Projects in Bioprinting
The main focus of this line of research is to design and develop natural hydrogels, primarily based on extracellular matrix (ECM) from different porcine tissues such as intestinal submucosa, skin, and placenta. We mainly work on the physicochemical characteristics (printability and fidelity) and biocompatibility of these hydrogels/bioinks as a fundamental input for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting technology (BIOX-Cellink) and for the development of different tissue models.
Currently, in our group, we have been using our hydrogels to develop skin models, retinal pigment epithelium models, cervical models, neuroimmune models, and hematopoietic progenitor cell expansion models.
Patents
Granted U.S. patent - EXTRUDABLE PHOTOCROSSLINKABLE HYDROGEL AND METHOD FOR ITS PREPARATION. US Patent 11,918,703. https://patents.google.com/patent/US11918703B2/en
Awards
Valentina Jaramillo, Daniel Arévalo, Ana María Perdomo, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Expansion of hematopoietic and progenitor cells in 3D matrices: an innovative strategy to improve therapeutic transplants. Awarded by Pfizer Colombia Scientific Institute for Innovation in Research. 21st Research Day, Fundación Cardioinfantil. Fundación Neumológica Colombiana. November 2023.
Funding
2022
Call for creating new connections between professors - 2022. Development and functional evaluation of an in vitro Parkinson’s disease model manufactured via 3D bioprinting.
2020
Joint project with the District Institute of Science, Biotechnology, and Innovation in Health - IDCBIS. Development of an in vitro system for expansion and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) using extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels and extrusion-based 3D bioprinting techniques.
Joint call by Hospital Militar-Uniandes. Development of a Bioprinted Model of Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium.
DAAD: RISE Worldwide Call. Development of a hydrogel from decellularized porcine placenta for bioink applications. Funding for German interns in Colombia - 2021.
2018
>Assistant Professors Support Fund. FAPA.Design and Evaluation of Hydrogel-Based Bioinks from Intestinal Submucosa and Porcine Placenta for the Fabrication of Human Skin Equivalents through Bioprinting.
Publications
Selected Publications (full list on Google Scholar)
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
2024
Valentina Jaramillo, Daniel Felipe Arévalo, Martin González-Hernández, María T. Cortés, Ana María Perdomo-Arciniegas, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Conductive extracellular matrix derived/chitosan methacrylate/graphene oxide-pegylated hybrid hydrogel for cell expansion." METHODS article, Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 16 June 2024, Sec. Biomaterials, Volume 12 - 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1398052.
2023
Laura Rueda-Gensini, Julian A. Serna, Daniela Rubio, Juan Camilo Orozco, Natalia I. Bolaños, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Three-dimensional neuroimmune co-culture system for modeling Parkinson's disease microenvironments in vitro." Biofabrication, Volume 15, Number 4, 2023. DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ace21b.
2022
Cifuentes, Javier, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. "Reduced Graphene Oxide-Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds as a Multifunctional and Highly Biocompatible Nanocomposite for Wound Healing: Insights into Characterization and Electroconductive Potential." Nanomaterials 12, no. 16: 2857, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162857.
Daniela N. Céspedes-Valenzuela, Santiago Sánchez-Rentería, Javier Cifuentes, Saul C. Gómez, Julian A. Serna, Laura Rueda-Gensini, Carlos Ostos, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. "Novel Photo- and Thermo-Responsive Nanocomposite Hydrogels Based on Functionalized rGO and Modified SIS/Chitosan Polymers for Localized Treatment of Malignant Cutaneous Melanoma." Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 05 July 2022, Sec. Biomaterials, Volume 10 - 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.947616.
2021
Céspedes-Valenzuela DN, Sánchez-Rentería S, Cifuentes J, Gantiva-Diaz M, Serna JA, Reyes LH, Ostos C, Cifuentes-De la Portilla C, Muñoz-Camargo C, Cruz JC. "Preparation and Characterization of an Injectable and Photo-Responsive Chitosan Methacrylate/Graphene Oxide Hydrogel: Potential Applications in Bone Tissue Adhesion and Repair." Polymers (Basel). 2021 Dec 30;14(1):126. DOI: 10.3390/polym14010126. PMID: 35012148; PMCID: PMC8747203.
Serna, J.A.; Rueda-Gensini, L.; Céspedes-Valenzuela, D.N.; Cifuentes, J.; Cruz, J.C.; Muñoz-Camargo, C. "Recent Advances on Stimuli-Responsive Hydrogels Based on Tissue-Derived ECMs and Their Components: Towards Improving Functionality for Tissue Engineering and Controlled Drug Delivery." Polymers 2021, 13, 3263. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13193263.
Laura Rueda-Gensini, Julian A. Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Graphene oxide-embedded ECM-derived hydrogel as a multiresponsive platform for 3D bioprinting applications." International Journal of Bioprinting, 2021; 7(3): 353. DOI: 10.18063/ijb.v7i3.353.
2019
Serna J. A., Talero V.A., Flórez S.L, Briceño J.C, Muñoz-Camargo C., Cruz J. C. "Formulation and Characterization of a SIS based photocrosslinkable bioink." Polymers. Mar 26;11(3). pii: E569. DOI: 10.3390/polym11030569.
Conferences
2024
Cristian F. Rodríguez, Valentina Quezada, Paula Guzman–Satoque, Luis H. Reyes, Johan F. Osma, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. "Enhancing Biofabrication with Magnetic Fields: Advancing 3D Bioprinting through Multiphysics Simulations." Conference PPS39. May 2024.
María C. Rincón-García, Valentina Jaramillo, Valentina Quezada, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Decellularized Extracellular Matrix-Derived Hydrogel Embedded with Reduced Graphene Oxide Bioink for the Electrical Stimulation of Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells." Conference PPS39. May 2024.
