nanoBiomaterials and neurosciences - the new power couple!
26th April 2023
Timing : 1 pm EST
Please use this zoom link for joining the webinar
For a list of all talks at the NanoBio seminar Series Spring'23, see here
At the nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies group we have been dedicated to using nanobiomaterials to both, design new tissue engineered neural in vitro models for target/drug discovery and develop nano-enabled new therapeutic approaches towards the enhancement of the process of nerve regeneration.
In this talk, I will discuss how we are exploring bioengineering to generate relevant macroglia tissue models to dissect new mechanobiology mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets, with expected impact in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, our strategies to design biomaterial-based nanoparticles for targeted nucleic acid delivery to neurons to promote neuroprotection and neuroregeneration will be presented. Two biomaterial-based vectors will be discussed: (i) polymeric nanoparticles based on thiolated trimethyl chitosan to mediate targeted gene delivery to peripheral neurons upon a peripheral and minimally invasive intramuscular administration; (ii) dendrimer based vectors for brain delivery in the aftermath of stroke. Emphasis will be given to the application of novel strategies proposed to assess the potential of the developed nanosystems and contribute to the design of more efficient nucleic acid delivery vectors. Namely, imaging flow cytometry, atomic force microscopy and microfluidic-based platforms.
Dr. Ana Pêgo
nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies
i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Ana Paula Pêgo got her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, in 2002. In 2003 she moved to INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, where she became a Principal Investigator in 2012. In 2015, INEB joined the i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (Universidade do Porto), where Ana Paula Pêgo leads the nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies (nBTT) Group.
By using nanomedicine strategies the nBTT Group, aims at providing in situ and in a targeted manner the required signals to promote nervous tissue regeneration. The research on new biomaterials for application in neurosciences includes the development of new polymers for the design of alternative vectors to viruses for efficient nucleic acid delivery, the preparation of nerve grafts for spinal cord injury treatment and the design of brain tissue engineered platforms to dissect the role of neural cells in homeostasis and disease. Societal and ethical issues that concern Regenerative Medicine and NanoMedicine are also topics in which Ana Paula Pêgo is involved.
She has been appointed the Scientific Director of the Bioimaging Centre for Biomaterials and Regenerative Therapies of INEB and she is an Invited Associate Professor at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) of the University of Porto. Currently Ana Paula Pêgo is a member of the Board of Directors of i3S, being the Head of Strategy & Creation of Value Unit, is the President of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), serves as an Associate Editor of Biomaterials (Elsevier journal) and is part of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science (AAAS).
nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies
i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde and INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica
University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
Ana Paula Pêgo got her Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry and Biomaterials from the University of Twente, the Netherlands, in 2002. In 2003 she moved to INEB – Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica, where she became a Principal Investigator in 2012. In 2015, INEB joined the i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (Universidade do Porto), where Ana Paula Pêgo leads the nanoBiomaterials for Targeted Therapies (nBTT) Group.
By using nanomedicine strategies the nBTT Group, aims at providing in situ and in a targeted manner the required signals to promote nervous tissue regeneration. The research on new biomaterials for application in neurosciences includes the development of new polymers for the design of alternative vectors to viruses for efficient nucleic acid delivery, the preparation of nerve grafts for spinal cord injury treatment and the design of brain tissue engineered platforms to dissect the role of neural cells in homeostasis and disease. Societal and ethical issues that concern Regenerative Medicine and NanoMedicine are also topics in which Ana Paula Pêgo is involved.
She has been appointed the Scientific Director of the Bioimaging Centre for Biomaterials and Regenerative Therapies of INEB and she is an Invited Associate Professor at the Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS) of the University of Porto. Currently Ana Paula Pêgo is a member of the Board of Directors of i3S, being the Head of Strategy & Creation of Value Unit, is the President of the European Society for Biomaterials (ESB), serves as an Associate Editor of Biomaterials (Elsevier journal) and is part of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science (AAAS).