Ferrán Nadeu

Afiliación:

Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona

Título:

An evolutionary journey across the CLL course

Abstract:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a malignancy of CD5+ B cells, the most common adult leukemia in Western countries, incurable, and characterized by a high biological and clinical heterogeneity. CLL is also a unique model that allows to study cancer from an evolutionary perspective. Increasing evidence suggests that CLL may originate from oligo- or multiclonal expansions, seeding multiple, potentially independent leukemic clones. Despite this initial diversity, most patients ultimately show dominance of a single clone, which drives disease progression and underlies the clinical diagnosis. After diagnosis, the clinical course varies widely. Some patients experience indolent, stable disease for years, whereas others show rapid progression requiring early treatment. In 5-10% of cases, CLL transforms into an aggressive lymphoma, usually diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a process known as Richter transformation, conferring a dismal prognosis. This talk will explore how single cell genomics –including targeted single-cell DNA-seq, single-cell whole genome sequencing, and single-cell RNA-seq– provides new insights into the origin and evolutionary trajectories of CLL.

Paula Gómez Sotres

Afiliación:

Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)

Título:

Olfactory bulb astrocytes link social transmission of stress to cognitive adaptation in male mice

Abstract:

Emotions and behavior can be affected by social chemosignals from conspecifics. For instance, olfactory signals from stressed individuals induce stress-like physiological and synaptic changes in naïve partners. Direct stress also alters cognition, but the impact of socially transmitted stress on memory processes is currently unknown. Our research shows that exposure to chemosignals produced by stressed individuals is sufficient to impair memory retrieval in unstressed male mice. This requires astrocyte control of information in the olfactory bulb mediated by mitochondria-associated CB1 receptors (mtCB1). Targeted genetic manipulations, in vivo Ca2+ imaging and behavioral analyses reveal that mtCB1-dependent control of mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics is necessary to process olfactory information from stressed partners and to define their cognitive consequences. Thus, olfactory bulb astrocytes provide a link between social odors and their behavioral meaning.

Agustin Mihi

Afiliation:

ICMAB CSIC, Barcelona

Title:

Nanoimprinted Chiral Photonic Architectures for Circularly Polarized Photoluminescence

Abstract:

Soft nanoimprinting lithography (soft NIL) is a versatile, rapid, and cost-efficient method for crafting nanostructures from a diverse variety of materials. In soft NIL, we make use of pre-patterned soft elastomeric stamps to fabricate photonic structures out of materials such as resists, biopolymers, colloids and nanomaterials in general. In all cases, the resulting photonic architectures can exhibit a resolution below 100 nm while covering areas up to 1 cm2. During this presentation, I will demonstrate our utilization of pre-patterned stamps to induce the long-range alignment of different colloids, including metal colloids and perovskite nanocrystals, to attain distinct optical properties, such as lattice resonances with high Q-factors. Moreover, I will showcase how elastomeric molds pre-patterned with chiral motifs can lead to chiral 2D arrays, exhibiting strong circular dichroism and intense circularly polarized photoluminescence (CPL) combined with a wide range of emitters, making them seamlessly applicable in various practical applications.

Mónica Giménez

Afiliation:

ICMOL, Universitat de València, Valenciaa

Title:

Engineering biohybrid porous structures at the nanoscale for advanced functionalities

Abstract:

Hybrid nanostructures with specific composition and arrangement represent an important source of materials for advanced functionalities. Such useful structural diversity can be gathered at the nanoscale by assembly of molecular constituents with intrinsic complexity such as metal-organic frameworks, or by combination with other nanoparticles or biomolecules. This versatile, bottom-up chemistry has led to a variety of MOF-based hybrids with tailored chemical composition and hierarchical organization.

The specific features of these hybrid nanostructures make them very promising architectures to advances in biotechnological or biomedical uses. As an example, the integration of biomacromolecules within MOFs has proved convenient to stabilize fragile biological entities allowing triggered release and retaining their activity after exposure to denaturing environments.[1] This process, often achieved through biomolecule-driven MOF mineralization, relies on mild synthetic conditions and favorable biomolecule–MOF interfacial interactions. The resulting frameworks not only broaden the structural diversity of biohybrids but also unveil previously inaccessible functionalities arising from their distinct compositions and architectures.

