It is time to say goodbye to Dr. Stefania Pellegrini after one year working with us.

It has been a present to have you in the group. We wish you all the best in the future.

May the microfluidics by with you!!

We are happy to welcome Prof. Swaminathan Rajaraman from University of Central Florida, USA to our group.

Prof. Rajaraman is in a sabbatical period at the Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU. What a great opportunity to work together on new ideas in micro and nano-scale technologies for life sciences.

See more details of a brief group introduction by Prof. Rajaraman in the CECS virtual seminar in Feb 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RjHKES6V9g

Congratulations Sergi and Sandra! your article "A physiological Perspective of the Relevance of Sweat Biomarkers and their Detection by Wearable Microfluidic Technology: a Review" was highlighted as a front cover in the Volume 1327.

What a great achivement!

The XI International Congress on Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (XI NyNA 2024) took place in Santiago de Compostela (Spain), from the 3rd to the 6th, September 2024.

The Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU was part of it, with a plenary talk: Microfluidics to Enhanced the Use of Nanomaterials as Chemical and Biological Sensors, by Prof. Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts; and an oral presentation: Design of a Solution-Based System Using RNAzyme Technology for Detection and Quantification of miRNA as Stress Response Indicator, by Prof. Fernando Benito-Lopez.

Both communications were very well received by the public and the congress has been an excellent opportunity to exchange and discuss ideas with high-level colleagues in the area of Analytical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, fostering potential networking.

Laura Lartitegui Elorza, Mikel Díez Bravo and Xabi Arciniega Guinea defended their Degree Thesis last week. We can proudly say: Congratulations to the new chemists!

All the best for your new time out of UPV/EHU wherever it is!

Laura Lartitegui Elorza: Chip-on-a-cup: Fabrication of a microfluidic device adaptable to night-life glasses for the naked-eye detection of ketamine.

Mikel Díez Bravo: Microestructuras de ionogeles combinados con patrones celulares a través de litografía de impresión y vacío

Xabi Arciniega Guinea: Desarrollo de un sensor para la detección y cuantificación de la microsecuencia ARN-408.

Congratulations Jon! a new publication from your PhD. A wonderful review entitled Current Challenges in the Development of Platelet-Rich Plasma-Based Therapies by Jon Mercader-Ruiz, Maider Beitia, Diego Delgado, Pello Sánchez, Begoña Porras, Irene Gimeno, Sergio González, Fernando Benito-Lopez, Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts and Mikel Sánchez was published in Biomed Res. Int. from Wiley publisher.

The review covers different novel PRP-obtaining methods that attempt to modify the molecular composition of the plasma.

Lourdes and Fernando recently embarked on a productive visit to Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, further solidifying the ongoing collaboration between their institution and the prestigious university. Hosted by the renowned research groups of Assitant Profs. Larisa Florea and Colm Delaney, the visit served as a key opportunity for both knowledge exchange and future planning.

During their time at Trinity, Lourdes and Fernando delivered two insightful seminars, showcasing their latest research and findings. These presentations not only highlighted the innovative work being conducted but also sparked dynamic discussions on current and potential future collaborations.

It was an absolute pleasure to visit and witness firsthand the impressive work being done. We look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership with Trinity College Dublin.

The visit marks another milestone in the ongoing collaboration, promising exciting developments in the near future.

Thanks Colm and Larisa!

Lourdes and Fernando visitied the laboratories of TE connectivity (Microliquid) in Arrasate-Mondragón.

It was a great opportunity to show the work we do in our laboraories. Lourdes gave a presentation and then we had the opportunity to visit all the laboratories.

Thanks for the great visit and we are looking forward to continue our collaborations!

Congratulations Sandra and Sergi, your review paper entitle: "A physiological perspective of the relevance of sweat biomarkers and their detection by wearable microfluidic technology: a Review" by Sergi Cinca-Morros, Sandra Garcia-Rey, Jesús Álvarez-Herms, Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts and Fernando Benito-Lopez   present a critical and meaningful insight into the real applicability and potential use of wearable technology for improving health and sport performance. It also discusses the current limitations and future challenges of microfluidics, aiming to provide accurate information about the actual needs in this field. This work is expected to contribute to the future development of more suitable wearable microfluidic technology for health and sports science monitoring, using sweat as the biofluid for analysis.

What a lovely day we all had in Zumaia last 11th of July!!

It was a great opportunity to know more about the research we are all performing and then we have wonderful time all together visiting the Flysch landscape.

Enrique Azuaje and Juncal Alonso have recently published a review paper in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry IF:3.8.

The title of the review is "Integration of Secreted Signaling Molecules Sensing on Cell Monitoring Platforms: A Critical Review" by Enrique Azuaje-Hualde, Juncal A. Alonso-Cabrera, Marian M. de Pancorbo, Fernando Benito-Lopez, and Lourdes Basabe-Desmonts.

Abstract: Monitoring cell secretion in complex microenvironments is crucial for understanding cellular behavior and advancing physiological and pathological research. While traditional cell culture methods, including organoids and spheroids, provide valuable models, real-time monitoring of cell secretion of signaling molecules remains challenging. Integrating advanced monitoring technologies into these systems often disrupts the delicate balance of the microenvironment, making it difficult to achieve sensitivity and specificity. This review explored recent strategies for integrating the monitoring of cell secretion of signaling molecules, crucial for understanding and replicating cell microenvironments, within cell culture platforms, addressing challenges such as non-adherent cell models and the focus on single-cell methodologies. We highlight advancements in biosensors, microfluidics, and three-dimensional culture methods, and discuss their potential to enhance real-time, multiplexed cell monitoring. By examining the advantages, limitations, and future prospects of these technologies, we aim to contribute to the development of integrated systems that facilitate comprehensive cell monitoring, ultimately advancing biological research and pharmaceutical development.

