Pioneering Breakthroughs in Ophthalmology: Tailoring Wound Healing via Biodegradable Drug Delivery Platforms.
Scientic Supervisor / Contact Person
Name and Surname
Vanessa Andrés Guerrero
ORCID (link)
Researcher ID (link)
Localization & Research Area
Faculty / Institute
Faculty of Pharmacy
Department
Pharmaceutics and Food Technology
Research Area
Life Sciences (LIF)
MSCA & ERC experience
Research group / research team hosted any MSCA fellow?
Yes
Research group / research team have any ERC beneficiaries?
No
Research Team & Research Topic
Research Team / Research Group Name (if any)
INNOFTAL - Innovation, Therapy and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology.
Website of the Research team / Research Group / Department
Brief description of the Research Team / Research Group / Department
The members of the research team are part of the INNOFTAL Group (Innovation, Therapy, and Pharmaceutical Development in Ophthalmology; UCM 920415), affiliated with the Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). Established in 2004, the group has been recognized as "excellent" in its most recent evaluation by the Spanish National Agency for Evaluation and Foresight (ANEP).
The group is coordinated by Prof. Rocío Herrero and Prof. José María Martínez de la Casa, both Full Professors at the university and members of this project team. Additionally, team members actively participate in the research groups "Pharmaceutical Innovation in Ophthalmology" (led by R. Herrero Vanrell) and "Research in Ocular Pathology and Visual Pathways" (led by J. García Feijóo) at the San Carlos Clinical Hospital Health Research Institute.
Over the past five years, the team has been continuously involved in more than 35 national and international competitive funding projects. This includes participation in four international projects: PANOPTES, RISE 3D-NEONET, and two MSCA-ITN projects: EDEN and ORBITAL. The team has also contributed to over 20 National R&D&I Plan projects, including FIS, ISCIII Networks, and Retos (MAT) initiatives. Six team members were also involved in the REACT-EU project (ANTICIPA-CM) under the Madrid Operational Program 2014-2020, aimed at addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
In terms of private funding, the team has participated in projects funded by pharmaceutical laboratories, including both Article 83 and 60 contracts, and clinical trials. These resources have enabled the team to equip its research laboratory with cutting-edge technology and expand its workforce by hiring dedicated researchers.
Our team combines advanced technology with multidisciplinary expertise to push the boundaries of current ophthalmic care. We provide a dynamic and stimulating research environment, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
The group is coordinated by Prof. Rocío Herrero and Prof. José María Martínez de la Casa, both Full Professors at the university and members of this project team. Additionally, team members actively participate in the research groups "Pharmaceutical Innovation in Ophthalmology" (led by R. Herrero Vanrell) and "Research in Ocular Pathology and Visual Pathways" (led by J. García Feijóo) at the San Carlos Clinical Hospital Health Research Institute.
Over the past five years, the team has been continuously involved in more than 35 national and international competitive funding projects. This includes participation in four international projects: PANOPTES, RISE 3D-NEONET, and two MSCA-ITN projects: EDEN and ORBITAL. The team has also contributed to over 20 National R&D&I Plan projects, including FIS, ISCIII Networks, and Retos (MAT) initiatives. Six team members were also involved in the REACT-EU project (ANTICIPA-CM) under the Madrid Operational Program 2014-2020, aimed at addressing the COVID-19 crisis.
In terms of private funding, the team has participated in projects funded by pharmaceutical laboratories, including both Article 83 and 60 contracts, and clinical trials. These resources have enabled the team to equip its research laboratory with cutting-edge technology and expand its workforce by hiring dedicated researchers.
