Miguel Alexandre Ramos-Docampo
@au.dk
Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)
Aarhus University
I got my PhD (cum laude and Extraordinary PhD Thesis Award) by the University of Vigo (2020). My PhD dissertation was based on the design of magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications, with especial attention to magnetic guidance and heat delivery. I am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Laboratory for Cell Mimicry at the Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (Aarhus University, Denmark). My research focuses on the design of bio-inspired polymer-driven nanomotors to self-navigate in inhomogeneous and complex environments and through biological barriers.
EDUCATION
I got my Bachelor in Chemistry (2014) by the University of Vigo (Spain) and my Master in Biological Sciences (esp. Molecular Biology for Life and Health Sciences) by the same university (2016).
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Colloid and Surface Chemistry
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, Ondrej Hovorka, and Brigitte Städler
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Nano/micromotors are self-propelled particles that show enhanced motion upon being triggered by a stimulus.
Isabella N. Westensee, Lars J.M.M. Paffen, Stefan Pendlmayr, Paula De Dios Andres, Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, and Brigitte Städler
Wiley
AbstractArtificial cells are engineered units with cell‐like functions for different purposes including acting as supportive elements for mammalian cells. Artificial cells with minimal liver‐like function are made of alginate and equipped with metalloporphyrins that mimic the enzyme activity of a member of the cytochrome P450 family namely CYP1A2. The artificial cells are employed to enhance the dealkylation activity within 3D bioprinted structures composed of HepG2 cells and these artificial cells. This enhancement is monitored through the conversion of resorufin ethyl ether to resorufin. HepG2 cell aggregates are 3D bioprinted using an alginate/gelatin methacryloyl ink, resulting in the successful proliferation of the HepG2 cells. The composite ink made of an alginate/gelatin liquid phase with an increasing amount of artificial cells is characterized. The CYP1A2‐like activity of artificial cells is preserved over at least 35 days, where 6 nM resorufin is produced in 8 h. Composite inks made of artificial cells and HepG2 cell aggregates in a liquid phase are used for 3D bioprinting. The HepG2 cells proliferate over 35 days, and the structure has boosted CYP1A2 activity. The integration of artificial cells and their living counterparts into larger 3D semi‐synthetic tissues is a step towards exploring bottom‐up synthetic biology in tissue engineering.
Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, Sarah Nieto, Paula de Dios Andres, Xiaomin Qian, and Brigitte Städler
Wiley
AbstractNanomotors that use polymers to gain locomotion is an upcoming concept. Here, we made use of self‐immolative polymers (SIP), i. e., polymers that disintegrate in a domino‐like fashion, to initiate motion in 500 nm silica particles. We selected a BSA‐triggered SIP and assessed its degradation both in solution and when deposited onto the silica particles. A 1.5‐fold increase of monomer was found in the solution compared to the controls, suggesting the SIP disintegration. The locomotion of the SIP‐coated motors was shown to have an average velocity of up to ∼3 μm s−1 when incubated with BSA. These proof of concept findings illustrate an alternative polymer‐powered motor design, which benefits from modern polymer chemistry concepts.
Miguel A. Ramos Docampo
Wiley
AbstractNano/micromotors are a class of active matter that can self‐propel converting different types of input energy into kinetic energy. The huge efforts that are made in this field over the last years result in remarkable advances. Specifically, a high number of publications have dealt with biomedical applications that these motors may offer. From the first attempts in 2D cell cultures, the research has evolved to tissue and in vivo experimentation, where motors show promising results. In this Perspective, an overview over the evolution of motors with focus on bio‐relevant environments is provided. Then, a discussion on the advances and challenges is presented, and eventually some remarks and perspectives of the field are outlined.
Ana Rodríguez-Ramos, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Verónica Salgueiriño, and Mónica L. Fanarraga
Elsevier BV
Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, Xiaomin Qian, Carina Ade, Thaís Floriano Marcelino, Marcel Ceccato, Morten Foss, Ondrej Hovorka, and Brigitte Städler
Wiley
AbstractNano/micromotors are self‐propelled particles that use external stimuli to gain locomotion outperforming Brownian motion. Here, three different polymers are employed that are conjugated to silica particles through a pH‐labile linker. At slightly acidic pH, the linkers hydrolyze and release the polymeric chains, resulting in enhanced locomotion. The motors show a maximum velocity of ≈3 µm s−1 in cell media when poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate is asymmetrically distributed on the surface of the particles. Further, the motor internalization by RAW 264.7 macrophages was compared between motors, which have the polymer conjugated via a pH‐labile linker, and the irresponsive particles. Preliminary data indicate enhanced uptake, but further efforts are required to use responsive polymers to propel motors inside mammalian cells.
Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Pablo Hurtado, Ana B. Dávila-Ibáñez, Roberto Piñeiro, Mónica L. Fanarraga, and Verónica Salgueiriño
Elsevier BV
Miguel A. Ramos Docampo, Nanying Wang, Stefan Pendlmayr, and Brigitte Städler
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Oksana K. Savchak, Nanying Wang, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Paula de Dios Andres, Ana M. Sebastião, Filipa F. Ribeiro, Adam Armada-Moreira, Brigitte Städler, and Sandra H. Vaz
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Reactors equipped with manganese dioxide nanosheets can protect mammalian cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide. Especially, small reactors that can self-navigate in solution showed an enhanced removal of ROS.
X. Qian, M.A. Ramos-Docampo, C. Ade, E. Brodszkij, I.N. Westensee, and B. Städler
Elsevier BV
Paula De Dios Andres, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Xiaomin Qian, Marian Stingaciu, and Brigitte Städler
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Micromotors exhibit size, density and surface modification dependent locomotion in different fibrous cellulose environments.
Sandra Díez‐Villares, Miguel A. Ramos‐Docampo, Andrés da Silva‐Candal, Pablo Hervella, Abi J. Vázquez‐Ríos, Ana B. Dávila‐Ibáñez, Rafael López‐López, Ramón Iglesias‐Rey, Verónica Salgueiriño, and María de la Fuente
Wiley
AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful non‐invasive imaging modalities used in clinics due to its great spatial resolution and excellent soft‐tissue contrast, though still less sensitive than other techniques such as the nuclear imaging modalities. This lack of sensitivity can be improved with the use of contrast agents based on nanomaterials. In recent years, researchers have focused on the development of magnetic nanoparticles, given their role as enhancers of the contrast signal based on the magnetic resonance. Manganese ferrite nanoparticles stand out, given their high magnetic susceptibility and magnetic soft nature. Herein, 10 nm MnFe2O4 nanoparticles, functionalized with the natural antioxidant vitamin E (VitE‐MFO) are encapsulated into simple, biodegradable and non‐toxic nanoemulsions (NEs), by a reproducible one‐step method obtaining stable 150 nm‐sized magnetic nanoemulsions (VitE‐MFO‐NEs). After encapsulation, the superparamagnetic properties of VitE‐MFO are maintained and MR imaging studies reveal an extremely high transverse relaxivity for VitE‐MFO‐NEs (652.9 × 10−3 m−1 s−1), twofold higher than VitE‐MFO value. Moreover, VitE‐MFO‐NEs show great in vivo biocompatibility and good signal in in vivo and ex vivo MRI, which indicates their great potential for biomedical imaging enhancing the negative MR contrast and significantly improving the sensitivity of MRI.
Paula De Dios Andres, Isabella N. Westensee, Edit Brodszkij, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Noga Gal, and Brigitte Städler
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Cell culture-based intestinal models are important to evaluate nanoformulations intended for oral drug delivery. We report the use of a floating structured paper chip as a scaffold for Caco-2 cells and HT29-MTX-E12 cells that are two established cell types used in intestinal cell models. The formation of cell monolayers for both mono- and cocultures in the paper chip are confirmed and the level of formed cell-cell junctions is evaluated. Further, cocultures show first mucus formation between 6-10 days with the mucus becoming more pronounced after 19 days. Hybrid vesicles (HVs) made from phospholipids and the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(cholesteryl methacrylate)-block-poly(2-carboxyethyl acrylate) in different ratios are used as a representative soft nanoparticle to assess their mucopenetration ability in paper chip-based cell cultures. The HV assembly is characterized, and it is illustrated that these HVs cross the mucus layer and are found intracellularly within 3 h when the cells are grown in the paper chips. Taken together, the moist three-dimensional cellulose environment of structured paper chips offers an interesting cell culture-based intestinal model that can be further integrated with fluidic systems or online read-out opportunities.
Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Edit Brodszkij, Marcel Ceccato, Morten Foss, Mads Folkjær, Nina Lock, and Brigitte Städler
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
We report an alternative type of motor that has enhanced locomotion due to surface polymerization, that is more pronounced when Janus motors are considered. Further, indications of collective behavior are observed for high motor densities.
