CNB-CSIC (Coordinator)
Centro Nacional Biotecnología - Madrid
Dr. Luis Ángel Fernández Herrero is Group leader (Científico Titular) of the Antibody Selection and Production Group at the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC). For the past eight years, the experimental focused on the development of novel E. coli expression systems to express both scFv and VHH antibodies in either the cytoplasm, the periplasm or the bacterial surface.
These results have been published articles in the top-cited journals in the filed. The group has developed protocols for the construction and selection of phage-antibody libraries from immunized mice and camels. The CNB has excellent laboratory facilities to support the project.
Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro
Dr. Luis Álvarez-Vallina, is associated-head at the Immunology Department in the Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro and director of the Molecular Medicine Unit He has experience in the production of human recombinant antibodies using phage- and retroviral-display systems. Over the past years the group has developed innovative approaches for massive anti-angiogenic testing using automated high-throughput screening platforms, and new systems to gene modify human cells to secrete functional human and murine antibody fragments (scFv and diabodies). The group is involved in several international collaborations with researchers in the United Kingdom (Dr. G Winter and P Holliger), Germany (Dr C. Buchholz) and Denmark (Dr P. Kristensen).
More information about FIB-HUPH
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO)
Dr. Jorge Luis Martínez Torrecuadrada has more than fifteen years of experience in Biotechnology research and has participated in many national and international projects. Four years ago, he moved as Staff Scientist to the Protein Technology Unit of the Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO) which is headed by Dr. Ignacio Casal. The research group has developed during this time an ample experience in phage display technology, including the cloning of repertoires of several hybridomas, selection, identification and expression of specific scFvs against numerous proteins of interest in cancer research. Also, the functional and biochemical characterizations of several scFvs have been carried out by surface plasmon resonance (BIACORE), flow cytometry (FACS), immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy and production of mice bearing xenografts (25). Recently, an Imaging Unit has been created at the CNIO with the most modern techniques of in vivo imaging (PET) that will actively collaborate in the diagnosis by imaging of the angiogenic processes using the selected rAbs.
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
Dr. Antonio Rodríguez Márquez, Research Scientist (“Ramon y Cajal” Programme) of the Molecular Biology Department of the Autonomous University of Madrid, has fifteen years of experience in Molecular Biology and in the last 5 years, he has specifically worked on the molecular basis of angiogenesis within the laboratory of Dr. Juan Miguel Redondo (CBMSO/CNIC) allowing him to obtain a wide experience in techniques of in vitro angiogenesis (capillary tubes formation in Matrigel, invasion in collagen gels, endothelial migration in transwell) and in vivo (corneal neovascularization assay, implantation of Matrigel subcutaneously and tumoral implantation by xenografts). On the other hand, his group is currently using several techniques for the purification of proteins involved in angiogenesis. In addition, in the last 2 years, Dr. Rodríguez has carried out his work in the Autonomous University of Madrid as well as in the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), a centre of new creation with the most modern technology.
Associated Company
Microbionta
Microbionta (www.microbionta.com) (Tres Cantos, Madrid) is a biotechnology company whose promoters have been a group of scientists from the National Biotechnology Centre in Madrid (CNB), and BIONOSTRA S.L.
The activity of Microbionta is focused on the development of new technologies for the production and selection of rAbs in bacteria for use in diagnostics and therapy. The Microbionta’s aim in this project is the opportunity to evaluate the antibodies obtained as therapeutic molecules, to carry out the corresponding market research and to come to the required understandings for the incorporation of these molecules to our programs of product development. Microbionta comprises a modern laboratory equipped with the last technologies in molecular biology. Microbionta’s scientists have gained an outstanding level of experience with more than 14 years in the field of Microbiology and its biotechnology applications.
Associated Company
Lead Artis
Lead Artis (www.leadartis.com is a Drug Discovery Company founded in 2007 that develops targeted therapeutics. LeadArtis, an Academic Spin-off company located in Madrid, Spain, has developed an advanced screening technology platform and is able to evaluate, rapidly and, at a low cost, the biological activity of compounds on complex biological processes reproduced in vitro under relevant physiological or pathological conditions. LeadArtis is focused strongly on Protein Engineering for novel therapeutic development, and has developed proprietary technology to create multimeric and multifunctional proteins.
Associated Company
PROALT (Protein Alternatives SL)
PROALT (www.proteinalternatives.com/) PROALT (Protein Alternatives SL), PROALT (Protein Alternatives SL) is a biotechnology company founded in 2006, located in the Science Park of Madrid, with a strong expertise in those technologies required for the production of recombinant proteins and antibodies. Our focus is to become a reference company developing cancer biomarkers because their critical role in early diagnostic, prognostic and prediction of resistance or drug susceptibility in cancer treatments.
Our aim is to offer quality reagents for the new genomic and proteomic targets arising from the -omics technologies.
PROALT is applying its know-how, strong experience and innovative technologies for the expression, purification and antibody generation of "rare" and "difficult-to-express" proteins to provide high quality products and tailored customer services to the scientific community.
External Advisors
Dr. Jaume Piulats is the director of the Bioinvestigation Laboratory (LBI) of Merck Farma y Quimica (www.merck.es) a German pharmaceutical company located in Barcelona. The LBI is focused on the development and characterization of innovative therapies for cancer treatment. In collaboration with the Oncology Research Centres of Darmstadt (Germany) and Lexigen (USA), the LBI participates in the different stages of the process of drug development. Its current location, in the Scientific Park of Barcelona, allows the collaboration between university research groups, as well as biotechnology-driven companies. The LBI has collaborated decisively in the development of cetuximab (Erbitux®), a chimeric MAb specifically targeting human EGFR.
Dr. Serge Muyldermans is Professor of the Free University of Brussels (VIB, Belgium) and one of the most renowned experts on rAbs. He actively participated in the discovery of the camel heavy chain-only antibodies and he has been the main responsible of their biotechnology application. In addition, He is co-founder and scientific advisor of the company “Ablynx” www.ablynx.com which is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of VHH for use in diagnostics and human therapy, with an investment of more than 33 millions of euros.
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