University of Barcelona View Institution's Website 15 articles published in JoVE Developmental Biology Early Unguided Human Brain Organoid Neurovascular Niche Modeling into the Permissive Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Luciano Fiore1,2, Jan Arderiu3, Andrea Martí-Sarrias3,4, Isabel Turpín3,4, Ruth I. Pareja3,5, Arcadi Navarro5,6,7,8, Mariana Holubiec2,9, Julieta Bianchelli9, Tomas Falzone2,9, Gonzalo Spelzini1,2, Gabriel Scicolone1,2, Sandra Acosta3,4 1Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias “Prof. E. De Robertis” (IBCN), CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, 2Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 3Institute of Neurosciences, Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics Dept, University of Barcelona, 4Functional Neurogenomics Group, Neurodevelopmental Disorders, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 5IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 6Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) and Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 7Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 8BarcelonaBeta Brain Research Center, Pasqual Maragall Foundation, 9Instituto de Investigación en Biomedicina (IBioBA) – CONICET – Instituto Partner de la Sociedad Max Planck Here, we present a protocol to engraft human brain organoids at multiple maturation stages into the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Brain organoids were grown following unguided standardized protocols. Engineering Glass-Based Devices to Generate Drops and Emulsions Josefa Guerrero1, Javier Rojo2, Alexis de la Cotte2, Luis Manuel Aguilera-Sáez3, Enric Vila3, Alberto Fernandez-Nieves2,4,5 1Department of Chemistry and Physics, Augusta University, 2Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona, 3Agrobío S.L., 4ICREA - Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, 5Institute of Complex Systems (UBICS), University of Barcelona Here, a protocol to manufacture glass-based microfluidic devices used for generating highly monodisperse emulsions with controlled drop size is presented. Medicine Myocardial Infarction by Percutaneous Embolization Coil Deployment in a Swine Model Daina Martínez-Falguera*1,2, Edgar Fadeuilhe*3, Albert Teis3, Julia Aranyo3, Raquel Adeliño1,3, Felipe Bisbal3,4, Oriol Rodriguez-Leor3,4, Carolina Gálvez-Montón1,3,4 1ICREC Research Program, Germans Trias i Pujol Health Research Institute (IGTP), 2Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona (UB), 3Heart Institute (iCOR), Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, 4CIBER Cardiovascular, Instituto de Salud Carlos III Myocardial infarction (MI) animal models that emulate the natural process of the disease in humans are crucial to understanding pathophysiological mechanisms and testing the safety and efficacy of new emergent therapies. Here, we describe an MI swine model created by deploying a percutaneous embolization coil. Cancer Research In Vitro Evaluation of Oncogenic Transformation in Human Mammary Epithelial Cells Joan Repullés1,2, Mariona Terradas1,3,4, Gemma Fuster5,6,7, Anna Genescà1, Teresa Anglada1 1Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 2Optical Microscopy Core Facilities, IDIBELL, 3Hereditary Cancer Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, IDIBELL, 4Program in Molecular Mechanisms and Experimental Therapy in Oncology (Oncobell), IDIBELL, 5New Therapeutic Strategies in Cancer Group. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine, School of Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Barcelona (IBUB), 6Department of Biochemistry & Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 7Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Vic This protocol provides experimental in vitro tools to evaluate the transformation of human mammary cells. Detailed steps to follow-up cell proliferation rate, anchorage-independent growth capacity, and distribution of cell lineages in 3D cultures with basement membrane matrix are described. Neuroscience Meta-analysis of Voxel-Based Neuroimaging Studies using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI) Anton Albajes-Eizagirre1,2, Aleix Solanes1,2, Miquel Angel Fullana2,3, John P. A. Ioannidis4, Paolo Fusar-Poli5,6,7, Carla Torrent1,2,3,8, Brisa Solé1,2,3,8, Caterina Mar Bonnín1,2,3,8, Eduard Vieta1,2,3,8, David Mataix-Cols9, Joaquim Radua1,2,5,9 1 We detail how to conduct a meta-analysis of voxel-based neuroimaging studies using Seed-based d Mapping with Permutation of Subject Images (SDM-PSI). Neuroscience Generation of 3-D Collagen-based Hydrogels to Analyze Axonal Growth and Behavior During Nervous System Development Vanessa Gil1,2,3,4, José Antonio Del Río1,2,3,4 1Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Parc Científic de Barcelona, 2Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology, Universitat de Barcelona, 3Center for Networked Biomedical Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), 4Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona Here, we provide a method for analyzing the behavior of growing axons in 3D matrices, mimicking their natural development. Immunology and Infection VirWaTest, A Point-of-Use Method for the Detection of Viruses in Water Samples David Aguado1, Eva Fores1, Laura Guerrero-Latorre1,2, Marta Rusiñol1, Sandra Martínez-Puchol1, Francesc Codony3,4, Rosina Girones1, Sílvia Bofill-Mas1 1Laboratory of Viruses Contaminants of Water and Food (VIRCONT), Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics, Section of Microbiology, Virology and Biotechnology, University of Barcelona, 2Grupo de Investigación Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Salud (BIOMAS), Facultad de Ingenierías y Ciencias Agropecuarias (FICA), Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Universidad de las Américas, 3Municipal Laboratory - Waters of Mataró, 4GenIUL Here we present VirWaTest, which is a simple, affordable and portable method for the concentration and detection of viruses from water samples at the point of use. Environment Cereal Crop Ear Counting in Field Conditions Using Zenithal RGB Images José A. Fernandez-Gallego1,2,3, María Luisa Buchaillot1,2, Adrian Gracia-Romero1,2, Thomas Vatter1,2, Omar Vergara Diaz1,2, Nieves Aparicio Gutiérrez4, María Teresa Nieto-Taladriz5, Samir Kerfal6, Maria Dolors Serret1,2, José Luis Araus1,2, Shawn C. Kefauver1,2 1Plant Physiology Section, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 2Agrotecnio, 3Programa de Ingeniería Electrónica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad de Ibagué, 4Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 5Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), 6Syngenta Spain We present a protocol for counting durum wheat and barley ears, using natural color (RGB) digital photographs taken in natural sunlight under field conditions. With minimal adjustments for camera parameters and some environmental condition limitations, the technique provides precise and consistent results across a range of growth stages. Medicine An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery Miki Dalmau-Pastor1,2,3, Jordi Vega1,4, Francesc Malagelada1,5, Fernando Peña6, Maria Cristina Manzanares-Céspedes1 1Laboratory of Arthroscopic and Surgical Anatomy. Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics (Human Anatomy and Embryology Unit), University of Barcelona, 2Health Sciences Faculty of Manresa, University of Vic-Central University of Catalunya, 3Groupe de Recherche et d'Etude en Chirurgie Mini-Invasive du Pied, GRECMIP, 4Foot and Ankle Unit, Hospital Quirón Barcelona, 5Foot and Ankle Unit, Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, 6Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Foot and Ankle Unit, University of Minnesota Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures rely on anatomical references to localize structures not directly visible to the surgeon. This manuscript describes a combined method of plane-by-plane dissection and sectional anatomy of fresh-frozen specimens to locate the structures at risk during MIS procedures. Bioengineering Dendrimer-based Uneven Nanopatterns to Locally Control Surface Adhesiveness: A Method to Direct Chondrogenic Differentiation Ignasi Casanellas1,2, Anna Lagunas3,1, Iro Tsintzou1, Yolanda Vida4,5, Daniel Collado4,5, Ezequiel Pérez-Inestrosa4,5, Cristina Rodríguez-Pereira6, Joana Magalhaes3,6, Pau Gorostiza1,3,7, José A. Andrades8,3, José Becerra8,3,5, Josep Samitier1,3,2 1Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), 2Department of Engineering Electronics, University of Barcelona (UB), 3Networking Biomedical Research Center (CIBER), 4Instituto de Investigacin Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Department of Organic Chemistry, Universidad de Málaga (UMA), 5Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology-BIONAND, 6Unidad de Bioingeniería Tisular y Terapia Celular (GBTTC-CHUAC), Grupo de Reumatolog ía, Instituto de Investigación Biomèdica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de A Coruña (CHUAC), Sergas, Universidade da Coruña (UDC), 7Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 8Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Department of Cell Biology, Genetics and Physiology, Universidad de Málaga (UMA) A method to obtain dendrimer-based uneven nanopatterns that permit the nanoscale control of local arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) surface density is described and applied for the study of cell adhesion and chondrogenic differentiation. Developmental Biology AFM and Microrheology in the Zebrafish Embryo Yolk Cell Maria Marsal1, Ignasi Jorba2, Elena Rebollo1, Tomas Luque2, Daniel Navajas2, Enrique Martín-Blanco1 1Instituto de Biología Molecular de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, 2Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, Universitat de Barcelona and CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias The lack of tools to measure material properties and tensional parameters in vivo prevents validating their roles during development. We employed atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoparticle-tracking to quantify mechanical features on the intact zebrafish embryo yolk cell during epiboly. These methods are reliable and widely applicable avoiding intrusive interventions. Biochemistry Brain Membrane Fractionation: An Ex Vivo Approach to Assess Subsynaptic Protein Localization Xavier Morató*1,2, Marc López-Cano*1,2, Paula M. Canas3, Rodrigo A. Cunha3, Francisco Ciruela1,2 1Unitat de Farmacologia, Departament Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Facultat de Medicina, IDIBELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, 2Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, 3Center for Neurosciences of Coimbra, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra Here, we present a brain membrane fractionation protocol that represents a robust procedure to isolate proteins belonging to different synaptic compartments. Medicine Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction Ryan Hodges1,2, Masayuki Endo1, Andre La Gerche3, Elisenda Eixarch4,5, Philip DeKoninck1, Vessilina Ferferieva3, Jan D'hooge3, Euan M. Wallace2, Jan Deprest1 1Division Woman and Child, Department Women, University Hospitals Leuven, 2The Ritchie Centre, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia, 3Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 4 We describe examination of fetal cardiac function with contemporary functional fetal echocardiography and fetoplacental Doppler ultrasound using the VisualSonics VEVO 2100 microultrasound in a surgically induced model of intrauterine fetal growth restriction in a rabbit. Immunology and Infection Intravital Microscopy of the Spleen: Quantitative Analysis of Parasite Mobility and Blood Flow Mireia Ferrer*1, Lorena Martin-Jaular*1, Maria Calvo2, Hernando A. del Portillo1,3 1Department of poverty related diseases, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, 2Confocal Microscopy Unit, University of Barcelona- Scientific and Technological Centers, 3Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA) We show the method for performing intravital microscopy of the spleen using GFP transgenic malaria parasites and the quantification of parasite mobility and blood flow within this organ. Immunology and Infection Cost-effective Method for Microbial Source Tracking Using Specific Human and Animal Viruses Sílvia Bofill-Mas1, Ayalkibet Hundesa1, Byron Calgua1, Marta Rusiñol1, Carlos Maluquer de Motes1, Rosina Girones1 1Laboratory of Water and Food Viral Pollution, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona The study describes a cost-effective method for the identification of the source of fecal/urine contamination or contamination by nitrates in water using qPCR for the specific quantification of human/porcine/bovine DNA viruses, adenoviruses and polyomaviruses, proposed as MST tools.