Sara Veiga Rúa & Blanca Domínguez Loidi

"Human brain organoids as a tool to study the effects of mutations potentially associated with ASD".

In our group, we are interested in assessing the functional role of de novo mutations potentially associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) development. Here, we use brain organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to study the neurodevelopmental changes caused by these mutations, with the final goal of improving our understanding of the molecular bases of the disorder and the genetic counseling offered to the families.

CV highlights:

• 2013-2017: Biology Degree, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
• 2017-2018: Master in Biomedical Research, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
• 2018-present: PhD Student (FPU Fellowship).

Sara Veiga Rúa

"Ag5 Atomic Quantum Clusters and metabolic interactions in tumoral cells".

Silver Atomic Quantum Clusters (Ag5-AQCs) of five atoms trigger cell death mediated by catalyzing the oxidation of crucial molecules that form part of the mitochondrial antioxidant systems. Since cancers cannot evade a treatment that takes advantage of aberrant redox homeostasis, essential for tumour progression and metastasis, AQCs are of great interest as a new class of cancer therapy.

CV highlights:

• 2008-2014: Licenciatura en Farmacia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
• 2014-2015: Máster en Condicionantes Xenéticos, Nutricionais e Ambientais do Crecemento e Desenvolvemento, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
• 2015-2021: Doctorado en Nanomedicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.

Blanca Domínguez Loidi, PhD