Marina Fernández‐Medina, Miguel A. Ramos‐Docampo, Ondrej Hovorka, Verónica Salgueiriño, and Brigitte Städler
Wiley
AbstractNano‐ and micromotors are fascinating objects that can navigate in complex fluidic environments. Their active motion can be triggered by external power sources or they can exhibit self‐propulsion using fuel extracted from their surroundings. The research field is rapidly evolving and has produced nano/micromotors of different geometrical designs, exploiting a variety of mechanisms of locomotion, being capable of achieving remarkable speeds in diverse environments ranging from simple aqueous solutions to complex media including cell cultures or animal tissue. This review aims to provide an overview of the recent developments with focus on predominantly experimental demonstrations of the various motor designs developed in the past 24 months. First, externally driven motors are discussed followed by considering fuel‐driven approaches. Finally, a short future perspective is provided.
Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Marina Fernández-Medina, Essi Taipaleenmäki, Ondrej Hovorka, Verónica Salgueiriño, and Brigitte Städler
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Micro- and nanoswimmers are a fast emerging concept that changes how colloidal and biological systems interact. They can support drug delivery vehicles, assist in crossing biological barriers or improve diagnostics. We report microswimmers that employ collagen, a major extracellular matrix (ECM) constituent, as fuel, and that have the ability to deliver heat via incorporated magnetic nanoparticles when exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). Their assembly and heating properties are outlined followed by the assessment of their calcium-triggered mobility in aqueous solution and collagen gels. It is illustrated that the swimmers in collagen gel in the presence of a steep calcium gradient exhibit fast and directed mobility. The experimental data are supported with theoretical considerations. Finally, the successful penetration of the swimmers into 3D cell spheroids is shown and upon exposure to an AMF, the cell viability is impaired due to the locally delivered heat. This report illustrates an opportunity to employ swimmers to enhance tissue penetration for cargo delivery via controlled interaction with the ECM.
Martín Testa-Anta, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Miguel Comesaña-Hermo, Beatriz Rivas-Murias, and Verónica Salgueiriño
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Raman spectroscopy is a very valuable and fast-performance tool to gain insight first into the different iron oxide phases present in nanoparticles, to correlate then the magnetic properties with potential bio-related applications.
Nerio Fontaiña-Troitiño, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Martín Testa-Anta, Benito Rodríguez-González, Manuel Bañobre-López, Laura Bocher, Keith P. McKenna, and Verónica Salgueiriño
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Antiphase boundaries perpendicular to the [111] direction of the spinel structure of the nanocrystals promote a local Fe–Fe enrichment at these individual lattice defects.
Ruth Otero-Lorenzo, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Benito Rodríguez-González, Miguel Comesaña-Hermo, and Verónica Salgueiriño
American Chemical Society (ACS)
The one-pot formation of colloidal nanocrystal clusters has recently gained attention due to the new set of phenomena that such secondary structures are endowed with. Nevertheless, given the number of complex processes at play, the correct interpretation of the chemical mechanisms behind the formation of such structures remains a particularly difficult task. In the present work, magnetic colloidal nanocrystal clusters with a spinel structure are thoroughly characterized by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The combination of these techniques results in a means to unravel the structure of the poorly crystalline intermediates and complex products formed throughout the process. Our results suggest that the chemical and crystallographic transformations undergone by the nanostructures at the different stages of the reaction are strongly related with the final morphology of the secondary super-structures obtained, which in parallel, help ...
Philipp S. Schattling, Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Verónica Salgueiriño, and Brigitte Städler
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Self-propelled particles attract a great deal of attention due to the auspicious range of applications for which nanobots can be used. In a biomedical context, self-propelled swimmers hold promise to autonomously navigate to a desired location in an attempt to counteract cell/tissue defects either by releasing drugs or by performing surgical tasks. The vast majority of prior reports deal with single engine assemblies, often utilizing fuel molecules which are considered to be highly cytotoxic. Herein, we introduce two engines: (1) a motor which couples enzymes (i.e., glucose oxidase) and inorganic nanoparticles (i.e., platinum nanoparticles) to gain power and (2) a peptide-fueled trypsin motor. We demonstrate that both engines can induce enhanced diffusion properties of (Janus) particles using bioavailable and completely harmless fuel molecules. By combining both engines on the same carrier, we show self-propelled particles employing two independent engines, using two different fuels. A collaborative enhancement of the swimmer's diffusion properties upon powering-up both engines simultaneously is observed. Additionally, the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles allows for the swimmer to move in a magnetic gradient upon applying an external magnetic field, yielding in directional motion of the double-fueled particles. These multiple-fueled biocompatible swimmers are a significant contribution to make them applicable in a biomedical context.
Miguel A. Ramos-Docampo, Beatriz Rivas-Murias, Benito Rodríguez-González, and Verónica Salgueiriño
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Cobalt oxide nanooctahedra with a main cavity or cracks branching out due to a Kirkendall effect, stem from the synthetic process, the intermediate stages of rearrangement and the final thermodynamically-driven oxidation at the surface.