Anabel Torrente

Multifunctional nanosystems as a novel strategy for cancer therapy – Paula Martín Gamero

15 May, 2023 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Nanomedicine is the use of nanotechnology in biomedicine. The use of nano-sized systems, which possess unique physicochemical properties compared to the starting materials, is becoming an important new weapon in the battle against complex diseases such as cancer. One of the most studied strategies today involves the controlled release of cytotoxic agents (e.g., drugs) that can reach the specific site of the disease (e.g., tumour), so reducing the side effects of conventional chemotherapy and making treatment more effective.

Our aim in this research is to design a nano-sized system (nanoparticle or nanosystem) with different functions to combat cancer. To this end, we have combined (i) an imaging agent (e.g., a fluorophore) to track the nanosystem in the body; (ii) a chemotherapeutic drug used in clinical settings (e.g., paclitaxel) which is strategically attached to a ligand that will only allow the drug to be released in the tumour site when infrared radiation is applied; and (iii) gold nanoparticles capable of converting infrared radiation into heat, thereby causing cancer cell death (photothermal therapy). This research will allow the development of a new nanosystem for combined therapy (controlled drug release and photothermal therapy).

Keywords: Keywords: Multifunctional nanosystems, gold nanoparticles, controlled drug release, photothermal therapy, cancer.

Directed by: María Victoria Cano Cortés/María del Carmen Ortega Liébana

Manufacturing and study of natural polymer films for the treatment of chronic wounds – Tomás Martínez Rodríguez

15 May, 2023 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Chronic skin wounds are wounds in which the healing process is not completed in less than three months. These wounds are caused by various disorders that impair the normal healing process, resulting in major economic and quality of life losses. Infections are one of the main factors promoting chronification. This is exacerbated by the fact that chronic wounds have a high tendency to suffer from infectious processes, as they present bacterial overgrowth in the affected area and prolonged inflammation.

With this in mind, the aim of the present research is to develop films as dressings based on natural polymers (collagen and chitosan) which, ultimately, may include clays with encapsulated antimicrobial drugs in their structure. To achieve the desired result, these films will be prepared and studied in terms of their mechanical (strength and flexibility, which must be suitable for proper fixing to the skin), and hydration properties (which must avoid excessive moisture or dryness in the wound site). The films with the best properties will be selected for use with the clays.

Keywords: chronic wounds, biopolymeric films, chitosan, collagen.

Directed by: Pablo José Hernández Benavides

Design and study of new drugs with possible antitumor activity – Noelia Ruiz Cuevas

8 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

CD44 is a membrane receptor found in various types of cells in our body. This receptor binds mainly to hyaluronic acid (HA). The interaction of HA with CD44 induces changes that trigger rapid growth (proliferation) of cancer cells. Inhibition of this interaction could therefore interrupt tumour progression.
There is a specific place (small pocket) in the structure of CD44 in which small molecules could be introduced that would act as inhibitors of tumour activity. The first structures to show inhibitory activity when interacting with this pocket were molecules known as tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives. However, it is difficult to assess the capacity of these molecules as possible antitumor agents due to their poor solubility. The main objective of this research is therefore to synthesize a series of isoquinoline salts that have good solubility in water, so facilitating the biological evaluation of these molecules.
These molecules are obtained via the reaction of isoquinoline with a chemical compound, the 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl group, and the introduction of different substituents in its structure, specifically in a structure known as an aromatic ring. These substitutions enable us to study the structure-activity relationship and the effect on the binding of the molecules to the aforementioned pocket in CD44.

Keywords: cancer; inhibitors; hyaluronic acid; CD44; isoquinoline.

Directed by: Olga Cruz López

Determination of serotonin using colorimetric sensors – Ricardo Rubio Rumí

7 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Serotonin, which is commonly known as the “happiness hormone”, is a neurotransmitter that is essential for life and is synthesized via the metabolism of tryptophan. There are various different natural ways of increasing serotonin levels, such as physical exercise, sunbathing, having a varied diet and getting sufficient sleep. An increase in the concentration of serotonin produces a state of wellbeing, relaxation, satisfaction and increases concentration and self-esteem. By contrast, serotonin deficiency can cause depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc. There is therefore a need to control its concentration in the body.

The purpose of this research is to determine serotonin in low concentrations using nanotechnology. To this end, we develop membranes with groups that react with gold nanoparticles and can perform selective serotonin retention in human plasma. The serotonin can then be determined using optical techniques (absorbance and fluorescence).

Keywords: serotonin; gold nanoparticles; colorimetric sensors.

Directed by: Antonio Luis Medina Castillo

The use of peptides to prevent binding between CD47 and SIRPα proteins in order to avoid infections – Paula Quesada Martínez

7 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

CD47 is a protein found on the surface of the cells of infectious agents, such as viruses and bacteria. Its interaction with the signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα) of the cells in our immune system induces an antiphagocytic signal, thus preventing phagocytosis, the process by which the cells in our immune system trap infectious agents and eliminate them.
Certain tumours use this mechanism to escape the action of the immune system. The same mechanism is also used by pathogens, such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which induce excessive expression of CD47 to overcome our body’s defence barriers easily. Since the activation of CD47 expression is not related to the specific interaction of the pathogen with our cells, it could be used as a therapeutic target for dealing with a wide variety of infectious agents. In fact, the use of compounds with anti-CD47 activity during viral infection has been shown to promote immunity and help clear the virus more quickly.
The main objective of this work is to discover new peptides (small proteins with less than 50 amino acids), which are resistant to the enzymes that break them down (proteases) and have high affinity for either CD47 or SIRPα, so as to inhibit the interaction between them.
The activity of these peptides will then be evaluated through what is known as affinity assays. The aim of these assays is to measure the degree of affinity of the peptides with these proteins and find out more about how they bind and interact with them.

Keywords: CD47; SIRPα; peptides; infections

Directed by: Macarena Sánchez Navarro