The 113th ICREA Colloquium ‘How to solve global health challenges with a little help from data’
Speakers: ICREA Research Professors Karim Lekadir from the Universitat de Barcelona and Rachel Lowe from the Barcelona Supercomputing Center
When: 10th of December 2024, 18:00h
Where: Auditorium FCRI, Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona
Abstract:
In the face of escalating global challenges, from climate change to healthcare inequalities, interdisciplinary collaboration is more critical than ever. Harnessing the power of data, such as through artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling, opens up unprecedented opportunities to address these complex issues.
This seminar will highlight the intersection of data science, health care, and community engagement to provide innovative and inclusive solutions. It brings together two interdisciplinary perspectives to showcase the critical role of data in addressing complex global challenges.
Professor Karim Lekadir will discuss the potential role of artificial intelligence in developing innovative solutions to address unique healthcare challenges in low-resource settings. He will highlight how international collaboration combined with local community engagement can lead to more inclusive and reliable artificial intelligence solutions, ultimately increasing trust and adoption.
Professor Rachel Lowe will discuss how predictive models and data-driven approaches can help anticipate and mitigate the health risks posed by extreme weather and vector-borne diseases. She will showcase how these models inform public policy and enhance preparedness in at-risk regions, empowering local communities to become more resilient to climate-driven health hazards.
The 114th ICREA Colloquium ‘The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine and Environmental Remediation’
Speakers: ICREA Research Professors Samuel Sánchez from the Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) and Bahareh Khezri from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)
When: 25th of February 2025, 18:00h
Where: Auditorium FCRI, Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona
Abstracts:
Samuel Sánchez
'The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine'
Engineering medical nanomotors/nanobots will imply the use of biocompatible materials and bio-friendly propulsion mechanisms. Our strategy comprises the use of biocatalysts such enzymes for converting biologically available fuels, such as the urea contained in the urine, into a propulsive force. Moreover, nanoparticles’ chassis are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material, FDA or EMA approved materials.
In my talk, I will present how we bioengineer hybrid nanobots combining the best from the two worlds: biology (enzymes) and (nano)technology (nano- micro-particles) providing swimming capabilities, biocompatibility, imaging, multifunctionality and actuation in vitro and in vivo. I will present some of the proof-of-concept applications of biocompatible nanobots such as the efficient transport of drugs into cancer cells and 3D spheroids (1), the imaging of swarms of nanobots in vivo in confined spaces like the bladder of living mice (2). Moreover, I will present our recent advances in the treatment of bladder cancer in mice using radionuclide-labelled nanobots (3) and crossing mucus layers present in the colon of mice (4).
References
[1] Hortelao et al. ACS Nano 2019, 13, (1), 429-439
[2] Hortelao et al. Sci. Robotics. 2021, 6, (52), eabd2823.
[3] C. Simó, M. Serra et al. Nat. Nanotech. 2024, 19, 554–564
[4] M. Serra et al. ACS Nano. 2024, 18, 16701-16714
Bahareh Khezri
'Synthetic Nano/Microrobots: Revolutionizing Environmental Sensing and Remediation'
Synthetic nano/microrobots are rapidly emerging as groundbreaking tools for addressing pressing environmental challenges. This talk will showcase a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge innovations in nano/microrobot design, spanning 2D-based systems, advanced photocatalytic platforms, and autonomous environmental sensing technologies. These tiny machines exhibit unique properties, such as mobility, reactivity, and the ability to perform complex tasks in diverse environmental settings, from water purification to pollution detection. Emphasis will be placed on the development of light-activated robots, polymeric and 2D nanostructure-based systems, demonstrating their role in energy harvesting and pollutant degradation. This presentation will highlight the advances made in synthesizing and deploying nano/microrobots, underscoring their potential to transform environmental remediation strategies and contribute to sustainable solutions for global ecological concerns.
The 115th ICREA Colloquium ‘Toward Understanding Human Singularity: Neural and Behavioral Signatures of Reasoning Strategies in Infants and Adults’
Speakers: ICREA Research Professors Rosemarie Nagel and Luca Bonatti both from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF)
When: 29th of April 2025, 18:00h
Where: Auditorium FCRI, Passeig de Lluís Companys, 23, 08010 Barcelona
Abstract:
Humans do lots of things that make them unique among living beings. What properties of our species explain its uniqueness? While there may never be a complete answer to this question, and certainly there is not one single answer, progress has been made to try to characterize some of them. Here, we focus on the ability to take decisions under (strategic) uncertainty, and on our understanding of their neural basis. We will then explore whether signatures exist for the presence of some primitives of reasoning, perhaps already available in early infancy, which ground the ability to represent the world, conceive alternative situations, frame hypothesis, think and solve problems.