2023
Valentina Jaramillo, Laura Rueda, Juan Carlos Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Advancements in Skin Tissue Engineering: Creating Dermo-Epidermal Skin Model Using an Extracellular Matrix Derived Bioink and 3D Bioprinting." 31 IMRC, 13-18 August 2023.
Valentina Jaramillo, Daniel Arevalo, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Revolutionizing Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cell Transplants: Expanding Cells in a Novel 3D Matrix for Improved Therapeutic Efficacy." ACS Fall 2023.
Conference Papers
2021
CIIBBI 2021.Julian A Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Laura Rueda, Luis A Ruiz, Bernardo Quijano, Paula X Pavía, Camila A Camargo, Juan C Cruz ,Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Amniotic membrane-derived extracellular matrix-based hydrogels for the improved maturation of human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro models.
CIIBBI 2021.Laura Liliana Delgado-Murillo, Bellaneth Devia, Ana María Perdomo-Arciniegas, Juan Carlos Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Standardization of a 3D bioprinting platform for hematopoietic progenitor cells proliferation: conditions for a small intestinal submucosa based bioink.
CIIBBI 2021.Daniela N. Céspedes-Valenzuela, Santiago Sánchez-Rentería, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Chitosan methacrylate-based bioadhesive: towards a photoresponsive and extrudable material for bone fracture repair.
CIIBBI 2021.Cristian Felipe Rodríguez Ospino, Laura Ortiz Calderon, Kevin Alejandro Giraldo Rodríguez, Carolina Muñoz Camargo, Juan Carlos Cruz Jimenez. In silico study of spheroids fusion through magnetic field gradients.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Daniela Céspedes-Valenzuela, Santiago Sánchez-Renteria,Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Development of a photo-crosslinkable bioadhesive based on methacryloyl-modified chitosan and functionalized reduced graphene oxide for the treatment of bone fractures.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Daniela Céspedes-Valenzuela, Santiago Sánchez-Renteria, Laura Rueda-Gensini, Julián Andrés Serna, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Novel photo- and thermo- responsive composite hydrogels based on functionalized rGO and modified SIS/chitosan polymers for localized treatment of malignant cutaneous melanoma.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Laura Delgado-Murillo, Isabella Muñoz, Ana María Perdomo-Arciniegas, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Decellularized porcine placenta bioink as a microenvironment for increasing hematopoietic cells proliferation in transplants.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Natalia A. Suarez V.,Alejandra Riveros, Andres J. Garcia-Brand,Mónica Cuellar, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Nestor Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. Scaffolds with hierarchical bioactive properties through multilayered 3D configurations via tunable biodegradable PCL.
2019
Termis Annual Conference 2019.Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Sebastian Londoño, Julian A. Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Laura Muñoz, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. 3D Bioprinted Dermoepidermal Human Skin Equivalent as an Experimental in vitro Model for the Evaluation of Antibacterial Topical Treatments.
Termis Annual Conference 2019.Laura Rueda, Julian A. Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Thermo-, Photo- and Electro-Sensitive ECM-Based Bioinks for 3D Bioprinting Applications.
8th International Conference on Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.Julián A. Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Formulation, characterization and evaluation of a photocrosslinkable bioink for skin bioprinting based on decellularized SIS.
8th International Conference on Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.Paula Guerrero, Alejandra-Suarez Arnedo, Juan Carlos Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Decellularization of fetal porcine epidermal and amniotic membranes for the development of regenerative bioinks.
Conference Posters
2018
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018 in Atlanta.Serna J., Talero V., Florez S., Cruz J.C., Briceño J.C., Muñoz-Camargo C. High-Performance Bioprinting Strategies of Tunable and Photocrosslinkable SIS-dECM Bioinks by in silico and Experimental Evaluation of Key Extrusion Parameters.
Scientific Outreach
2019
Muñoz-Camargo C, Cruz J C., Serna J. (2019) Bioimpresión 3D. Anales De Ingeniería (ISSN 0120-0429) Colombia.

Figure 1. Bioprinting process using porcine placenta SIS bioink and post-printing cell viability. Source: Formulation and Characterization of a SIS Based Photocrosslinkable Bioink. Serna et al. Polymers 11(3), 569:2019
Researchers
Carolina Muñoz Camargo
Leader and Associate Professor
Juan C. Cruz
Co-Director y and Associate Professor
External Co-Investigators
Luis Alberto Ruiz
Ophthalmologist at the Hospital Militar Central
Bernardo Quijano
Ophthalmologist at the Hospital Militar Central
Paula Pavia
Basic Research Coordinator at the Central Military Hospital
Ana María Perdomo
IDCBIS
Bellaneth Devia
PhD Student, National University - IDCBIS
Profesor afiliado
Juan Carlos Briceño
Full Professor
Senior Researchers
Javier Cifuentes
MSc Researcher
Graduate Students
María Alejandra Castilla
PhD Student
Laura Delgado
MSc Student
Laura Rueda
MSc Student
Cristián Rodriguez
MSc Student
Simón Jaramillo
MSc Student
Graduated Students
Alejandra Suarez Arnedo
Master's Graduate Student
Paula Andrea Guerrero
Master's Graduate Student
Exchange Students
Nikolina Lipovcic
Undergraduate Student
München - Technische Universität München (Germany)
Sophia Conney
Online internship: Comsol and specifically the simulations of Graphene-Polymer systems.
Purdue-Uniandes SURGE program.
Projects in 2D and 3D Cellular Systems
Cellular systems are an essential tool for evaluating cellular responses to drugs, cosmetics, and materials that make up medical devices. These approaches can be 2D, as in the case of biocompatibility assays based on the ISO 10993 standard. Our group has extensive experience in cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility assays in 2D cellular systems, as well as in the use of 2D wound models based on keratinocytes. Additionally, we have developed a spheroid production system based on cancer cells (3D system) to evaluate drugs or new molecules.
