The Bionanosurf group was created in 2007 by Dr. Jesús Martínez de la Fuente and belongs to the Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), a joint Institute between the CSIC and the University of Zaragoza.
Bionanosurf is an interdisciplinary team of researchers comprising 20 full-time members (8 postdocs + 10 Ph.D.s + 2 technicians) of all genders and with expertise in physics, biochemistry, chemistry, biotechnology and other relevant areas for the research and development in many areas, such as biosensors, gene therapy, magnetism, photochemistry, surface chemistry and molecular metal oxides, among others. The multi-disciplinary nature of our members facilitates research and development in many areas, including biosensors, gene therapy, magnetism, photochemistry, surface chemistry and molecular metal oxides, among others. As a collective, we have a vast amount of experience in the synthesis and characterization of novel nanomaterials and their subsequent biofunctionalization for the use and development of next generation nanobiosensors and nanotherapeutics. One of the keys to our success to date is that we actively collaborate with groups worldwide in order to expand our horizons and maximize the chances of applying our novel synthetic methodologies to real-world issues, most specifically in the field of medicine.
Our research lines are:
Molecular diagnosis and biosensors: we are focused on finding new biomarkers for the detection and monitoring of cancer treatments, as well as on the search of new transduction systems and new molecular imaging techniques using nanoparticles as core element.
Nanotherapeutics conjugates and drug delivery systems: our research focuses on the development of advanced therapies, particularly against cancer and tuberculosis, based on the rational design of new multifunctional nanoconjugates. These nanoconjugates consist of the incorporation of biomolecules able to vectorize these nanoparticles, active biomolecules focused on antitumoral drugs and antibiotics, and more complex active biomolecules as siRNA. We are working on new therapies using the physical properties of gold and magnetic nanoparticles to be used as tumor drugs delivery systems and ablation (optic or thermal).