In this contribution, we will cover the detailed synthetic strategy and proposed mechanism in the formation of representative MOF-biomolecule biohybrid structures. We will discuss the interaction at the interface between host and guest with the aim to rationalise the superior performances observed in the biohybrids as compared to their individual constituents.[2-4] This contribution highlights the importance of framework diversification as a pathway to tailor hierarchical organization and unlock novel properties in biomolecule–MOF nanohybrids.

References [1] Abánades Lázaro, I.; Chen, X.; Ding, M.; Eskandari, A.; Fairen-Jimenez, D.; Giménez-Marqués, M.; Gref, R.; Lin, W.; Luo T.; Forgan, R. S.; Metal–organic frameworks for biological applications. Nat Rev Methods Primers 4, 42, 2024. [2] Cases Díaz, J., Lozano-Torres, B., and Giménez-Marqués, M. Boosting Protein Encapsulation through Lewis-Acid-Mediated Metal–Organic Framework Mineralization: Toward Effective Intracellular Delivery. Chem. Mater. 34, 17, 7817, 2022. [3] Cases Díaz, J.; Glatz, J.; Salinas Uber, J.; Talens Perales, D.; Polaina Molina, J.; Giménez-Marqués, M. Channel-Directed Enzymatic Depolymerization within a Metal–Organic Framework. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 17, 20, 29729, 2025. [4] Cases Díaz, J.; Glatz, J.; Merced Olivas, E.; Pons, R.; Patterson, J.P.; Giménez-Marqués, M.; Direct Synthesis of High-Valence Protein@UiO-66 Composites: Linking Crystallization Pathways to Protein Encapsulation, Advanced Materials, 2026, DOI: 10.1002/adma.202521603.

Gustavo Fernández

Afiliation:

University of Münster, Münster

Title:

(Aza)BODIPY Dye Assemblies: From Controlled Self-Assembly to Bioimaging

Abstract:

Supramolecular self-assembly offers a powerful bottom-up strategy to engineer functional nanostructures with emergent optical and biomedical properties.1 In this context, (aza)BODIPY dyes constitute a versatile platform owing to their outstanding photophysical properties, synthetic modularity and chemical robustness.2 While BODIPYs have traditionally been studied as molecular fluorophores, our work has established their self-assembly in solution as a versatile platform to control supramolecular packing, excitonic coupling, aggregate morphology, and emergent function across multiple length scales..3 In this lecture, I will present our recent advances in the controlled self-assembly of BODIPY-based systems,3 with particular emphasis on the interplay between molecular design, supramolecular organization, aggregate morphology, and emergent biomedical function (Scheme 1).4 Illustrative examples will demonstrate the potential of these assemblies for multimodal bioimaging applications at the interface of supramolecular chemistry, photonics, and biomedicine.

1. Antonia Albers, Max Masthoff, Gustavo Fernández, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2026, e25491. 2. Z. Chen, Z. Chen, Org. Chem. Front. 2023, 10, 2581-2602. 3. (a) Z. Fernández, M. Parashar, R. M. Veedu, S. Baumert, L. Rubert, B. Soberats, S. Balasubramanian, G. Fernández, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202520168; (b) A. Albers, S. Baumert, C. G. Daniliuc, G. Fernández, ChemistryEurope 2025, e202500253; (c) R. M. Veedu, N. Niemeyer, N. Bäumer, K. K. Kalathil, J. Neugebauer, G. Fernández, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, e202314211; (d) B. Matarranz, S. Díaz-Cabrera, G. Ghosh, I. Carreira-Barral, B. Soberats, M. García-Valverde, R. Quesada, G. Fernandez, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2023, e202218555; (e) I. Helmers, M. S. Hossain, N. Bäumer, P. Wesarg, B. Soberats, L. S. Shimizu, G. Fernández, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2022, e202200390; (f) I. Helmers, G. Ghosh, R. Q. Albuquerque, G. Fernández, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 4368-4376.

