BIOPHYSICS OF LIPIDS AND INTERPHASES
Group Leader: Olga López
The group of Biophysics of Lipids and Interphases addresses scientific objectives that consider biophysical, biochemical, physical-chemical and technological aspects related to biological membranes and complex tissues. The research of the group is based on the study and biomedical application of colloidal systems in which lipids and other amphiphiles have a relevant role such as liposomes, micelles, bicelles, bicosomes and other arrangements. In addition, research related to the knowledge, behavior and treatment of tissues such as the skin, mucosal membranes and the hair are also among our objectives.
During recent years, within the framework of our projects, the group has proposed different phospholipid systems for the treatment of the skin, with special emphasis on the use of these systems for the transport and delivery of antioxidants. A new strategy based on lipid systems that mimic epidermal biological structures has been proposed for the treatment of skin diseases. Lipid systems have been developed for the transport and improvement of antibiotic efficacy and efforts have been made to obtain adequate membrane models where certain proteins and peptides maintain or even improve their activity. All this is addressed through the application of high resolution technologies such as cryoelectron microscopy and techniques based on Synchrotron radiation.
We emphasize that the purpose of the group’s activities is to have a medium-term impact in the industry and to solve society’s problems. Due to the novelty of the topics that are addressed, we need to undertake basic research in order to obtain knowledge that allows adequate applicability.
- Development of lipid systems mimicking the composition and structure of the epidermal lamellar bodies.
- Lipid systems for the treatment of skin diseases.
- Lipid systems to improve the effectiveness and stability of antibiotics, antifungals and antioxidants.
- Lipid systems for the skin protection in front of UV-vis and IR radiation.
- Development of membrane models for insertion of proteins and peptides.
- Study of the microstructure and functionality of the skin.
Scientific staff

