Using synchrotron-based X-ray techniques to direct the design of improved metallic devices for biological applications
DIPC Seminars
- Speaker
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Carlos Sanchez Cano, Donostia International Physics Center
- When
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2022/02/03
13:00 - Place
- DIPC Community Seminar - Donostia International Physics Center
- Add to calendar
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iCal
The rich chemistry of transition metals permits them to undergo a great
variety of reactions when found in biological environments. As such, metals
fulfil multiple fundamental tasks in life organisms, and the homeostasis of
bio-metals (i.e. Fe, Zn and Cu) is highly regulated. Equally, numerous
anthropogenic metallic devices such as inorganic complexes or metal
nanomaterials are currently being developed as biomedical or biotechnological
tools. However, the same varied reactivity shown by metals makes challenging
to explore their fate and mechanisms of action in biological samples,
hampering their development into clinical or industrial use.
Synchrotron-based X-ray imaging and spectroscopic techniques can provide
valuable insight on the distribution and chemical properties of complexes and
nanomaterials in biological environments, as they allow direct detection of
metals and can reach subcellular spatial resolution. This can prompt dramatic
improvements in the design and development of new and more effective metal-
based drugs and medical nanodevices.
My work during the last few years has been focused on exploring the potential
of such techniques to understand the biological behaviour of metal-based
systems at tissue or cellular level, by addressing several complex questions.
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