Nanotecnology and Nanomedicine Laboratory

"A new field of the Science to treat the Cancer born".

“CATALITIC MEDICIN” TO BATTLE CANCER "

The catalytic nanomedicin lab UAM-INNN has designed very particular functionalized nanoparticles to break the C-C and C-N links from the cellular membrane, as well as the DNA and RNA from malignant cells. Md. Tessy Maria Lopez Goerne and her investigation group have had very encouraging results with major and minor spices of animal models; in the application and operation of nanotheraphy in high malignant tumors. We hope that the positive results obtained from animal research will soon be approved by the SSA to treat human patients.

PATIENTS WHOM COULD BE CANDIDATES FOR QUIMO-NANOTHERAPHY TREATMENT ARE:

those THAT are terminally ill.

your tumor or tumors are located

YOU MUST SIGN AN INFORMED CONSENT LETTER, IN WICH THE MEDICAL AND CIENTIFIC PARTS WILL EXPLAIN THE PATIENT IN DETAIL THE PROCEDURE AND IT´S RISKS.

THE PATIENT WILL HAVE THE FINAL WORD.

RESEARCH FRONTIER: INNN-UAM

Mr. Rector General, Md. Jose Lema Labadie and the National Director of Institutions and Specialty Hospitals, Md. Julio Sotelo Morales with a wide and futuristic vision decided to found in 2004 the Nanotechnology Lab applied to Medicine. The main objective was to develop frontier research with researchers from the Autonomous Metropolitan University displaced to a new lab at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery “MVS”. As expected, his has led to the union of disciplines generating a high level multidisciplinary group to solve public health issues. It is a privilege to have a laboratory in witch academics and medicine personalities work together with one purpose: the welfare of human beings.

NANOTECHNOLOGY LABORATORY UAM-INNN

The nanoscientific revolution and nanotechnology of the XXI century, is associated in part to the “atomic and molecular architecture” whose viability will have a huge impact on our lives. Among its effects, highlights its potential impact on NANOMEDICINE, biology, environment, information technology, construction and the emerging field of research CATALYTIC NANOMEDICINE. At present the major practical advances already exist in some areas such as the use of nanoparticles and nanotubes in electronics and communications. What is certain is that the revolution has begun. Also discussion about its benefits and risks. When we talk about nano-scale we mean anything smaller than 100 nm. Nano materials, have different properties from the microscopic scale. Nanoscience therefore investigates the effects of these properties. Moreover nanotechnology aims to exploit these properties to create new structures, equipment and all types of nanoparticles for various applications. Nanobiotechnology is the application of nanotechnology in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences, which has generated endless investigations over the past 5 years, new equipment for fundamental and applied study of these materials that interact with the body on a sub-cellular scale with a high degree of specificity. The application of nanoscopic and spectroscopic techniques such as electron microscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, NMR-solids, etc.., has led to a huge advance in knowledge and the potential for manipulation of atoms. The unexpected and rapid development in these studies along with the many emerging fields where applications of high scientific interest and technological developments led to the new field of knowledge Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (N & N) and so it became necessary to do multidisciplinary work with broad scientific and technological interest mainly in Medicine, bionanotechnology, pharmacy, etc. From a general standpoint, nanoscience comprises at least two aspects: First, the study of thermodynamic properties, structural and dynamic interfaces of solids that include possible substances adsorbed in its surface, including chemical reactions localized at the interface. Furthermore, the ability to modify or restructure generating surfaces for nano-sized patterns with applications "tailored to the needs." Under this concept have been developed: the top down approach in which nano-scale attempt to play in what has so far occurred in micrometer scale, and bottom-up approach in which complex supramolecular structures are generated from self-organization of simpler molecules. At this point it is preferable to clarify the scales involved in each case. In the field of Nano / Microtechnology there is enormous interest in the development of precise manufacturing methods, reproducible and low cost of regular structures of ever smaller size (miniaturization) ranging from the micron scale to nanometer. For example, current trends are focused on producing nanoclusters, materials with nano / micro cavities, nanosensors, nanoimplants, nanobots, etc. The scientific and technological implications of N & N is reflected in the investments made in industrialized countries. The United States has opened around thirty N&N centers in the last two years where funding from the government increased by 23% from the 422 billion dollars granted to projects for N & N in 2001. A similar fact has been seen in recent years in the European Union, where the budget for N & N has increased from 316 billion dollars in 1997 to 835 billion dollars today. In recent years the N & N has begun to occupy a relevant place in "developing countries", such is the case of India, which have been consolidated institutions dedicated to research in N & N, as the Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute of Pilani, and institutions interested in funding research on N & N, as the Institute of Science of Bangalore. The reason for the growing interest in N & N is the fact that it has been shown that basic research in N & N have happened in technological advances and in turn the development of products with high added value. Obtaining tailored nanomaterials.

RESERVOIR nanostructured for PARKINSON

The death of 70 to 80% of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of mesoencéfalo, is the cause of the lack of dopamine in Parkinson's Syndrome, which was first described by James Parkinson in 1817 in his essay tremor at rest (Assay on the shakind palsy). Besides being the second most common illness associated with age after Alzheimer's disease, which affects about 2% of the population of the elderly. Parkinson's disease is characterized by tremors in the arms, legs, jaw and face. Numbness or stiffness of limbs and trunk, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. So far medical science has not provided the causes of death of dopaminergic neurons. Pure dopamine is not used as a drug to treat Parkinson's syndrome, because it is a highly reactive molecule and decomposes immediately into DOPAQUININA due to environmental conditions. Furthermore, its chemical structure does not allow it to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). For the clinical treatment of this disease it is used its natural precursor: L-3, 4 Dihydroxy fenialanin (L-dopa or levodopa) since 1967. The L-Dopa is administered orally, is adsorbed in the upper small intestine and the maximum concentration in plasma is reached within 1 hour. Then it crosses the BBB is converted to dopamine by decarboxylation. The concentration of levodopa in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is 12%. And what comes to the damaged area (caudate nucleus) is not known. That is why in this research project has designed a nanostructured device, stabilizing the dopamine, which is placed in Wistar rats using stereotacxic surgery known to release this neurotransmitter directly in the substantia nigra. The animal model used in this study is to parkinsonian rats with 6-hydroxydopamine.

