ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES- CIC biomaGUNE

Their core work

CIC biomaGUNE is a Basque Country research center specialized in biomaterials, nanoplasmonics, and glycoscience — designing nanoparticles and protein-based structures for biomedical applications including cancer diagnostics, drug delivery, and biosensing. They engineer functional nanomaterials at the interface of chemistry and biology, with particular strength in surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) for tumor monitoring and carbohydrate-based immunomodulators. The center also contributes to the EU Graphene Flagship, working on 2D materials integration and pilot-line development. Their work bridges fundamental materials science with translatable biomedical tools, from diagnostic nanoplatforms to biocatalytic reactors.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015-2018), CIC biomaGUNE focused on fundamental nanomaterials — soft matter, colloids, polymers, and nano-biomaterial safety — alongside their entry into the Graphene Flagship. From 2019 onward, their work shifted decisively toward applied biomedical targets: tuberculosis diagnostics, cancer photodynamic therapy, hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, and biocatalytic manufacturing. The emergence of enzyme engineering and flow-biocatalysis projects (HOTZYMES, METACELL, INTERfaces) marks a clear expansion from passive nanomaterials toward functional bio-manufacturing systems.

CIC biomaGUNE is moving from materials characterization toward engineered biological systems — expect future work combining protein engineering, biocatalysis, and diagnostic nanoplatforms.

How they like to work

CIC biomaGUNE operates as both a project leader and an active consortium partner, with a near-even split (16 coordinated vs 19 as participant). With 421 unique partners across 38 countries, they maintain a very broad network rather than relying on a small circle of repeat collaborators. Their strong MSCA portfolio (12 projects across RISE, ITN, and Individual Fellowships) shows they actively use EU mobility programs to attract and exchange researchers, making them an accessible partner for new collaborations.

With 421 unique consortium partners spanning 38 countries, CIC biomaGUNE has one of the broadest collaboration networks among Spanish research centers. Their geographic reach is pan-European with global connections, anchored in the Basque Country's strong research ecosystem.

What sets them apart

CIC biomaGUNE sits at a rare intersection: they combine deep expertise in surface chemistry and nanoplasmonics with strong glycoscience and protein engineering capabilities — a combination few European centers can match. Their dual role as both a materials lab and a biomedical applications center means they can take a project from nanoparticle synthesis through to biological validation in-house. For consortium builders, their 46% coordination rate and extensive MSCA track record signal an organization comfortable managing international projects, not just contributing to them.

Highlights from their portfolio

• 4DBIOSERS
  Their largest project (EUR 2.4M, coordinator) — combines nanoplasmonics and SERS for real-time 3D tumor monitoring, representing their flagship capability.
• METACELL
  Major ERC-scale grant (EUR 2.0M, coordinator) on artificial metabolic cells for bio-manufacturing, signaling their strategic push into biocatalysis.
• ProNANO
  EUR 1.7M coordinated project on protein-based functional nanostructures, running 6 years (2016-2022) — demonstrates sustained deep expertise in protein nanotechnology.