Juan José Lasarte

Afiliation:

Programa de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia, Centro de Investigación Médica Aplicada, CIMA, Pamplona

Title:

Outside the Box, Inside the Stroma: Targeting Non-Tumor Antigens and Metabolic Barriers to Boost CAR-T Therapy

Abstract:

Over the past decade, the rapid advancement of immunotherapy, particularly adoptive cell therapy, has represented a major breakthrough in the treatment of various hematological malignancies. However, translating this clinical success to solid tumors remains a formidable challenge. The action of the immune system is severely hindered by a hostile microenvironment characterized by a complex extracellular matrix, aberrant vasculature, oxygen deprivation, tissue acidification, and nutrient depletion. In addition to these physical and metabolic barriers, high tumor heterogeneity poses a significant hurdle for the development of targeted immunotherapies.

In this talk, we will explore "outside the box" alternatives in the search for novel antigens, focusing on cellular stress as an antigenic source and examining the extracellular matrix components shared across multiple tumor types. Furthermore, we will discuss genetic modification strategies designed to engineer lymphocytes capable of surviving in these acidic, nutrient-deprived environments. Finally, we will analyze the composition of the tumor interstitial fluid as an additional driver of immunosuppression and evaluate prospective therapeutic alternatives. Ultimately, these innovative modifications could bridge the gap, turning the application of cellular therapies for solid tumors into a clinical reality.

Paula Carpintero

Afiliation:

Soon

Bio:

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the Universidade da Coruña (2011), she subsequently obtained a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Assistance and Research (2012) and a PhD in Health Sciences (2025) from the same institution. Upon completing her academic training, she moved to London to begin her postdoctoral research career at Queen Mary University of London, where she conducted her scientific work for three years

In 2019, she returned to Galicia through the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program of the Xunta de Galicia, joining the research group led by Dr. Mayán. During this period, she continued developing her postdoctoral career, first at the A Coruña Biomedical Research Institute (INIBIC) and later at the Center for Research in Nanomaterials and Biomedicina (CINBIO) at the Universidade de Vigo, participating in research projects linked to biomedicine, molecular biology, and translational medicine.

Since November 2025, she has been part of the Business Development Department at the CETIM Technological Centre. In this role, she plays a key part in preparing R&D&i proposals, contributing to the identification of funding opportunities and the creation of multidisciplinary consortia comprising companies, technology centers, universities, and other stakeholders within the innovation ecosystem. Furthermore, she provides institutional representation for the organization at conferences, scientific events, and outreach activities, boosting CETIM’s visibility, fostering strategic alliances, and generating new opportunities for collaboration.

Celina Costas

Afiliation:

CINBIO, UVigo & CIC biomaGUNE

Bio:

Celina Costas es doctora en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular por la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela y posee un M.S. (Master of Science) en Bioquímica por la Universidad de Oklahoma (EE.UU.). Tras desarrollar su trayectoria investigadora en centros internacionales como el Barts Cancer Institute de Londres y el Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), donde fue receptora de ayudas postdoctorales del programa Juan de la Cierva y JaeDoc del CSIC, orientó su carrera profesional hacia el ámbito de la innovación, la transferencia tecnológica y la comunicación científica.

Ha trabajado en proyectos de divulgación y comunicación de la ciencia junto a Eduardo Punset en la Fundación Eduardo Punset, participando en iniciativas orientadas a acercar la ciencia al público general.

Desde hace casi una década, desarrolla actividades de gestión de I+D+i, coordinación de proyectos de investigación y transferencia científica en el sector biotecnológico, la nanotecnología y aplicaciones biomédicas, tanto en centros tecnológicos y de investigación privados como en el sector público.

Su experiencia combina investigación académica, innovación aplicada, comunicación científica y colaboración con empresas, aportando una visión transversal sobre las oportunidades profesionales más allá de la carrera académica tradicional.

Cecilia Marino Cabaleiro

Afiliation:

Zendal

Bio: