BBT Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Tissue Engineering
Principal investigator: Maria Pau Ginebra
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BBT focuses on designing bio-instructive biomaterials that actively interact with host tissues to promote regeneration or deliver therapeutic effects. Their work includes engineering materials that influence cell behavior through specific geometric, chemical, and physical cues. They apply advanced biofabrication techniques to create personalized, structurally organized devices that replicate natural tissue environments. The group also develops innovative antibiotic-free antimicrobial biomaterials and combines plasma technologies with biomaterials for applications in oncology. Their research aims to advance regenerative medicine through smart, functional materials.
Featured Projects
BAMBBI - Bio-inspired AntiMicrobial Bone BIoceramics. Deciphering contact-based biocidal mechanisms
Developing antimicrobial bioceramics to combat bacterial bone infections, a major challenge in orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgery worsened by antibiotic resistance, which causes over 2 million deaths annually. The project explores the bactericidal properties of natural surface topographies, aiming to understand their mechanisms and translate them into synthetic bone grafts that combine antimicrobial action with bone regeneration support. Beyond bone regeneration, this research could impact catalysis, water purification, and protein separation.
APACHE - Atmospheric Pressure plasma meets biomaterials for bone Cancer Healing
This research is at the forefront of plasma medicine, combining plasma physics, life sciences, and clinical medicine. It studies cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (APP), which can selectively kill cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue. Focusing on bone cancer, APACHE explores alternative or complementary therapies to surgery and chemotherapy, including biomaterials for bone grafting. The project investigates how cold plasmas affect bone cancer cells to develop improved treatments by combining multiple strategies.
Bio-TUNE - Fine tune of cellular behaviour and multifunctional materials for medical implants
The research aims to create multifunctional biomaterials for medical implants that promote cell growth while preventing bacterial infection—two conflicting goals that often challenge implant success. The project studies interactions between eukaryotic cells and bacteria at molecular and biophysical levels, developing innovative coatings with biochemical and topographical cues that encourage tissue integration and resist bacterial colonization. Bio-TUNE advances biomaterial design paradigms for tissue regeneration and personalized medicine, seeking clinical translation of these advanced surfaces.<br />
BAMBBI - Bio-inspired AntiMicrobial Bone BIoceramics. Deciphering contact-based biocidal mechanisms
Developing antimicrobial bioceramics to combat bacterial bone infections, a major challenge in orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgery worsened by antibiotic resistance, which causes over 2 million deaths annually. The project explores the bactericidal properties of natural surface topographies, aiming to understand their mechanisms and translate them into synthetic bone grafts that combine antimicrobial action with bone regeneration support. Beyond bone regeneration, this research could impact catalysis, water purification, and protein separation.
APACHE - Atmospheric Pressure plasma meets biomaterials for bone Cancer Healing
This research is at the forefront of plasma medicine, combining plasma physics, life sciences, and clinical medicine. It studies cold atmospheric pressure plasmas (APP), which can selectively kill cancer cells without harming surrounding tissue. Focusing on bone cancer, APACHE explores alternative or complementary therapies to surgery and chemotherapy, including biomaterials for bone grafting. The project investigates how cold plasmas affect bone cancer cells to develop improved treatments by combining multiple strategies.
Bio-TUNE - Fine tune of cellular behaviour and multifunctional materials for medical implants
The research aims to create multifunctional biomaterials for medical implants that promote cell growth while preventing bacterial infection—two conflicting goals that often challenge implant success. The project studies interactions between eukaryotic cells and bacteria at molecular and biophysical levels, developing innovative coatings with biochemical and topographical cues that encourage tissue integration and resist bacterial colonization. Bio-TUNE advances biomaterial design paradigms for tissue regeneration and personalized medicine, seeking clinical translation of these advanced surfaces.<br />
