Bioengineering
The course
Bojos per la Bioenginyeria is a course developed by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, aimed at high school students with a scientific vocation interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) careers. This course arises with the idea of making known the multidisciplinary environment offered by bioengineering where different disciplines come together to solve problems related to health. The main objective of this course is to encourage scientific vocations and promote knowledge and education of excellence of young people in Catalonia.
Registrations for the course of Mad about science: Bioengineering will be open from September 15 to October 25, 2021 and among all those registered will be selected 24 students from 1st year of high school who will be able to participate in the 5th edition of the course within the 12th edition of the program Mad about science that will take place in 2024.
The course will be held on different Saturdays from January to November 2024 at IBEC's facilities.
During 15 theoretical and practical sessions, students will learn about research in the main areas of bioengineering applied to health.
We will learn about research on diseases related to the aging of the population, the study of cancer and minority diseases.
In addition, students will be able to participate in complementary workshops to scientific training where ethical issues and scientific communication will be discussed and specific training will be provided in the environment of a research laboratory.
The course consists of two modules:
Module A – Introduction and complementary workshops
- Introduction to the world of Bioengineering
- Workshops:
- Good laboratory practices
- The scientific method
- The ethics of science
- Scientific communication
Module B - Health Challenges
- Bioengineering for cancer diagnosis and prognosis
- Bioengineering for healthy aging
- Bioengineering for the treatment of rare diseases
- Learn to be critical of communications about health that are published in the media (television, radio and press) or social networks and contrast the information.
Objectives: Around academic studies
- To encourage scientific vocations linked to the world of health among young people, helping to guide their academic and professional future.
- To bring research closer to students by offering them the opportunity to work in a reference research center.
Objectives: Around research and diseases
- To bring students closer to research: basic, translational and clinical research in the different fields of health from a theoretical-practical point of view, as well as research in bioengineering.
- To understand the implications of all STEM disciplines in the development of new therapies and control devices.
- To know the functioning of research centers linked to health.
Objectives: Bioengineering Environment
- To be aware of what the concept of bioengineering implies and the importance of multidisciplinary environments.
- To understand the importance of basic research.
- To approach the future of medicine.
Objectives: Media environment and critical thinking.
- To learn how to present and communicate research results.
- To learn to be critical of health-related communications published in the media (television, radio and press) or social networks and to contrast the information.
Sessions 2024
Session 1. Introduction to the world of Bioengineering
Date: Saturday 20th January, 2024.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dra. Maria Arista
Session by: Prof. Josep Samitier and Dr. Maria Arista
Language: Catalan.
During the session, the students will delve into a journey through the history of medicine and specifically through applications in bioengineering.
From the hand of the director of the IBEC, Prof. Josep Samitier, they will learn about the most cutting-edge projects in the area of bioengineering for health.
Session 2. Workshop: The scientific method
Date: Saturday, 3rd February, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dra. Maria Arista
Session by: Dra. Maria Arista and Dr. Cristina Arimany
Language: Catalan.
The scientific method is a procedure based on logical processes that allows us to test a hypothesis. Have you ever put it into practice? During this workshop we will do the first practical session of the course, we will learn to use instruments and laboratory equipment correctly while experimenting with biomaterials.
Session 3. Workshop: Good laboratory practices
Date: Saturday 10th February, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 2 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Isabel Oliveira.
Language: Catalan.
In this session the IBEC CORE Facilities team will teach the crazy how to use the main instruments and laboratory equipment, for correct manipulation and experimentation, essential to avoid making mistakes when doing experiments and interpreting results
Session 4. Bioengineering for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer
Format: theoretical session.
Date: Saturday 24th February, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Alba Herrero.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
We will dedicate this module to how research in Bioengineering faces challenges in Health. We will focus on three large blocks; cancer, healthy aging and minority diseases.
Cancer treatment has benefited in recent years from the implementation of personalized and targeted therapies. However, even with the use of these personalized medicines, tumors develop a great deal of resistance. We need a better understanding of tumor progression, its growth, as well as greater customization of the drugs supplied.
Mechanobiology studies the physical and mechanical behavior of cells and makes it possible to observe and understand metastasis processes. On the other hand, the development of new drug delivery strategies, such as the use of nanomotors and the controlled release of drugs, would make it possible to establish controlled therapeutic targets and thus reduce the side effects of drugs.
Another major challenge is the analysis of a large number of images and biomarkers, as well as the creation of tumor models in the laboratory to make progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
During sessions 4, 5 and 6, students will approach new approaches to cancer research and will be able to experiment in the laboratory with top level researchers.
Session 5. Advanced therapeutic systems: controlled release of drugs
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 9th March, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Brenda Molina, Meritxell Serra, Noelia Ruiz, Carles Prado.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
During this session we will address the great challenge of developing new drug delivery strategies and how the use of nanomotors to achieve the controlled release of drugs would allow the establishment of controlled therapeutic targets and reduce the side effects of drugs.
Session 6. Big data: the analysis of large volumes of data for early diagnosis
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 16th March, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Language: Catalan.
Session by: Miguel Gonzalez.
During the session we will learn how the analysis and processing of digital images works with the Fiji program and we will see how this analysis can be used for the diagnosis of diseases.
Session 7. Bioengineering for the treatment of minority diseases
Format: theoretical session.
Date: Saturday 6th April, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Juanma Fernández.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
We consider a disease or a minority disorder when it affects less than one person per 2,000. There are more than 6000 minority diseases affecting 30 million people in the European Union. 80% of these diseases are of genetic origin and are often chronic and potentially fatal.
Bioengineering could find new strategies based on technological development, for the treatment of minority diseases. Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, generic mitochondrial disorders, neuromuscular and myotonic diseases are currently being studied at the IBEC.
The basic study of these diseases plays a fundamental role in understanding the processes that generate them. Advanced microscopy is a very powerful tool that allows us to study the mechanisms of living tissues at a manometric level.
Session 8. Bio-nano-fabrication and biomimetics: organs on a chip and organoids
Date: Saturday 13th April, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Juanma Fernandez and Ainoa Tejedera.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
The basic study of these diseases plays a fundamental role in understanding the processes that generate them. Advanced microscopy is a very powerful tool that allows us to study the mechanisms of living tissues at a manometric level.
Session 9. Advanced microscopy
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 20th April, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Aurora Dols and Rubén Millán.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
Advanced microscopy is a very powerful tool that allows us to study the mechanisms of living tissues at a manometric level.
During this session we will delve into this key technology for bioengineering research.
Session 10. Meet the Group Leaders
Format: theoretical session.
Date: Saturday 27th April, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Xavier Trepat and Benedetta Bolognesi.
Language: English
In this session, you will have the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of bioengineering at the hands of two renowned IBEC group head researchers.
Dr. Benedetta Bolognesi and Dr. Xavier Trepat will share their most innovative research in the field of bioengineering and reveal the latest trends, discoveries and scientific advances that are transforming the current landscape.
Session 11. Bioengineering for healthy ageing
Format: theoretical session.
Date: Saturday 4th May, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Karolina Zimwoska.
Language: English.
The number of people over the age of 65 is expected to increase from 92 million in 2013 to 148 million in 2060. The prevalence of age-related diseases will pose an unprecedented challenge to the health systems of the European Union.
During this session we will delve into IBEC research focused on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, heart failure, neurodegenerative, respiratory and infectious diseases.
Session 12. Preventive medicine through Molecular Imaging
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 11th May, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Session by: Alba Herrero, Marc Azaga, Lluís Mangas.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
Thanks to Hyperpolarized Magnetic Resonance (HP-NMR) we have the ability to analyze the metabolism of cells in real time and non-invasively, being able to diagnose abnormalities before they show symptoms.
Preventive and personalized medicine begins with the implementation of techniques such as HP-NMR, being able to treat conditions before they become problems that affect the patient's health.
Session 13. Signal processing: heart rate monitoring using m-Health devices
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 14th September, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: Campus Besòs.
