Prof. José A. Garrido and Prof. Kostas Kostarelos receive the 2024 City of Barcelona Award in Science and Technology

by Chema Arcos

This recognition highlights their pioneering work on graphene-based brain interfaces, which have promising clinical applications in the neurology and neuro-oncology fields.

The City of Barcelona Awards, presented each year by the Barcelona City Council, celebrate outstanding achievements across a range of cultural and scientific fields. In the 2024 edition, the prize in Experimental Sciences and Technology has gone to two researchers from the ICN2 for their major contributions to nanotechnology solutions in neurology.

ICREA Prof. José Antonio Garrido, head of the Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices Group, and ICREA Prof. Kostas Kostarelos, leader of the Nanomedicine Lab, were recognised for their co-authored paper “Nanoporous graphene-based thin-film microelectrodes for in vivo high-resolution neural recording and stimulation.”

Their research presents a breakthrough technology based on graphene, an extremely thin, flexible and conductive material, that enables the development of next-generation neural implants. These graphene interfaces are designed to interact safely with the brain and can detect and modulate neural activity. The technology is currently being tested for clinical applications by the spin-off company InBrain Neuroelectronics.

The award jury, chaired by Dr Caterina Biscari and comprising Martine Bosman, Teresa Puig, Carme Cascante and Antonio Acín, recognised the transformative potential of this research in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.

This recognition reinforces ICN2's position as a leading centre for cutting-edge nanotechnology research and its dedication to translating advanced science into real-world solutions. Our sincerest congratulations to Prof. José Garrido and Prof. Kostas Kostarelos.