Defective glial cells can push neurons toward Parkinson’s disease Blog Post

Defective versions of human brain cells called astrocytes are linked to the buildup of a toxic protein that is one the hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease. This is one of the main conclusions of a study led by Antonella Consiglio, researcher at the Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB) in the Barcelona Science Park, and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), and Àngel Raya, from the Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona (CMR[B]-IDIBELL).

 

IBEC researchers produce ‘biorobots’ with live muscle tissue generated from 3D bioprinting Blog Post

IBEC’s Smart Nano-Bio-Devices group at the Barcelona Science Park have used 3D bioprinting to produce ‘biorobots’ made of biological elements such as muscle tissue. These bio-inspired soft robotic devices could offer many more capabilities for movement and performance – such as real-time bio-sensing, self-organization, adaptability, or self-healing – than existing systems, which use solely artificial materials.

 

Researchers at IRB Barcelona develop a tool to tackle resistance in cancer Blog Post

The lab headed by Modesto Orozco at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) in the Barcelona Science Park has developed a tool to tackle resistance in cancer. The therapeutic approach has been validated in breast cancer cells in vitro, and the results have been published in the scientific journal Chemical Communications.

 

Biocat Report shows growth in international investment in BioRegion of Catalonia Blog Post

More than 300 professionals from the sector attended the event to present a new edition of the Biocat Report, the benchmark study on the healthcare and life sciences sector in Catalonia. Under de title “Escaling-up the BioRegion of Catalonia”, the Biocat Report highlights the growing attractiveness of the life sciences and health sector for international investment –linked to the positioning of the BioRegion as a European hub in health research–, the increase in the number of companies and the occupation of sector, as well as the advance of innovation in health towards social impact. Biocat, the organization that coordinates and promotes the life sciences sector in Catalonia, has its headquarters in the Barcelona Science Park.

 

Proteins can transfer electrons at a distance Blog Post

Researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) al PCB have published a study in Nature Communications that reveals that electron transfer can take place while a protein is approaching its partner site, and not only when the proteins are engaged, as was previously thought. The results open up a new way of thinking about how proteins interact, and can have implications in a better understanding of many processes – such as photosynthesis, respiration and detoxification – in which electron transfer plays an important role.

 

Iproteos, IBEC and VHIR to develop an innovative therapy against solid tumors Blog Post

The biotechnology company Iproteos and the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) are set to develop an innovative treatment to slow down, stop and even reverse the growth of solid tumors, which represent more than 90% of cancer cases. The project, which received €935,000 from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through of the call Retos Colaboración, will focus in its first phase on two of the most common solid tumors in children and adolescents, rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma, as well as in lung and colon cancer, which have the highest mortality rate in adults.

 

Researchers uncover strategy to reduce chemotherapy side effects Blog Post

Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based in the Barcelona Science Park, and the Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL) have developed a light-regulated molecule that could improve chemotherapy treatments by controlling the activity of anticancer agents.