Miramon 194
Gipuzkoa Science & Technology Park
20014 San Sebastian Guipúzcoa
Spain
The Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials - CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit research organization specialised in Molecular imaging, Regenerative medicine and Nanotechnology, located in the Science and Technology Park of Gipuzkoa (San Sebastian, Spain).
A key element to the center's mission is its commitment to support competitiveness of SMEs through the provision of research and technology services supported by our research groups and technological platforms.
The activity of CIC biomaGUNE is conducted by a team of 12 international and dynamic research groups, which develop high- level research at the interface between chemistry, physics and biology, with particular emphasis on the properties and applications of nanostructures at the biomolecular level. The final aim of CIC biomaGUNE’s research is to contribute to understanding the way in which biological systems interact with nanometer- sized materials, at the molecular level.
The center counts with a unique research infrastructure equipped with the most advanced nanoscience, biochemistry and molecular imaging facilities, including fully equipped research laboratories, Technological Platforms and the Molecular Imaging Facility, one of the biggest preclinical imaging research infrastructures in Europe.
CIC biomaGUNE has obtained national and international recognition as a scientific leader and knowledge builder in the field of biomaterials. Among other achievements, our activity has resulted in the generation of knowledge (publications, patents, PhD theses) the internationalization of research through collaboration with international bodies and institutions, as well as opening our facilities to the scientific community and the industrial sector.
In 2018 CIC biomaGUNE earned the accreditation as a “María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence”- the highest recognition of scientific excellence in Spain awarded by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI).
Accreditations:
AAALAC acreditation to CIC biomaGUNE's animal facilities
Maria de Maeztu Unit of Excellence
Singular Scientifica and Technical Infrastructure (Molecular & Functional Imaging Unit)
Certification of CIC biomaGUNE's RD&I management system according to UNE 166002:2014
CIC biomaGUNE is member of the following networks and alliances:
BRTA - Basque Research and Technology Alliance - https://www.brta.eus/
Fotónica21 - Plataforma tecnológica española de fotónica - http://www.fotonica21.org/en
MATERPLAT - Advanced Materials and Nanomaterials Spanish Technological Platform - http://materplat.org/
NANOMED - Plataforma Española de Nanomedicina - http://nanomedspain.net/
ReDIB - Red Distribuida de imagen biomédica - http://www.redib.net/
CIC Network - Asoc. Red de Centros de Investigación Cooperativa del País Vasco - http://cicnetwork.es/
SOMMA - The ‘Severo Ochoa’ Centres and ‘María de Maeztu’ Units of Excellence Alliance - https://www.somma.es
CIC biomaGUNE
CIC biomaGUNE
Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility
Housed within 900 m2, the Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility at CIC biomaGUNE is an integrated bioimaging structure that offers state-of-the-art preclinical imaging instrumentation in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI ), Optical/Fluorescence and Ultrasound (US) Imaging. I t includes a fully equipped radiochemistry laboratory with a biomedical cyclotron, advanced microscopy equipment, a dedicated animal housing facility for rodents which holds AAALAC accreditation, and complementary equipment including gamma spectrometry and autoradiography.
Technological platforms
Managed by specialized Platform Managers, provide technical and scientific support to the research activities conducted at CIC biomaGUNE. They include the following state-of-the-art research infrastructures:
NuclearMagnetic Resonance (NMR) – 500MHz NMR: Provides essential service for the characterization of molecules with biological activity, from complex glycans to molecules used in the design of nanostructures for biomedical appl ications.
Electron Microscopy – SEM-EDX, TEM – 120 keV and 200 keV: Offers techniques to study nanoparticles and biological or soft polymer materials (cryo-TEM) at the micrometer and nanometer scale to determine the materials dimensions, shape and composition.
Mass Spectrometry – MALDI-TOF, ICP-MS: Provides several high qual ity mass spectrometry techniques for the analysis of smal l molecules, complex biomolecules and nanomaterials. The platform is equipped with modern instrumentation and offers different ionization techniques.
Surface analysis and Fabrication – XPS, 3 x AFM, sputtering: Focuses on the analysis of materials at the surface level , including spectroscopic and microscopic techniques especial ly suited to surfaces. The platform offers also a deposition service of thin layers for control led manufacture at the nanoscale.
Colloidal Nanofabrication: Within the priority area of biofunctional nanomaterials and nanomedicine, colloidal synthesis plays an essential role. This platform provides knowledge, training and service for the manufacture of nanoparticles with a wide variety of compositions and morphologies.
Optical Spectroscopy & Imaging – 2 x Confocal, Confocal-Raman, UV-VIS-NIR, FlowCytometer, Cell
Observer, CD, DLS, DCS, ITC, TGA, SPR: Offers a wide variety of techniques for the spectroscopic characterization of biomaterials and biosurfaces. Also included are optical microscopy techniques (confocal , Raman, etc.) that al low to investigate the interaction of nanomaterials with cel lular systems of diverse complexity.
CIC biomaGUNE offers a wide range of services to industry and to SMEs in particular. We proudly make use of our first class infrastructure to support competitiveness and innovation in companies by providing them with front edge technology and research services.
We offer standardised services of materials characterisation, specially at the nanometer scale, by applying a wide range of physicochemical techniques with sophisticated equipment, and pre-clinical studies of biodistribution, toxicity and performance of drugs and medical devices through our Molecular and Functional Imaging Facility. Additionally, we offer our expertise to design and produce nanomaterials, such as plasmonic or active nanoparticles, and nanostructured surfaces.
Besides, a wide range of customised research services are available through our research groups to solve innovation or product development needs.
Pre-clinical studies