Signal and Measurement – SYM
This multidisciplinary research group is a pioneer in the development of biosensors for applications in health, agri-food, and environmental fields. One of its main research lines focuses on holography in label-free biosensing, exploring holographic principles to design wearable biosensors and enhance assay sensitivity and selectivity through the development of diffractive hydrogels with optical transduction.
The group also works on perovskite nanocrystals, including their synthesis, functionalization, characterization, and encapsulation for use as markers of proteins and nucleic acids in aqueous environments, taking advantage of their outstanding luminescent properties. Another key area is the production of protein-based bioreagents using recombinant techniques like phage display, enabling the generation of nanobodies, antibodies, miniproteins, and peptides with advanced properties like high affinity, selectivity, stability, and labeling capabilities essential for biosensing.
In addition, the group develops analytical platforms by integrating its expertise into systems such as test strips and DNA and protein microarrays on polymeric surfaces (including chips, compact discs, hydrogels, membranes, and cellulose). These platforms incorporate microfluidics, optical systems, and dedicated hardware and software, providing comprehensive biosensing solutions.
The group has a strong track record of innovation and collaboration, holding 15 patents (three international) and participating in eight European projects, acting as coordinator in one.
CV Prof. Ángel Maquieira Catalá
Ángel Maquieira Catalá holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Valencia and is a Full and Emeritus Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. He leads the “Signal and Measurement in Chemistry (SYM)” research group at the IDM.
His research focuses on bioanalytics, developing biosensors and optoelectronic micro/nanodevices to study biomarkers and analytes of clinical, food, and environmental interest, at basic and applied levels. He also works on perovskite nanomaterials, configuring PICs and biogratings to integrate electronic circuits and optical phenomena at the nanoscale to reduce nonspecific signals, alongside developing wearable materials and biosensors with holographic response.
Regarding scientific outreach, Maquieira has published 298 articles (259 in Q1), with an h-index of 49. Over the past 5 years, he has supervised 12 doctoral theses. In 2013, he received the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) award for his research career in Analytical Chemistry.
Research Lines
Biosensors for health, agrotech and environment.
Holography in label-free biosensing.
Perovskite nanocrystals.
Production of protein-based bioreagents.
Highlighted Funding
Tratamiento postcosecha. Estrategia analítica para control de la aplicación de fitosanitarios en planta y nivel de residuos en fruta (POSTFRUIT). AGROALNEXT/2022/054. Generalitat Valenciana (GVA). 2021-2025. Ángel Maquieira
Ultra-sound combined with BIA and graphene FET-enhanced wearable sensing for decent health-monitoring (ULTRASENSE). 101130192. European Comission – Horizon RIA. 2024–2028. María José Bañuls Polo
Malaria diagnosis and prognosis with an electrokinetic-driven aptamer-based lateral flow assay (MALDIPROT). 101150621. European Comission – Horizon TMA MSCA. 2024-2026. Ángel Maquieira
Hydrogel-based advanced biosensors for in situ health monitoring. CIPROM/2023/18. Generalitat Valenciana (GVA). 2024–2028. María José Bañuls Polo
Biosensores ópticos vestibles basados en hidrogeles. PID2022-140653OB-I00. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2023–2026. María José Bañuls Polo
Control y localización avanzada de riesgos en agua (CLARA). INNEST/2025/76. Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE+i). 2025–2027. Sergi Morais
Highlighted Publications
Sena-Torralba, A.; Hernanz-Grimalt, A.; Martorell-Tejedor, S. et al. Reader Systems Used for Lateral Flow Assays. Lateral Flow Assays. 2026. 91–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-23883-3.00005-2
Patrone-Garcia, A.; Avella-Oliver, M.; Maquieira, Á. Drying-Induced Salt Deposition Patterns as a Tool for Label-Free Protein Quantification. Biosensors. 2025. 15, 520. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15080520
Cubells-Gómez, A.; Lucío, M. I.; Maquieira, Á. et al. Polyrotaxane-Containing Hydrogels for Label-Free Detection of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) via Diffraction Gratings. Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research. 2025. 49, 100849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2025.100849
Tortajada-Genaro, L. A. Massive Screening of Food Extracts for Quality Assessment and Standardization of Allergenic Activity. Biosensors. 2024. 14, 615. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14120615
Lajoux, J.; Banguera-Ordoñez, Y. D.; Sena-Torralba, A. et al. Breaking the Picomolar Barrier in Lateral Flow Assays Using Bright-Dtech™ 614–Europium Nanoparticles for Enhanced Sensitivity. Microchemical Journal. 2025. 209, 112864. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2025.112864
Prof. Sergi Morais Ezquerro
Prof. Luis Tortajada
Prof. Mª José Bañuls Polo
Prof. Pilar Aragón Revuelta
Prof. Miquel Avellá
Prof. Miguel Ángel González Martínez
Prof. Mª Victoria González Pedro
Prof. María Isabel Lucío Benito
Prof. Sara Martorell
Dr. Aitor Cubells Gómez
Dr. Yulieth Deifan Banguera Ordóñez
Manuel Ros Sirvent
Josué Lombeyda Manzo
Pamela Abigail Chillagana Pilapanta
Kristian Nickolaev Parapanov