Jesús M. de la Fuente Lab
Functional nanoparticles, biofunctional surfaces, and translational nanomedicine.
Lab summary
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.
Team
Carlos Cuestas
Post doc
Liliane Beola
Post doc
Nicolás Casinelli
Ingeniero Superior
Zsuzsa Baranyai
Post doc
Africa Garcia
Post doc
Marina Garcia
Francesca Busolari
Pre doc
Antonio Luna
Pre doc
Natalia Esteban
Pre doc
Marcos Orduña
Pre doc
Adrián Pardos
Técnico de I+D
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
- ORCID: 0000-0003-1081-8482
- Role: Founder & CSIC researcher at INMA (CSIC–Unizar)
- 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.
Selected projects
- ERC NANOPUZZLE Key ERC Starting Grant on modular nanoparticle assemblies.
- National HEATOOLS programmes Magnetic nanoparticle systems for remote actuation and hyperthermia.
- Activación de enzimas mediante calentamiento local inducido por nanopartículas para aplicaciones biomédicas (ACTENZYMES) PID2020-118485RB-I00, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). PIs: Jesús M. de la Fuente and Valeria Grazú. 2021-2025, 250,000 EUR.
- Biocatálisis Termo-Activada por Nanoactuación BIO2017-84246-C2-1-R. PI: Jesús M. de la Fuente; co-PI: Valeria Grazú. 2018-2021.
Latest publications
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Gold Nanoparticles Enhance Radiosensitivity in Glioblastoma CellsACS Omega · March 31, 2026
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Controlled release of glucocorticoid via PLGA nanoparticles for modulating macrophage polarization in inflammation situationsNanoscale Horizons · January 1, 2026
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Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Demonstrates In Vitro Chitosan-Coated Nanocapsules Suitability for Intranasal Brain DeliveryACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · May 7, 2025
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Protein corona as the key factor governing the in vivo fate of magnetic nanoparticlesBiomaterials Science · January 1, 2025
Instrumentation & methods
- Nanoparticle synthesis and surface functionalisation suites
- Magnetic hyperthermia and mechanobiology testbeds
- Plasmonic spectroscopy and calorimetric biosensing setups
- Shared INMA cleanroom and microfabrication facilities