Beatriz Patricio, Ph.D.
- Title
- Associate Professor
- Department
- Department of Physiological Sciences
- Institution
- Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO)
- Address
- Instituto Biomédico, Rua Frei Caneca, 94
- City, State, ZIP
- Rio de Janeiro, RJ 20211-040
- Country
- Brazil
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.unirio.br/ib/lift
- Research field
- Nanotechnology for drug delivery and nanotoxicology
Research
The Laboratory of Pharmaceutical and Technological Innovation (LIFT) develops nanomedicine strategies for drug delivery and characterizes and evaluates the safety of nanoformulations. Our research combines pharmaceutical technology with biophysics and nanotoxicology, with particular emphasis on nanoparticles and liposomes for therapeutic applications. We investigate nanoformulations for neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis, with a major focus on reformulating amphotericin B to improve its bioavailability, administration routes, and safety. We integrate physicochemical characterization—including dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), zeta potential, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM)—with in vitro and in vivo biological and toxicological models. Our current translational work also extends nanocarrier development to antimicrobial resistance, including antibody-targeted liposomes designed to deliver antibiotics to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria.
Partnership Award
With the Partnership Award, Priscilla Olsen, Ph.D., and Beatriz Patricio, Ph.D., will team up to develop and test a new strategy to overcome antimicrobial drug resistance. An important driver of resistance is the overexpression of efflux pumps that expel antibiotics. Although recognized as a promising therapeutic target, this resistance mechanism remains relatively underexplored. This work aims to block efflux pumps using antibodies against TolC, one of the key components of efflux pumps associated with bacterial multidrug resistance. TolC antibodies will be linked to a liposome designed to bind to bacterial cell membranes and carry antibacterial drugs. The project combines Olsen’s experience in antibody-based immunology with Patricio’s expertise in nanotechnology to provide a proof of concept for this “resistance-reversing” drug delivery method. Their aim is to deliver antibiotics directly into bacterial cells, enhancing drug accumulation within the cells and limiting off-target effects. If successful, this approach could be an effective way to treat difficult infections and combat antimicrobial resistance.