RESERVOIR nanostructured for EPILEPSY

Currently in Mexico exist 4% of cases of epilepsy (SERSAME-Ministry of Health), of which 80% related to temporal lobe epilepsy. So far the administration of antiepileptic drugs is systemic (oral, intramuscular, etc.). With this form of administration about 90% of the active compound is lost and only less than 10% arrives to the epileptic focus in the brain; and caused severe toxic side effects in the patient. The alternative developed in this scientific research project was to obtain a device with biocompatible nanoparticulate brain tissue to release the drug directly into the affected site. For this purpose the nanomaterial was controlled: porosity, particle size, crystalline phase, functional groups of the nanostructured surface, occluded drug concentration, electronic density, biocompatibility, etc. Thus was obtained a controlled release of antiepileptic drug “in situ” in CNS neurons directly in the temporal lobe. This release was achieved antiepileptic long-term (one year). Likewise, the project involves the placement of the reservoir of nanostructured material, using stereotactic surgery in Wistar rats, histopathological studies and immuno-histochemical to prove the biocompatibility of implanted material and functional study of efficiency of animal liberation to those who were induced epilepsy Kindling for the method (chemical and electrical) assessing their effect on spontaneous and induced electrical activity of neurons in rat.

Why Nanoscience and Nanotechnology?

e have developed an ability to transform matter, but not to create it. Despite this each time we are surprised by the amount of new materials that arise every day, for example in the area of inorganic chemistry and its application in life sciences or new biomaterials. Our technological environment is full of solids with physical and chemical properties that just a decade ago we would never have imagined. But they have not been discovered as rubber, but through understanding how to bind the atoms and molecules; working with the small "nano". A legitimate concern of someone working in the area of materials is being able to reliably predict their behavior in a wide range of sizes and time. In addition, make architecture of atoms and molecules that compose the material, ie atomic-scale properties. The clinical term known as epilepsy is defined as a depolarization of neurons, characterized by the recurrence of crises resulting from excessive electrical shock. This demonstration consists of a series of abnormal events, sudden and transient, which may include altered consciousness, motor, sensory, autonomic or psychic perceived by the patient or an observer. According to a classification of type, there are generalized seizures, partial or focal, multiple types and unclassified. Currently recommended drug treatments are largely inaccessible to the bulk of the population due to their high costs. An important aspect of medication is the frequency of drug intakes implying very consistent and dose control. Considering that most of the treatments are symptomatic, meaning that its disruption often leads to recurrence of the crisis, his administration continues for years, sometimes a lifetime, and this requires a special appreciation of issues such as toxicity, ease of administration and compliance, which depends largely on the socioeconomic status of patients. Mesial temporal epilepsy is generated by neuronal loss and the presence of astrogliosis, generating a decrease in the size of the hippocampus. Hippocampal atrophy is identified on the MRI image through the comparison of both lobes, the hippocampus shrinks and there is alteration of the signal, thus achieving a detection rate of 80 to 90%. Specialists in studies of epilepsy in Wistar rats detect exactly the position of the epileptic focus. It is exactly in "the focus" where you place the biocompatible nanoreservoir for antiepileptic drug delivery. Cannula is designed to make a cylinder of 1 mm by 1.5 mm in size and 1.5 g weight.

Stereotaxic surgery to place the reservoir into several groups of Wistar rats.

The placement of the reservoirs in the temporal lobe of the rat was performed by stereotaxic surgery. To do this we used a stereotaxic atlas, which is a set of maps of the rat brain. These maps have coordinates that allow the specialist to the reach a certain region of the rat brain with a stereotactic apparatus. The external reference location is called Bregma. Each atlas map presents a brain structure that locates the necessary spatial axes. A stereotactic atlas contains all sections of the brain, such as frontal sections taken at different distances before and after bregma. Thus, locating in one of the pages of a stereotactic atlas neural structure (which can not be seen in our animals), we can know the exact location of it in relation to bregma. It is always necessary to test a set of coordinates, cut and color the animal's brain, see where the lesion was made, correct values and do it with an "n = number of animals” so we get an exact statistic. The "n" in this project will always be n = 6. The stereotactic device is an instrument that allows the expert to locate the reservoir through a cannula in a specific place in the brain. The device includes a head support, which keeps the skull of the animal in the proper orientation, a holder for the tube and a calibrated mechanism that allows movement of this support in the three axes along the previously calculated distances: anterior - posterior, dorsal-ventral, and lateral-medial. After obtaining stereotactic coordinates, the researcher sleeps the animal, places it on the device, and cuts his scalp. Thus, the skull left exposed so that you can place the tip of the cannula or electrode on the bregma. The expert measures the location of this point for each of the axes and the cannula moves along the right distance in the anteroposterior axis and lateral-medial to place it in a point just above the target. Trepans then a hole through the skull just below the cannula and lowers the device through the nervous tissue to the necessary depth. Now the tip of the cannula when located in the temporal lobe for this project, the researcher produces the injury. Stereotactic surgery was also used in this study to place the electrodes of an electroencephalograph (EEG) and follow up the study of epilepsy (caused by chemical Kindling) with and without reservoir loaded with AEDs. In both cases, once the surgical wound is sutured, the animal is removed from the stereotaxic apparatus and allowed to recover from anesthesia. For the implementation of titania in the basolateral amygdala (ABL) the animals were anesthetized with ketamine-xylazine (80 and 12 mg / kg. Ip respectively) by stereotactic surgery a titanium cylinder is placed 1 X 1.2 mm in diameter and height respectively in the ABL (coordinates AP = -2.3, L = 4.8, V = 8.5, Atlas of Paxinos and Watson, 1998). Were left in recovery for 7 days with food and water ad libitum in individual acrylic boxes. Scanning micrographs of histological sections of the temporal lobe of several series of Wistar rats, reason for this study: (a) Section of tonsil with the reservoir of TiO2-phenytoin sodium after 6 months deployed. It is observed in the border tissue-TiO2-nanoreservorio phenytoin sodium that no dispersion of nanoparticles. (b) Section of tonsil with the reservoir full TiO2-phenytoin sodium after 12 months deployed. Was measured with a microscope and remains intact in size and without having moved the site to be placed. (c) 3000 X approach into the reservoir TiO2-phenytoin sodium, the nanoparticle size is maintained after one year placed in brain tissue. (d and f) section of tonsil with the reservoir of TiO2-valproic acid after 6 months in place, we can see that it has not moved and no dispersion of the nanoparticles. Brain tissue at the border - no reservoir dispersion of particles. (e) 3300X closer to where it is clear that brain tissue enters the reservoir. (g) group of neurons. (h) cutting of healthy rat amygdala after six months to implement.(i) closer to 4500 X of tissue around the implant. (j). approach to implantation of TiO2-phenytoin sodium after 1 year in place which shows that although the brain tissue enters the pores of the nanostructured matrix, this will not clog the pores of the material and allows drug release without problem. (k) approach to 4000X around the implant TiO2-valproic acid after 8 months. (l) group of neurons around the implant TiO2-valproic acid is increased 2000X. (m) on the previous micrograph to capture a single neuron with a 5500X increase. (n) blood vessels in the histological section above. (o) Wistar rat. (p) sample holder for scanning electron microscopy with a histological section of the amygdala.