Session by: Yolanda Castillo and Dolores Blanco.
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English.
Bioengineering explores portable biomedical signal measurement devices, where from home, patients can be monitored and in permanent contact with hospitals and doctors.
During this session the students will be able to delve into the research in the study of biomedical signals.
Session 14. Forgotten diseases
Format: theoretical and practical session.
Date: Saturday 21th September, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dra. Maria Arista
Session by: Lucia Román and Yunuen Avalos.
Language: Catalan.
In this theoretical-practical session in virtual format, we will take a tour of research into diseases that are no longer the main focus of research, such as malaria.
Session 15. Workshop: The ethics of science
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 5th October, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dra. Maria Arista.
Session by: Dra. Maria Arista.
Language: Catalan.
In this session we will discover the ethical aspects that must be taken into account when designing, carrying out and disseminating the results of a scientific project.
Session 16. Workshop: Scientific communication
Format: theoretical and practical session.
Date: Saturday 26th October, 2024.
Hours: 10 am to 1:30 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dr. Maria Arista.
Session by: Pilar Jiménez and Dr. Maria Arista.
Language: Catalan.
In this session, students will discover the importance of scientific communication and how this is key to the research process.
During the session we will work on communication and scientific dissemination and analyze what the different channels and formats are.
Session 17. Workshop: Preparation of final work
Format: practical session.
Date: Saturday 26th October, 2024.
Hours: 3 pm to 5 pm.
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12.
Coordination of the session: Dra. Maria Arista.
Session by: Dra. Maria Arista.
Language: Catalan.
During this session we will focus on preparing the final project that will be presented in the closing session.
Closing Act
Date: to be determined.
Sessions 2023 (in progress)
Introduction to the World of Bioengineering
Session 1 - Classroom Format
Date: Saturday, January 29th
Time: 10.30h to 13.30h
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Session coordination: Pilar Jiménez
Session by: Prof. Josep Samitier and Pilar Jiménez
Language: Catalan
Workshop: The scientific method
Session 2 - Classroom Format
Date: Saturday, February 5th
Time: 9.30h to 13.30h
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Session coordination: Clara Civit
Session by: Clara Civit and Pilar Jiménez
Language: Catalan
* The attendance of the sessions will be subject to change depending on the health situation.
Bioengineering for Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis
Session 3 - Theoretical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, February 19th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: Alba Herrero
This first module will be devoted to how Bioengineering research faces the challenges in Health. We will focus on three main blocks; cancer, healthy aging and minority diseases.
Cancer treatment has benefited in recent years from the implementation of personalized and targeted therapies. However, even with the use of these personalized drugs, tumors develop great resistance. We need a better understanding of tumor progression, tumor growth as well as greater personalization of the drugs delivered.
Mechanobiology studies the physical and mechanical behavior of cells and makes it possible to observe and understand the processes of metastasis. On the other hand, the development of new drug delivery strategies, such as the use of nanomotors and controlled drug release, would make it possible to establish controlled therapeutic targets and reduce the side effects of drugs.
Another major challenge is the analysis of a large number of images and biomarkers, as well as the creation of tumor models in the laboratory to make progress in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
During sessions 4, 5 and 6, students will be introduced to new approaches in cancer research and will be able to experiment in the laboratory with top researchers.
Advanced Therapeutic Systems: Controlled Drug Release
Session 4 - Practical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, February 26th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Venue: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: Maria Guix
Bioengineering for healthy aging
Session 5 - Theoretical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, March 12th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: Julia Sala
The number of people over 65 years of age is expected to increase from 92 million in 2013 to 148 million in 2060. The prevalence of age-related diseases will pose an unprecedented challenge to health systems in the European Union.
IBEC's research focuses on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, heart failure, neurodegenerative, respiratory and infectious diseases.
The development of the so-called organs-on-a-chip allows progress to be made both in the study of diseases and in testing the efficacy of drugs. Regenerative therapies also play a key role in this type of pathology as they seek to regenerate damaged organs and tissues.
