The IQCC from the Universitat de Girona is at the forefront of one of twelve pioneering research projects selected by the BBVA Foundation’s Fundamentos Program, which supports bold, fundamental science across key disciplines.
The Fundamentos Program reinforces the BBVA Foundation’s long-standing commitment to advancing basic science as a cornerstone for addressing the complex challenges of the 21st century. The program is open to projects led by up to two principal investigators, with participation from Spanish and international research centers. In this edition, the 12 funded projects are led by researchers from 16 Spanish institutions, with team members from 24 centers, including three international partners in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands.
The project, titled RETICAT – Reticular Enzyme-Mimetic Catalysis, is led by Prof. Miquel Costas (IQCC-UdG) and Prof. Daniel Maspoch (ICN2). The team members are Dr. Arnau Call (IQCC-UdG) and Prof. Xavi Ribas (IQCC-UdG). It aims to develop a new generation of catalysts inspired by enzymes to enable more sustainable and efficient chemical processes—especially relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.
“This idea is disruptive because it’s not about improving existing techniques, but rather about developing entirely new processes that are inherently more sustainable—processes that are not possible with today’s chemistry,” explains Miquel Costas.
The team intends to artificially simulate certain characteristics of enzymes—that is, the molecules that act as biological catalysts in living organisms, speeding up and facilitating essential chemical reactions. Specifically, the idea is to “mimic” the structure of the cavities found in enzymes, thereby controlling the selectivity and stability of the chemical reactions that occur within them.
To achieve this, the project will use reticular structures known as MOFs and COFs (Metal-Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks, respectively)—originally conceptualized by Omar Yaghi, 2018 Frontiers of Knowledge Award laureate in Basic Sciences. These frameworks are composed of the same types of metals found in enzymes, thereby emulating the efficiency of nature’s catalysts.
“In this way, we can achieve a much more direct route to chemical synthesis, and therefore generate significantly less waste,” Costas emphasizes. “From a sustainability standpoint, this allows for far more efficient reactions than those currently available.”
Over the three-year duration of the project, the research team hopes to demonstrate a “proof of concept” with the first prototypes of these new catalysts. Once their effectiveness is proven, Costas believes the technology could have a transformative impact on the chemical industry, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector:
“We believe it will be possible to modify reactions involving compounds such as steroids, which are the basis for many pharmaceuticals, and thus have important applications in this field.”
Congratulations Miquel, Xavi and Arnau!!
Girona, Oct 2nd, 2025
For more info: ges.iqcc@udg.edu