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Add to Calendar 2026-01-16 12:00:00 2026-01-16 13:00:00 GuestSeminars@UCIBIO | Marlene Lúcio Overcoming Biological Barriers with Nanotechnology: Strategies for Therapeutic Delivery Marlene Lúcio, Physics Center of the Universities of Minho and Porto (CF-UM-UP)   Host: Helena Amaral, UCIBIO Porto   Online Link: https://ucibio.pt/l/GuestSeminars   Abstract: Biological barriers such as mucosal layers, epithelial tight junctions, and endosomal compartments severely limit the effective delivery of drugs and nucleic acids. Nanotechnology offers powerful tools to overcome these obstacles by enabling precise control over size, surface chemistry, structure, and biological interactions. In this seminar, I will discuss how fit-by-design nanobiotechnology strategies allow the development of nanosystems capable of overcoming these barriers to enhance therapeutic transport and action. Examples include polymeric micelles optimized for oral delivery, lipid-based nanocarriers tailored for ocular permeation, and non-viral vectors such as lipoplexes and cuboplexes designed to improve cellular uptake and endosomal escape. Together, these advances illustrate how rational nanosystem design can transform traditional pharmacokinetic limitations into opportunities for more effective therapeutic delivery.      Short-bio: Marlene Lúcio (PharmD, PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry) is an Assistant Researcher at the Physics Center of the Universities of Minho and Porto (CF-UM-UP) and an Invited Associate Professor at the University of Minho. Her research focuses on nanobiotechnology, with emphasis on the biophysical characterization of nano–bio interfaces, lipid-based and graphene-based nanosystems, and green-synthesized nanomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. By integrating advanced biophysical methods with high-throughput platforms, her work aims to rationally tailor nanocarriers capable of overcoming biological barriers while adhering to the principles of the 3Rs and environmentally responsible development. She is the author of over 90 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 30), 14 book chapters, and holds a patent in skin biomimetic models. She has coordinated several national and international research projects and supervised multiple MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers. Marlene Lúcio is also founder and co-founder of the award-winning entrepreneurship initiatives EyeOnDrug and BPatch, and co-founder and Vice-President of ARMA-Sci, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting citizen science and scientific literacy in rural communities. Her work bridges fundamental nanoscience, translational innovation, and societal impact, contributing to the development of next-generation therapeutic and diagnostic nanosystems. Online UCIBIO info@simbiose.com Europe/Lisbon public
marlene lúcio

Overcoming Biological Barriers with Nanotechnology: Strategies for Therapeutic Delivery

Marlene Lúcio, Physics Center of the Universities of Minho and Porto (CF-UM-UP)

 

Host: Helena Amaral, UCIBIO Porto

 

Online Link: https://ucibio.pt/l/GuestSeminars

 

Abstract:

Biological barriers such as mucosal layers, epithelial tight junctions, and endosomal compartments severely limit the effective delivery of drugs and nucleic acids. Nanotechnology offers powerful tools to overcome these obstacles by enabling precise control over size, surface chemistry, structure, and biological interactions. In this seminar, I will discuss how fit-by-design nanobiotechnology strategies allow the development of nanosystems capable of overcoming these barriers to enhance therapeutic transport and action. Examples include polymeric micelles optimized for oral delivery, lipid-based nanocarriers tailored for ocular permeation, and non-viral vectors such as lipoplexes and cuboplexes designed to improve cellular uptake and endosomal escape. Together, these advances illustrate how rational nanosystem design can transform traditional pharmacokinetic limitations into opportunities for more effective therapeutic delivery. 

 

 

Short-bio:

Marlene Lúcio (PharmD, PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry) is an Assistant Researcher at the Physics Center of the Universities of Minho and Porto (CF-UM-UP) and an Invited Associate Professor at the University of Minho.

Her research focuses on nanobiotechnology, with emphasis on the biophysical characterization of nano–bio interfaces, lipid-based and graphene-based nanosystems, and green-synthesized nanomaterials for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. By integrating advanced biophysical methods with high-throughput platforms, her work aims to rationally tailor nanocarriers capable of overcoming biological barriers while adhering to the principles of the 3Rs and environmentally responsible development. She is the author of over 90 peer-reviewed publications (h-index 30), 14 book chapters, and holds a patent in skin biomimetic models. She has coordinated several national and international research projects and supervised multiple MSc, PhD, and postdoctoral researchers. Marlene Lúcio is also founder and co-founder of the award-winning entrepreneurship initiatives EyeOnDrug and BPatch, and co-founder and Vice-President of ARMA-Sci, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting citizen science and scientific literacy in rural communities. Her work bridges fundamental nanoscience, translational innovation, and societal impact, contributing to the development of next-generation therapeutic and diagnostic nanosystems.

GuestSeminars@UCIBIO | Marlene Lúcio