Histopathological Study

The brains were cut and preserved in formaldehyde solution 4% over 15 days. Sections were obtained from 10 μm paraffin were observed in a Leica optical microscope. The court is tainted by Bielchowsky technique, which lets you view and integrity of micro fibrils neuronal cell body. Became clear that the implant position is unchanged after six months in the brain of experimental animals, indicating a high compatibility of nanostructured reservoir and nerve tissue. To verify the absence of glial response to the implant, were cut from the brain area involved for histological analysis and assess neuronal damage. The figure shows the implant of TiO2-solgel and interaction with the nervous tissue without detectable cell lysis, although around the TiO2 we see a slight reaction witch suggests inflammation.

Kinetics of release

The following release kinetics were obtained in vitro. 20 grams pills were made from the samples of TiO2-sol-gel-xVPA and TiO2-sol-gel-XPH with different drug concentrations. These were placed in a precipitates glass in 80 mL of distilled water at a temperature of 37.3 ° C. All experiences were made in triplicate. Aliquots of supernatant were taken for analysis and quantified the amount of drug, using UV-Vis spectroscopy (Varian Cary III Spectrophotometer). We used a characteristic peak of phenytoin sodium at 232 nm. Reservoirs in the quantification of valproic acid were made with infrared spectroscopy and the pellets were immersed in deuterated water. The speed at which both the valproic acid (VPA) and phenytoin sodium (Ph) are released is determined by the porosity of the material in which are encapsulated, and by weak forces of interaction between the matrix → reservoir. It is observed in both cases there is a decrease in the concentration released. This can be explained if we do a mass balance. The result of this study showed a substantial discharge in the early hours (whom we call initial shot). Thereafter the release rate is very slow, as expected.

Results of the controlled release of antiepileptic drugs (valproic acid) in the different series of Wistar rats (n = 6).

Valproic acid is a broad-spectrum medication as it protects against generalized seizures, myoclonus, complex partial seizures, and so on. Its mechanism of action is to increase levels of GABA and so far unknown target sites which are acted on in the CNS. It is applied by systemic and protects against shocks ECH, PTZ (Ragsdale and Avolio (1998). In this particular case (technology) is released from a nanostructured material placed directly in the seizure focus. Epilepsy in rats of this project is caused by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) as it is widely used for its convenience and electrical Kindling-like in the amygdala. After the rats have seizures occur in phase IV and V, the rats are left to recover for 7 days and then implanted the reservoir and started the assessment of the impact of the implementation of reservoir-TiO2- solgel VPA in the basolateral amygdala (ABL) on the crisis caused by the chemical Kindling. The implant reservoir nanostructured TiO2-solgel without antiepileptic did not cause any abnormal behavior or seizures by electrographic on kindling. The implant of the reservoir with phenytoin sodium alone protected half the animals Kinlan. However, the implant reservoir TiO2- solgel-VPA-100, 200, 400 did not cause any abnormal behavior in rats, indicating that there is no neurotoxic damage and generalized seizure protected by 96% when the matrix was introduced TiO2-solgel-VPA-200. This reservoir implanted in the ABL inhibited the spread of seizure activity from the ABL in previously kindled rats due to local release of valproic acid directly into the ABL.

