18 innovative projects from the UAB recognised by the Knowledge Industry 2025 programme

The Knowledge Industry programme, promoted by the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia, aims to strengthen an economic model based on knowledge and innovation, facilitating the transfer of research results generated in universities and research centres to society and the productive sector. The grants are structured in three categories (Llavor, Producte and Innovadors) that support different phases of the valorisation process, from the early stages of development to the effective transfer of technologies and knowledge.

In the Llavor category, aimed at projects with potential for market application in the early stages, nine UAB projects were funded, with a total amount of €180,000:

• A first-in-class vaccine for Parkinson's disease, led by researcher Javier Garcia, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB-UAB).
• New nanotechnological therapy for Parkinson's disease: nose to brain delivery of selenium nanoparticles, by Fernando Novio, from the Department of Chemistry.
• Regulatable gene therapy for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts: advancing towards a targeted and translatable treatment, led by Assumpció Bosch, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
• Controlled crystallisation of silk films for antibiotic encapsulation and delivery enabling cost-effective and timeless detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, by researcher Núria Vigués, from the Department of Genetics and Microbiology.
• SMART-AMP: smart design of antimicrobial peptides using AI, led by Marc Torrent, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
• PlastiKit: biomarker-based solution for enhanced protection against micro/nanoplastics exposure, by Alba Hernández, from the Department of Genetics and Microbiology.
• Enhancing the insecticidal properties of a pesticide based on a plant enzyme and produced in a biofactory, by Soledad Martos, from the Department of Animal Biology, Plant Biology and Ecology.
• WILDFEED: sustainable wildlife feed from scrubland, led by Emmanuel Antonio Serrano, from the Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery.
• Aurora: Validation of an AI Platform for Life Narratives in Mental Health, by Albert Feliu Soler, of the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology.

In the Product category, aimed at developing prototypes and valorising already consolidated research results, five UAB projects have received funding totalling €576,000:

• Tailoring proprietary CBD-based therapies for primary mitochondrial disease, by researcher Emma Puighermanal of the Institute of Neurosciences (INc-UAB).
• QGIS suite for unified geodata in archaeological research, by Rafael Mora, from the Department of Prehistory.
• ONESHOT: 3-in-1 multidiagnosis of lung cancer, in which researcher Guillermo Eduardo Torres, from the Department of Computer Science, participates.
• Electrospray dehydration for high-value liquid foods, by Manuel Castillo, of the Department of Animal Science and Food Science.
• Ovaprotect: advancing SKQ1 to prevent FXPOI, preserve fertility, and reduce health risks, by researcher Ignasi Roig, of the Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology.

Finally, the Innovadors programme, which enables the recruitment of personnel with an entrepreneurial profile to promote transfer to the productive sector, has selected four UAB projects, with total funding of €336,000:

• Transforming electronics through smart quantum materials and sustainable additive manufacturing, led by Jose Maria Muñoz, from the Department of Chemistry.
• Cornerstone for developing next-generation drugs for healthy ageing, by Miguel Chillón, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Neurosciences (INc-UAB).
• Next-generation enzyme replacement therapy for neurodegenerative and lysosomal storage diseases, led by Sebastian Martin Tanco, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB-UAB).
• Software for unified governance of archaeological research- valorisation, innovation and transfer, by researcher Rafael Mora, from the Department of Prehistory.