On the other hand, bioengineering explores portable biomedical signal measurement devices, where patients can be monitored from home and be in permanent contact with hospitals and doctors.
During sessions 7, 8 and 9, students will address these new approaches to research in age-related pathologies, discuss new models of drug testing versus animal experimentation, and will be able to put their acquired knowledge into practice in the laboratory.
Rehabilitation controlled by artificial intelligence
Session 6- Practical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, 26th March
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Campus Besòs
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: SPECS group
Big data: analyzing large volumes of data for early diagnosis
Session 7 - Practical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday April 2nd
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: pending
Signal processing: heart rate monitoring using m-Health devices
Session 8 - Practical session in face-to-face / virtual format
Date: Saturday, April 30th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12 or online session
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: pending
Bioengineering for the treatment of rare diseases
Session 9 - Theoretical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday 7th May
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place:: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: Juanma Fernández
We consider a disease or a minority disorder when it affects less than one person per 2,000. There are more than 6000 rare diseases that affect 30 million people in the European Union. Eighty percent of these diseases are genetic in origin and are often chronic and life-threatening.
Bioengineering could find new strategies based on technological development for the treatment of rare diseases. IBEC is currently studying diseases such as cystic fibrosis, generic mitochondrial disorders, neuromuscular diseases and myotonic diseases.
The basic study of these diseases plays a fundamental role in understanding the processes that generate them. Advanced microscopy is a very powerful tool that allows us to study the mechanisms of living tissues at the manometric level.
Bio-nano-fabrication and biomimetics: organs-on-a-chip and organoids
Session 10 - Practical session in face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, May 21st
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: Juanma Fernandez and Alba Herrero
Advanced microscopy and imaging
Session 11 - Practical session in face-to-face format
Date: To be confirmed
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Language: Catalan / Spanish / English
Session by: pending
Neglected diseases
Session 12 - Virtual format
Date: Saturday 17th September
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: Online session
Session coordination: Pilar Jimenez
Session by: pending
Language: Catalan
* The attendance of the sessions will be subject to change depending on the health situation.
**The schedule will be confirmed the same week by email.
Workshop: The Ethics of Science
Session 13 - Face-to-face format *
Date: Saturday, October 22nd
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Session coordination: Pilar Jiménez
Session by: Pilar Jiménez, Clara Civit, Cristina Arimany
Language: Catalan
Workshop: Scientific communication
Session 14 - Face-to-face format
Date: Saturday, November 5th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: IBEC, Baldiri Reixac 10-12
Session coordination: Guillermo Orts
Session by: Guillermo Orts
Language: Catalan
Workshop: Preparation of the final paper
Session 15 - Virtual format
Date: Saturday, November 12th
Time: 10h to 13.30h**
Place: Online session
Session coordination: Guillermo Orts
Session by: Pilar Jiménez
Language: Catalan
* The presence of the sessions will be subject to change depending on the health situation.
**The schedule will be confirmed the same week by email
Collaborating entities
The IBEC is a research centre dedicated to world-class interdisciplinary research, which through the creation of knowledge contributes to improving health and quality of life and generating wealth.
Among the beneficiaries of the work carried out by the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia are universities, research centres, the scientific community, the business sector promoting research in the field of bioengineering and society in general.
Early diagnosis, new therapies based on regenerative medicine, improved quality of life with respect to population aging, and technological advances to increase efficiency and make health care sustainable are some examples of areas where IBEC can contribute with its cutting edge research to generate new technological breakthroughs of key importance for innovation. These are challenges that concern us because of their social and human repercussions, but also because they have a significant political and economic dimension.
The IBEC can write many success stories about healthcare technology, nanomedicine and regenerative medicine, in the fields of science, technology and innovation, which we can all be proud of.
Other courses
Nutrition
Do you want to find out more about nutrition and the impact it has on our health?
Sustainability
Do you want to help to solve the challenges that the Earth will face in the next century?
Supercomputing
Would you like to work with the most powerful supercomputer in the country?
Economics
Do you want to analyse and understand some of the most important current economic phenomena?