IBUB

Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona

Drug and target discovery for biomedical science

The Institute of Biomedicine of the University of Barcelona (IBUB) is a transversal research unit formed by some 40 groups from the Faculties of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy and Food Sciences. The IBUB was created in 2006 with the aim of identifying, beyond the traditional academic structures (departments and faculties), a set of laboratories with complementary scientific activity, capable of generating synergies.

Technology Transfer Opportunities

One of the key strengths of IBUB is its ability to successfully transfer knowledge to society

Projects

314

Research groups

40

Publications

725

Research

The Institute of Biomedicine brings together highly qualified biomedical research personnel working in groups renowned for their excellence, and its founding collective’s indicators in scientific production and the raising of resources testify to the IBUB’s benchmark status in biomedical research in both Catalonia and the rest of Europe.

Research Programs

IBUB is comprised of research groups actively coordinated in the form of differents programs and nodes

Research Groups

IBUB consists of different specialized research groups

Seminars

Advanced MRI measures in adults with Down syndrome: Characterization and relationship to inflammation and cognitive function

Katherine Koenig; Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (USA)

Date

November 4, 2025

Time

15:00h

Place

Aula CRAI, Fac. Biology

Electrochemical Sensing of Oxygen Species for Biomedical and Bioanalytical Applications

Kaoru Hiramoto; Tohoku University

Date

October 29, 2025

Time

13:00h

Place

Aula 16, Biology

Redesigning the bioisosteric tool: targeting hDHODH and other fluorescent stories

Marco L. Lolli, UNITO

Date

September 29, 2025

Time

12:30h

Place

A3, Pharmacy

Article of the month

Pedro Medina, Modesto Orozco, Montserrat Terrazas

Journal of Medicinal Chemistry

Dually Decorated Palmitate-Containing Lipid Nanoparticles for the Targeted Delivery of siRNAs against HER2 and Hsp27 in HER2+ Breast Cancer

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have enabled significant advances in oligonucleotide (ON) therapeutics, resulting in the approval of the short interfering RNA (siRNA)-based formulation Onpattro. However, achieving cell-specific delivery remains challenging. We have developed palmitate-containing ionizable LNPs functionalized with (i) octreotide (Oct), targeting somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2)-expressing tumor cells, and (ii) penetratin (RK16), enhancing intracellular uptake. This dually decorated LNP codelivered two siRNAs targeting tumor-promoting genes (heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)) into HER2+ breast cancer cells, demonstrating strong potential for combinatorial therapies. Oct conferred high selectivity toward SSTR2-overexpresing HER2+ breast cancer cells, even in heterogeneous environments containing nontumor cells. RK16 enhanced intracellular delivery and cytotoxicity against tumor cells compared to nonfunctionalized LNPs. Overall, our results support the potential use of this novel LNP formulation in ON-based targeted therapies. By altering the targeting peptide and siRNA combination, it could be adapted for diverse tumors and combination treatments. Additionally, palmitic acid inclusion further enhanced cytotoxicity in palmitate-sensitive cells, offering additional therapeutic advantages.

Announcements

END – Travel grant to participate in the 15th Summer School on Medicines, SSM15 in Montreal from July 5 to 11, 2025

Data límit

June 2025

MCP Lab offers a predoctoral contract associated with a project of the AGAUR Program “Indústria del Coneixement”

Data límit

20/1/2024 - Send CV and motivation letter

Contact

Institut de Biomedicina de la Universitat de Barcelona, IBUB

Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular

Facultat de Biologia / Secretaria IBUB & Bioinformàtica
Avda. Diagonal, 643
Edifici Prevosti, planta -1
08028 Barcelona

+34 606 14 87 72
ibub@ub.edu

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