This talk will show the transformative role of nanobiosensors in modern diagnostics, focusing on their application as point-of-care devices in health and environmental monitoring. By leveraging cutting-edge nanotechnology and advanced nanomaterials, these devices enable rapid, accurate, and accessible diagnostics, addressing critical global challenges. Key examples of innovative nanobiosensors developed in Barcelona will illustrate their potential to revolutionize healthcare and sustainability.

The talk will also discuss recent efforts to establish a regional hub for nanotechnology, NANOALB-NANOBALKAN, inspired by the model of Barcelona's ICN2. Supported by the Academy of Sciences of Albania, this initiative aims to foster innovation and collaboration in the Balkans, positioning the region at the forefront of nanotechnology research and development.

About the Lecturer: ICREA Research Professor and leader of the ICN2 Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group, Arben Merkoçi obtained his PhD at the University of Tirana (Albania) in ion selective electrodes. Since 1992 he has carried out research as postdoctoral fellow and research professor at the Polytechnic University of Budapest (Hungary), University of Ioannina (Greece), Università degli Studi di Padova (Italy), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and New Mexico State University (USA). His research is focused on the integration of biological molecules and other species with micro- and nanostructures to design novel (bio)sensors. He is member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania and director and coordinator of NANOALB (www.nanoalb.al), the regional network of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Prof. Merkoçi is Co-Editor in Chief of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the principal international journal devoted to research, design development and application of biosensors and bioelectronics, member of editorial board of Electroanalysis, Microchimica Acta and other journals.

Prof. Merkoçi has published 353 articles (H-index / citations: Google Scholar 91 / 32689; WOS 81 / 25064) and supervised 40 finished PhD theses. He is also involved in teaching PhD courses in the field of nanomaterial- based biosensors in several Spanish and international centres. He has been a member of the commission for establishing the new Nanoscience and Nanotechnology undergraduate academic curriculum at the UAB, the first one in Spain, which started during the academic year 2010- 2011. He is a member of the Academics Working Group of BIST and coordinator of the Nanodiagnostics module of the Nanotechnology Master at the UAB.

He has got several national and international grants related to nanomaterials application in biosensors and his group is collaborating with several worldwide leading labs in the field of nanobiosensors. Prof. Merkoçi serves also as scientific evaluator and member of panels of experts of various international governmental and nongovernmental agencies (EU-FP and EU-ERC panels and other panels in Europe, USA and other countries), as a scientific committee member of many international congresses, director of several workshops and other scientific events and have been invited to give plenary lectures, keynote and invited speeches in more than 220 occasions in various countries. Prof. Merkoçi is the co-founder of two spin-off companies: GraphenicaLab, devoted to graphene patterning, and PaperDrop, dedicated to clinical diagnostics.

Nanobiosensors: Pioneering Diagnostics for a Healthier World