Next 12/21/2023, at 12:00 p.m., a research conference titled “Restoration of vision in blind people using devices” will take place in the assembly hall of the Institute of Bioengineering, located in the Vinalopó building on the Elche campus. miniaturized photovoltaics” within the seminar program of the Master of Biotechnology and Bioengineering and the Doctoral Program of Bioengineering. The conference will be given by Dr. Mohajeet Bhuckhory, Researcher at Stanford University, and is organized by Prof. Eduardo Fernández Jover, Director of the UMH Bioengineering Institute.
Prof. Dr. Mohajeet Bhuckhory focuses his research in the field of Biomedical Engineering, Neuroengineering, Computer Vision.

Brief description of the talk

“Many degenerative retinal diseases can lead to blindness due to the loss of photoreceptors, which are the cells responsible for capturing light. These cells disappear, but the other cells and structures of the eyeball remain fully functional. Therefore, one possibility is to replace these cells with artificial devices capable of transforming light into electrical impulses that can be sent to the brain. Dr. Bhukory will present a miniaturized photovoltaic substitute for lost photoreceptors, which converts light into pulsed electrical current, thereby stimulating secondary neurons in the retina. The complete device consists of a camera that captures visual information and projects it onto the retina through augmented reality glasses using near-infrared pulsed light (~880 nm). This design avoids the use of bulky electronic devices and cables, greatly reducing surgical complexity and allowing the number of electrodes to be significantly increased. The chip is implanted in the retina through a minimally invasive surgical procedure. The device is currently in clinical trials. Preliminary results demonstrate that the system is well tolerated and implanted patients are able to perceive visual stimuli and identify complex patterns, numbers and letters. The ease of implantation of these photovoltaic microdevices combined with their high resolution opens the doors to functional restoration of vision in some blind patients.”

Awards and honours

Other information of interest

Dr Bhuckory graduated with honors in Applied Biomedical Sciences from the University of Abertay Dundee, Scotland. He completed his PhD at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he specialized in experimental medicine studies applied to vision. He has worked on the development of optical and electronic technologies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in the field of ophthalmology. In 2018 he joined Stanford University, California, USA, to work on developing a new generation of retinal implants to improve vision. He currently collaborates in the optimization of surgical techniques for the implantation of subretinal artificial vision devices and in the development of innovative optoelectronic systems to improve visual function in people with severe visual problems.

Next 15/12/2023, at 12:00 h, a research conference entitled “Synthesis of nanomaterials with pulsed lasers and their applications in biology” will take place in the auditorium of the Institute of Bioengineering, located in the Vinalopó building of the Elche campus, within the program of seminars of the Master in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and the Doctoral Program in Bioengineering. The conference will be given by Prof. Gladys Mínguez Vega, Professor of Optics at the Universitat Jaume I, and is organized by Prof. María del Mar Sánchez López, Professor of Applied Physics and researcher at the Institute of Bioengineering of the UMH.

Prof. Gladys Mínguez Vega focuses her research in the field of nanoparticle fabrication with pulsed lasers, the study of their fundamental properties and applications in the energy and biomedical fields, such as the fabrication of fluorescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for bioimaging, the development of fluorescent biosensors or the synthesis of graphene oxide decorated with metal nanoparticles for the fabrication of SERS-based sensors. The results obtained in this line have led to a Marie-Curie IF GLUCOTEAR grant and a European patent in the technique for the fabrication of CQDs; as well as its incorporation to the European project “Nanouptake” (COST Action CA15119).

Prof. Gladys Mínguez Vega has published 68 papers, has 2 patents and an h-index of 20.

Brief description of the talk.

“This seminar will address the process of synthesizing nanomaterials with pulsed lasers. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the technique, as well as different fabrication processes. Among the attractions of this method is its ability to produce nanoparticles of high purity and of a wide variety of materials, thanks to which it is promoting significant advances in the research and development of biomedical tools. Of all the possible applications, throughout the exhibition we will present some in which the optics group of the Universitat Jaume I (GROC-UJI) is participating, the manufacture of optical sensors, the development of fluorescent markers in bioimaging and obtaining biocidal nanoagents.”

