Jesús M. de la Fuente Lab

Overview

Jesús M. de la Fuente leads Bionanosurf’s functional nanoparticle research. His work focuses on how magnetic and plasmonic nanostructures interact with complex biological environments, enabling targeted delivery, remote actuation and ultrasensitive diagnostics. The lab bridges fundamental nanomaterial design with biomedical relevance and translational pathways.

Biography & Career

Began PhD work around 1999 (Global Young Academy profile) before moving to the University of Glasgow’s Centre for Cell Engineering to explore nanoparticle–cell interactions and early biomedical nanotechnologies. In June 2007 he secured a permanent ARAID senior researcher post at INMA (CSIC–Unizar) and later became a CSIC Research Professor. He also co-founded Nanoimmunotech S.L., translating nanoparticle immunotechnologies into industrial solutions.

Research Programme

Functional nanoconjugates – Integrating polymers, ligands, siRNA, peptides and biomolecules to create targeted, multifunctional nanoparticles.
Magnetic nanoactuation – Designing magnetic nanoparticles that produce localised heating to modulate enzymes, receptors and cellular pathways.
Plasmonic biosensing – Engineering gold-based nanostructures and surfaces for heat-based readouts, calorimetry and femtomolar detection.
Bio–nano interfaces – Understanding how surface functionalisation determines biological response, stability, biodistribution and therapeutic effect.

Selected Achievements

ERC Starting Grant: NANOPUZZLE (2010–2015) – Modular assemblies for functional nanoparticles.
Member of the Global Young Academy (2014–2019) and the Academia Joven de España.
Published 150+ journal articles and named on multiple international patents spanning nanomedicine, magnetism and biosensing.

Selected Projects

NANOPUZZLE (ERC) — Modular assemblies for nanoparticle building blocks.
HEATOOLS — Magnetic nanoparticle systems for remote actuation.
Additional national and European collaborations on biosensing, magnetic hyperthermia and diagnostic platforms.

Infrastructure & Methods

The lab uses synthesis and biofunctionalisation facilities, magnetic hyperthermia/magnetometry setups, plasmonic spectroscopy and calorimetry, plus INMA’s shared cleanrooms, microfabrication tools and microscopy suites.

Contact

Address: Edificio I+D+i. C/ Mariano Esquillor, 50018, Zaragoza.

Phone: 976 76 10 00; ext: 842982

Email: jmfuente@unizar.es

Web: Google Scholar

CVN: Jesús Martínez de la Fuente

CVA: Jesús Martínez de la Fuente

Lab quick facts

Role: Founder & CSIC researcher at INMA (CSIC–Unizar)

ORCID: 0000-0003-1081-8482

Focus: Functional nanoparticles, drug delivery, plasmonic biosensing

Recognition: ERC Starting Grant NANOPUZZLE (2010–2015)

Research lines

Multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles Designing smart nanoconjugates integrating targeting ligands, therapeutic cargo and responsive coatings for controlled delivery.

Plasmonic biosensing platforms Developing biofunctional surfaces and plasmonic transducers for ultrasensitive molecular diagnostics.