Patents
National Invention Patent - MULTILAYER POLYMERIC MATRIX. NC2020/0011554 (Submitted on September 21, 2020)
Awards and Honors
María Paula Cardenas, Erika Díaz, Mónica Gantiva, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan Carlos Cruz. "Nanovehicles for Drug Delivery as a Potential Treatment for Melanoma and Breast Cancer." Awarded by Pfizer Colombia Scientific Institute for Innovation in Research. 20th Research Day, Fundación Cardioinfantil. Fundación Neumológica Colombiana. November 2022.
Daniela Rubio, Juana María Ayala, Sebastian Ortiz, David Bigio, Juan Carlos Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "SAVECELL," Third Place in the Second National Innovation Award in Medical Devices. November 20-21, 2018, at the VI International Forum on Medical Devices by ANDI.
Funding
2017
Call 777 Colciencias. Code No 120477757832. Evaluation of a Topical Treatment Based on Antimicrobial Peptides Against *S. aureus* MRSA in a Three-Dimensional In Vitro Human Skin Model.
Internal Call for Support in Strengthening Groups, Fundación CardioInfantil. Evaluation of the Use of Antimicrobial Peptides to Combat *S. aureus* MRSA Infections in an In Vitro Skin Wound Model.
Internal Call for Support in Strengthening Groups, Fundación CardioInfantil. Three-Dimensional In Vitro Model of Chronic Human Skin Wound for the Evaluation of a Combined Therapy of Electro-Stimulation and Three-Dimensional Dressings Based on Porcine Intestinal Submucosa and Graphene for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers.
Publications
Selected Publications (full list on Google Scholar)
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
2024
Paula Guzmán-Sastoque, Sebastián Sotelo, Natalia P. Esmeral, Sonia Luz Albarracín, Jhon-Jairo Sutachan, Luis H. Reyes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Natasha I. Bloch. "Assessment of CRISPRa-mediated gdnf overexpression in an In vitro Parkinson’s disease model." Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 07 August 2024, Sec. Nanobiotechnology, Volume 12 - 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1420183.
2023
David Arango, Javier Cifuentes, Paola Ruiz Puentes, Tatiana Beltran, Amaury Bittar, Camila Ocasión, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Natasha I. Bloch, Luis H. Reyes, Juan C. Cruz. "Tailoring Magnetite-Nanoparticle-Based Nanocarriers for Gene Delivery: Exploiting CRISPRa Potential in Reducing Conditions." Nanomaterials 13, no. 11: 1782. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13111782.
Eduardo Ravelo-Nieto, Javier Cifuentes, Paola Ruiz Puentes, Laura Rueda-Gensini, Valentina Quezada, Carlos Ostos, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, Alvaro Duarte-Ruiz, Juan C. Cruz. "Unlocking cellular barriers: silica nanoparticles and fullerenol conjugated cell-penetrating agents for enhanced intracellular drug delivery." Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 08 May 2023, Sec. Nanobiotechnology, Volume 11 - 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1184973.
2022
Riveros, A.; Garcia-Brand, A.J.; Rodriguez-Soto, M.A.; Sandoval, N.; Muñoz-Camargo, C.; Cruz, J.C.; Briceño, J.C. "Computational Characterization of Mechanical, Hemodynamic, and Surface Interaction Conditions: Role of Protein Adsorption on the Regenerative Response of TEVGs." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 1130. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031130.
Torres, C.E.; Cifuentes, J.; Gómez, S.C.; Quezada, V.; Giraldo, K.A.; Puentes, P.R.; Rueda-Gensini, L.; Serna, J.A.; Muñoz-Camargo, C.; Reyes, L.H.; Osma, J.F.; Cruz, J.C. "Microfluidic Synthesis and Purification of Magnetoliposomes for Potential Applications in the Gastrointestinal Delivery of Difficult-to-Transport Drugs." Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 315. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14020315.
2021
Rodriguez-Soto MA, Suarez Vargas N, Riveros A, Camargo CM, Cruz JC, Sandoval N, Briceño JC. "Failure Analysis of TEVG's I: Overcoming the Initial Stages of Blood Material Interaction and Stabilization of the Immune Response." Cells. 2021 Nov 12;10(11):3140. DOI: 10.3390/cells10113140.
David Arango, Amaury Bittar, Camila Ocasión, Natalia Esmeral, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C Cruz, Luis H Reyes, Natasha Bloch. "Understanding the potential of genome editing in Parkinson's disease." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(17), 9241. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22179241.
Andres J. Garcia-Brand, María A. Morales, Ana Sofia Hozman, Andres C. Ramirez, Luis J. Cruz, Alejandro Marañon, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Alicia Porras. "Bioactive Poly(Lactic Acid) - Cocoa Bean Shell Composites for Potential Biomedical Applications: Preparation and Preliminary in vitro Characterization." Polymers 2021, 13(21), 3707. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13213707.
2020
Laura Rueda, Javier Cifuentes, M. Claudia Castellanos, Paola Ruiz, Julian Serna, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C Cruz. "Tailoring iron oxide nanoparticles for efficient cellular internalization and endosomal escape." Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1816. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr809119810091816.
Riveros, A.; Cuellar, M.; Sánchez, P.F.; Muñoz-Camargo, C.; Cruz, J.C.; Sandoval, N.; Lopez Mejia, O.D.; Briceño, J.C. "Design and Characterization of a Fluidic Device for the Evaluation of SIS-Based Vascular Grafts." Processes 2020, 8, 1198. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8091198.
Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Felipe Torres Figueroa, Camila Clavijo, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "An Image J Plugin for the High Throughput Image Analysis of In Vitro Scratch Wound Healing Assays." PLoS ONE 15(7): https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.023256.
2019
Suarez-Arnedo, A., Narváez, D.M., Sarmiento, P., Bocanegra, L., Salcedo, F., Muñoz-Camargo, C., Groot, H., Cruz, J.C. "Tridimensional Alginate Disks of Tunable Topologies for Mammalian Cell Encapsulation." Anal Biochem. Jun 1;574:31-33. DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2019.03.008.
Conference Papers
2021
CIIBBI 2021.Juanita Monje, Erika Diaz, Monica Gantiva, Carolina Muñoz, Juan Carlos Cruz. NLRP3 Inflammasome: Potential role on radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients.
CIIBBI 2021.David Arango, Tatiana Beltrán, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis Reyes, Juan Carlos Cruz, Natasha Bloch. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 Editing Systems for the Treatment of Idiopathic Parkinson's.
CIIBBI 2021.Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Natalia A. Suárez, Alejandra Riveros, Andres J. Garcia-Brand, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Juan C. Briceño. Bio-molecular interactions: blood components, cells and biomaterials in the regeneration of acellular vascular grafts.
CIIBBI 2021.Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Natalia A. Suárez, Alejandra Riveros, Andres J. Garcia-Brand, Juan Cruz, Carolina Muñoz, Juan Carlos Briceno. Mechanical characterization of novel vascular grafts: approaching to the native vessel behaviour.
CIIBBI 2021.Laura Ellis-Aguilar, Laura Rueda, Javier Cifuentes, Juan C Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo and Rodrigo Cabrera. Mutagenicity and Cytotoxicity of Magnetite-BUFII-Cas9 Nanobioconjugates as Non-Viral Vehicles for Gene Editing: preliminary evaluation in HFF and HaCat Cell Lines.
CIIBBI 2021.Andres J. Garcia-Brand, Alejandro Maranon, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz and Alicia Porras. Potential Bone Fillers Based on Composites of Cocoa Bean Shells and Poly(Lactic Acid): Compression Molding Manufacturing.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Arango D, Beltrán T, Cifuentes J, Muñoz C,, Reyes L.H., Cruz J, Bloch NI. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 editing systems for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Juan Sebastián Buitrago, Sabina Nieto, Fernando Gómez, Juan Carlos Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Role of progesterone receptor (PGR) as a master regulator genes in women's infertility: A bioinformatic approach.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Cristina González Melo, Javier Cifuentes, Laura Rueda Gensini, Paola Ruiz, Luis H Reyes, Carolina Muñoz Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Chitosan and type B gelatin nanoparticles functionalized with BUF-II for highly biocompatible cell-penetrating vehicles.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Tatiana Carolina Beltran González David Arango Saavedra, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, Juan C. Cruz. Functionalization of cell-penetrating magnetite-OmpA vehicles: Efficient delivery of linearized CRISPR/Cas9 editing systems.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Erika Alejandra Díaz Ramirez, Juanita Monje Dussán, Alejandro González, Emilio Muñoz. Sonia Luz Albarracín, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Paracrine effect of mesenchymal stem cells in an in vitro model of radiation-induced dermatitis.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Natalia A. Suarez V.,Alejandra Riveros, Andres J. Garcia-Brand,Mónica Cuellar, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Seungil Kim, Antonio DÁmore,William Wagner, Nestor Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. Albumin adsorption over surface-modified tubular PEUU-COOH scaffolds: in silico and in vitro approaches.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Andrés J. Garcia-Brand, Alejandro Maranon,Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Alicia Porras. Novel sustainable, bioactive and mineralized Poly(Lactic acid)-cocoa bean shell composites: potential in bone filling applications.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Sabina Nieto-Ramon, Juan Buitrago, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Fernando Gómez. Role of progesterone receptor (PGR) as a master regulator genes in women’s infertility: A bioinformatic approach.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Andrés J. Garcia-Brand, Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Natalia A. Suarez V., Alejandra Riveros, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Seungil Kim, Antonio DÁmore,William Wagner, Nestor Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. Macrophage polarization on electrospun poly (ester-urethane) urea gelatin tissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs): impact of physicochemical gradients and surface functionalization.
2020
2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.Juan Sebastian Bermudez, Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto, Alejandra Riveros, Natalia Suarez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Nestor Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. A Chemo-Mechanical Model of the Spreading of Endothelial Cells on the Lumen of Functionalized TEVGs. Section: Modeling and Simulation of Nanostructures. 15-30 Noviembre 2020. Mater. Proc. 2021, 4(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCN2020-07833 (registering DOI)
2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.Cristina Gonzalez Melo, Juan Carlos Cruz, Luis Humberto Reyes, Carolina Muñoz. Synthesis, characterization and functionalization of chitosan and gelatin type B nanoparticles to develop novel highly biocompatible cell-penetrating agents. Section: Modeling and Simulation of Nanostructures. 2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.15-30 Noviembre 2020. Mater. Proc. 2021, 4(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCN2020-07816
2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.Tatiana Beltran, Javier Cifuentes, María Claudia Castellanos, Paola Ruiz, Laura Ellis, David Arango, Carolina Muñoz Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, Juan C. Cruz. Delivery of linear gene-editing systems by cell-penetrating magnetite vehicles: synthesis, characterization and preliminary in vitro testing.Polymer Nanomaterials, Nanocoatings/Thin films and Nanostructured Surfaces. 2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials. 15-30 Noviembre 2020. Mater. Proc. 2021, 4(1), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/IOCN2020-07927
AIChE Annual Meeting 2020.Tatiana Beltran, Javier Cifuentes, M. Claudia Castellanos, Paola Ruiz, Laura Ellis, David Arango, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, and Juan C. Cruz. Delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing systems by cell-penetrating magnetite vehicles: synthesis, characterization and in vitro testing. AIChE Annual Meeting Noviembre 16-20 2020.
