BioNanoChem BioInspired Nanochemistry
BioNanoChem arises from de union of the groups of Biomimetic Chemistry of Membranes (BioMemChem) and Biomedical Applications of Nanotechnology (BioMedNano).
BioNanoChem reflects the shared vision of Roberto J. Brea and Paco Fernandez-Trillo to address biological and medical challenges using nanochemical tools. The group aims to understand and control biological pathways by bringing together expertise in organic chemistry, polymer and peptide synthesis, supramolecular science, and chemical biology. Ultimately, our ambition is to develop new tools to control molecular composition and organization, generate self-assembled functional nanomaterials and modulate biological behavior and processes.
Research line 1 – Biomimetic Fabrication of Nanomaterials
Our group aims to address multiple challenges in developing functional nanomaterials for biological applications, such as identifying structure-activity relationships, mimicking cellular complexity and compartmentalization, or the directional reconstitution of biomolecules. To accomplish this goal, our team is pursuing novel biomimetic strategies involving rapid screening of functional nanomaterials, formation and remodeling of artificial cells, and preparation of bioinspired nanoreactors.
Research line 2 – Chemical Tools for Biology and Medicine
Our group is developing new chemical tools through the combination of molecular synthesis, polymer science and supramolecular chemistry. This powerful toolbox allows us to shed new light on biological processes such as protein lipidation or phenotypic expression. Ultimately, our goal is to control complex biological phenomena such as membrane generation and organization, or the activation of multiple cellular signaling pathways, to gain new insights on important biomedical questions how live emerged on earth or how pathogens trigger infection.
Research line 3 – Nanochemical Approaches to Deliver Functional Biomolecules
Our goal is to develop new nanocarriers capable of efficiently delivering the next generation of biomolecular therapies. By fabricating and modifying biomimetic nanomaterials and developing new chemical tools, we can program nanocarriers with properties like improved stability, enhanced targeting of cellular biomarkers, and responsive controlled release of therapeutic cargo. This will help underpin the efficient delivery of membrane active peptides and functional nucleic acids to target sites.
PATENTS:
- "Method and production". GB2005605.7. Registration date: 17/04/2020. Rights Holder: University of Birmingham. Exploitation Reg.: United Kingdom. PI: Francisco Fernandez Trillo; Timothy Overton; Pavan Adoni.
- "Epigenetic profiling method". GB1913594.6. Registration date: 20/09/2019. Rightholder: University of Birmingham. Exploitation Reg.: United Kingdom. PI: Francisco Fernandez Trillo; Rob Neely; Jack Kennefick.
- "Labeling of biomolecules". GB1913598.7. Date of Registration: 20/09/2019. Rightholder: University of Birmingham. Exploitation Reg.: United Kingdom. PI: Francisco Fernandez Trillo, Rob Neely and Andrew Wilkinson.
- "Aqueous synthesis and rapid in situ screening of amphiphilic polymers". EP2016081085W. Date of Registration: 12/14/2016. Date of grant: 22/06/2017. Exploitation Reg: Spain. PI: Francisco Fernandez Trillo and Javier Montenegro García.
- "Amphiphilic thiol compounds and uses thereof". WO 2019/178166. Grant date: 19/09/2019. Rightholder: University of California, San Diego. Exploitation reg.: United States of America. Used commercially by Palm Therapeutics (USA). PI: Roberto Javier Brea Fernández; Andrew Rudd; Neal Krishna Devaraj.
- "Self-assembling lipopeptide nanocarriers for targeted cellular uptake". SD2020-110. Date of grant: 06/09/2019. Rightholder: University of California, San Diego. Exploitation reg.: United States of America. PI: Neal Krishna Devaraj; Christy Jihyun Cho; Roberto Javier Brea Fernández.
- "HRas selective depalmitoylating compositions and the use thereof". US 62/887195. grant date: 08/15/2019. Rightholder: University of California, San Diego. Exploitation Reg.: United States of America. Used commercially by Palm Therapeutics (USA). PI: Neal Krishna Devaraj; Andrew Rudd; Roberto Javier Brea Fernández.
- "Prodrug strategy for in vivo depalmitoylation of proteins". US 62/740256. Date of grant: 02/10/2018. Rightholder: University of California, San Diego. Exploitation reg.: United States of America. Used commercially by Palm
Current projects:
- Helical polymers for gene delivery in mesenchymal stem cells (PID2021-128461OB-I00), Amount: 163.350,00 €, Funding Entities: Ministry of Science and Innovation.