Awards and recognitions

In 2020, the international journal ACS Omega, selected Dr. Mínguez Vega as one of the 50 women of reference in the leadership of women scientists.
She has participated in 22 competitive calls with a total of more than 2 M€, being the PI of 7 of them. First woman professor in the Department of Physics of the UJI (the only one so far) in its more than 30 years of history.

Other information of interest

Dr. Mínguez Vega also carries out outreach activities to promote the role of women in science and technology, and to bring her research to the public through her professional Twitter account @MinguezVega.

On November 17, at 13:00h, will take place in the auditorium of the Institute of Bioengineering, located in the Vinalopó building on the campus of Elche, a research conference entitled “Applications of electromyography in care and rehabilitation” within the program of seminars of the Master of Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Bioengineering PhD Program. The conference will be given by Dr. Andrés Ubeda Castellanos (Full Professor of University) of the University of Alicante, being organized by Prof. Nicolás Manuel García Aracil, researcher of the Institute of Bioengineering of the UMH.

Dr. Andres Úbeda Castellanos focuses his research on the study of neuromuscular mechanisms of motor control and coordination through the evaluation of descending motor pathways in the execution of movement. Other lines of research are related to the analysis of cortical information in the decoding of motor intention and its use in neurorehabilitation procedures, as well as the study of alternative forms of human-machine interaction, particularly in the field of neurorobotics through myoelectric or brain control.

On October 19, 12:00h, will take place in the auditorium of the Institute of Bioengineering, located in the Vinalopó building of the campus of Elche, a research conference entitled “Regeneration of mineralized tissues in Dentistry using composite biomaterials” within the seminar program of the Master of Biotechnology and Bioengineering and the Doctoral Program in Bioengineering. The conference will be given by Dr. Alfonso Gala Garcia (University Professor) from Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA-Brazil), and is organized by Prof. Piedad de Aza, researcher at the Institute of Bioengineering of the UMH.

Dr. Alfonso Gala Garcia focuses his research in the field of bioceramics, polymers and composites, and also their evaluation in vitro and in vivo, for the regeneration of mineralized tissues and research with probiotics for oral health.

Brief description of the talk.

“The search for biomaterials based on bioceramics and polymers is playing an important role in dental science; specifically in the induction and regeneration of mineralized tissues such as dentin and bone of the oral cavity. The objective of this conference is to impart and show methodologies used in the regeneration of mineralized tissues in vivo and in vitro, since dentistry is advancing and needs new biomaterials for its clinical and esthetic needs.
How can we obtain these new biomaterials, what properties do they need to have, what tests are necessary to determine whether or not they are suitable for use in bone tissue regeneration?”

Awards and recognitions.

He has published 27 JRC articles and has 3 patent registrations and has been in several research centers including the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the University of Porto (Portugal). Dr. A. Gala is currently Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry and Health of the Federal University of Bahia. He also has 11 research awards in national and international events; 7 teaching awards and 1 award for artistic design in Germany. He is also scientific advisor of the Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia and Peru and collaborator of the Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche in Spain and of the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering of the Universidad Federal de Bahia.

On Tuesday, July 18, the evaluation of the students of the Doctoral Program was held at the Institute of Bioengineering.

On 03/31/2023, at 11:00 a.m., a research conference entitled “Application of carboxylesterases in studies of marine contamination” within the seminar program of the Biotechnology and Bioengineering Master’s Degree and the Bioengineering Doctoral Program. The conference will be given by Dr. Montserrat Solé Rovira (CSIC Senior Scientist) from the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) of Barcelona, and is organized by Prof. Jorge Estévez Domènech, researcher at the Bioengineering Institute of the UMH.
Dr. Montserrat Solé Rovira focuses her research in the field of Ecotoxicology. She has published 149 articles and has an h index of 39.