CANCER: OUR NANOPARTICLES AN OPTION FOR CANCER

Chemical molecules of drugs must not only be effective against disease, but also be strong enough to move from the spot where they entered the body to where they need to act. As the body devotes much effort to pursue and destroy foreign things that are where they should not-be (molecules, viruses, bacteria or even errant body's own cells), it is not easy to design drugs capable of doing so. One of the biggest challenges facing research in nanomedicin is the development of drug therapies that specifically target the diseased tissue, avoiding potential damage to adjacent healthy cells. Nanotechnology, a young scientific discipline that begins to gain a foothold in the most prestigious research institutions worldwide, offers imaginative solutions to achieve more selective treatments. The nanostructures that are investigated in the Laboratory of Nanotechnology INNN-UAM are highly innovative approaches to treat cancer. When we reach the ideal cancer therapy will have resolved one of the great problems of the world. This would be one capable of performing the following functions: to recognize cancer cells, diagnosing cancer type, download the drug in diseased cells, indicate the drug concentration in malignant cells, catalyze malignant cells to create apoptosis without damaging the benign (CATALYTIC NANOMEDICINE) and report on the level of destruction of cancer cells (with NANOBOTS). In our laboratory we have already obtained nanostructures capable of playing three of these functions, and are being tested in vivo in a cell line C6. Further work will be dogs inoculated with human GBM tumor cells to eventually pass to humans. Our main goal is to make catalytic nanomedicin applied to cancer, while taking into account the controlled release of chemotherapy directly and tumors. Likewise, designing nanostructured materials molecule by molecule (supramolecular architecture) achieving selective atomic arrangements in malignant cells. In addition, materials obtained have a greater capacity to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to the damaged site, achieving zero-order kinetics for direct contact cell-drug long term. The scientific research we are conducting now is to obtain nanostructured alkylating agents for cancer treatment (CATALYTIC NANOMEDICINE), which are tested in animal models of cancer in Wistar rats, using a cell line C6. For reasons of patent pending the composition of nanostructured materials will not be revealed, so we will call them "Nanotess”. With Nanotess nanoparticles, we have achieved so far in reducing tumor models in vivo of 55.7% as shown in the photo and graphic. We keep optimizing lod materials and slightly changing its composition and electronic density according to the obtained results and now we have achieved tumor shrinkage 90%, which we are reporting in a journal indexed. As is known, cancer is a tissue growth caused by uncontrolled proliferation of cells, ie cells forget how to die, which have great capacity to invade and destroy tissue. It may arise from any cell type anywhere in the body. Nor is it considered a single disease but a group of diseases that are classified according to the tissue and cell of origin. There are several hundred different ways, with three main subtypes of sarcomas that come from connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels, muscle and adipose tissue. Carcinomas of epithelial tissues such as skin or epithelia that line body cavities and organs, and glandular tissues of the breast and prostate. Carcinomas include some of the most common cancers, among them are leukemias and lymphomas, including cancers of tissues forming blood cells. Cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and / or surgery. In our Nanotechnology Laboratory for Medicine (NANOMEDICINE) of UAM - INNN, located at the facilities of the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "MVS", we have developed catalytic nanostructures as an alternative for patients with cancer chemotherapy. The research is based on the study of all types of chemotherapeutic agents that exist in the market and the physicochemical properties they have in common. To synthesize nanoparticles with a chemotherapy alkylating potentialized speed. To understand the chemotherapy, it is first necessary to understand what the cell cycle is. Chemotherapy is effective because the drugs used affect some phase of the vital cell cycle. To replicate, each cell goes through a cycle of four stages. The first, called G1, occurs when the cell prepares to replicate its chromosomes. The second is called S, in her DNA synthesis occurs and this is doubled. The next stage is G2, when duplicating RNA and protein. The final stage is the M phase, the actual cell division. In the latter, DNA and RNA duplicate divide and move to separate ends of the cell. In fact, it divides into two identical functional cells. Depending on the chosen medication, chemotherapy affects malignant cells in one of three ways: (1) Damaging the DNA of cancer cells so that they can no longer reproduce. (2) During the S phase of cell cycle by inhibiting the synthesis of new DNA strands so that cell replication is not possible at all. (3) Stopping the mitotic process so that the cancer cell can not divide into two cells. There are more than 100 antineoplastic drugs that are commonly used in combination, which are classified as: (I) alkylating agents: its general action mechanism induces damage to cellular DNA (both neoplastic and healthy) by incorporating alkyl groups, and this way alter or prevent cell replication, such as nitrogen mustards, nitrosoureas, cisplatin and alquilsulfanatos. (II) Antimetabolites, substances similar to natural components such as folic acid and methotrexate. (III) Alkaloids such as vincristine. (IV) antitumor antibiotics, such as doxorubicin. (V) Hormonal treatment of cancer and (VI) Cisplatin and derivatives. The "nanotess" are alkylating agents that have greater access to the malignant cell because the particles that compose measure just a few nanometers.

Catalytic action ALKYLATING: SUPER SOLID ACIDS

Alkylation is a catalytic process that requires a strong acidic catalyst with a high density of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites. Alkylation is usually used to increase the usefulness of a product, for example, the petrochemical industry transforms crude oil into high octane gasoline with alkylating agents. You can also rent the amines in the CN bond, as in the reaction of aniline with methyl alcohol in the presence of an alkylation catalyst:

C6H5NH2 + 2CH3OH → C6H5N(CH3)2 + 2H2O

In the oil industry, the alkylation is a chemical synthesis process involves the reaction of light olefins (such as ethylene, propylene, and the like) with saturated hydrocarbons (usually 3-methylpropane) giving rise to branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons to obtain a high molecular weight and a large number of carbons. The product has high octane index and is used to improve the quality of gasoline-range fuels. The process was originally developed during World War II to produce gasoline of high octane for aviation. Its current primary application is in the production of unleaded automotive gasoline.

Reactions

Taking as example the reaction of ethene (olefin) with isobutane:

CH2 = CH2 + (CH3)3CH → (CH3)3CCH2CH3

The alkylation reaction is initiated by the addition of a proton (H +) to the olefin:

H2C=CH2 + H+ -------- H3C-CH2+

The protonated olefin (carbonium ion) then reacts with isobutane by a proton abstraction from isobutane to produce t-butyl carbonium ion:

Reaction of the tertiary carbonium ion with the olefin proceeds by combination of the two species.

To produce a more complex Carbonium ion of six-carbons which yields a stabilized product by the abstraction of a proton from another isobutane molecule:

Alkylation processes are exothermic and are directly dependent on the reactivity of the tertiary carbon. As is well known, it is necessary to have a very acidic catalyst, therefore the most common are: sulfuric acid (H2SO4), hydrofluoric (HF) or aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Due to corrosion caused by strong acids, which are liquids, in the 90's begins an intensive study to obtain the so-called "super solid acids", which should have the same or superior acidity than the sulfuric acid being solid materials to avoid corrosion of the reactors.

What is the relationship with our laboratory?

From 1982 to 2000 I developed by the sol-gel process catalytic materials for the petrochemical industry. All were synthesized "on measure", with specifications and physical and chemical properties for each reaction. During the 90's we were not the exception and my research was directed at the super solid acids. We obtained several results that were published. Later at the success of making heterogeneous catalysts "on measure", I was asked to work on air pollution and finally water pollution with photocatalysts for wastewater to use sunlight and convert toxic pollutants into harmless compounds. Also during this time headed numerous graduate theses. Starting in 2000 I found that the macro-nature, our eyes can see every day, was equal to the inner nature of our body and merged the expertise of research in nanotechnology materials for petrochemical contamination medicine. Dedicating from that year to nanomedicine, mainly synthesizing nanostructured materials for controlled release of the central nervous system diseases (CNS). Three years after the acquisition of catalytic alkylation on links CN from DNA chains, to fight cancer in a manner different to that date. So along with my research group started a new scientific stage, which I called CATALYTIC NANOMEDICINE.

