The Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC) is a research institute of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), under the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The organization of the Center complies with the regulations governing CSIC research institutes. You can consult the following diagram to quickly understand how we are organized.
The scientific staff is organized into two departments: Surfactants and Nanobiotechnology and Biological Chemistry. Within these, work is carried out in research groups, totaling twenty-one groups. Research work can also be structured into four major cross-cutting research lines.
The Department’s research focuses on the development of nano(bio)systems for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, combining principles of chemistry and biology with advanced technologies. The work is structured around two axes: the design of biomolecules (such as oligonucleotides, proteins, antibodies, and dendrimers) and their integration into nanostructured materials and devices. The unit also develops innovative surfactants and supramolecular colloids to produce nanomaterials with various applications and functionalities.
In our department, we carry out multidisciplinary research at the frontier between chemistry and biology. Our work focuses on the design, synthesis, and study of new compounds with potential applications in the biological and biomedical fields, as well as the development of more efficient synthetic processes and the implementation of advanced computational chemistry and artificial intelligence methods.
The IQAC Strategic and Impact Unit brings together three offices that work transversally to promote scientific excellence, institutional visibility, and research quality.
Through support in internationalization, communication, outreach, knowledge transfer, and data analysis, the unit contributes to strengthening the academic, social, and industrial impact of IQAC’s research activity.
The IQAC EIO promotes scientific excellence, internationalization, and knowledge transfer. It acts as a catalyst for strategic opportunities, promoting high-impact research, collaboration, innovation, and greater institutional visibility.
The IQAC Communication and Outreach Office promotes the institute’s research and increases its visibility. It supports internal and external communication, media relations, scientific outreach, and the creation of visual and promotional materials.
The IQAC Statistics and Data Science Office provides support in statistical analysis and data management to improve research quality. It collaborates on projects, publications, theses, consulting, training, databases, and bioethics protocols.
It works to guarantee equal opportunities and prevent any discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability, employment position, or other factors, promoting an inclusive and respectful environment. It proposes and promotes equality initiatives and participates in the preparation of the center’s Equality Plan, integrating effective measures into its policies.
The IQAC Sustainability Commission was created in November 2025 with the goal of implementing the CSIC Sustainability Plan in our center through concrete actions, thereby improving both the sustainability of our infrastructure and our practices. In particular, we seek to reduce our institution’s energy expenditure, as well as to raise awareness and foster a sustainable culture.
Its objective is to disseminate scientific knowledge and strengthen the institute’s internal and external communication. It organizes seminars, talks, and scientific meetings that favor the exchange of ideas between researchers, students, and technical staff, revitalizing the institute’s scientific life and promoting internal collaboration and cross-cutting knowledge among IQAC disciplines.
The objective of the commission is to propose initiatives aimed at attracting talent and incorporating new personnel who contribute to the growth of the IQAC. In this sense, the commission will work to identify researchers of interest to the IQAC, propose initiatives for the recruitment of technicians, and advise potential candidates, both researchers and technicians, in the preparation of competitive examinations.
Its objective is to collect and analyze issues related to the center’s technological resources, promoting communication between scientists, the IT team, and the institute’s management, seeking to balance the needs of researchers with the feasibility and security of possible solutions. The ultimate goal is to improve communication, efficiency, and coordination in this key area for scientific activity.
The services commission identifies and channels needs related to the institute’s scientific-technical services. It detects equipment needs, coordinates proposals to request equipment in competitive calls, and periodically evaluates services to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement that optimize their operation.
To support the CID Occupational Risk Prevention Department in improving occupational health and safety, as well as promoting good practices and a preventive culture. It also works by encouraging the proper use of PPE and reviewing safety signage and documentation. It helps channel improvement proposals and collaborate in awareness, training, and rule dissemination actions.
The External Scientific Advisory Committee is made up of a group of prestigious international scientists, experts in the different areas in which the IQAC works. Its function is to advise and ensure the scientific quality of the institute.
CIC bioGUNE
Derio, Spain
since 2014, leading its Severo Ochoa recognition. Former CSIC Research Professor (2002–14), he has held visiting positions in several European universities. His research in Chemical Biology focuses on glycan recognition in biomedical processes such as cancer and infections, using a multidisciplinary structural and biophysical approach. He has >700 publications, supervised 40 PhDs, and received major awards including the Humboldt (2024) and RSEQ Gold Medal (2018)
Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Bellaterra, Spain
Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group at ICN2. He earned his PhD at the University of Tirana and has held research positions in Hungary, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the USA. His work focuses on nanomaterials-based biosensors integrating biological molecules with nanostructures. He has published 353 papers (H-index 91), supervised 40 PhDs, and is Co-Editor-in-Chief of Biosensors and Bioelectronics. He is also co-founder of GraphenicaLab and PaperDrop.
Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia
Tarragona, Spain
of the Balearic Islands (UIB) in 1986. After postdoctoral work in the USA (Pittsburgh and MIT) and Spain, he held academic and leadership positions at UIB. In 2003 he became ICREA Research Professor and joined ICIQ as Group Leader in 2004, later serving as Vice-Director (2016–18). His research focuses on supramolecular chemistry. He is recipient of the Janssen Cilag Prize (2012) and was elected EurASc Fellow (2021).
University of Florence
Florence, Italy
Chair of excellence (2009-2020) in France. She is an expert in peptide and protein science, trained under Prof. Luis Moroder, and founder of PeptLab in Florence and CY Cergy Paris University. She leads international projects in molecular diagnostics, peptides, and tech transfer, co-founded spin-offs, and has >420 publications. Awards include Zervas (2008) and Montalcini (2019).
Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen
Germany
Duisburg-Essen, where she has been group leader since 2012. Previously, she was PI at TU Dortmund (2009–12) and postdoctoral researcher at TU Dortmund, Institut Pasteur, and Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (2003–09). She earned her PhD from the Technical University of Munich in 2002 after studies in Padova and MPI of Biochemistry. Prof B. Saccà has received fellowships from DFG, Institut Pasteur, ARC, and others.
Faculty of Chemical Sciences, UCM
Madrid, Spain
University of Madrid, Deputy Head of Department since 2024 and General Secretary of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry from 2026. She co-founded and co-leads the Physical NanoChemistry Group, focused on nanomaterials, supramolecular systems and non-viral gene vectors for nanotechnology and nanobiomedicine. Her multidisciplinary research integrates physical chemistry, biophysics, biology and theoretical physics through extensive international collaborations.
Chief Development Officer
Medchemfarma SL
with 30 years of experience in small-molecule drug discovery and development. She has advanced multiple programs into clinical development across several therapeutic areas. She is currently Chief Development Officer at Medchemfarma and previously held leadership roles at Uriach & Palau Pharma, Enantia, and Symeres. She holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the Universitat de Barcelona.
