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PhD Student: Jose Daniel Bolaños Cardet

Directors: Dr. Salvio Suárez García, Senior PostDoctoral Researcher in the Nanostructured Functional Materials at ICN2 and Dr. Víctor Yuste Mateos, at UAB

Short Abstract: Catechols are highly versatile molecules, consisting of a benzene ring and two hydroxyl groups, naturally found in plants, food and the human body. Notably present in the byssus of mussels, these molecules exhibit a broad range of interactions with various compounds, enabling adhesion to virtually any surface. Additionally, their ability to participate in oxidation-reduction reactions grants them remarkable properties, such as antioxidant activity. Over the course of the past two decades, the application of catechol-based compounds in materials science has significantly increased, attracting particular interest from researchers in the biomedical field.
In this Thesis, two main catechol-based materials were developed, specifically using amine-based ligands to generate polymers. The first type, coatings, consist of a thin polymeric layer of hundreds of nanometers deposited on different substrates. The second, free-standing membranes, are polymeric thin films with micrometer-scale thicknesses, which can be manually handled and applied to a desired surface after the generation. Despite their structural differences, both materials were synthesized from the same precursors using a straightforward, one-step and environmentally friendly process.
Each of these materials was studied in relation to a specific biomedical application, addressing two major global health challenges: antimicrobial resistance and cancer, both of which are projected to worsen in the coming decades. To address antimicrobial resistance, coatings were applied to woven and non-woven substrates commonly used in healthcare, such as paper, cotton and polypropylene. These coatings demonstrated outstanding antimicrobial properties, effectively eradicating various pathogens associated with nosocomial infections within three hours. Regarding cancer treatment, the obtained membranes were evaluated against a wide range of organ-derived cancer cell lines, with a particular focus on Glioblastoma. The strong cytotoxic activity exhibited by the membranes and their manipulability suggests promising potential for use as a localized post-resection treatment for Glioblastoma.
In both cases, the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties were driven by the sustained production of reactive oxygen species. This mechanism has been proved to be highly effective in counteracting bacterial resistance to antibiotics, while also exacerbating the already elevated oxidative stress levels in tumor cells, ultimately leading to their death. These findings underscore the transformative potential of catechol-based materials in addressing critical healthcare challenges, paving the way for innovative treatments that could revolutionize medical practices and improve patient outcomes.