Sensory Sciences Guest lecture: Dr. Sergio Moya, From Soft Matter Nanotechnology to Nanomedicine

Sensory Sciences Lecture Series will feature a fascinating lecture by Dr. Sergio Moya<http://personal.cicbiomagune.es/smoya/>, CICbiomaGUNE, San Sebastian, Spain:

Friday, 13.06.25, 12:00

in the seminar room (00.020) of the ZMPT/MVC building, Henkestr. 91, 91052 Erlangen

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“From Soft Matter nanotechnology to nanomedicine”

Dr. Sergio Moya
Group leader of the Soft Matter Nanotechnology Lab at CICbiomaGUNE, San Sebastian, Spain

Abstract:

Soft matter nanotechnology refers to the integration of nanosciences into the design of soft matter systems, materials that are easily deformable under external stimuli such as thermal, mechanical, or electromagnetic forces. Soft Matter includes polymers, hydrogels, colloids, foams, liquid crystals, and various forms of biological matter. The inherent flexibility and responsiveness of these materials make them highly suitable for advanced biomedical and biotechnological applications. Our research group is dedicated to investigating nanoscale phenomena within soft materials, with a particular emphasis on developing functional systems for biomedical use. A core element of our approach is to bring physico-chemical understanding of the materials we design and study.
In this presentation, we will explore several key aspects of our work:
Polyelectrolyte complexes: We study the complexation behavior of polyelectrolytes with therapeutic molecules, including drugs and nucleic acids, aiming to optimize their stability, delivery efficiency, and bioavailability. A key aspect of this work is the study of the formation of supramolecular assemblies of doxorubicin and cyanidin when complexed with polyanions.
Cyclodextrin-Based Drug Carriers: We are developing advanced drug delivery systems based on cyclodextrins, exploiting their ability to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs.
Smart Hydrogels: Our work on stimuli-responsive (or smart) hydrogels focuses on how their structure and behavior can be tuned in response to environmental changes, pH and temperature among others.
Electrically Responsive Coatings for Neurostimulation: We are fabricating thin-film coatings that respond to electrical stimulation, with potential applications in neurostimulation.
In addition to material development, we also investigate the biological interactions and fate of soft nanomaterials. This includes studies on the formation of the protein corona around nanoparticles, a key factor influencing their biological identity, distribution, and their eventual toxicity.

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! This time the lecture starts at noon (12:00 o’clock) !

For more details, please visit the Sensory <https://www.sensorysciences.fau.eu/lectures/#sprungmarke2> Sciences website<https://www.sensorysciences.fau.eu/lectures/#sprungmarke2>.