Time of research stays at the BBT

Two PhD students at BBT, David Piñera and Sílvia Gómez, are currently in two research stays in Glasgow (UK) and Udine (Italy), respectively.

David, during his stay at the  Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment, University of Glasgow  (UK) and under the supervision of Prof. Matthew Dalby, has evaluated the surface competition and interaction between stem cells and bacteria on titanium implants coated with functional metal ions, such as silver (Ag) or gallium (Ga). The aim of the study was to demonstrate that Ag and Ga doping can effectively prevent bacterial infection and promote strong osseointegration in titanium implants.

Sílvia, on the other hand, will receive training in microbiological characterization at the Dipartamento di area medica- Università degli Studi di Udine (Italy), under the supervision of Dr. Barbara Skerlavaj and the mentorship of Dr. Gerard Boix -Lemonche, who a few years ago did his TFM with us and, subsequently, a research stay. The aim is to obtain the tools to fully understand the bacterial and fungal interaction with the studied surfaces, and the effect of surface modification treatments on the growth and behavior of the pathogens. Afterwards, the antimicrobial action of the ionic surface modification treatments will be evaluated. The expected result is to select the most promising treatment capable of preventing infections on Ti surfaces for ophthalmological purposes.

On the other hand, the BBT currently hosts two Postdoctoral researchers, María Godoy-Gallardo (UIC, Spain) and Miguel A. Quiliano (UPC, Peru), and a doctoral student, Irene Mallor (UIC), carrying out research stays with different researchers of the group.

Dr. Maria Godoy-Gallardo (Bioengineering Institute of Technology (BIT), UIC) is working on the development of a guanosine-based ink with antibacterial properties. To this end, solid silver with different morphologies (nanoparticles, nanoplates and nanowires) has been incorporated into the hydrogel matrix. The main objective of this stay, under the supervision of Prof. María-Pau Ginebra, is the realization of the biological study (cellular and antibacterial) of the inks developed.

Dr. Quiliano (Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas-UPC, Perú) is doing a stay under the BioTUNE project, where the idea is to carry out the synthesis of aptamers and peptides and their use for the surface functionalization of materials. In detail, the stay will consist of the synthesis of specific antimicrobial molecular structures, the purification and instrumental characterization of the synthesized structures, their functionalization and the characterization of the immobilized structures, and is supervised by Dr. Carles Mas-Moruno.

Also under the supervision of Dr. Mas-Moruno, UIC's PhD student Irene Mallor, part of the 2BI-Bioinspired Biomaterials and Interfaces Lab , led by Dr. Conrado Aparicio, is carrying out his stay, during which she will synthesize peptides with immunomodulatory activity for their immobilization on titanium surfaces as coatings for the prevention of peri-implantitis in transepithelial implants.