Sergi Cinca Morros has published his first paper as first author in Microorganism (MDPI) IF:4.1!

The paper entitled " The Importance of Maintaining and Improving a Healthy Gut Microbiota in Athletes as a Preventive Strategy to Improve Heat Tolerance and Acclimatization" by Sergi Cinca-Morros and Jesús Álvarez-Herms deals with  the direct consequences induced by a state of GM dysbiosis on maladaptive responses suffered by athletes exposed to HS. The main goal of the study is to highlight the importance of maintaining a healthy GM balance in athletes as a therapeutic treatment, which can specifically contribute to the prevention of premature fatigue during HS exposure and exercise.

We are delighted to announce that Enrique, one of our outstanding PhD students, has received the prestigious Extraordinary Doctorate Award from the Doctoral School of the University of the Basque Country!

The award ceremony took place on June 20th at 18:00 hours in the Mitxelena Auditorium of Bizkaia Aretoa, Bilbao, during the “Doktorego Eguna” event, themed “Open the Door to Our Doctorate.” This event celebrated the Extraordinary Doctorate Awards of the 2020/21 and 2021/22 academic years.

The Doctoral School (DOKe) organized the event, which was presided over by the Vice-Rector of Postgraduate and Continuing Education of UPV/EHU, Montse Maritxalar. Gotzone Barandika, the director of DOKe, presented the doctoral study offerings (67 programs) spanning all branches of knowledge and discussed institutional accreditation.

This year, the event focused on the contribution of doctoral theses and doctoral training to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined in the EHUagenda 2030.

The event also featured a presentation by Rikardo Bueno Zabalo, Director General of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), titled “Doctors in Technological and Non-University Research Centers: Training and Employment.”

We are incredibly proud of Enrique's achievement and the recognition it brings to our research group. This milestone not only highlights Enrique's individual excellence but also the high standards of mentorship and academic support within our team.

Please join us in congratulating Enrique on this remarkable accomplishment and wishing him continued success in his career. We are confident that this is just the beginning of many more achievements to come.

Many congratulations to Enrique, and may many more successes come in your career!

https://www.ehu.eus/es/-/acto-doktorego-eguna-2024

On 24th May 2024 the UPV/EHU hold an Investiture Ceremony for all the new Doctors who defended their theses in 2023. The Vice-chancellor of the University of the Basque Country, Eva Ferreira García, led the ceremony at the Aula Magna  of the University of the Basque Country, Leioa.

Congratulations Sepi, Alba and Yara!

Sergi Cinca, in collaboration with Dr. Álvarez-Herms, Kilian Jornet, and the professional NNormal team, aims to develop protocols for assessing individual physiological responses in athletes and establish correlations with performance under high-intensity, maximum-level exercise conditions.

You can watch the project report at: NNormal - YouTube

Isabel presented a poster at the Hilton Head Workshop 2024: A Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems Workshop in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, 2-6 of June 2024. It is the first time our reseach group presents at this important conference in the USA.

The title of the poster was  Autonomous microfluidic device for the naked-eye detection of benzodiazepines in adulterated beverages by I. Poves-Ruiz, E. Azuaje-Hualde, I. Corchado-Gonzalez, L. Basabe-Desmonts, F. Benito-Lopez

What a great experience at Hilton Head Island!

Raquel Catalán has started an exciting journey for her PhD international stay at the renowned Trinity College Dublin in Irleand under the supervision of Dr. Colm Delaney. During her stay, she will collaborate to characterise cellulose polymers obtained by the two-photon lithography technique to push the boundaries of 3D printing at the nanoscale and to incorporate this new technique into her microfluidic devices for environmental analysis.

On the 8th of May, a team from the Universidad Publica de Navarra, (Institute of Smart Cities / Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering Dept.) visited the Microfluidics Cluster UPV/EHU’s facilities.

We are developing a detection system for Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEFG) utilizing Gold Nanoparticles and an integrated optical system based on Lossy Mode Resonances (LMRs) in a microfluidic cell.

We are truly looking forward to following up on this collaboration!!

Many congratulation to Daniel!

His manuscript entitled Spatial and Temporal Detection of Root Exudates with a Paper-based Microfluidic Device by D. Patko, U. B. Gunatilake, B. Gonzalez-Gaya, L. X. Dupuy, L. Basabe-Desmonts and F. Benito-Lopez has been just published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry IF: 9.7, 2022 Q1 95.9 % (Soil Science).

The manuscript describes a paper-based microfluidic device with integrated colorimetric sensors for the continuous extraction and analysis of root exudates along plant roots and it is one of the mayor outputs from his Marie Skłodowska-Curie  fellowship RhizoSheet Grant agreement ID: 101028242.

Fernando visited the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya to participate as evaluator of the thesis by Pooya Azizian.

Thesis entitle: MICROFLUIDICS FOR BIOSENSING WITH ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING:SIMULATION MODEL AND FABRICATION.

Congratulations Dr. Azizian! Great Thesis

Thanks to the directors: Prof. Dr. Jasmina Casals Terre,  Dr. Joan Marc Cabot Canyelles, Dr. Jordi Ricart and Dr. Adrian Ortega for the kind invitation.