AIChE Annual Meeting 2020.Cristina González, Luis H. Reyes, Carolina Muñoz and Juan C. Cruz. Synthesis, characterization and functionalization of chitosan and gelatin type B nanoparticles with cell-penetrating capabilities. AIChE Annual Meeting Noviembre 16-20 2020
2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.Javier Cifuentes, Julian Andres Serna, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan Carlos Cruz*.Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) and graphene oxide/reduced graphene oxide scaffolds for potential application in electrostimulation therapy: preliminary formulation and characterization.
2nd International Online-Conference on Nanomaterials.Juan Sebastian Bermudez, Maria A. Rodriguez-Soto*, Alejandra Riveros, Natalia Suarez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz*, Nestor Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. A Chemo-Mechanical Model of the Spreading of Endothelial Cells on the Lumen of Functionalized TEVGs.
ASAIO 66th Annual Conference-2020.María A. Rodriguez-Soto; Natalia A. SuarezV.; Alejandra Riveros C.; Mónica Cuellar ; Carolina Muñoz; Juan C. Cruz; Nestor F. Sandoval; William Wagner ; Erick Brey; Tatiana Segura; Juan C. Briceño.Rational Design of TEVG: surface modification.
2019
Termis Annual Conference 2019.Daniela Céspedes, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Preparation and in vitro Evaluation of a Chitosan-Based Photocrosslinkable Bioadhesive for Bone Tissue Regeneration.
Termis Annual Conference 2019.María A. Rodríguez, Natalia A. Suarez, Alejandra Riveros, Mónica Cuellar, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Lorena Castro, Nestor F. Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. Multilayered scaffolds made from aliphatic polyesters for applications in the rational engineering of cardiovascular grafts: manufacture and preliminary biocompatibility assessment.
Termis Annual Conference 2019.Alejandra Riveros C, Mónica Cuellar, Paolo F. Sánchez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan Carlos Cruz, Nestor Sandoval, Juan Carlos Briceño. Design, manufacture and in silico assessment of a novel bioreactor system for evaluation of SIS-based vascular grafts.
ASAIO 65th Annual Conference-2019.Natalia A. Suárez V., Mónica Cuellar, María A. Rodríguez S, Martha L. Medina, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz J, Néstor F. Sandoval, Juan C. Briceño. Evaluation of Decellularized Porcine Artery as Vascular Grafts with Sustained Endothelial Formation.
2018
IX International Seminar of Biomedical Engineering.Serna, J. Talero, V., Briceño J.C., Muñoz-Camargo C. Bioink design based on small intestinal submucosa extracellular matrix for 3D bioprinting.
IX International Seminar of Biomedical Engineering. IEEE Xplore.Suarez-Arnedo, A., Sarmiento, P., Cruz, J.C., Muñoz-Camargo, C. Salcedo, F., Groot, H. And Narvaez, D. 3D Alginate Hydrogels with Controlled Mechanical Properties for Mammalian Cell Encapsulation.
IX International Seminar of Biomedical Engineering. IEEE Xplore.Jaramillo, J., Talero, V.A., Cardenas, L.L., Pineda, M. Oliveros, J. Muñoz-Camargo, C and Briceño, J.C. in vitro Biological Evaluation of Small Intestinal Submucosa - Chitosan / Hyaluronic Acid Tridimensional Scaffols as Deep Wound Healing Dressings.
AICHE Annual Conference 2018.Vargas J.G., Gómez L.A., Serna, J., Cruz J.C., Muñoz-Camargo, C., and Briceño J.C. Microscopic and in vitro Testing of a Chitosan-Based Bone Adhesive.
2017
Termis Annual Conference 2017.Pineda, M., Jaramillo, J., Talero, V., López, R., Muñoz-Camargo, C. Briceño, J.C. Small Intestinal Submucosa-Chitosan Hydrogel as a Deep Wound Healing Material. Tissue Engineering: Part A. Vol. 23 Supl.1.
Termis Annual Conference 2017.Jaramillo, J., Pineda, M., Talero, V., López, R., Muñoz-Camargo, C. Briceño, J.C. In vivo Deep Wound re-epithelialization through Small Intestinal Submucosa/Chitosan Tridimensional Scaffolds.Tissue Engineering: Part A. Vol. 23 Supl.1.
Conference Posters
2019
8th International Conference on Bioengineering and Nanotechnology.Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Laura Bocanegra-Gómez, Daniel García Olivares, Juan Carlos Cruz y Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Paracrine response of MSCs on 3D SIS scaffolds: assessment by a wound healing assay.
Research Day 2019, Fundación Cardio Infantil -IC.Javier F. Cifuentes, Julián A. Serna, Daniel Garcia, Fredy Mesa, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Mario A. Valderrama, Juan C. Cruz. Characterization of the Cellular Response of Diabetic Foot Fibroblasts: Electrical Stimulation Mediated by SIS/Reduced Graphene Oxide Matrices for Applications in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Regeneration.
Research Day 2019, Fundación Cardio Infantil -IC.Guerrero-Barragán, Paula A., Serna, Julián A., Rueda Gensini, Laura, Nikolina Lipovcic, Suárez, Alejandra, Cruz, Juan C., Muñoz-Camargo, Carolina. Development and Evaluation of Bioinks Based on Decellularized Extracellular Matrices from Amniotic Membrane and Porcine Intestinal Submucosa: Applications in 3D Bioprinting of Human Skin Equivalent Models.