- Helical polymers to treat ocular neuropathies; Amount: 100.000,00,00 €; Funding Entities: Fundación La Caixa
- Keratin smart materials from feather waste - KARATE (2022-0437); Amount: 300.000,00€; Funding Entities: Fondazione Cariplo. Circular Economy: Promoting research for a sustainable future, 2022 call.
- Synthetic Organelles for Programmable Spatial Organization of Biomolecules (SYNORG) (PID2021-128113NA-100); Amount: 108.900,00€. Funding Entities: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation
- In situ lipid and peptide synthesis: biomimetic construction of functional self-assembled systems and chemoselective modification of proteins (RYC2020-030065-I); Amount: 42.000,00 €; Funding entities: Ministry of Science and Innovation.
- In situ lipid and peptide synthesis: biomimetic construction of functional self-assembled systems and chemoselective modification of proteins (RYC2020-030065-I)
- Orgánulos sintéticos para la organización espacial programable de biomoléculas (SYNORG) (PID2021-128113NA-100)
- Polímeros helicoidales para la liberación de genes en células madre mesenquimales (PID2021-128461OB-I00)
- Helical polymers to treat ocular neuropathies
- Keratin smart materials from feather waste – KARATE (2022-0437)
Relevant collaborations
- Neal K. Devaraj (University of California, San Diego).
- Sunil K. Sinha (University of California, San Diego).
- Roger K. Sunahara (University of California, San Diego).
- Christian Freund (Freie Universität) Berlin.
- Maria Antonietta De Matteis (TIGEM)
- Palm Therapeutics USA.
- Tim Overton (University of Birmingham)
- Richard Blanch (University of Birmingham)
Awards
- Roberto J. Brea
- 2021 Ramón y Cajal Contract Aid, Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (MICINN)
- 2021 Research Talent Attraction Programme, Xunta de Galicia
- 2021 Research Talent Recruitment Programme “EMERGIA”, Junta de Andalucia
- 2018 Finalist Career Awards at the Scientific Interface, Burroughs Wellcome Fund
- 2018 Hijos de Rivera Award to the best professional trajectory at “IX International Young Investigator Meeting”
- 2018 Nanoscale Horizons [Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)] Prize to the best poster communication presented at the meeting “Nanoscale Horizons Symposium”
- 2016 Extraordinary Doctorate Award (PhD in Chemistry, Academic year 2012-2013), University of Santiago de Compostela
- 2014 Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship, Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP)
- 2013 Postdoctoral Fellow, Xunta de Galicia
- 2008 Medichem Prize to the best oral communication presented at the meeting “Conference on Supramolecular Approaches to Catalysis”
- 2008 Special Mention in the European Young Chemist Award
- 2007 V Lilly Prize of Investigation for PhD students
- 2003 Predoctoral Scholar-Fellow (FPU), Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (MEC)
- 2001 Predoctoral Scholar-Fellow, Xunta de Galicia
- 2000 Undergraduate Research Fellow, Spanish Ministry of Science and Education (MEC)
- Paco Fernández Trillo
- Beatriz Galindo Award, 2021
Group members
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Other information of interest
News
Articles
Adapting the growth-form concept to geniculate coralline algae (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)
- Authors: Schwoerbel, Jakop; Brodie, Juliet; Calderon, Martha S.; Diaz-Pulido, Guillermo; Gabrielson, Paul W.; Kato, Aki; Le Gall, Line; Maneveldt, Gavin W.; Maridakis, Clio; Martone, Patrick T.; Moro, Isabella; Mrowicki, Robert J.; Nelson, Wendy A.; Pena, Viviana; Rindi, Fabio; Rousseau, Florence; Schils, Tom; Tamega, Frederico T. S.; Trentin, Riccardo
- Details: Journal Phycology, 62, 2026
- DOI: 10.1111/jpy.70155
Human Leukocyte Elastase Triggered Nanoparticles for Targeted Antimicrobial Delivery and Oral Microbial Modulation
- Authors: Hadis, Mohammed A.; Insua, Ignacio; Raja, Farah N. S.; Vila, Alvaro; Palin, William M.; Milward, Michael R.; Cooper, Paul R.; Kuehne, Sarah A.; Addison, Owen; Fernandez-Trillo, Paco
- Details: Advanced NanoBiomed Research,
- DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202500303
Leaflet-specific phospholipid imaging using genetically encoded proximity sensors
- Authors: Moore, William M.; Brea, Roberto J.; Knittel, Caroline H.; Wrightsman, Ellen; Hui, Brandon; Lou, Jinchao; Ancajas, Christelle F.; Best, Michael D.; Obara, Christopher J.; Devaraj, Neal K.; Budin, Itay
- Details: Nat Chem Biol. 22, 2026
- DOI: 10.1038/s41589-025-02021-z