School of Engineering
Materials Engineering
(GEMAT)
2021 SGR 00537
The GEMAT group (Materials Engineering Group) conducts its activity in three main areas: the development of new functional materials, surface engineering and biomaterials.
In 2001 it joined the Network of Technological Innovation Support Centers (Xarxa IT, Generalitat de Catalunya). In 2009 it was recognised as a member of TECNIO. It has been recognised by AGAUR as a Consolidated Research Group since 2005. It is currently part of IQS TECH TRANSFER URL, a TECNIO accredited agent under the category of technology developer.
In this environment, GEMAT carries out its R&D and technology transfer activities on the following areas:
- Development of biodegradable polymers.
- Development of biomaterials for scaffolds.
- Development of drug delivery systems.
- Development of inks with conductive and semi-conductive properties.
- Characterisation of materials and formulations: DMA, rheology, specific surface area, particle size, calorimetric techniques and microscopy.
- Quantitative analysis of components in polymeric materials.
- X-ray diffraction analysis.
- Development of functional polymers: adhesives, polymeric thickeners, flame retardant additives, charge modification, conductive polymers and inks.
- Qualitative chemical composition studies of paints.
- Development of industrial formulations: paints, silicones and adhesives.
- Studies on the coating of ceramic particles.
COORDINATOR:
MEMBERS:
Benjamí Oller-Salvia, PhD
Associate Professor - Junior Leader F. La Caixa - ERC Grantee
+34932672000
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EXTERNAL COLABORATORS
Cristina Fillat, PhD
Hospital Clinic de Barcelona
Joan Gilabert, PhD
Tractivus
Eduard Gratacos, PhD
Hospital Sant Joan de Deu
Anna Cifuentes-Rius, PhD
Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Science - Monash University, Australia
Kim Hamad-Schiferli, PhD
University of Massachussetts, Boston, USA
Francisco Jose Garcia Cozar, PhD
Universidad de Cadiz
Xavier Valldeperas, PhD
Hospital Germans Trias
FACILITIES
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit
BUSINESS SOLUTION AREAS
LINKED NEWS
Doctoral thesis
Restoration of Cultural Heritage Objects Affected by Corrosion
11/12/2023
Dr Patricia Giménez recently defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, in which she established a new methodology for conserving and restoring ductile metals of cultural heritage objects based on the use of cold plasma.
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Doctoral thesis
New Delivery Systems with Polymeric Nanocarriers
05/10/2023
Dr Andrea Martí recently defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, in which she designed new polymeric carriers for the delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs along with siRNA to suppress antitumour resistance.
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Research
Improving Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Therapies
18/09/2023
The GEMAT group is working in collaboration with the Duchenne Parent Project Spain association to develop viral vector coating biomaterials to improve gene therapy for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
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Doctoral thesis
Polymers for Invisible Nanoparticles in mRNA Vaccines
13/09/2023
Dr Coral García recently defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, in which she managed to develop a system of polymeric vaccines based on mRNA that are invisible to premature elimination by the immune system and ensure that they exclusively impact target cells.
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Research
Microplastics in Soil
12/06/2023
The GEMAT Group's Materials Science Laboratory at IQS has recently carried out a study to establish an analytical methodology to detect the presence of microplastics in sediment and soil as well as their chemical characterization in collaboration with the Enzymology and Bioremediation of Soil and Organic Waste Group from CEBAS – CSIC in Murcia.
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Doctoral thesis
Plasmin Inhibitors in Brain Trauma Treatments
05/05/2023
Dr Oriol Bosch Sanz recently defended his doctoral thesis at IQS, in which he explored obtaining new candidates for inhibitors of the plasminogen/plasmin system to reduce the damage produced in the blood-brain barrier as a result of brain trauma.
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Research
New personalized therapeutic vaccine for lung cancer
07/03/2023
IQS professor Dr Cristina Fornaguera is leading the European project TumorOUT to design a new immunotherapy based on polymer nanoparticles with encapsulated antigenic mRNAs to holistically attack different mechanisms of lung cancer.
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Interview
Interview with Dr. Núria Oliva
06/03/2023
“In the Hydrolage project we’re seeking a treatment for osteoarthritis by combining a biomaterial to regenerate cartilage with gene therapy with RNA nanoparticles to treat inflammation.”
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Research
Advanced Biomechanical Models for Paediatric Maxillofacial Surgery
06/02/2023
Led by IQS researchers, the BIOMOD project aims to develop new advanced biomechanical models through 3D techniques to improve surgical practice and the implants used in paediatric maxillofacial surgery.
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Doctoral thesis
Nanostructured Surfaces by Plastic Injection
02/02/2023
Dr Tomás Baldi has recently defended his doctoral thesis at IQS, entitled Manufacturing of nanostructured surfaces by plastic injection molding, in which he managed to obtain nanostructured surfaces through a new plastic injection process.
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Research
Micro RNAs to Treat Depression
09/01/2023
IQS is one of the members of the DemiRNApy project, one of the 36 research projects selected by the Fundació Marató TV3 charitable fundraising drive in its 2021 edition dedicated to mental health, with the aim of developing nanotherapies to treat depression.
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Research
Invisible, Targeted mRNA Vaccines
03/11/2022
The GEMAT group at IQS is working on the zwiRNA project with the goal of designing a new state-of-the-art therapeutic vaccine for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Doctoral thesis
Hydrogel Dressings for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment
02/09/2022
Dr José Antonio Durán defended his doctoral thesis at IQS, in which he developed dressings with hydrogels as platforms for the controlled release of miRNAs for diabetic foot ulcer treatment.
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Interview
Producing masked antibodies through targeted evolution
01/09/2022
“In the ADC2GBM project, we're combining our experience in targeted evolution and antibody engineering to develop activatable antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme”
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News
Raman Spectroscopy
15/06/2022
IQS has a RAMAN DRX2 Microscope instrument for material characterization. This technique makes it possible to obtain information on the chemical composition of organic and inorganic compounds in any material condition and even in aqueous solutions.
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Interview
Interview with Dr José Rodrigo Magaña and Dr Cristina Fornaguera
10/06/2022
"My contribution to the ANTIEMT project is designing genetic material transporters. They are invisible polymers for most of the body's cells, except for tumor cells, to which they are targeted as ‘ninjas.’"
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Research
New Peptide and Protein Characterization and Purification Instruments
18/05/2022
IQS has acquired three chromatography instruments for peptide and protein characterization and purification, with funding from the Fundación “la Caixa” Junior Leader Fellowships programme.
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Doctoral thesis
A Bioabsorbable Patch to Treat Aortic Dissection
16/05/2022
In her doctoral thesis conducted at IQS, Dr Noemí Balà has designed a specific device to treat aortic dissection featuring mechanical properties similar to those of the artery, making it possible to improve current treatments.
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7 Questions for...
Cristina Díaz
12/05/2022
Interview to Dr Cristina Díaz, researcher with the GEMAT group at the IQS School of Engineering.
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7 Questions for...
José Rodrigo Magaña
21/04/2022
Interview to Dr. José Rodrigo Magaña, postdoctoral researcher with the GEMAT group
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News
A Highly Innovative and Entrepreneurial Unit
19/04/2022
Within the field of Advanced Materials, IQS has created various spinoffs thanks to the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of numerous professors and researchers at the university.These initiatives are a clear example of the importance of knowledge transfer from the academic and higher education world to industry.
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News
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit: Services for Industry
19/04/2022
The R&D&i services and technology transfer offered by IQS Tech Transfer to companies has grown even greater since the end of 2019 through the launch of the Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit located within the Process Transfer and Integrative Technologies Centre (CTPTI) at IQS.
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News
Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit: Equipment
19/04/2022
The Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Unit within the Process Transfer and Integrative Technology Transfer Centre (CTPTI) at IQS boasts several laboratories equipped for research and technology transfer activities mainly related to particle and cell characterization and the analysis and characterization of polymeric materials, biomaterials, ceramic materials, and graphene, among others.
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Research
Obtaining an artificial placenta, a highly disruptive project
16/03/2022
IQS is participating alongside other technological and medical research centers in Barcelona on a highly advanced and pioneering project in Europe to produce and use an artificial placenta to ensure survival for extremely premature newborns.
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Research
Activatable antibodies in targeted therapies
18/02/2022
Dr Oller from IQS has recently received a grant from the Semilla programme with the Spanish Cancer Society (AECC) to work on new types of activatable antibodies against a specific marker of resistant cancer cells.
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Doctoral thesis
Optimization of the Silicone Hydrosilylation Process with Platinum Catalysts
20/01/2022
Dr. Anna del Pino recently defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, on the optimisation of the manufacturing process of sanitary quality silicone tubes. The research has been carried out within the Industrial Doctorate Plan, in collaboration with the company Venair.
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Research
Graflavor: a New Olfactory Pollutant Capturing System
24/11/2021
IQS and the company Hausmann have collaborated in the development of an innovative system for the elimination of olfactory contamination in the process of water used in the manufacture of flavourings, based on its capture using graphene oxide.
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Research
Development of a new endovascular medical device
26/10/2021
Within the Collaboration Challenges program, Aortyx and the GEMAT group collaborate in the development and preclinical validation of a new endovascular medical device with localized and controlled release of anti-progression drugs for aneurysms.