2018
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018 in Atlanta.Serna J., Cárdenas L., Cruz J.C, Muñoz-Camargo C, Briceño J.C. SIS/Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites for 3D Regenerative Scaffolds with Potential Application in Electrostimulation Therapy for Diabetic Ulcer Treatment.
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018 in Atlanta.Cárdenas L., Jaramillo J., Cruz J.C., Muñoz-Camargo C., Briceño J.C. Fast Healing of diabetic foot Ulcers using SIS-based Regenerative Therapy and Antimicrobial 3D scaffolds.
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting, October 17-20, 2018 in Atlanta.Vargas J.G., Serna J. Sarmiento P., Cruz J.C., Muñoz-Camargo C., Salcedo F., Casas J.P., Briceño J.C. Mechanical and Preclinical Evaluation of a Chitosan Based Bio-Adhesive for Bone with Potential Use at Comminute Fractures.

Figura 1.Fluorescence Microscopy and Hematoxylin-Eosin Staining of a 3D Dermo-Epidermal Skin Model. Source: 3D Skin Equivalent (Dermoepidermal) by the Culture of Fibroblasts and Keratinocytes.Master's Thesis by Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Uniandes, 2019.
Researchers
Carolina Muñoz Camargo
Leader and Associate Professor
Juan C. Cruz
Co-Director and Associate Professor
Affiliate Professor
Juan Carlos Briceño
Full Professor
Senior Researchers
Javier Cifuentes
MSc Researcher
Andres García Brand
MSc Researcher
Graduate Students
Maria Alejandra Castilla
PhD Student
Erika Diaz
PhD Student
Mónica Gantiva
PhD Student
Valentina Jaramillo
PhD Student
Valentina Quezada
MSc Student
Juanita Monje
MSc Student
Undergraduate Students
Andrés Hernández
Microbiology Student
Projects in Biomedicine and Pharmaceutical Engineering
We focus on the search for new pharmacological agents from natural sources, aiming to combine them with nanomaterials and translocating biomolecules to achieve effective delivery. In this context, we are using sugarcane, leveraging its abundance, to prepare extracts and assess whether the contained molecules exhibit antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory activity. We are also working with essential oils, naturally derived peptides, and peptides identified using artificial intelligence algorithms.
We have identified and, in some cases, described possible mechanisms of action for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory molecules, among others.
Founding
Convocatoria 937 Minciencias. Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Guided Unveiling of Novel Antimicrobial Peptides: Exploring the Mechanistic Aspects of Membrane Interactions for Therapeutic Advancement.
2020
Agrosavia-Uniandes Umbrella Project Phase II: Development of Agro-Industrial Processes to Obtain Higher Value-Added Products from Sugarcane
2019
Colciencias Call 828. Innovation between Universities and Companies - Cundinamarca Department - Second Round. Pilot Study for the Development of Higher Value-Added Panela: Functional Potential with In Vitro Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activity.
National Call for Support in Filing Patents via National and PCT Routes and Intellectual Property Management Support No. 857. The Game Factory - Computational Model and Architecture for Assisted Generation of Educational Mobile Games.
2018
DAAD: RISE Worldwide Call for Applications.Pharmacological Compounds from Sugarcane with Potential for Parkinson's Treatment: Isolation, Characterization, and Preliminary Biological Testing. – Funding in 2019 for German Interns in Colombia.
Colciencias Call: "Strengthening Research Programs and Projects in Medical and Health Sciences, with Young Talent and Regional Impact.Pilot Study for the Development of Higher Value-Added Panela: Functional Potential with In Vitro Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activity.
Colciencias Call 811. Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for Colciencias Training Beneficiaries in SNCTeI Entities. Pharmacological Principles Derived from Sugarcane: Isolation, Characterization, and Release of Molecules with Potential for Parkinson's Disease Treatment.
Agrosavia-Uniandes Umbrella Project. Phase I: Development of Agro-Industrial Processes to Obtain Higher Value-Added Products from Sugarcane.
Publications
Selected Publications (full list on Google Scholar)
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
2024
Muñoz-Camargo, C., Cruz, J.C. "From inside to outside: exploring extracellular antimicrobial histone-derived peptides as multi-talented molecules." J Antibiot 77, 553–568 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41429-024-00744-0.
Javier Cifuentes, Paola Ruiz Puentes, Pablo Arbeláez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Luis H. Reyes. "Chapter 19 - Antimicrobial activities of casein," In: Mamdouh El-Bakry, Bhavbhuti M. Mehta, Casein, Academic Press, 2024, Pages 331-353, ISBN 9780443158360. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15836-0.00001-9.
2023
Camargo, Fidias D. González, Mary Santamaria-Torres, Mónica P. Cala, Marcela Guevara-Suarez, Silvia Restrepo Restrepo, Andrea Sánchez-Camargo, Miguel Fernández-Niño, María Corujo, Ada Carolina Gallo Molina, Javier Cifuentes, et al. "Genome-Scale Metabolic Reconstruction, Non-Targeted LC-QTOF-MS Based Metabolomics Data, and Evaluation of Anticancer Activity of Cannabis sativa Leaf Extracts." Metabolites 13, no. 7: 788. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13070788.
Jaramillo, Valentina, Erika Díaz, Laura N. Muñoz, Andrés Fernando González-Barrios, Jader Rodríguez-Cortina, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. "Enhancing Wound Healing: A Novel Topical Emulsion Combining CW49 Peptide and Lavender Essential Oil for Accelerated Regeneration and Antibacterial Protection." Pharmaceutics 15, no. 6: 1739. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15061739.
2022
Laura N. Muñoz, Valentina Jaramillo, Mónica Gantiva-Diaz, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Andrés Fernando González Barrios. "Formulation of a Novel Antibacterial Topical Treatment Based on Magnetite-Buforin-II-Silver Nanobioconjugate." Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol., 27 October 2022, Sec. Nanobiotechnology, Volume 10 - 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.1003004.
Ruiz Puentes, Paola, Maria C. Henao, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, Juan C. Cruz, Pablo Arbeláez. "Rational Discovery of Antimicrobial Peptides by Means of Artificial Intelligence." Membranes 12, no. 7: 708. https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes12070708.
Riveros, A.; Garcia-Brand, A.J.; Rodriguez-Soto, M.A.; Sandoval, N.; Muñoz-Camargo, C.; Cruz, J.C.; Briceño, J.C. "Computational Characterization of Mechanical, Hemodynamic, and Surface Interaction Conditions: Role of Protein Adsorption on the Regenerative Response of TEVGs." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23, 1130. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031130.
2021
Gómez SC, Quezada V, Quiroz I, Muñoz-Camargo C, Osma JF, Reyes LH, Cruz JC. "Design and Manufacture of a Low-Cost Microfluidic System for the Synthesis of Giant Liposomes for the Encapsulation of Yeast Homologues: Applications in the Screening of Membrane-Active Peptide Libraries." Micromachines (Basel). 2021 Nov 10;12(11):1377. DOI: 10.3390/mi12111377.
2020
Paola Ruiz Puentes, Natalia Valderrama, Cristina Gonzalez, Laura Daza, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Pablo Arbelaez. "PharmaNet: Pharmaceutical Discovery with Deep Recurrent Neural Networks." PLOS ONE 16(4): e0241728. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241728.
Preprints
2019
Laura Andrea Barrero-Guevara, Natalia Bolaños, Miguel Parra, John Mario González, Helena Groot, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. New peptides with immunomodulatory activity in macrophages and antibacterial activity against multiresistant Staphylococcus aureus. Preprint BioRxiv doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/838201.
Artículos en Conferencias
2021
Congress of Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering (CIIBBI).Laura Rueda-Gensini, Julian A Serna, Natalia Bolaños, Jader Rodriguez, Juan C Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo.Evaluation and Characterization of Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Activities of Colombian Sugar Cane-derived Extracts.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Daniela Rubio Olaya, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Luis H. Reyes, Juan C. Cruz. Study of the interactome of Buforin II with Escherichia coli: Revealing the mechanistic details of its antibacterial activity.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Laura Muñoz, Javier Cifuentes, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Magnetite-buforin II nanobioconjugates as active components of novel antimicrobial topical treatment.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Valentina Jaramillo Mejía, Laura Muñoz, Juan C Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Emulsions of lavender essential oil and CW49 peptide for healing assays in a 2D monolayer of human keratinocytes.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Javier Cifuentes, Julián Serna, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C Cruz. Antimicrobial graphene oxide-silver nanocomposite hydrogel with enhanced potency against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains.
ACS Fall. 22-26 agosto 2021.Laura Rueda-Gensini, Julian A. Serna, Javier Cifuentes, Maria Alejandra Castilla-Bolaños, Jader Rodríguez, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Munoz-Camargo. Antioxidant and immunomodulatory Colombian sugar cane extracts as therapeutic agents for immune-related diseases: systemic and central nervous system evaluation.
2020
Bogotá Microbial Meeting (BoMM) 27-28 noviembre 2020.Laura Muñoz, Jessica Pérez, Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz, Andrés González. Formulación y Caracterización de un tratamiento tópico antibacteriano en nanobioconjugados de magnetita BUF-II.
Bogotá Microbial Meeting (BoMM) 27-28 noviembre 2020.Nathaly Rangel, Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo, Johann Osma, Ester Boix, Vivian Salazar, Juan C Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Magnetite Nanoparticles Functionalized with Rnases against Intracellular Infection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
AIChE Annual Meeting 2020. Monica Cuellar, Julian A. Serna, Juan C. Cruz, Sebastián Escobar, Jader Rodríguez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo.Biocompatibility and Potential Regenerative Effects of Sugarcane Derivatives in a 2D Skin Wound Model.
AIChE Annual Meeting 2020. Salazar, M. Claudia Castellanos, Javier Cifuentes, Monica Cuellar, Jader Rodríguez, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo, Juan C. Cruz. Demonstrated neuroprotective and antioxidant effects of sugarcane derivatives: in vitro rotenone-induced oxidative stress on neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y).
International Conference on Infectious Disease 2018. Muñoz-Camargo C., Barrero-Guevara L., Camargo S. Mitrani E. Groot H. Frog antimicrobial peptides in combination: a new strategy against Staphylococcus aureus.
Posters en congresos
1er Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería Biomédica y Bioingeniería- Manizales-2019. Cuellar, Monica; Cruz Jimenez, Juan Carlos; Rodriguez, Jader; Muñoz-Camargo, Carolina. Evaluación De La Citotoxicidad De Derivados De Caña Panelera Para Su Potencial Uso Como Agente Regenerativo En Un Tratamiento Tópico De Piel. Universidad de los Andes y Agrosavia.
Día de la investigación 2019, Fundación Cardio Infantil -IC. Laura Rueda, Sebastián Londoño, Mónica Cuellar, Sabrina Hartmann, Vivian A. Salazar, Juan C. Cruz, Carolina Muñoz-Camargo. Extractos de caña de azúcar para el desarrollo de nuevos enfoques terapéuticos en la regeneración y el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson.

Figure 1. 2D Wound Assay in Human Keratinocytes. Schematic of the Wound Creation Process and Microscopic Observation (created by Alejandra Suarez-Arnedo). Images show cell migration after wound induction and subsequent regeneration when exposed to sugarcane derivatives obtained during panela production. Results from the Uniandes-Agrosavia collaboration.
