The group mainly works in molecular recognition, programmed folding and self-assembling processes, using a wide variety of experimental and theoretical approaches. Our main activities are the design/discovery, preparation and study of new synthetic receptors for molecules and ions of biological interest. We also use supramolecular approaches to synthetic procedures, such as template-assisted synthesis, dynamic combinatorial chemistry or constitutional dynamic chemistry. Another research line (Dr.

Our group explores the design, production, evaluation, and evolutionary analysis of proteins for applications in biocatalysis and the modulation of biological activity. We integrate computational methods—such as protein-ligand complex modeling and ancestral sequence reconstruction—with a comprehensive range of experimental techniques. These include in vitro directed evolution, expression in recombinant strains, and biophysical and structural analyses using circular dichroism, calorimetry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).

The main scientific activity of this group is centered in the study of lipid structures of membranes and coloidal systems that are fundamental for biological processes.

Research in the group is devoted to the self-assembly properties of amphiphilic (surfactant) molecules and the application of those self-assemblies (micelles, liquid crystals, vesicles) and related colloidal systems (emulsions, microemulsions) in the production of advanced micro/ nanostructured materials and for the design of tailor-made formulations in various technological applications.

The Nanobiotechnology for Diagnostics group (Nb4D) is a consolidated investigation group, recognised by the Catalan government (2014SGR1484), and also a member of CIBER-BBN (Biomedical Research Networking center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine). It is made up of four research staff (1 Professor of Investigation, 1 Tenured Scientist, 1 Superior Specialised Technician and 1 CIBER-BBN Investigator), along with a variable number (approx. 10) of postdoctoral and predoctoral investigators.

The group has as an objective the study and preparation of biologically active molecules, medicinal chemistry and chemical support to projects in the biochemical, biological and biomedical fields. The specific objectives include research on photopharmacology, light control of protein activity by means of small-molecule photoswitches or photolabile caged compounds. The molecules developed have use as pharmacological tools in basic neuroscience and define novel and more precise potential therapeutic treatments for difficult-to-treat disorders.

The Surface Chemistry Group at the Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC) is led by Dr. Jordi Esquena, who also coordinates the Associated Unit of the University of Barcelona (UB) to CSIC, “Grupo de Nanotecnología Farmacéutica,” together with Prof. Maria José Garcia-Celma from UB.

The group has a multidisciplinary character whose two main lines of research are focused on the biomedical field and agroforestry health.

Chemical Biology is a discipline that studies the biological processes using chemical tools.