Brief description of the talk
“Carboxylesterases are a family of detoxification enzymes with wide application in pharmacology and as biomarkers of exposure to pesticides in agriculture. This presentation describes some works in the field of environmental sciences and in particular in the marine environment in that they are applied to a broader spectrum of compounds. It also points to their potential as biomarkers of emerging pollutants such as flame retardants, also considered as plastic additives. In studies with protected marine species, it is of great interest to perform measurements in conservative tissues that do not require the sacrifice of the animal, such as plasma measurements. In this fluid, the presence of albumin as a protein that shows high affinity for certain environmental contaminants is discussed.”
Awards and honours
Stanford University c-index (02/03/2022): among the 2% of most cited researchers worldwide. Ioannidis, John P.A. (2022), “September 2022 data-update for “Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators””, Mendeley Data, V5, doi: 10.17632/btchxktzyw.5
Other information of interest

Brief description of the talk
“Infectious and non-infectious diseases share common molecular mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and inflammation. External factors, such as bacterial or viral infections, excessive calorie intake, inadequate nutrients, or environmental factors, can cause metabolic disturbances that result in an imbalance between free radical production and natural antioxidant systems. Free radicals can cause metabolic alterations that influence the pathogenesis of the disease. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an enzyme that breaks down lipid peroxides in lipoproteins and cells, enhances high-density lipoprotein protection against different infectious agents, and is a critical component of the innate immune system. PON1 deficiency can cause metabolic alterations and promote inflammation. Therefore, understanding the relationships between PON1, inflammation, and metabolism may help improve treatments and identify new therapeutic targets. This presentation also examines the possibilities of measuring PON1 serum levels in clinical settings, providing insight into the potential clinical use of this enzyme.”

Awards and honours

Other information of interest
Jordi Camps Andreu is a Doctor in Biology, Specialist in Clinical Biochemistry
Coordinator of the Biomedical Research Unit of the Sant Joan de Reus University Hospital, Associate Professor of the Rovira i Virgili University (Tarragona)
246 indexed articles. H-Index = 60
10 Doctoral Theses directed
Principal investigator or collaborator in 22 competitive projects
Member of the editorial committee of Biomolecules and Plos One magazines

7^th Working Day “La Ciencia tiene Nombre de Mujer” para conmemorar el Día de la Mujer y la Niña en la Ciencia

The Institute of Bioengineering welcomes you to the 7th Working day “La Ciencia tiene Nombre de Mujer”, which will take place on Monday 27^th February at Universidad Miguel Hernández (Plató Room. Innova Building), both as an in-person event and by Streaming. The program and link to the event can be found here:

https://igualdad.umh.es/2023/02/02/umh11f-vii-jornada-la-ciencia-tiene-nombre-de-mujer-2023/

With this event, organized by the Institute of Bioengineering and the Equality Unit of University Miguel Hernández, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Lecture “The systematic search for phenotypes”

On 02/24/2023, at 11:30 a.m., a research conference entitled “The systematic search for phenotypes” will take place, located in the Vinalopó building on the Elche campus, within the program of seminars of the Master’s Degree in Biotechnology and Bioengineering and the Bioengineering Doctoral Program. The conference will be given by Prof. Marcos Egea Gutiérrez-Cortines, Professor of Genetics at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (UPCT), and is organized by Prof. José Luis Micol, Professor of Genetics and researcher at the Institute of Bioengineering of the UMH .

Prof. Marcos Egea Gutiérrez-Cortines focuses his research in the field of Development Genetics and Biotechnology, has published 58 articles and has an h-index of 27.

Brief description of the talk

The development of biological systems is a continuum in which the final phenotype is the product of the dynamic changes that occur during morphogenesis. The development of plant flowers is the result of cell division and expansion processes that end up building sexual organs, and others with ecological functions, to attract pollinators. The aim of one of the lecturer’s lines of research is to identify genes responsible for the size of the flowers and their emission of volatile substances. To this end, he has developed artificial vision and image analysis technologies, and software to understand complex systems and attribute phenotypes to changes in the expression of specific genes.

Awards and recognitions

Award from the Social Council to BIONET for its commitment to research and internationalization through the BIONET Chair

Other information of interest

Director of the Institute of Plant Biotechnology of the UPCT

Coordinator of the Master’s Degree in Bioinformatics of the UPCT

Director of the BIONET Chair in Biotechnology