Researchers
Liders
Carolina Muñoz Camargo
Leader and Associate Professor
Juan C. Cruz
Co-Director and Associate Professor
Co-investigadores externos
Jader Rodríguez
Researcher-AGROSAVIA
Profesores Afiliados
Andrés González
Associate Professor IQUI
Johann Osma
Associate Professor IEE
Mario Linares
Associate Professor ISIS
Jorge Duitama
Associate Professor ISIS
Posdoctoral researchers
Vivian Salazar
Investigadora PhD
Senior researchers
Javier Cifuentes
MSc researcher
Estudiantes de Posgrado
Laura Rueda
MSc Student
Valentina Jaramillo
MSc Student
Mónica Gantiva
MSc Student
Exchange students
Sabrina Hartman
Technische Universität Kaiserslautern (Germany)
Dynamics of a family of glyphosate adjuvants in herbicides used in aerial spraying.
The objective of this research is to study the temporal dynamics of the adjuvants in herbicides used to spray illegal coca plantations in Colombia. This aims to demonstrate the influence that the initial concentrations of the adjuvants have on the persistence of certain chemical compounds in the environment.
We modeled an environment sprayed with glyphosate-based herbicides using a compartmental model with four compartments: Air (A), Soil (T), Water (W), and People (P). A family of glyphosate adjuvants was considered: POE-15.

Figure 1. Dynamics of accumulation in the four compartments considered for different initial concentrations of the adjuvant POE-15. A) Initial concentration of POE-15: 0.27% w/w. B) Initial concentration of POE-15: 4.8% w/w. C) Initial concentration of POE-15: 11.07% w/w. D) Initial concentration of POE-15: 34% w/w. E) Initial concentration of POE-15: 78% w/w.

Figure 2. Behavior at equilibrium of the accumulated mass in each compartment of the adjuvant POE-15 as a function of different initial concentrations of the adjuvant.
Researchers
Juan Manuel Cordovez
IBIO Director
Mauricio Santos
Postdoctoral Researcher
William Valero
Undergraduate Student
Contact
William Valero
Write to the email here.
Mathematical model of infection by the myxoma virus in cancer cells
Oncolytic virotherapy is an innovative alternative to more conventional cancer therapies, based on the ability of oncolytic viruses to specifically target and destroy tumor cells. This therapy can activate the body's innate and adaptive immune response, leading to the destruction of cancer cells by the immune system.
The myxoma virus is a poxvirus that infects European rabbits and can replicate in a variety of human cancer cell lines, making it an ideal candidate for oncolytic virotherapy. However, the dynamic mechanisms between the virus and cancer cells are not fully understood. Mathematical models are a useful tool for providing relevant insights into the dynamics governing the interaction between normal and cancerous cells and their viral parasites.
In this study, murine melanoma cancer cells were infected with a myxoma virus expressing GFP (vMyx GFP) at a low multiplicity of infection, and images were taken using a fluorescence microscope every 30 minutes to determine the infected cells. To understand the infection process, specifically the susceptibility to infection conversion rates and the spatial effects of cell culture, we developed a mathematical model parameterized with the aforementioned experiments that spatially explicitly simulates the infection process. The model is a spatially explicit stochastic formulation of SI that considers cancer cells and viral particles. With the model, we were able to quantify and better understand this complex network of interactions. We hope that the model will contribute to accelerating the development of a functional and effective oncolytic virotherapy using the myxoma virus.
This project is being developed in collaboration with the Center for Immunotherapy, Vaccinology, and Virotherapy at the Biodesign Institute of Arizona State University (ASU)

Figure 1. Cell culture of B16f10 melanoma muscle cells.
Researchers:
Juan Manuel Cordovez
Associate Professor at Uniandes
Grant McFadden
Professor at ASU
Lina Franco
Egresada Uniandes / Investigadora ASU
Contact:
Juan Manuel Cordovez
Write to the email here.
Coupling of infectious diseases with social dynamics: how cooperation modulates the strength of infection
Epidemics create a social dilemma, as individual responses to a disease affect the dynamics of the disease. Social dilemmas such as proper water storage, social distancing, and the appropriate use of masks are individual decisions that will impact the disease dynamics at a macro level. The inclusion of behavior-based decisions within epidemiological models has provided new perspectives on epidemic modeling. In fact, studies have indicated that the course of an epidemic can be substantially changed by including adaptive behaviors. In this approach, we propose a model that combines epidemic dynamics with game theory to capture individual strategies in response to disease spread and the cooperation of other individuals. To represent these individual dynamics, the epidemic and social processes are embedded in heterogeneous graphs that represent "real-world" social networks. These networks form a hierarchical organization, where the connectivity level of each individual (or node) follows a power-law distribution. Consequently, few nodes can act as hubs, while the rest will have few interactions. With this work, we aim to explore how cooperation among individuals modulates the strength of infection and thus decreases the spread of the epidemic.
Members
Juan Manuel Cordovez
BIOMAC Director
Mauricio Santos
Postdoctoral Researcher
Jaime Cascante
Master's Student
Samuel Torres
Undergraduate Student
Once intervention occurs, the details matter even more.
We are currently investigating how the structure of the local contact network within a large city like Bogotá modulates the spread of SARS-CoV-2, and how we can use that contact network dynamic to create and design indicators to identify which nodes are high-risk and could have a direct effect on the number of new infections. In this way, we will demonstrate whether specific non-pharmaceutical measures focused on isolation could achieve the same success as strict quarantines in helping to reduce the risk of an outbreak in Bogotá while maintaining economic activity.
Members
Juan Manuel Cordovez
BIOMAC Director
Mauricio Santos
Postdoctoral Researcher
David Suárez Salazar
Master's Student