Nanoseminar in Chemistry & Materials

IN PERSON EVENT - REGISTER HERE to attend

Speaker: Prof. Beatriz Pelaz, Associate Professor at Universidad de SAntiago de Compostela, Spain

Abstract:Nanotechnology enables the creation of diverse materials through composite self-assembled architectures, including inorganic/organic nano-particles (NPs) and biomolecules, offering multifunctional tools for drug delivery. Challenges include understanding and controlling the biomolecule-NP interaction (biomolecular corona), preventing intracellular degradation, and achieving precise cell/tissue targeting. Successful nanomedicine design requires characteristics like evading the mononuclear phagocytic system, minimizing accumulation in liver/spleen, prolonged circulation, specific targeting, and functional efficacy. We will discuss different approaches to create smart and remotely-controlled nanocarriers. 

Biography: Beatriz Pelaz received her PhD from the University of Zaragoza in 2012. From June 2012 to December 2016, Beatriz was a member of Professor Wolfgang J. Parak's group at Philipps-Universität Marburg in Germany, first as a postdoctoral researcher and later as a Humboldt researcher. Since January 2017, she has co-led the BioNanoTools group at CiQUS, initially as the principal investigator of a project for young researchers (JIN, MINECO), later as a Ramón y Cajal researcher (2017 call, affiliated with the Inorganic Chemistry department of the University of Santiago de Compostela). Currently, she is an Associate Professor at the USC. In 2020, the European Research Council awarded her a Starting Grant. Since 2021, she is member of the Young Academy of Spain. Her research focuses on developing remotely controllable smart materials and their interaction with biological entities.

Hosted by Prof. Daniel Maspoch, Supramolecular Nanochemistry & Materials  Group Leader at ICN2