Proteins in nanomedicine: friends or foes?

Abstract

Can we employ proteins to produce nanomedicines? Are proteins the nemesis of these nanocarriers? As in many other aspects of life, multiple things can be true at the same time.
In this regard, proteins can serve as building blocks in the design of drug delivery systems, whether as gatekeepers of porous nanoparticles, or as the primary component of protein-based nanoparticles. Conversely, it is generally accepted that nanoparticles acquire a protein coating upon interacting with biological fluids. This so-called protein corona endows nanoparticles with a new biological identity that overrides the previous chemical one. While this new biological ID may accelerate nanoparticle clearance by immune cells, it could also serve as platform for the discovery of novel biomarkers. In summary, this seminar will provide an overview of key situations where proteins can play relevant roles, shedding light on their overall impact on nanomedicine.

Short bio

Miguel Gisbert Garzarán is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Complutense University of Madrid. He holds a Degree in Physics, a Master’s degree in Biomedical Physics and a PhD in Pharmacy. He has carried out research stays at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (Kyoto, Japan), the Institut Galien Paris-Saclay (Paris, France) and IMDEA Nanoscience. His research has been recognized by CIBER-BBN (best article on nanomedicine by a young researcher, 2021) and by the organizing committee of the SBAN congress (best post award, 2025). He also obtained the Seal of Excellence recognition for his Marie Curie proposal in 2022. His research interests span from the design of stimuli-responsive nanomaterials to the study of the phenomenon of the protein corona, including both the interaction of nanomaterials with the immune system and the discovery of protein corona fingerprints.

This seminar is hosted by Milagros Castellanos (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

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