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Doctoral thesis
Microneedles for immunotherapies
21/10/2021
Dr Núria Puigmal defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, where she has developed new dermal microneedles for immunotherapies, which can perform the dual function of drug release platform and treatment monitoring.
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Research
Activatable Antibodies to Increase Selectivity for Brain Tumour Therapies
19/10/2021
In the Materials Engineering Group (GEMAT) at the IQS School of Engineering, the team led by Dr Benjami Oller Salvia is working to take on two of the great challenges with GBM therapies.
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Doctoral thesis
Bacteriophobic Nanostructured Surfaces
29/07/2021
Dr Cristina García has recently defended her doctoral thesis at IQS, in which she has developed a urinary catheter equipped with a micro-and nano-structured coating with bacteriophobic characteristics, offering a clear alternative to commercial catheters.
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Research
Plastic Surfaces with Advanced Functionalities
27/07/2021
Within the Industries of the Future community, IQS has participated in the PLASTFUN project where advanced surface functionalities and their large-scale production have been defined, and now has a validated simulation tool for optimising parameters under industrial conditions.
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7 Questions for...
MARTÍ LECINA
03/06/2021
Dr. Martí Lecina, Profesor de Bioprocesos y Biotecnología de IQS School of Engineering.
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Doctoral thesis
Materiales zwitteriónicos para aplicaciones biomédicas
03/06/2021
El Dr. Pol Cabanach ha defendido recientemente su tesis doctoral en IQS, en la que desarrolla dos tecnologías basadas en materiales zwitteriónicos: un sistema oral de liberación de fármacos para el tratamiento de la malaria y una fotorresistencia para la microimpresión de micro-robots no-inmunogénicos.
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Doctoral thesis
Nuevo sistema de sellado para cirugía fetal
03/06/2021
El Dr. Germán Febas defendió recientemente su tesis doctoral realizada en el grupo GEMAT de IQS, donde ha desarrollado y patentado un dispositivo médico que sella el orificio realizado en la membrana corioamniótica después de una fetoscopia, con el objetivo final de reducir el riesgo de rotura de esta membrana y salvar la vida del futuro bebé.
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7 Questions for...
MARTA GUERRA
03/05/2021
Dra. Marta Guerra, miembro del grupo de investigación GEMAT de IQS School of Engineering.
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Research
Tracheal stent: example of 3D printing applied to the healthcare industry (QuirofAM)
04/04/2021
Within the framework of the QuirofAM project, the CIM center, the IQS GEMAT group and the Tractivus spin-off, have co-developed a 3D printer that allows printing of medical grade silicone for the manufacture of medical devices. As a first demonstrator, the researchers have developed a completely customized tracheal stent.
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News
Confocal Microscopy
05/02/2021
IQS has a Leica SP8 Confocal Scanning Microscope used for any application that involves the analysis of images that emit fluorescence, on their own or if they have been previously labeled with fluorophores, that allows the analysis of materials and biomaterials in addition to the analysis of biological tissues and cell culture.
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Research
Adhesive patch for arterial repairs
05/02/2021
IQS researchers of the Endovascular Repair Patch project, carried out within the AGAUR 'Product' call, have achieved both the definitive design of the deployer and the biocompatible materials that allow the administration of a patch for the repair of arteries affected by aortic dissection .
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Interview
Dr Borrós and Dr Fornaguera, leaders of the CoviNanoVax project
08/01/2021
“We have our mRNA encapsulated, which appears from the outset that it will be immunogenic, stable and non-toxic, with stable nanoparticles at 4ºC, and obtained through an easily scalable process.“
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LATEST PROJECTS
OBGate (Creating an orthogonal gate to the brain)
Change of paradigm in the the field of brain delivery: opening a new Orthogonal Brain Gate where targeted drugs will be able to cross the blood brain barrier for the treatment of brain diseases
Funding Agency:
Research Group Link:
Materials Engineering (GEMAT)
Chemical & Synthetic Biology for Biotherapies (ChemSynBio)
APTADEGRAD (Novel, first-in-class, protein degrader-based therapy for diabetic foot ulcer)
Development of a novel therapy using aptamer-base lysosomes to heal diabetic fool ulcers.
Funding Agency:
Research Group Link:
Materials Engineering (GEMAT)
Chemical & Synthetic Biology for Biotherapies (ChemSynBio)
DemiRNApy (Role of miRNAs in the anterior cingulate cortex, as peripheral biomarkers, and their targeted modulation by nano-tools as a antidepressant therapy)
Role of microRNAs in the brain , as peripheral biomarkers and as nano-tools as novel antidepressant therapy
Funding Agency:
Research Group Link:
Materials Engineering (GEMAT)
Chemical & Synthetic Biology for Biotherapies (ChemSynBio)
