Nanotechnology

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

Use of nanotechnology to transport dugs in the body – Pablo Nevado López

7 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Various different therapeutic strategies are applied against cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and the different combinations between them. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology is a science that has long been applied in the preparation of drug delivery vehicles. Many interesting innovations and therapeutic applications have emerged in recent years. The purpose of these systems is to protect the drug (or active ingredient), modify some of its characteristics and improve its distribution in body cells, among others.

In this study, we propose to design a new drug transport system on a nanometric scale. To this end, nanoparticles made up of two layers of polymers (chemical compounds) were designed. This multilayer is made of PLGA (poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and coated with chitosan. The nanoparticles contain an active ingredient called 5-Fluorouracil, which is classified as a cytostatic and is used to treat cancer.

Keywords: Pharmaceutical nanotechnology; cancer; drug delivery system, polymers, 5-Fluorouracil.

Work directed by: Margarita López-Viota Gallardo

Antibiotics Nanocapsulation for the treatment of caprine mastitis – Natalia López Garrido

7 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Goat mastitis is an important disease of the mammary gland that is commonly caused by bacterial infection. If left untreated, it constitutes a serious problema for the agri-food industry, with negative economic consequences, in terms of reduced milk production and wasted milk. Many goats suffer from chronic mastitis as a resulto f residual forms of previous mastitis, which were either not treated or were treated unsuccesfully. In these cases, the manifestations are very diverse, but, in general, abcesses and áreas of connective tissue obstructing the lactiferous ducts are found. The main objective of this Master’s tesis is to develop new antibiotic formulations, such as cefquinome, based con nanotechnology. These offer a promising alternative in the design of new, more effective therapies, which Will reduce the side effects associated with these treatments. Specifically, we intend to design and créate two types of nanoparticles (mesoporus silica and sodium hyaluronate). We will then perform a physicochemical characterization of these nanoparticles and test the encapsulation efficiency and the release profile of the proposed antibiotic.

Keywords: mastitis; goats; cefquinome; nanoparticles; mesoporus silica; sodium hyaluronate.

Directed by: Mª Encarnación Morales Hernández

Desing of nanoparticles with potential application in anti-tumour therapy – Ana Medina Moreno

7 May, 2022 por Anabel Torrente Leave a Comment

Nanotechnology is an increasingly important field today due to its wide variety of applications in many areas, including Medicine. One of its most recent applications is in anti-tumour therapy, with drugs that act on specific tissues. Nanoparticles are transport systems for therapeutic agents which aim to increase the efficacy of the drug and its tolerance in the human body. These agents also seek to minimize toxic effects, improving the way in which the drug binds to selected tissues, and its affinity for tumour tissues, thus avoiding the adverse effects produced by conventional chemotherapy.
In this research, nanoparticles of poly(ε-caprolactone), a very stable material compatible with the human body, were formulated. Their characteristics were assessed and several tests were carried out. They were coated with another polymer, chitosan, which also provides all the above advantages, in that it is highly selective for cancerous tissues due to the fact that it decays in their acidic environment and could be a very good alternative in anti-tumour therapy.

Keywords: Anti-tumour therapy, nanotechnology, nanoparticles, poly(ε-caprolactone), chitosan.

Directed by: José Luis Arias Mediano