GRADUATE THESES DIRECTED IN RECENT YEARS:

29 – “Optimization of synthesis parameters of sol-gel nanomaterials for controlled release of drugs for Parkinson's”. Student: Dulce Esquivel. Master Thesis University of Guanajuato. November 2006.
30 – “Getting metal catalysts by the sol-gel method”. Student: Maximiliano Asomoza Palacios. Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, 1992.
31 – “Study of acid properties of catalysts prepared by sol-gel process. Student: Juan Navarrete Bolaños. Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in November 1996.
32 – “Synthesis and characterization of sol-gel hydrotalcite”. Student: Esthela Ramos. Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in October 1997.
33 – “Mixed oxides synthesis of magnesia-silica and sulfated magnesia-silica by the sol-gel process”. Student: Ma Elena Llanos, PhD Thesis at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Submitted in January 1998
34 – “Experimental theoretical study of metal catalysts supported on titania via sol-gel”. Student, Enrique Sanchez Mora. Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in February 2000.
35 – “Superacid zirconium-silica catalysts and sulfated zirconium-silica obtained by sol-gel process”. Student: Francisco Tzompantzi. Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in November 2002.
36 – “Superacid catalysts ZrO2 doped with heteropolyacids for DIPE obtaining”. Student: Gonzalo Hernandez Cortes Ph.D. at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in November 2002.
37 – “Synthesis and characterization of mixed oxide sol-gel of magnesia-titania”. Student: Jesus Hernandez Ventura. PhD thesis at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa. Presented in May 2003.
38 - "Synthesis and characterization of Li-Ba-Ti compounds obtained by the sol-gel processes”. Student: Aracely Hernandez R. PhD thesis at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon. Presented in May 2003.
39- “Study of mixed oxide system sol-gel ZrO2-TiO2 and its structural and textural properties. Student: Maria Elena Manriquez. PhD Thesis UAM-I. January 2005.
40 - "Indio supported on different sol-gel clay and its photocatalytic activity”. Student: Gustavo Porras. PhD. University of Guanajuato. Submitted in October 2004.
41 - "Effect of the shape of sulfation in the acidity of titania sol-gel”. Student: Emma Elisa Ortiz Islands. PhD Thesis UAM-I. May 2005.
42 – “Photocatalytic properties of transition metals supported on zirconium sol-gel”. Student: Mayra Alvarez Lemus. PhD Thesis UAM-I. Direction.
43 - "Optimization of a reservoir of silica sol-gel for controlled release of IFC-305 for cystic fibrosis”. UAM-I Ph.D. thesis. Student: Leon Albarran, in direction.
44 - "Preparation of nanostructured reservoirs biocompatible with brain tissue for the release of dopamine in the caudate. Parkinson's Treatment”. PhD. UAM-X. Student Noel Plascencia. Direction.
45 - "Synthesis and characterization of nanoreservoirs by the sol-gel method for controlled release of drugs: Parkinson”. PhD. University of Guanajuato. Student: Dulce María Esquivel Gomez.
46 - "Encapsulation of third-generation antidepressant drugs in nanoparticulate materials, and their release in central nervous system”. PhD. University of Havana, Cuba - National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery (INNN). Student: Mayra Gonzalez.
47 - "Fractal Modeling of the Dynamics of epileptic brain signals”. Postdoctoral work. UAMI - INNN. Student: Dr. Miguel Patiño Ortiz. Completed in December 2007.
48 - "Modeling of nanostructured matrix for controlled release of chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of osteosarcoma”. Postdoctoral work. UAMI - INNN. Student: Dr. Sonia Recillas Gispert. Completed in December 2007.

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES INDEXED (LAST 2 YEARS)

