Josep Samitier Martí

Prof. Josep Samitier Martí is the Director of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Physics (Department of Electronics) at the University of Barcelona. He leads the Nanobioengineering research group, a multidisciplinary team focused on applying nanotechnology for developing new biomedical systems and devices, particularly for diagnostic purposes and integrated microfluidic Organ-on-Chip devices.

His research spans three convergent areas:

• Biosensors and Lab-on-a-Chip devices for clinical diagnosis and monitoring
• Nanotechnology applied to biomolecule interaction studies and micro/nano-environments for regenerative medicine
• Microfluidic systems for biological studies and Organ-on-Chip devices

Prof. Samitier's work focuses on fabricating microsystems containing living cells that recapitulate tissue and organ level functions in vitro and developing portable diagnostic devices for Point-of-Care applications. His group's main activities include engineering and biochemical functionalization of biomaterials integrated with microfluidics systems, with applications ranging from cancer detection to neurodegenerative disease modeling.

Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on nanotechnology applications in biomedicine, particularly in developing advanced microfluidic systems, creating biomimetic models of human organs, and designing novel biosensors. His work spans multiple disciplines including nanotechnology, microfluidics, cancer biology, neuroscience, and regenerative medicine, with significant contributions to understanding cellular mechanisms at the nanoscale and developing practical diagnostic tools.

Scientific awards:

• Barcelona city Prize of the Barcelona Council in the area of technology (2003)

Prof. Samitier coordinates the Spanish Platform on Nanomedicine and serves as president of the Associació Catalana d'Entitats de Recerca (ACER). His research group has secured numerous grants supporting their work in nanobioengineering and has established collaborations with clinical and industrial partners to translate research into practical applications. The Nanobioengineering group maintains strong partnerships with hospitals and industry for developing diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.

His laboratory, the Nanobioengineering group at IBEC, consists of researchers from diverse backgrounds working together to apply nanotechnology for biomedical applications. The team develops microsystems containing living cells that mimic tissue and organ functions, with a particular focus on creating portable diagnostic devices for Point-of-Care use. Their work bridges fundamental research with practical applications in clinical settings.