Albores Malan, Silvana Victoria

Research interests

The research lines encompass the bioprospecting of antimicrobial compounds and the biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles with biotechnological applications. In the search for bioactive compounds from natural sources (honey, microorganisms, plants), methods are developed for extraction, antimicrobial evaluation, and structural elucidation studies to understand their properties and bioaccessibility.

Additionally, the biological synthesis of nanoparticles focuses on using biomass to produce antimicrobial agents, assessing their biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and synergy with antibiotics, while also exploring their application as vaccine adjuvants and their impact on microbiomes.

Furthermore, in a related line of research, natural products and nanomaterials are studied to inhibit or eradicate microbial biofilms, using advanced microscopy techniques to explore their mechanisms of action.
These investigations are integrated into various thesis projects and interdisciplinary collaborations across microbiology, chemistry, pharmacognosy, immunology, physics, and nanotechnology, among other fields.

Working area

My work focuses on chemistry, biotechnology and nanotechnology research applied to microbiology. I lead projects in two interdisciplinary areas:

Production, purification, and application of biotechnological products derived from microorganisms (such as nanoparticles and metabolites) to develop new antimicrobial materials or vaccine adjuvants, as well as evaluating potential changes in microbiomes due to these treatments.

Development of antimicrobial and antibiofilm strategies to control relevant microorganisms across various sectors (food, human and animal health, agriculture), including antimicrobial-resistant strains.

Additionally, I investigate microbiome changes in animal models following antimicrobial treatments, using advanced techniques such as Electron Microscopy and Confocal Raman.