[166] High selectivity to isopropyl ether over sulfated titania in the isopropanol decomposition. E. Ortiz-Islas, T. Lopez, J. Navarrete, X. Bokhimi, R. Gomez. J. of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 228 (2005) 345–350.
[167] Study of the sodic phenytoine effect on the formation of sol-gel SiO2 nanotubes by TEM. T. López, M. Asomoza, M. Picquart, P. Castillo-Ocampo, J. Manjarrez, A. Vázquez and J. A. Ascencio. Optical Materials. 27 (2005) 1270–1275.
[168] Effect of the promoter and support on the catalytic activity of Pd–CeO2 supported catalysts for CH4 Combustion. G. Pecchi, P. Reyes, R. Zamora, T. Lopez and R. Gomez J. Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. 80 (2005) 268-272.
[169] Photoacoustic monitoring of dehydration in sol-gel titania emulsions. T. Lopez, M. Picquart, D. H. Aguilar, P. Quintana, J. J. Alvarado-Gil and J. Pacheco. J. Phys. IV France 125 (2005) 583-585.
[170] Photoacoustic thermal characterization of the dehydration process of Agar-SiO2 emulsions. T. Lopez, M. Picquart, G. Aguirre, Y. Freile, D.H. Aguilar, P. Quintana and J.J. Alvarado-Gil. J. Phys. IV France 125 (2005) 177-180
[171] Cristallinity effect in the textural properties of titania-TPA catalysts. E. Ortiz-Islas, T. Lopez, M. Picquart, R. Gomez, D.H. Aguilar and P. Quintana. Appl. Surface Sci. 252 (2005) 853-857.
[172] Molybdophosphoric acid in titania sol-gel: physico-chemical properties. E. Ortiz-Islas, T. López, R. Gómez, J. Navarrete, D. H. Aguilar, P. Quintana and M. Picquart Appl. Surface Sci. 252 (2005) 839-846.
[173] Effect of the crystallite size in the structural and textural properties of sulfated and phosphated titania. E. Ortiz-Islas, R. Gomez, T. Lopez, J. Navarrete, D.H. Aguilar and P. Quintana. Appl. Surface Sci. 252 (2005) 807-812.
[174] Acetone gas phase condensation over alkaline metals supported on TiO2 sol-gel catalysts. M. Zamora, T. López, Ricardo Gómez, Maximiliano Asomoza, Ruth Meléndrez. Appl. Surface Science 252 (2005) 828–832.
[175] Phase composition, reducibility and catalytic activity of Rh/zirconia and Rh/zirconia-ceria catalysts. J.A. Wang , T. Lopez, X. Bokhimi, O. Novaro Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 239 (2005) 249–256.
[176] Oligomerization of acetone over titania-doped catalysts (Li, Na, K, Cs); Effect of the alkaline metal in activity and selectivity. M. Zamora, T. López, R. Gómez, M. Asomoza, R. Melendrez. Catalysis Today 107–108 (2005) 289–293.
[177] Effect of CeO2 on the textural and acid properties of ZrO2–SO42-. R. Silva Rodrigo, J.M. Hernandez Enriquez, A. Castillo Mares, J.A. Melo Banda, R. García Alamilla, M. Picquart, T. Lopez Goerne, Catalysis Today 107–108 (2005) 838–843.
[178] Time evolution of the thermal properties during dehydration of sol-gel titania emulsions. A. Hernández-Ayala, T. López, P. Quintana, J. J. Alvarado-Gil, J. Pacheco.
Adv. in Tech. of Mat. and Mat. Proc. J. (ATM) 7[2] (2005) 149.
[179] Growth of hydroxyapatite in a biocompatible mesoporous ordered silica. A. Díaz, T. López, J. Manjarrez, E. Basaldella, J.M. Martínez-Blanes and J.A. Odriozola. Acta Biomaterialia. 2 (2006) 173–179.
[180] Catalytic combustion of ethyl acetate over ceria-promoted platinum supported on Al2O3 and ZrO2 catalysts. Gina Pecchi, Patricio Reyes, M. Graciela Filiberto, T. Lopez, J. L. G. Fierro. J. Sol-gel Sci. And Tech. 37 (2006) 169-174.
[181] Phase evolution of sol-gel CaO-ZrO2 using sulfuric acid as Hydrolysis Catalyst
J. Garcia, P. Quintana, D. H. Aguilar, T. Lopez, R. Gomez. J. Sol-gel Sci. And Tech. 37 (2006) 185–188.
[182] Amorphous sol-gel titania modified with heteropolyacids. T. Lopez, E. Ortiz, R. Gomez, M. Picquart. J. Sol-gel Sci. And Tech. 37 (2006) 189-193.
[183] Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxiacetic acid and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol with ZrO2 and Mn/ZrO2 sol-gel materials. T. López, M. Alvarez, F. Tzompantzi, M. Picquart. J. Sol-gel Sci. And Tech. 37 (2006) 207-211.
[184] A Molecular Vibrational Analysis and MAS-NMR Spectroscopy Study of Epilepsy Drugs Encapsulated in TiO2–Sol-Gel Reservoirs. T. Lopez, J. Navarrete, R.Conde, J.A.Ascencio, J.Manjarrez, R.D. Gonzalez J. of Biomed. Mat. Res. Part A. 78 (2006) 441-448.
[185] Structural, Optical And Vibrational Properties of Sol-Gel Titania Valproic Acid Reservoirs. T. Lopez, E. Ortiz-Islas, E. Vinogradova, J. Manjarrez, J.A. Azamar, J.J. Alvarado-Gil and P. Quintana. Optical Materials 29 (2006) 82–87.
[186] Encapsulation of valproic acid and sodic phenytoine in ordered mesoporous SiO2 solids for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy. T. López, E. I. Basaldella, M.L. Ojeda, J. Manjarrez and R. Alexander-Katz. Optical Materials 29 (2006) 75–81.
[187] Synthesis of TiO2 nanostructured reservoir with temozolomide: structural evolution of the occluded drug. T. López, J. Sotelo, J. Navarrete and J. A. Ascencio. Optical Materials 29 (2006) 88–94.
[188] Biocompatible Titania Microtubes formed by Nanoparticles and its Application in the Drug Delivery of Valproic Acid. T. Lopez, E. Ortiz-Islas, J. Manjarrez, F. Rodriguez Reinoso, A. Sepulveda, R. D. Gonzalez. Optical Materials 29 (2006) 70-74.
[189] Effect of phosphate ions in the properties of titania sol-gel. E. Ortiz-Islas, T. Lopez, R. Gomez , J. Navarrete. J. Sol-gel Sci. And Tech. 37 (2006) 165-168.
[190] Alkaline doped TiO2 sol–gel catalysts: Effect of sintering on catalyst activity and selectivity for acetone condensation. M. Zamora, T. López, R. Gómez, M. Asomoza, R. Meléndrez. Catálisis Today 116 (2006) 234–238.
[191] An implantable sol-gel derived titania-silica carrier system for the controlled release of anticonvulsants. T. Lopez, J.Manjarrez, D.Rembao, E. Vinogradova, A. Moreno, R.D.Gonzalez. Mat. Lett. 60 (2006) 2903-2908.
[192] Characterization of sodium phenytoin cogelled with titania to be used as controlled drug release system. T. López, P. Quintana, E. Ortiz-Islas, E. Vinogradova, J. Manjarrez, D.H. Aguilar, P. Castillo-Ocampo, C. Magaña, J.A. Azamar. Materials Charact. 58 (2007) 823–828.
[193] Synthesis and characterization of cryptomelanes and birnessites type oxides: Precursor Effect. D. Frías, S. Nousir, I. Barrio, M. Montes, T. López, M. A. Centeno, J.A. Odriozola. Materials Charact. 58 (2007) 776–781.
