Master in Health Sciences, which included the fundamentals in Neurosciences, Immunology and Infection, Genetics, Development and Neoplasia, along with the advanced course “Stem Cells Get Pratical”, where I learn about stem cells research. I also performed the course Laboratory Animal Sciences (FELASA C), which allowed me to learn and perform in vivo experimental procedures in animal models. Master specialization in Neurosciences’ domain, focused in tissue engineering strategies for spinal cord injury repair. Particularly, the conjugation of biomaterials (hydrogels) and cellular/molecular therapies, namely mesenchymal stem cells and neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-nanoparticles, to promote neuroregeneration. This experience allowed me to acquire a multidisciplinary profile resulting from a work executed using different types of hydrogels, cell cultures, immunocyto/histochemmistry, confocal and fluorescence microscopy, nanoparticle based drug delivery systems, in vivo testing, among others.
Neurosciences (Spinal cord injury and Ischemic Stroke repair, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis treatment), tissue engineering/regenerative medicine, stem cells, nanoparticle and microparticles-based drug delivery systems and biomaterials (natural hydrogels).
Tissue engineering approaches (hybrid multifunctional scaffolds) for brain repair following ischemic stroke, constructed by the combined use of:
- Carboxymethylchitosan/polyamidoamine (CMCht/PAMAM) dendrimer nanoparticles, loaded with relevant neurotrophic/angiogenic factors;
- Functionalized injectable hydrogels, specifically gellan gum, gelatin, alginates, hyaluronic acid and silk-fibroin;
- Stem cells, namely mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and neural stem cells (NSC).
- Incorporation of Mn2+ into the scaffolds to track/visualize the produced scaffolds by Manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI).