Strategic Projects

Using genome data to generate a cancer vaccine The fundamental goal of the BLANCA project is to develop a vaccine for treating breast cancer. To those ends massive data from patients with cancer will be obtained and analysed to look for non-coding RNA that is expressed in the tumour and that can generate immunogenic micropeptides. This is a unique opportunity to create latest generation technology in the fields of genomics, bioinformatics, molecular biology and chemistry that will make it possible to create a technological platform and position Navarre as a leader in treating cancer and producing RNA vaccines for treating different diseases and dealing with future pandemics.

Artificial intelligence and advanced robotics solutions in complex industrial environments AiRob seeks to improve working conditions for people with solutions where artificial intelligence, deep learning and robotics are brought together to solve complex problems in the manufacturing industry. In addition, the project is based in developing transversal and enabling ICT technologies for progress in industrial processes for handling information for decision making and using computational intelligence to improve working conditions.

Applications of the multiomic study of the microbiota for developing innovative biotechnological solutions in the area of health Recent studies indicate that microbial communities play a fundamental role in human heath. Those micro-organisms, which are collectively called microbiota, participate in both the physiopathology of various diseases and patient responses to pharmacological treatments. MicroBiomics (μBiomics) is setting out to design, develop and implement a multiomic platform and a set of bioinformatic tools that will make it possible to characterise the role of microbiota in different pathological processes (digestive, autoimmune, oncological) at a level of detail never achieved before and in a completely novel way. The final goal of the project is to identify bacterial communities and their activity for using biotechnology to design therapeutic strategies.

Leadership and innovation in cancer immunotherapy in Navarre (LINTERNA)

Treatment of oncology patients has advanced at breakneck speed as a consequence of advances in cancer immunotherapy. Thanks to the use of monoclonal antibodies that disinhibit certain brakes in the immune system, a significant portion of patients become long-term survivors. In Navarre, we have experts in several areas including immunotherapy and preclinical research and clinical practice (clinical trials), as well as pharmaceutical companies that are leaders in stimulating the immune system against cancer.

The LINTERNA project emerged to unify and consolidate the synergetic collaboration between those groups in order to (i) improve immunotherapy treatments using genome techniques, (ii) validate new treatments in experimental models optimising the use of infrastructures, (iii) and promote participation in and carrying out clinical trials for cancer immunotherapy in hospitals in Navarre.

A disruptive new audiovisual format that changes depending on the viewer's emotions in a dynamic and transparent way

The goal of the Emotional Films project is to develop a new concept for an audiovisual format based on the idea of providing personalised content in a dynamic and transparent way to each viewer depending on the emotions they show in response to different events and stimuli that occur throughout the content. An artificial intelligence (AI) that can detect and extract emotional information is being developed to do that. Emotional Films is striving for viewers to be totally immersed in the content without needing to have them interact directly with the content.

See the Emotional Films application

Implementation of precision olfactory medicine and developing nasal immunomodulator therapies in ageing and neurodegeneration

Research done previously in Navarre showed a direct association between the sense of smell and the immune system and its impact on cognitive and motor functions. In an ageing society, we need disruptive approaches that generate innovative tools for detecting and diagnosing neurodegenerative illnesses early. The goal of the INNOLFACT project is to implement the practice of precision olfactory medicine (POM) and develop nasal therapies that modulate the immune system in the brain.

INNOLFACT intends to provide a range of olfactory analyses that offer personalised management of ageing and the associated neurodegenerative diseases in terms of early diagnosis and slowing clinical progression.

AVANZADO EN LA NUTRICIÓN DE PERSONAS CON NECESIDADES ESPECIALES. El objetivo del proyecto Nutri+ es hacer más atractiva y saludable la dieta de determinados grupos de población especialmente vulnerables con necesidades específicas. Para conseguirlo, en este proyecto se investigan y desarrollan ingredientes y alimentos con texturas adaptadas a problemas de masticación y deglución. Productos que además son visualmente atractivos, con un perfil funcional saludable que permiten diseñar dietas equilibradas. Así se consigue prevenir patologías en estos grupos de población y mejorar su calidad de vida. Gracias a la colaboración de ADItech en este proyecto, también se ha incorporado la dimensión de género teniendo en cuenta las necesidades específicas de ambos sexos lo cual contribuye a alcanzar mejor el objetivo del proyecto.

Este proyecto afronta el reto de gestar un salto adelante en el desarrollo de tecnología de impresión 3D y biomateriales, que permita la obtención de tejido cardiaco humano en el laboratorio, desde mini-corazones hasta órganos completos, así como ponerlos en valor como plataforma eficaz y novedosa para la detección precoz de cardiotoxicidad. El objetivo es el de posicionar a Navarra como un nodo de innovación en el desarrollo de tecnología de biofabricación y producción de tejidos cardiacos humanos bio-artificiales y el uso de éstos para el testeo industrial y (pre)-clínico de cardiotoxicidad. El consorcio del presente proyecto trabajará en el desarrollo de las herramientas tecnológicas y biomédicas para el diseño, desarrollo, fabricación e implementación de plataformas de testeo de cardiotoxicidad, con diferentes capacidades, así como evaluará de forma proactiva su valorización. Estas se basarán en tecnología de vanguardia: desde células madre iPSC humanas, impresión 3D multifuncional y biomateriales, hasta la generación in vivo de corazones humanizados mediante complementación de blastocisto.

En la actualidad, el cáncer es la segunda causa de muerte en los países occidentales desarrollados, tras las enfermedades cardiovasculares. A pesar de los notables avances en el conocimiento de los mecanismos biológicos implicados y de las nuevas aproximaciones terapéuticas, la búsqueda de tratamientos de un adecuado balance seguridad/eficacia continúa siendo una de las grandes prioridades. El proyecto NanoRC se centra en el tratamiento personalizado del cáncer, tomando como modelo el mieloma múltiple (MM). Para ello, partiendo de la información genómica-transcriptómica de pacientes, se generarán siRNA específicos personalizados que serán administrados en nanopartículas. Los nanotransportadores protegerán al RNA de la degradación, lo dirigirán específicamente a las células tumorales y permitirán la internalización del mismo. Una vez en el interior de las células tumorales, el RNA se unirá específicamente a su diana, ejerciendo el efecto terapéutico deseado.

ADItech collaborated with the government of Navarre on publicising the strategic projects financed by the government of Navarre in the 2018-2020 call for proposals. The Boletus and Aurbelec projects are centred on designing long range electric vehicles and advanced technology. Aralar and e-Hiera are projects seeking to improve the use and storage of renewable energy. And, lastly, in the area of health, the Nagen and Diana projects are researching complete DNA sequencing and applications for it in advanced medicine.

It is estimated that more than 10 million people in Europe suffer from pressure ulcers. The incident rate of the affliction in the adult population is between 5% and 12% and up to 20% in geriatric patients with chronic or acute illnesses. The setting of these injuries and their growth - especially aggravated in bed-ridden people due to pressure on the body and friction with clothing and bedding - means new technologies and anti-microbial textiles play an important role in improving therapeutic approaches and ensuring a better quality of life. Along those lines, the general goal of the PROMETEA project is to obtain combined treatments that make regeneration of epithelial tissue possible and also control infection and inflammation processes by preventing infections and stimulating the defences of affected individuals.