María Moros Caballero Lab
Magnetic nanoparticle–biomolecule conjugates for targeted delivery, mechanosensing, and tissue regeneration.
Lab summary
Overview
My research focuses on the synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with different biomolecules to create highly active nanoparticle–biomolecule systems that can be used to develop innovative applications, including targeting strategies and controlled drug release methodologies.
We are exploring the possibility of activating intracellular signalling pathways connected to mechanosensors using magnetic nanoparticles. To this end, we produce engineered fragments of proteins such as cadherins to be functionalised on the magnetic nanoparticles. Once attached selectively to the mechanosensors, they are activated by custom-made magnetic field applicators, inducing intracellular signalling pathways. To date, we are using these approaches as novel tools to understand how mechanosensors work, and also to enhance wound healing and modulate stem cell fate with spatio-temporal control.
Moreover, we are also interested in studying the reactive oxygen species that magnetic nanoparticles can produce for different applications such as tissue regeneration. The use of the invertebrate model Hydra vulgaris, which is able to fully regenerate, is a powerful model for these purposes.
Team
Ana Cristina Flavian Lazaro
Pre doc
Mariarosaria de Simone
Pre doc
Lucia García Recaredo
Pre doc
Julia Slaby
Pre doc
Christian Castro Hinojosa
Pre doc
Khaoula Ben Jeddou
Post doc
Marisa Conte
Post doc
Pablo Martínez Vicente
Profesor UNIZAR
Contact
- Address: Edificio I+D+i. C/ Mariano Esquillor, 50018, Zaragoza.
- Phone: 976 76 10 00; ext: 845647
- Email: mamoros@unizar.es
Lab quick facts
- ORCID: 0000-0002-2861-2469
- Focus: Magnetic nanoparticle–biomolecule conjugates, mechanosensor activation, tissue regeneration
- Application areas: Wound healing, stem cell fate modulation, regenerative medicine
Research lines
- Magnetic nanoparticles to activate mechanotransduction pathways Engineering magnetic nanoparticles functionalised with biomolecular fragments (e.g. cadherins) to selectively target mechanosensors and trigger intracellular signalling under custom magnetic field applicators.
- Magnetic nanoparticles and reactive oxygen species for tissue regeneration Studying how magnetic nanoparticles generate reactive oxygen species and leveraging invertebrate models such as Hydra vulgaris to explore tissue regeneration strategies.
Selected projects
- Engineered plant-derived extracellular vesicles tagged with magnetic nanoparticles as novel antitumoral agents (EMERGE) HORIZON-MSCA-Postdoctoral Fellowships 2024. PI: María Moros (2025–2027).
- Inducción Magnética de Muerte Tumoral desencadenada por la apertura de canales iónicos (ALADDIN) Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024. PI: María Moros (2025–2028).
- Senolytic nanoplatform to target and eliminate skin cancer zombie cells (NANO4ZOMBIE) M-ERA.NET 3 cofund 2022. PI CSIC: María Moros (2023–2026), role: coordinator.
- Enhancing tissue regeneration through magnetic hyperthermia Consolidación Investigadora 2022. PI: María Moros (2023–2025).
- NANotherapies DIagnostics by On-chip Spin resonance (NADIOS) Complementary R&D&I Plan for Advanced Materials for Technological Transformation. PIs: Fernando Luis and María Moros (2024–2025).
- Remote control of cellular signalling triggered by magnetic switching (SIROCCO) ERC Starting Grant 2019. PI: María Moros (2020–2025).
- GALACTIC - Remote GAting of Piezo1 channeLs with mAgnetiC nanoparTICle actuators Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2021. PIs: María Moros and Raluca M. Fratila. 2022-2025, 168,190 EUR.
- IMASUS, Imagineering Sustainable Fashion Role: Coordinator, European Union, ERASMUS+,2024-26, 250k € total, PI Lucía Gutiérrez
Latest publications
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MagPiezo: A Magnetogenetic Platform for Remote Activation of Endogenous Piezo1 Channels in Endothelial CellsAdvanced Functional Materials · April 1, 2026
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Gold Nanoparticles Enhance Radiosensitivity in Glioblastoma CellsACS Omega · March 31, 2026
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Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) Demonstrates In Vitro Chitosan-Coated Nanocapsules Suitability for Intranasal Brain DeliveryACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · May 7, 2025
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Unraveling the Mn2+ substitution effect on the anisotropy control and magnetic hyperthermia of MnxFe3−xO4 nanoparticlesNanoscale Horizons · January 1, 2025
Instrumentation & methods
- Custom magnetic field applicators for mechanosensor activation
- Platforms to characterise magnetic nanoparticle–biomolecule conjugates
- In vitro and in vivo models for tissue regeneration and mechanobiology