[194] Nanostructured titania bioceramic implantable device capable of drug delivery to the temporal lobe of the brain. T. López, E. Ortiz, P. Quintana and R. D. González.Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 300 (2007) 3–10.
[195] The determination of dielectric constants of mixtures used in the treatment of epilepsy and the encapsulation of phenytoin in a titania matrix. T. Lopez, P. Quintana, J. Ascencio and R.D. Gonzalez. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochem. Eng. Aspects 300 (2007) 99–105.
[196] Stabilization of dopamine in nanosilica sol-gel matrix: Brain tissue biocompatibility and delivering for Parkinson disease. T. López, P. Quintana, J. M. Rosas, D. Esquivel. J. Non Cryst. Solids 353 (2007) 987–989.
[197] Optical study of the photoactivation time of a sol-gel titania suspension in ethanol. A.R. Caamal-Parra, R.A. Medina-Esquivel, T. Lopez, J.J. Alvarado-Gila. and P. Quintana. J. Non Cryst. Solids 353 (2007) 971–973.
[198] Pore structures in an implantable sol-gel titania ceramic device used in controlled drug release applications: A modeling study. Aaron Peterson, Tessy Lopez, Emma Ortiz Islas and Richard D.Gonzalez. Applied Surface Science 253 (2007) 5767–5771.
[199] 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) photo degradation using Mn+/ZrO2 photocatalyst: XPS, UV-Vis, DRX characterization. M. Alvarez, T. López, J. A. Odrizola, M. A. Centeno, M. I. Domínguez, M. Montes. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental 73 (2007) 34–41.
[200] Nitrate Removal Using Natural Clays Modified by Acid Thermo activation. C. .J. Mena-Duran M.R. Sun Kou; T. Lopez, J.A. Azamar-Barrios, D.H. Aguilar, M.I. Domínguez, J. A. Odriozola and P. Quintana. Applied Surface Science 253 (2007) 5762–5766.
[201] Antibacterial activity of montmorillonites modified with silver. S.M. Magaña, P. Quintana, D.H. Aguilar, J.A. Toledo, Angeles-Chávez, M.A. Cortés, L. León, Y. Freile-Pelegrýn, T. Lopez, R.M. Torres Sanchez. J. Molecular Catalysis (En Prensa).
[202] Spectroscopic, structural and textural properties of CaO and CaO–SiO2 materials synthesized by sol–gel with different acid catalysts. J. García, T. López, M. Álvarez, D.H. Aguilar and P. Quintana. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 354 (2007) 729-732.
[203] Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid over ZrO2, Cu/ZrO2 and Fe/ ZrO2 photocatalysts synthesized by the sol gel method. M. Alvarez, T. Lopez , J. A. Odriozola, R. D. Gonzalez. Journal Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 8(12) (2008) 6414.
[204] Thermal phase stability and catalytic properties of nanostructured TiO2-MgO sol-gel mixed oxides. T. Lopez, J. Hernandez-Ventura, D. H. Aguilar and P. Quintana. Journal Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 8(12) (2008) 6608-17.
[205] X-ray diffraction and Raman Scattering Study of Nanostructured ZrO2-TiO2 Oxides Prepared by Sol-Gel. T. López, X. Bokhimi, P. Quintana, D. Aguilar, J. M. Coronado, M.E. Manriquez, M. Picquart. Journal Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 8(12) (2008) 6623-9.
[206] Study of the photoactivation of TiO2 Degussa P25 in ethanol-methanol suspensions using a piezoelectric sensor. R. Trejo, J. J. Alvarado Gil, T. López, P. Quintana. J. Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 281 (2008) 113-118.
[207] Photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid using nanocrystalline cryptomelane composite catalysts. M. Alvarez Lemus, T. López, S. Recillas, D.M. Frías, M. Montes, J.J. Delgado, M.A. Centeno, J.A. Odriozola. J. of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical 281 (2008) 107–112.
[208] Catalytic combustion of soot. Effects of added alkali metals on CaO-MgO physical mixtures. R. Jiménez, X. García, T. López and A. L. Gordon. Fuel Processing Technology. 89 (2008) 1160-116.
[209] Pt/TiO2 brain biocompatible nanoparticles: GBM treatment using C6 Model in Wistar rats. T. López, S. Recillas, P. Guevara, J. Sotelo, M. Alvarez, J. A. Odriozola. Acta Biomaterialia 4 (2008) 2037-2044.
[210] Study of Collagen-PVP loading in ordered mesoporous silica and release properties determination. T. Lopez, E. Krotsch, E. Ortiz-Islas, M. Alvarez, E. Basaldella, J. M. Blanes, J. A. Odriozola. Key Engineering Materials 391 (2009) 169-184.
[211] Controlled release of hydrocortisone by mesoporous silica materials. Tessy Lopez, Emma Ortiz, Roberto Alexander, Elena Basaldella, Xim Bokhimi. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine 5 (2009) 170-177.
[212] Controlled release of phenytoin from nanostructured TiO2 reservoirs. B. E. Heredia-Cervera, S. A. Gonzalez-Azcorra, G. Rodríguez-Gattorno, T. López, E. A. Ortiz, and G. Oskam, Sci. Adv. Mater. 1, 63-68 (2009).
[213] Kinetics of drug release: phenytoin from sol-gel silica matrices. Alexandra Fidalgo, Tessy M. Lopez, Laura M. Ilharco. J. Sol-gel Science and Technology 49 (2009) 320-328.
[214] Drug-Matrix interactions in nanoparticles containing acetyl salicylic acid using an enteric polymer as a coating. M. González, A. Galano, J. Rieumont, T. López, D. Dupeyron, L. Albarran. J. Phys. Chem. (En Prensa).
[215] The Effect of Water on Particle Size, Porosity and the Rate of Drug Release of VPA from Titania Reservoirs. T. Lopez, E. Ortiz-Islas, R. Alexander, J. A. Odriozola, P. Quintana, D. Aguilar, P.P. Lottici. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B - Applied Biomaterials (En Prensa).
[216] Kinetic study of controlled release of VPA and DPH antiepileptic drugs using biocompatible, nanostructured sol-gel TiO2. T. López , R. Alexander-Katz, P. Castillo, M. González, J. Manjarrez, R. D. Gonzalez, L. Ilharco, A. Fidalgo, J. Rieumont. Journal Material Science (En Prensa).
[217] Fractal Analysis of Tissue Biocompatible Neuroreservoir. T. López, M. Patiño-Ortiz, A. S. Balankin, R. D. González. Appl. Mech. And Mat. 15 (2009) 121-126.
[218] Fractal Analysis of EEG Signals in the Brain of Epileptic Rats, with and without Biocompatible Implanted Neuroreservoirs. T. Lopez, C. L. Martinez-Gonzalez, J. Manjarrez, N. Plascencia, A. S. Balankin,. Appl. Mech. And Mat. 15 (2009) 127-136.

