Translational Synthetic Biology

Recently, the group has created FiCAT (Find and Cut-And-Transfer), a DNA-based genetic writer that combines the precision of CRISPR with the transfer of the piggyBac transposase, to cut and insert genetic elements into chromosomes. This technology, published in Nature Communications and among the 25 most downloaded articles of 2021, is the basis of Integra Therapeutics, which has attracted international investment for therapeutic programs. They have also validated CutBio, a platform that genetically modifies the bacterium C. acnes to reduce sebum production, with applications in acne and seborrheic dermatitis. Patented and published in Nature Biotechnology (2024), it is the basis of the Synflora spin-off, focused on personalized dermatological therapies. The laboratory is also co-founder of SBiomedic, acquired by Beiersdorf in 2022, and has raised more than EUR 3M for future spin-offs such as Synflora and T-Bio, focused on improving CAR-T therapies.