Name: Fernando López-Gallego
Affiliation: Cooperative Research Center in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE)
Address: Paseo Miramon 182, 20014, San Sebastián-Donostia, Spain
ORCID: _https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0031-1880
Short biography:
Fernando López-Gallego is IKERBASQUE Research Professor at Biomaterials Center CIC-biomaGUNE (San Sebastián, Spain). After obtaining her PhD at the University Autonoma of Madrid in 2007, he did an academic post-doc in the laboratory of Prof. Schmidt-Danner at the University of Minnesota, working on metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, and an industrial postdoc in the Technology Lab of REPSOL (Madrid). In 2019 became the group leader of the Heterogeneous Biocatalysis Laboratory at CIC biomaGUNE. This laboratory investigates how to spatially organize biological systems across synthetic solid materials to create advanced technological platforms to be applied in chemical manufacturing, biosensing, and enzyme therapy
University/Company description:
CIC biomaGUNE is a non-profit research organisation created to promote scientific research and technological innovation at the highest levels in the Basque Country following the Regional policy, in order to create a new business sector based on biosciences. The main research lines focus on the design, preparation, and characterization of biofunctional nanostructures and custom biomaterials and their evaluation in vitro and in vivo settings, to understand biological processes and develop biomedical tools. These applications include diagnostic, therapeutic, theranostic, or multimodal imaging, to better understand diseases, and ultimately apply them in clinical diagnosis and therapy. The Center counts with additional certifications and recognitions such as the Seal of Excellence in Human Resources “HR Excellence in Research”, UNE 166002 for RD&I Management, and the AAALAC accreditation for the care and use of animals in science.
Facilities, infrastructure & equipment:
CIC bmG is equipped with cutting edge research infrastructure, and with advanced nanoscience, chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular imaging scientific facilities, including fully equipped research laboratories, Technological Platforms (Electron Microscopy, Mass Spectrometry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Optical Spectroscopy, Surface Analysis and Fabrication) and the Molecular Imaging Facility which encompasses radiochemistry, nuclear (PET, SPECT, PET-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI 7 and 11 Tesla) along with animal facilities. Recognized as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS) by the Spanish Government, it stands as one of the most comprehensive preclinical imaging research infrastructures in Europe.
Relevant publications and/or research/innovation products:
- K. Świderek, K. Arafet, , V. de Sousa Batista, D. Grajales-Hernández, F. López-Gallego, V. Moliner, “Insights into the Catalytic Activity of a Metagenome-Derived Urethanase” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2025. 147, 42511-42523. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c13147
- I. L. López, M. Sánchez-Costa, A. H. Orrego, N. Zeballos, D. Roura Padrosa, F.López-Gallego. Microtiter plate immobilization screening for prototyping heterogeneous enzyme cascades. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2024, 63, e202407411. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202407411
- K. Świderek, S. Velasco-Lozano, M. À. Galmés, I. Olazabal, H. Sardon, F. López-Gallego*, Vicent Moliner. Mechanistic studies of a lipase unveil effect of pH on hydrolysis products of small PET modules. Nature Commun. 2023,14, 3556. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-39201-1
4 .E. Diamanti, D. Andrés-Sanz, A.H. Orrego, S. Carregal-Romero, and F. López-Gallego. Surpassing Substrate–Enzyme Competition by Compartmentalization. ACS Catal. 2023, 13, 11441-11454. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3c01965
- E. Diamanti, J. Santiago-Arcos, D. Grajales-Hernández, N. Czarnievicz, N. Comino, I. Llarena, D. Di Silvio, A. L. Cortajarena, F. Lopez-Gallego*. Intraparticle kinetics unveil crowding and enzyme distribution effects on the performance of cofactor-dependent heterogeneous biocatalysts. ACS Catal. 2021, 11, 15051-15067. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.1c03760.