SOL-GEL PROCESS

The sol-gel process has had a boom since the 80's to date, to prepare inorganic oxides of all kinds and for various applications, starting with optical glasses. The method is very attractive because the materials are obtained at low temperature and atmospheric pressure. All their structural, textural, electronic and morphological properties can be modified during the passage of "sol" to "gel". The high purity and homogeneity are attributable to their mode of preparation in multicomponent systems. In the last decade, the chemistry of the process and the physical mechanisms involved in the formative stages of the gels (hydrolysis and polymerization), has been studied intensively to achieve technological breakthroughs that make this method at the forefront in the world of NANOTECHNOLOGY. Has been used mainly for new compositions of glass and crystal, ceramic systems, optical fibers, thin films and biomaterials for NANOMEDICINE among many others. With this technology it is possible to do SUPRAMOLECULAR ARCHITECTURE, assembling atoms and molecules and therefore prepare any nanostructured compound, "ON ORDER". Another major advantage is that you can catch any element or compound in the inorganic matrix. By introducing the desired compound, the product will have different applications, ie those obtained nanomaterials have a place in the world of the controlled release or CATALYTIC NANOMEDICINE.

HYDROLYSIS
M(OR)n + n H2O ---- M(OH)n + n ROH

POLYMERIZATION
M(OH)n ------ MOn/2 + n/2 H20

The hydrolysis and polycondensation can accelerate or brake using the corresponding acid or base catalyst. For low pH the particles are added to form polymeric structures, whereas at high pH the particles increase in size, this effect is due to the variation of solubility with the curvature of the surface and with pH. Depending on the amount of water present, the hydrolysis reaction can be completed or stopped when the precursor metal alkoxide, M (OR) n is partially hydrolyzed. In the case of using two or more alkoxides with different metal to form networks of mixed oxides, it is necessary to prehydrolyze the one who reacts faster and then add the following. After the complex operation of polymerization, sol formation and gelation, the gel forms a micro porous high specific surface made up of very small particles (ca. 2-10 nm) with an approximate formula by: (MO) x (m ' O) x '(OH) (OR) z. Design of controlled release technology is increasingly important and necessary in the pharmaceutical area as controlled release drug dosage has advantages over other dosage forms, among them are the reduction of lethal side effects, prolonged activity time, and provide protection for sensitive drugs to enzyme attacks or acid degradation due to local pH, and so on. The nanoencapsulation in biocompatible inorganic materials is an advanced technology to control the release of the drug at the site of action. Currently the Sol-Gel process has emerged as a promising platform for the immobilization, stabilization and encapsulation of biological molecules such as enzymes, antibodies, microorganisms, and a variety of drugs. The matrices obtained by this method are chemically inert, hydrophilic and easily synthesized, in addition to possessing high mechanical strength, thermal stability in wide ranges of temperature and absorb organic solvents so insignificant compared to other organic polymers. An additional advantage is that it provides encapsulated molecules viability as these matrices act as reservoirs of water thus helping to maintain the biological activity of enzymes, antibodies and cells, and in the case of drugs hydration level necessary for the molecule. Moreover, these matrices are resistant to microbial attack and exhibit high biocompatibility with the body and therefore can be used to implant in situ in the treatment of different diseases. The materials, which host inside the drugs, have been manipulated in order to ensure that these are released into the specific site of action.

TESSY MARIA LOPEZ GOERNE

In an economic, scientific and technological globalization, our country can not remain outside the lines of research in "New Materials". The processing ceramics, light glass, optical, adsorbents and catalysts, and the issue now working: "nanomaterials biocompatible with brain tissue to release drugs directly into the damaged area" and "catalytic NANOMEDICINE " for application in cancer, are only examples of the need for conducting research on these lines. Dr. Lopez Goerne started the Sol-Gel technology at the laboratories of the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa 26 years ago, and focuses its work in obtaining advanced materials (nanomaterials) with applications in petrochemicals and pollution initially and a second step in medicine. NANOMEDICINE studies begin with antiepileptic drugs for treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy and after that a treatment with dopamine for Parkinson's. Such controlled release materials have worked well in animal models. Through a large number of experimental works, now totals more than 250 publications in indexed journals and about 3,000 quotes. She has worked all her life with particles that are no larger than a few nanometers and reported in books and articles for physical-chemistry of solid state, sometimes not applicable to these materials and therefore Dr. Lopez Goerne and colleagues have developed new theories for interpreting the behavior of these nanostructured materials. Dr. Lopez Goerne is a full-time lab researcher and has avoided as much as possible institutional positions. Still has participated actively in the consolidation of science programs for youth and children under the auspices of the Economic Culture Fund and the Mexican Academy of Sciences. It has integrated assessment committees of CONACYT and SEP Materials and is a Level III researcher of the National System of Researchers. Her scientific quality has led her to be nominated and won numerous awards given by the scientific community, National and International, to scientists from the highest level. These include, Weizmann Science Prize for best PhD dissertation, the Prize of the Mexican Academy of Science in Technological Development, OEA Manuel Noriega in Exact Sciences and UNESCO Science Prize Hadama Hussein, CANIFARMA , etc. Her collaboration with National research centers, has enabled her to establish and help consolidate its school methods of preparation and application of solids by controlling the synthesis of metal oxide gels. Extensive collaboration with the Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, CINVESTAV-Merida, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (Institute of Physics and Institute of Cellular Physiology), University of Guanajuato (Center for Research in Inorganic Chemistry), Instituto Politecnico Nacional, ISSSTE among others. Currently a member of the Editorial Board of the journals: Materials Leterrs (North-Holland) and the Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technolgy (Kluwer Academic Publishers). She has been invited to collaborate with several laboratories, including the Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyze in Lyon, France, USA Tulane University, the CINDECA in La Plata Argentina, University of Parma, Italy, Technical Institute of Istanbul, Turkey, Technical Institute Lisbon, Portugal, etc. She is currently president of the Society of Science and Technology “sol-gel”. Finally it is noteworthy that the wide presentation I do of Dr. Lopez Goerne, is because of the knowledge I have of her scientific career, since I have closely followed her job, first as a student at UAM-I and later as independent researcher.