Description
The Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials - CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit research organization specialised in Molecular & functional imaging, Synthetic bioengineering and Biofunctional nanomaterials, located in the Science and Technology Park of Gipuzkoa (San Sebastian, Spain).
A key element to the center's mission is its commitment to support competitiveness of SMEs through the provision of research and technology services supported by our research groups and technological platforms.
The activity of CIC biomaGUNE is conducted by a team of 11 international and dynamic research groups, which develop high-level research at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology, with particular emphasis on the properties and applications of nanostructures at the biomolecular level. The final aim of CIC biomaGUNE’s research is to contribute to understanding the way in which biological systems interact with nanometer- sized materials, at the molecular level.
The center counts with a unique research infrastructure equipped with the most advanced nanoscience, biochemistry and molecular imaging facilities, including fully equipped research laboratories, Technological Platforms and the Molecular Imaging Facility, one of the biggest preclinical imaging research infrastructures in Europe.
CIC biomaGUNE has obtained national and international recognition as a scientific leader and knowledge builder in the field of biomaterials. Among other achievements, our activity has resulted in the generation of knowledge (publications, patents, PhD theses) the internationalization of research through collaboration with international bodies and institutions, as well as opening our facilities to the scientific community and the industrial sector.
In 2018 CIC biomaGUNE earned the accreditation as a “María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence”- the highest recognition of scientific excellence in Spain awarded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI).
Accreditations:
- AAALAC acreditation to CIC biomaGUNE's animal facilities
- Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence
- Singular Scientifica and Technical Infrastructure (Molecular & Functional Imaging Unit)
- Certification of CIC biomaGUNE's RD&I management system according to UNE 166002:2021
CIC biomaGUNE is member of the following networks and alliances:
- BRTA - Basque Research and Technology Alliance - https://www.brta.eus/
- Fotónica21 - Plataforma tecnológica española de fotónica - http://www.fotonica21.org/en
- MATERPLAT - Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials Spanish Technological Platform - http://materplat.org/
- NANOMED - Plataforma Española de Nanomedicina - http://nanomedspain.net/
- ReDIB - Red Distribuida de imagen biomédica - http://www.redib.net/
- CIC Network - Asoc. Red de Centros de Investigación Cooperativa del País Vasco - http://cicnetwork.es/
- Basque Health Cluster - https://basquehealthcluster.org/en/
CIC biomaGUNE
CIC biomaGUNE
Contact Person
Marcos Simon
Equipment
Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility
Housed within 900 m2, the Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility at CIC biomaGUNE is an integrated bioimaging structure that offers state-of-the-art preclinical imaging instrumentation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI ) and Optical/Fluorescence Imaging. I t includes a fully equipped radiochemistry laboratory with a biomedical cyclotron, advanced microscopy equipment, a dedicated animal housing facility for rodents which holds AAALAC accreditation, and complementary equipment including gamma spectrometry and autoradiography.
Technological platforms
Managed by specialized Platform Managers, provide technical and scientific support to the research activities conducted at CIC biomaGUNE. They include the following state-of-the-art research infrastructures:
NuclearMagnetic Resonance (NMR) – 500MHz NMR: Provides essential service for the characterization of molecules with biological activity, from complex glycans to molecules used in the design of nanostructures for biomedical applications.
Electron Microscopy – SEM-EDX, TEM – 120 keV and 200 keV: Offers techniques to study nanoparticles and biological or soft polymer materials (cryo-TEM) at the micrometer and nanometer scale to determine the materials dimensions, shape and composition.
Mass Spectrometry – MALDI-TOF, ICP-MS: Provides several high quality mass spectrometry techniques for the analysis of small molecules, complex biomolecules and nanomaterials. The platform is equipped with modern instrumentation and offers different ionization techniques.
Surface Analysis and Fabrication – XPS, 3 x AFM, sputtering: Focuses on the analysis of materials at the surface level , including spectroscopic and microscopic techniques especially suited to surfaces. The platform offers also a deposition service of thin layers for control led manufacture at the nanoscale.
Optical Spectroscopy and Imaging – 2 x Confocal, Confocal-Raman, UV-VIS-NIR, FlowCytometer, Cell
Observer, CD, DLS, DCS, TGA: Offers a wide variety of techniques for the spectroscopic characterization of biomaterials and biosurfaces. Also included are optical microscopy techniques (confocal , Raman, etc.) that allow to investigate the interaction of nanomaterials with cel lular systems of diverse complexity.
Services
CIC biomaGUNE offers a wide range of services to industry and to SMEs in particular. We proudly make use of our first class infrastructure to support competitiveness and innovation in companies by providing them with front edge technology and research services.
We offer standardised services of materials characterisation, specially at the nanometer scale, by applying a wide range of physicochemical techniques with sophisticated equipment, and pre-clinical studies of biodistribution, toxicity and performance of drugs and medical devices through our Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility. Additionally, we offer our expertise to design and produce nanomaterials, such as plasmonic or active nanoparticles, and nanostructured surfaces.
Besides, a wide range of customised research services are available through our research groups to solve innovation or product development needs:
- Biomolecular nanotechnology
- Bionanoplasmonics
- Radiochemistry & nuclear imaging
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Soft matter nanotechnology
- Glycotechnology
- Carbon bionanotechnology
- Molecular and functional biomarkers
- Regenerative medicine & disease models
- Heterogeneous biocatalysis
- Hybrid biofunctional materials
- Services Link
- Service catalogue - CIC biomaGUNE
Activities
Additive manufacturing Advanced Materials Electronic and optical functional materials Industrial materials (incl. catalysts, membranes, adhesives, filters) Surface engineering and coatings Industrial Biotech Biobased chemicals Enzymes Nanotechnology Nanoemulsions and pigments Nanomedicine Nanomembranes Nanoparticles Nanowires and tubes Nanostructured coatings 2D materials Laser based applications Optical components & systemsOther activities
Molecular imaging
Pre-clinical studies