IMB-CNM and CRAG foster synergies between microelectronics and plant research
A first bilateral meeting that highlights strong complementarities between both CSIC centers in microelectronics and plant science, as it opens new paths for collaboration in biosensing, monitoring technologies, and agrifood applications
The Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM-CSIC) and the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), both from CSIC, held their first bilateral meeting on May 20, a joint initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration at the interface between microelectronics and life sciences.
Organized by IMB-CNM Prof. César Fernández-Sánchez and Prof. José Antonio Plaza, alongside CRAG Prof. Paloma Mas, the meeting brought together researchers from both institutions to share ongoing research, identify synergies, and explore new avenues for collaboration. Deputy director Francesc Pérez Murano gave some opening remarks.
The organizers said: "The meeting made it possible to identify highly promising areas of convergence between IMB-CNM and CRAG, particularly in the development of advanced tools for plant biology, plant and soil monitoring, biosensing, flexible technologies, and electronic and micro and nanostructured systems applied to agriculture and the agrifood sector. The main takeaway from the meeting is that both communities are highly complementary, and that there is a clear opportunity to generate high-impact interdisciplinary collaborations.
The presentations and discussions highlighted that the combination of CRAG’s expertise in biology and genomics with the technological capabilities of IMB-CNM can open new opportunities for the development of innovative devices, sensors, and methodologies for studying and monitoring biological processes in plants.
"Both in terms of the scientific quality of the presentations and the level of engagement shown by both communities, we feel a very positive assessment of the event. The format encouraged the exchange of ideas, the identification of shared interests, and open discussion on potential future lines of collaboration," expressed the IMB-CNM researchers involved in the organization. Adding, "as is often the case in interdisciplinary initiatives of this kind, the need for funding mechanisms to support and consolidate joint projects between both institutions was also identified. The meeting successfully achieved its objective of creating an initial space for connection between IMB-CNM and CRAG, laying the groundwork for future joint initiatives, collaborative projects, and new interactions among researchers."
The scientific sessions brought together contributions from both institutions, showcasing a wide range of complementary expertise. On the CRAG side, topics included transcriptome and epigenome dynamics in plant adaptation to cold temperatures (Dr. Julia Qüesta), the mechanisms shaping plant protective barriers (Dr. Robertas Ursache), the evolution of plant–microbe interactions (Dr. Ignacio Rubio-Somoza), and the genetic control of fruit quality traits in melon (Dr. Jordi García-Mas). From IMB-CNM, presentations focused on molecular printing on plants (Dr. Juan Pablo Agusil), smart multisensor systems for agrofood and water monitoring (Prof. Cecilia Jimenez), conformable tools for electrophysiology—from brain to plants (Dr. Marc Tudela Pi), and advanced systems for soil and plant health monitoring (Dr. Xavier Muñoz). Together, these contributions illustrated the strong convergence between advanced sensing technologies and microfabrication, and cutting-edge research in plant biology, genomics, and biotechnology.
Beyond formal presentations, the meeting provided space for discussion and networking, enabling researchers to connect directly and identify shared interests.
Ongoing collaborations and the exploration of new paths
The bilateral meeting reflects IMB-CNM's ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and to expanding the impact of its technologies into new application domains. By building bridges with leading research centres such as CRAG, the institute continues to position itself as a key player at the intersection of microelectronics and the life sciences.
This initiative also contributes to the objectives of the María de Maeztu Unit of Excellence program at IMB-CNM, and marks the second bilateral encounter of this kind with a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, following the meeting held with ICMAB in 2025.
Both institutions expressed their interest in consolidating this partnership through future joint activities, with the aim of translating these initial exchanges into high-impact research and innovative solutions to current societal challenges.
