Research interest
Water is called "the matrix of life". It's an active component in cell. Water is the most studied substance because it has many unusual properties that nowadays remain misunderstood. For example, it exhibits interesting eccentricities in a confined environment.
The main focus of this research group is to explore the physical interactions and role of water in the conformation and dynamics of biological systems (proteins, DNA, enzymes), where the surrounding water is decisive for their functions. Our major current projects include:
- Estructural aspects of protein mixtures suspended in water.
We also very interested in studying alternative methods to inactivate pathogen micro-organisms, which are a health problem in the world. We are working in the area of Photodynamic Inactivation. We are focused on exploring the effect of non-ionizing radiation in such micro-organisms and understanding of physical mechanisms of inactivation with visible light. Our major current project is:
The antioxidant properties in natural biocomposites (Tomás Buenfil).
Because all these systems and phenomena are complex in nature, we approch them using different radiation sources and several powerful techniques: optical, dielectric and fluorescence spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, microcalorimetry, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism.
Water is called "the matrix of life". It's an active component in cell. Water is the most studied substance because it has many unusual properties that nowadays remain misunderstood. For example, it exhibits interesting eccentricities in a confined environment.
The main focus of this research group is to explore the physical interactions and role of water in the conformation and dynamics of biological systems (proteins, DNA, enzymes), where the surrounding water is decisive for their functions. Our major current projects include:
- Hydration in biomolecules:
- Estructural aspects of protein mixtures suspended in water.
- The anomalous behavior of water under constrained and physiological conditions.
- Models of water structuring due to hydrophilic surfaces.
- Hydration and dehydration processes in biomolecules and cells (Gustavo Hernández).
We also very interested in studying alternative methods to inactivate pathogen micro-organisms, which are a health problem in the world. We are working in the area of Photodynamic Inactivation. We are focused on exploring the effect of non-ionizing radiation in such micro-organisms and understanding of physical mechanisms of inactivation with visible light. Our major current project is:
- Research on inactivation of cells (bacteria Gram +, Gram -, and spermatozoo), parasites and virus, using different types of sensitizers and non-ionizing radiation (Daniel Ortega, Mireya Márquez, Bryant Martínez and Carlos Vázquez).
The antioxidant properties in natural biocomposites (Tomás Buenfil).
Because all these systems and phenomena are complex in nature, we approch them using different radiation sources and several powerful techniques: optical, dielectric and fluorescence spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, microcalorimetry, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism.
Photoinactivation of microorganisms
by visible ligth. |
Photoinactivation of microorganisms
by visible ligth. |
Evolution of the exclusion zone
(nafion and colloidal particles) !! |
