The ICREAs

ICREA Research Professors form a vibrant community of scientists and researchers in all areas of knowledge that contribute to the advancement of humankind by exploring, interpreting and questioning. Have a look and learn about their amazing discoveries and findings here:

Russo, Jorge G.

Universitat de Barcelona (UB)

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Russo, Jorge G.
Research Professor at
Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

A major challenge of theoretical physics is unveiling the fundamental laws that govern the universe. The microscopic world, governed by quantum mechanics, is fuzzy, uncertain and involves three forces among elementary particles: electromagnetic, weak nuclear and strong nuclear. The gravitational force, described by Einstein general relativity, is instead observed at large scales. But this theory is incompatible with quantum mechanics. Superstring theory is presently the best candidate to reconcile gravity with quantum mechanics and thus to provide a unifying framework for the four forces of nature.

My research interests include Superstring theory, Cosmology and Particle Physics.

Key words
Superstring theory, Supergravity, Branes, Black holes .

ORCID
: 0000-0002-3023-1833
Salmeron Sanchez, Manuel

Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)

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Salmeron Sanchez, Manuel
Research Professor at
Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
Engineering Sciences
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Research interests

I engineer material-based cell microenvironments for in vitro modelling and regenerative medicine. I was based in Valencia (Spain) until 2013 where I pioneered novel materials that triggered protein organisation (Science Advances 2016). I was awarded and ERC (Consolidator) Grant in 2012 to investigate materials that promote growth factor binding and their use in regenerative medicine. I moved to Glasgow in 2013 where I led a multidisciplinary team that generated internationally leading outcomes and radical new concepts: the use of viscosity to control cell behaviour (PNAS 2018); living biomaterials (bacteria-based materials) for stem cell engineering (Advanced Materials 2018); the low dose use of BMP-2 for bone regeneration ((Advanced Science 2019) and the relationship between material mechanics and metabolism (Nature Metabolism 2020). I am also a keen science communicator who participates in public engagement events (e.g. Science Summer Exhibition of the Royal Society 2019).

Key words
Bioengineering, Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, Matrix engineering

ORCID
: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8112-2100

RESEARCHER ID
: E-4680-2010
Salvatella Giralt, Xavier

Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)

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Salvatella Giralt, Xavier
Research Professor at
Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

A high resolution description of the structure and dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins is a very useful tool to study the properties and the function of these important biomacromolecules and, most importantly, to understand how changes in sequence or environment can lead to disease. My research work aims, on the one hand, at developing approaches to probe the conformational heterogeneity of intrinsically disordered proteins and, on the other hand, at understanding how changes in such motions relate to the molecular recognition of proteins, to their multimerization properties, to their function and to disease.

Key words
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Protein Folding, Protein Misfolding, Protein Dynamics, Biomolecular Condensation, Protein Aggregation

ORCID
: 0000-0002-8371-4185

RESEARCHER ID
: C-7337-2008
Sánchez Ordónez, Samuel

Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)

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Sánchez Ordónez, Samuel
Research Professor at
Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
Engineering Sciences
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Research interests

Samuel Sánchez is leader of the “Smart Nano-Bio-Devices” group, working in the multidisciplinary field of Nanosciences with interest in developing hybrid robotics systems across different length-scales, from the nano- to the macroscale. Research interest spans from fundamental science, translational approach of nanodevices to the clinic to the exploitation of the protected intellectual property developed by the group. Currently, the main research lines in the group are: 1. Nanofabrication of nanobots as smart drug delivery systems for biomedical applications.; 2. Study of collective phenomena of active nanosystems; 3. Development of personalized medicine based on multifunctional biocompatible nanobots for patient-derived tumors and other diseases, 4. Use of medical imaging tools to track self-propelled nanobots in vivo and 4. 3D Printing living systems based on skeletal muscle tissues for tissue engineering, drug screening and living soft robotics.

Key words
nanorobots,,nanomotors, drug delivery, nanotech, active colloids, 3d printing

ORCID
: 0000-0001-9713-9997
Sánchez-Vives, María Victoria

Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS)

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Sánchez-Vives, María Victoria
Research Professor at
Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS)
Life & Medical Sciences
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Research interests

Neuronal and network properties determining the emergent activity in the cerebral cortex. Brain states and rhythms: regulating mechanisms, information encoding, neuromodulation.Using experimental and computational approach, with an interest in neurotechnology. The integration of the cortical information giving rise to bodily representation, combining brain activity and virtual reality for understanding these processes and VR medical applications.

Key words
up states, slow oscillations, cortical rhythms, cortical processing, neuronal networks, cortical neurophysiology, body representation, body scheme, embodiment, brain interfaces

ORCID
: 0000-0002-8437-9083

RESEARCHER ID
: J-8526-2014
Sanpera Trigueros, Anna

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

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Sanpera Trigueros, Anna
Research Professor at
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

My research interest cover quantum information, atomic physics, condensed matter and statistical physics. I study the properties that atoms frozen to very low temperatures display. Ultracold atomic gases permit to study, in a very clean way, a rich variety of systems which appear in Nature but whose exotic properties are difficult to understand. I am also involved in the mathematical description of entanglement, arguably the most distinct feature of quantum physics. Taking advantage of the quantum properties of matter, we engineer more powerful ways to process and distribute information in order to build, in a near future, quantum computers and simulators able to perform tasks that classical computers cannot. I am also working in quantum thermodynamics, open quantum systems, quantum learning and quantum metrology to exploit the advantatges quantum physics offers us to improve machine learning tasks as well as the determination of unknown parameters with a precission that classical physics cannot achieve.

Key words
Quatum Information, Atomic Physics, Condensed Matter, Quantum Optics

ORCID
: orcid.org/0000-0002-8970-6127

RESEARCHER ID
: L-3174-2014