Our team combines advanced technology with multidisciplinary expertise to push the boundaries of current ophthalmic care. We provide a dynamic and stimulating research environment, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a strong commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
Research lines / projects proposed
Our research aims to revolutionize glaucoma surgery outcomes through the development of biodegradable delivery systems that incorporate a strategic combination of drugs designed to target multiple stages of the wound healing process. This innovative approach offers a tailored solution to address the complexities of post-surgical scarring. These pharmaceutical systems, combined with intelligent hydrogels, will enable controlled and sustained drug release, improving surgical success rates, reducing the need for additional medical interventions, and ultimately extending visual longevity for glaucoma patients.
To achieve these objectives, our research is structured around several research lines that encompass both fundamental and applied science:
1. Pharmaceutical innovation for wound healing control.
2. Biomaterial innovation and biocompatibility in ocular tissues.
3. Advanced drug delivery systems design and characterization.
4. Development of advanced cell-based models.
5. Preclinical and translational research.
6. Surgical innovation and integration.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Given the increasing prevalence of glaucoma due to the aging population and rising life expectancy, innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve long-term patient outcomes. By combining advanced pharmaceutical technologies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a translational research approach, our proposal aims to deliver impactful solutions to a growing global health challenge.
Contributing to this research means participating in cutting-edge research with the potential to revolutionize glaucoma treatment. By mitigating surgical complications and improving patient outcomes, this initiative offers a transformative approach to addressing one of the most prevalent chronic ocular diseases worldwide.
To achieve these objectives, our research is structured around several research lines that encompass both fundamental and applied science:
1. Pharmaceutical innovation for wound healing control.
2. Biomaterial innovation and biocompatibility in ocular tissues.
3. Advanced drug delivery systems design and characterization.
4. Development of advanced cell-based models.
5. Preclinical and translational research.
6. Surgical innovation and integration.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Given the increasing prevalence of glaucoma due to the aging population and rising life expectancy, innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve long-term patient outcomes. By combining advanced pharmaceutical technologies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a translational research approach, our proposal aims to deliver impactful solutions to a growing global health challenge.
Contributing to this research means participating in cutting-edge research with the potential to revolutionize glaucoma treatment. By mitigating surgical complications and improving patient outcomes, this initiative offers a transformative approach to addressing one of the most prevalent chronic ocular diseases worldwide.
Key words
Application requirements
Professional Experience & Documents
We have extensive experience working with Marie Curie students, having participated in four H2020 projects to date.
We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical research, or biotechnology, particularly those with experience in drug delivery systems, biodegradable materials, or ophthalmology-related research. Ideal candidates should have:
• Hands-on experience in formulation development, including microparticles, hydrogels, or other controlled drug delivery systems.
• Knowledge of cell culture techniques, in vitro models, or preclinical evaluation relevant to ophthalmic treatments.
• Experience in polymer chemistry, biomaterials, or tissue engineering is highly valued.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with characterization techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, or drug release profiling by ELISA, HPLC or similar.
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary environments and contribute to collaborative research projects.
Interested fellows are required to submit the following documents for evaluation:
Curriculum Vitae (CV), letter of motivation and reference letter (optional but recommended). Applicants with experience in European research projects, scientific writing, or grant applications are encouraged to highlight these skills in their application.
We are looking for motivated individuals with a strong background in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical research, or biotechnology, particularly those with experience in drug delivery systems, biodegradable materials, or ophthalmology-related research. Ideal candidates should have:
• Hands-on experience in formulation development, including microparticles, hydrogels, or other controlled drug delivery systems.
• Knowledge of cell culture techniques, in vitro models, or preclinical evaluation relevant to ophthalmic treatments.
• Experience in polymer chemistry, biomaterials, or tissue engineering is highly valued.
• Strong analytical skills and experience with characterization techniques such as microscopy, spectroscopy, or drug release profiling by ELISA, HPLC or similar.
• Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary environments and contribute to collaborative research projects.
Interested fellows are required to submit the following documents for evaluation:
Curriculum Vitae (CV), letter of motivation and reference letter (optional but recommended). Applicants with experience in European research projects, scientific writing, or grant applications are encouraged to highlight these skills in their application.
One Page Proposal
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