breakthroughs in neurodegenerative disease modelling and regenerative therapies—pushing the boundaries of what is possible in neuroscience. The project’s disruptive originality enabled it to secure an additional €800,000, beyond the standard €2 million from the call, dedicated to acquiring specialised equipment for multicellular bioprinting and advanced functional analysis. This strategic investment positions IBEC at the forefront of 4D human spinal cord modelling, accelerating the transformative potential of SPINECRAFT.

» Link to the news: IBEC website [+]