Olga López
Scientific Researcher
olga.lopez@iqac.csic.es

Mercedes Cócera
Scientific Researcher
mercedes.cocera@iqac.csic.es

Gelen Rodríguez
Scientific Researcher
gelen.rodriguez@iqac.csic.es
Lab people

Ana Isabel Fernandez
Technician
ana.fernandez@iqac.csic.es

Noelia Loza
Predoctoral Researcher
noelia.loza@iqac.csic.es
- Characteristics of a Lipid Hydrogel and Bigel as Matrices for Ascorbic Acid Stabilization-
Loza-Rodríguez, N., Millán-Sánchez, A., López, O.
Gels, 9 (8), art. no. 649, 2023.
- A biocompatible lipid-based bigel for topical applications-
Loza-Rodríguez, N., Millán-Sánchez, A., López, O.
European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 190, pp. 24-34. 2023
- Co-Encapsulation of Curcumin and α-Tocopherol in Bicosome Systems: Physicochemical Properties and Biological Activity-
Vergara, D., López, O., Sanhueza, C., Chávez-Aravena, C., Villagra, J., Bustamante, M., Acevedo, F.
Pharmaceutics, 15 (7), art. no. 1912, 2023.
- Povidone-iodine loaded bigels: Characterization and effect as a hand antiseptic agent-
Vergara, D., Loza-Rodríguez, N., Acevedo, F., Bustamante, M., López, O.
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 72, art. no. 103427, 2022
- Monitoring the formation of a colloidal lipid gel at the nanoscale: vesicle aggregation driven by a temperature-induced mechanism-
Kirian Talló, Ramon Pons, César González and Olga López
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2021, Advance Article
- Larvicidal activity, aquatic and in vivo toxicity of anacardic acid loaded-zein nanoparticles-
Pinto, E.J.S., Araujo, J.T.C.D., Ferreira, R.M.D.A., Souto, R.N.P., Lima, L.A., Silva, P.G.D.B., Garcia, M.T., de la Fuente, A., Sousa, F.F.O.D.
Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 63, art. no. 102513, 2021
- Bioactive Functional Nanolayers of Chitosan-Lysine Surfactant with Single- and Mixed-Protein-Repellent and Antibiofilm Properties for Medical Implants-
Ajdnik, U., Zemljič, L.F., Plohl, O., Pérez, L., Trček, J., Bračič, M., Mohan, T.
Journal of Environmental Management, 293, art. no. 112859, 2021
- Gels formed from the interaction of lipid vesicles: Influence of charge in their structural and rheological properties-
Talló, K., Vílchez, S., Pons, R., López, O.
Journal of Molecular Liquids, 322, art. no. 114957,2021
- An in vitro digestion study of encapsulated lactoferrin in rapeseed phospholipid–based liposomes-
Vergara, D., López, O., Bustamante, M., Shene, C.
Food Chemistry, 321, art. no. 126717, 2020
- Improving Cell Penetration of Gold Nanorods by Using an Amphipathic Arginine Rich Peptide-
Riveros, A.L., Eggeling, C., Riquelme, S., Adura, C., López-Iglesias, C., Guzmán, F., Araya, E. Almada, M., Juárez, J., Valdez, M.A., Fuentevilla, I.A., López, O., Kogan, M.J.
International Journal of Nanomedicine, 15, pp. 1837-1851. 2020
- Preparation and characterization of a supramolecular hydrogel made of phospholipids and oleic acid with a high water content-
Talló, K., Bosch, M., Pons, R., Cocera, M., López, O.
J. Mater. Chem. B, 2020,8, 161-167
- Vesicular nanostructures composed of oleic acid and phosphatidylcholine: Effect of pH and molar ratio-
Talló, V. Moner, M. De Cabo, M. Cócera, O. López
Chemistry and Physics of Lipids 213 (2018) 96–101
- A LAMELLAR BODY MIMETIC SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF OXAZOLONE-INDUCED ATOPIC DERMATITIS IN HAIRLESS MICE.-
Moner V, Fernández E, Calpena AC, Garcia-Herrera A, Cócera M, López O.
J Dermatol Sci. 2018, 90(2):172-179.
- SORPTION–DESORPTION TEST FOR FUNCTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF SKIN TREATED WITH A LIPID SYSTEM THAT MIMICS EPIDERMAL LAMELLAR BODIES-
Moner, E. Fernández, A. del Pozo, G. Rodríguez, M. Cócera. A. de la Maza, O. López.
Contact Dermatitis, 77, 25-34 (2017)
- THE FIRST FLUOROGENIC SENSOR FOR SPHINGOSINE-1-PHOSPHATE LYASE ACTIVITY IN INTACT CELLS-
Sanllehí, M. Casasampere, J-L. Abad, G. Fabriàs, O. López, J. Bujons, J. Casas, A. Delgado.
Chem. Commun., 53, 5441-5444 (2017)
- Reducing the Harmful Effects of Infrared Radiation on the Skin Using Bicosomes Incorporating ß-Carotene.-
Fernández, E.; Fajarí, L.; Rodríguez, G.; Cócera, M.; Moner, V.; Barbosa-Barros, L.; Kamma-Lorger, C.S.; de la Maza, A.; López, O.
Skin Pharmacol Physiol., 29 169-177, 2016.
- MONITORING BICOSOMES CONTAINING ANTIOXIDANTS IN NORMAL AND IRRADIATED SKIN.-
Fernández, S. Hostachy, C. Sandt, G. Rodriguez, HC Bertrand, S. Clède, M. Cócera, A. de la Maza , F. Lambert, C. Policar, O. López.
RSC Advances, 6: 72559-72567 (2016).
- LAMELLAR BODY MIMETIC SYSTEM: AN UP-TO-DOWN REPAIRING STRATEGY OF THE STRATUM CORNEUM LIPID STRUCTURE.-
Moner, E. Fernández, G. Rodriguez, M. Cócera,L. Barbosa-Barros, A. de la Maza, O. López.
Int J Pharmaceutics, 510: 135-143 (2016).
- BICELLES: NEW LIPID NANOSYSTEMS FOR DERMATOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS.-
Rodríguez, L. Barbosa-Barros, L. Rubio, M. Cócera, F. Fernández-Campos A. Calpena, E. Fernández, A. de la Maza and O. López
J Biomed Nanotech, 11(2): 282-290 (2015),
- ADVANCED LIPID SYSTEMS CONTAINING B-CAROTENE:STABILITY UNDER UV-VIS RADIATION AND APPLICATION ON PORCINE SKIN IN VITRO.-
Fernández, G. Rodríguez, M. Cócera, L. Barbosa-Barros, C. Alonso, C. López-Iglesias, T. Jawhari, A. de la Maza, O. López.
Phys Chem Chem Phys, 17: 18710-18721 (2015).
- A RHENIUM TRIS-CARBONYL DERIVATIVE AS A MODEL MOLECULE FOR INCORPORATION INTO PHOSPHOLIPID ASSEMBLIES FOR SKIN APPLICATIONS.-
Fernández, G. Rodriguez, S. Hostachy, S. Clède, M. Cócera, C. Sandt, F. Lambert, A. de la Maza, C. Policar, O. López.
Colloid and surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 131: 102-107 (2015).
- BICELLES AND BICOSOMES AS FREE RADICAL SCAVENGERS IN THE SKIN-
Fernández, L. Fajarí, G. Rodríguez, C. López-Iglesias, M. Cócera, L. Barbosa-Barros, A. de la Maza, O. López.
RSC Adv.,4, 53109-53121, (2014)
- BICELLAR SYSTEMS AS VEHICLE FOR THE TREATMENT OF IMPAIRED SKIN.-
L Rubio, C Alonso, G Rodríguez, M Cócera, L Barbosa-Barros, L Coderch, A De la Maza, JL Parra , O López.
Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 86;(2):212-218. (2014)
- EVALUATION OF NOVEL NYSTATIN NANOEMULSION FOR SKIN CANDIDOSIS INFECTIONS-
F Fernández Campos, B Clares Naveros, O Lopez, Alonso Merino C, AC Calpena Campmany
Mycoses 56, 70-81, (2013)
- BICELLAR SYSTEMS AS NEW DELIVERY STRATEGY FOR TOPICAL APPLICATION OF FLUFENAMIC ACID-
L Rubio, C Alonso, G Rodríguez, M Cócera, C López-Iglesias, L Coderch, A De la Maza, JL Parra , O López.
Int J Pharm. 28;444(1-2):60-9. (2013)
- CHARACTERIZATION OF NEW DOPC/DHPC PLATFORM FOR DERMAL APPLICATIONS-
G Rodríguez, L Rubio, C Barba, C López-Iglesias , Al de la Maza, O. López, M Cócera.
Eur. Biophys. J. , 42(5): 333-345 (2013)
- BICELLES, LIPID NANOSTRUCTURED PLATFORMS WITH POTENTIAL DERMAL APPLICATIONS-
Barbosa-Barros, G. Rodríguez, C. Barba, M. Cócera, L. Rubio, C. López-Iglesias, A de la Maza y O López
Small 26, 8(6), 807-818 , (2012)
- BICELLAR SYSTEMS AS A NEW COLLOIDAL DELIVERY STRATEGY FOR SKIN-
Rubio, G. Rodríguez, L. Barbosa-Barros,C. Alonso, M. Cócera, A de la Maza, JL Parra y O López
Colloids Surface B 92 322– 326 (2012)
- AN UNIQUE BICELLAR NANOSYSTEM COMBINING TWO EFFECTS ON STRATUM CORNEUM LIPIDS-
G Rodríguez, M Cócera, L Rubio, C López-Iglesias, R Pons, A de la Maza y O López
Molecular Pharmaceutics 5;9(3):482-91 (2012)
- DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL NYSTATIN-LOADED NANOEMULSION FOR THE BUCCAL TREATMENT OF CANDIDOSIS: ULTRASTRUCTURAL EFFECTS AND RELEASE STUDIES-
F Fernández Campos, AC Calpena Campmany, G Rodríguez, O Lopez, B Clares Naveros.
J Pharm Sci 101, 10, 3739-3752.(2012)
- BICELAR SYSTEMS TO MODIFY THE PHASE BEHAVIOR OF SKIN STRATUM CORNEUM LIPIDS-
G Rodríguez, M Cócera, L Rubio, C Alonso, R Pons, C Sandt, P Dumas, C Lopez-Iglesias, A de la Maza y O López
Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys, 14, 14523-14533(2012)
IQAC
Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya
c/ Jordi Girona 18-26
08034 Barcelona - Spain
Ph: +34 93 400 61 00
Fax: +34 93 204 59 04
