Se ofertan plazas para la solicitud de becas/contratos predoctorales (FPU, Junta de Andalucía, Plan Propio de la Universidad de Granada)asociadas al proyecto #MycoMag, recientemente financiado por la AEI en la convocatoria 2025.

La investigación se realizará en el departamento de Microbiología de la Universidad de Granada, iniciándose en los próximos meses. Los candidatos realizarán su Tesis Doctoral dirigida por la Prof. Concepcion Jimenez Lopez. Realizarán una investigación inter- y multidisciplinar entre los departamento de Microbiología, de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I y de Física Aplicada de la Universidad de Granada. Serán entrenados en la formaciçon de nanopartículas y nanoensamblajes, caracterización y aplicación a cultivos de mycobacterias extracelulares e intracelulares (macrófagos infectados). Se realizarán ensayos preclínicos de una quimioterapia combinada con hipertermia frente a infecciones por Mycobacterium.

Los candidatos podrán beneficiarse de estancias de investigación en el IGTP (Badalona). Además podrán realizar estancias internacionales en los laboratorios participantes en el proyecto europeo SE #MagBio.

Requisitos de los candidatos

1. Haber completado 240 ECT al menos con perfil de Biología, Bioquímica o Biotecnología.
2. Tener una nota mínima de expediente de Grado de 8.7 sobre 10.
3. Tener la posibilidad de entrar en un programa de doctorado de la UGR y realizar su Tesis Doctoral en esta universidad.

Contacto: Prof. Concepcion Jimenez Lopez,

A continuación se expone el resumen del proyecto

Summary





The genus Mycobacterium comprises obligate aerobic bacteria of major clinical relevance, including both slow- and fast-growing species responsible for significant human disease. Pathogens within this group cause tuberculosis, pulmonary disease associated with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), cutaneous infections frequently linked to medical or cosmetic procedures, leprosy, and persistent soft-tissue ulcers. While these infections remain highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries, their incidence is increasing in high-income regions, particularly among immunocompromised individuals, older adults, and socioeconomically marginalized populations. Clinical management is challenged by the integral rise of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant mycobacterial strains.

Current therapeutic regimens rely primarily on prolonged, daily oral antibiotic administration, producing systemic drug distribution and dose-limiting liver toxicity. Treatment duration often exceeds 618 months, leading to poor adherence and further accelerating resistance evolution. Although recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled novel antimicrobial delivery platforms,



most existing nanoformulations continue to depend on conventional antibiotics and therefore retain the inherent risk of resistance development. Consequently, there is an urgent need for innovative, non-antibiotic strategies that target infection selectively while circumventing established resistance mechanisms.

This proposal seeks to develop a switch-activated, macrophage-targeted nanoformulation containing a multifunctional cocktail of nanoassemblies that disrupt key biological processes essential for mycobacterial persistence within host macrophages. The nanoformulation integrates three synergistic mechanisms: (i) direct disruption of mycobacterial structures, (ii) enhancement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation within infected macrophages, and (iii) restriction of iron acquisition by the pathogen. Activation will be achieved via externally applied alternating magnetic fields and near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, enabling on-demand control and adequate penetration depth for future clinical translation.

By employing resistance-evading mechanisms of action, the strategy here proposed seeks to achieve pathogen eradication while minimizing selective pressures that drive resistance. The anticipated outcome is a comprehensive preclinical proof of concept demonstrating targeted selectivity, safety, and efficacy against pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and cutaneous infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Becario/contratado predoctoral (Granada)
🏢 Universidad de Granada
📍 Granada