Grupo DGA Bionanosurf
Bionanosurf is a research group at INMA (CSIC–Unizar) dedicated to the design, functionalisation, characterisation and preclinical validation of nanotechnologies aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Our work spans from molecular design and materials engineering to translational pipelines with clinical and industrial collaborators.
Laboratories and collaborators
Permanent researchers lead complementary laboratories covering nanoconjugates, biofunctionalisation, mechanobiology, supramolecular chemistry, magnetic nanomedicine and advanced biosensing. Their teams integrate physicists, chemists, biologists and engineers working together within INMA and with international partners.
Research Highlights
The group’s activity is organised into four axes that reflect a complete research pathway—from synthesis and biofunctionalisation to validation and transfer.
Axis A
Multifunctional nanoconjugates based on natural and synthetic polymers engineered to transport antibiotics, siRNA, antimicrobial peptides or inorganic nanoparticles. These systems target infections such as tuberculosis, as well as pancreatic and colon cancer and specific rare diseases.
Learn about controlled deliveryAxis B
Magnetic nanoparticles capable of generating heat under external fields to modulate enzymes, receptors and cellular pathways. These systems support controlled release, mechanobiological studies and remote actuation strategies relevant to oncology and biosensing.
View magnetic actuator studiesAxis C
Lateral-flow and calorimetric biosensing platforms that use plasmonic nanoparticles to achieve femtomolar sensitivity. Applications include liquid biopsy approaches for early pancreatic cancer detection and point-of-care diagnostics for respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza and RSV.
Dive into biosensingAxis D
Protocols aligned with GLP/GMP principles and shared processes that connect INMA infrastructures, materials characterisation, biological testing and regulatory knowledge. These frameworks support the safe, efficient and reproducible transfer of nanoformulations and medical nanodevices.
See translational standardsCapabilities
Bionanosurf integrates nanomaterial synthesis, surface chemistry, magnetic and optical characterisation, biological testing and translational workflows. This combination enables iterative development between design, experimental validation and preclinical assessment across the four axes.
Advanced characterisation
Magnetic, optical and structural methods to connect nanoparticle properties with biological performance.
Biological validation
In vitro and in vivo studies assessing biodistribution, hyperthermia efficacy and extracellular matrix responses.
Data and quality workflows
Documentation and practices aligned with GLP/GMP that support translational collaborations.
Magnetic nanoparticle workflows
• Sample synthesis suites for polymers, ferrites, and hybrid nanoparticles.
• Instrument racks for magnetometry, calorimetry, and optical sensing.
• Collaboration spaces for bio, chem, physics, and data teams.
Contact
Whether you are preparing a research proposal, developing a diagnostic method or exploring partnerships in nanomedicine and biosensing, the group coordinates collaboratively across laboratories.
Contact coordination team