Laboratories

 

We have two electronics laboratories (30 m2 + 30 m2) with state-of-the-art equipment for the development and testing of microdevices and electronic systems. Among other specialized equipment, we have a high-precision welding laser system, a coiling machine, a wire bonding machine for die assembly, high-end inspection microscopes, a rework station, a thermal imaging camera, and equipment for electronic testing, including oscilloscopes, function generators, active differential probes, and related instrumentation.

For prototyping, we have access to an air compressor with a silicone dispenser, a vacuum chamber, 3D printers, and a CNC machine. Workstations and software licenses, including Cadence, COMSOL Multiphysics with modules, and MATLAB, are available for numerical modeling and for the design of electronic systems and integrated circuits.

At the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), we have two wet laboratories (10 m2 + 20 m2) equipped for conventional microbiology, and we also have access to PRBB scientific services.

PRBB Laboratories and research infrastructure

We carry out experimental work in both engineering and biomedical research environments. Our activities benefit from laboratory spaces at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and from access to the scientific ecosystem of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), where we can combine biomedical electronics, biological experimentation, imaging, and advanced scientific services.

This laboratory environment is especially important for research lines involving electroporation, electric-field-based therapies, implantable electronics, neurotechnology, and experimental validation in biologically relevant conditions.

Wet laboratories

Access to two wet laboratories at PRBB for experimental biomedical research.

Cell culture

Shared cell culture facilities with hood, incubator, and space for in vitro studies.

Bioimaging

Advanced microscopy and imaging opportunities for observation and quantitative analysis.

Analysis & prototyping

Access to flow cytometry and rapid prototyping resources that complement our research.

PRBB laboratory environment

At PRBB, we have access to two wet laboratories and to a shared cell culture laboratory used together with other teams. These spaces support our in vitro experimental work and allow us to connect our engineering-oriented research with biological systems and cell-based models.

Within the shared cell culture environment, we have access to essential infrastructure such as a biosafety hood and an incubator. This setting allows us to culture cancer cell lines such as U87 and HeLa cells and to perform controlled laboratory studies on bioelectrical treatments.

 
 
 

Cell-based bioelectrical experiments at PRBB

At the PRBB cell culture rooms, we perform in vitro experiments that connect biomedical electronics with biological models. These experiments allow us to expose cultured cells to controlled bioelectrical conditions and to study their response using cell-based readouts.

This work supports several research lines in bioelectrical phenomena, including electroporation, electric-field-based treatments, and the experimental validation of biomedical devices and stimulation platforms.

  • In vitro experiments with cultured cell models
  • Controlled exposure to bioelectrical conditions
  • Testing and validation of experimental platforms
  • Integration of electronic instrumentation with biological assays
  • Connection between device development and biomedical experimentation

Scientific services and advanced technologies

In addition to the wet-lab and cell-culture infrastructure used in our own experiments, we benefit from the wider PRBB scientific ecosystem, which provides access to advanced imaging, flow cytometry, and rapid prototyping technologies. These facilities strengthen our ability to develop, test, and validate new biomedical devices and experimental platforms.

Advanced Light Microscopy Unit

 

Through the PRBB environment, we can benefit from the CRG/UPF Advanced Light Microscopy Unit. This unit supports the research community in quantitative bioimaging, from experimental design and sample preparation to image acquisition, analysis, and visualization.

Its microscopy platforms span fluorescence microscopy techniques ranging from widefield and confocal imaging to super-resolution systems, enabling observation of biological structures from the macro scale to the nanoscale.

  • Widefield fluorescence microscopy
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Quantitative bioimaging support
  • Image analysis and visualization

CRG/UPF Flow Cytometry Unit

 

We can also benefit from access to the CRG/UPF Flow Cytometry Unit, which supports multiparametric analysis of cells and particles in suspension. Flow cytometry makes it possible to analyse cell populations rapidly and at high throughput, using laser-based detection and fluorescent markers.

This unit is particularly relevant for biological characterization and for analysing subpopulations, membrane integrity, cellular markers, and other experimental outcomes in cell-based studies.

  • Multiparametric cell analysis
  • Analysis of complex cell populations
  • Support for experimental design and data analysis
  • Access to analyzers and sorters

PRBB μFabLab

 

Image source: PRBB μFabLab / EMBL Barcelona

For the development of custom research tools and experimental devices, we can benefit from the PRBB μFabLab, a makerspace for scientists promoted by EMBL Barcelona, CRG, UPF, and PRBB. It is a collaborative space for building micro- and macro-fabricated parts through rapid prototyping.

This resource is highly relevant for biomedical electronics and device development, as it allows trained users to fabricate custom components, prototypes, and experimental tools for novel research applications.

  • Rapid prototyping for scientific devices
  • Laser cutting
  • CNC micro-milling
  • Soft lithography resources
  • 3D optical profiling

How these facilities support our research

Experimental opportunities

  • In vitro experiments with cultured cell models
  • Cell-based studies of bioelectrical phenomena
  • Microscopy-based observation of cellular responses
  • Flow-cytometry-based characterization of treated samples
  • Experimental testing under controlled cell culture conditions
  • Development of custom experimental devices and tools

Technological strengths

  • Integration of engineering and biology
  • Advanced imaging and quantitative bioimaging
  • Access to shared scientific services
  • Rapid prototyping and device development
  • Support for translational biomedical research
  • Interdisciplinary laboratory ecosystem

Together, these facilities make it possible for us to connect biomedical electronics, device engineering, and biological experimentation in a highly interdisciplinary research environment.

 

From device development to biological validation

One of our main strengths is the ability to move across different levels of experimentation: from the design and development of biomedical electronics platforms, to laboratory implementation, to biological validation in cell-based systems. The availability of wet laboratories, shared cell culture infrastructure, advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, and fabrication resources makes this workflow possible.

This combination of resources supports a research model in which new technologies can be conceived, built, experimentally deployed, and biologically evaluated within a connected scientific environment.