Giorgi Dilacio, Victoria Micaela

Research interests

My research addresses the need to develop more sustainable and efficient chemical processes for obtaining complex molecules. In response to resource depletion and the environmental impact of traditional synthesis, my work focuses on the use of biocatalysis as a fundamental tool within Green Chemistry, enabling the selective transformation of natural products into compounds of high pharmacological and industrial value.

My primary research activities are conducted at the Laboratory of Biocatalysis and Biotransformations (LBB) and the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products within the Department of Organic Chemistry (Faculty of Chemistry), focusing on the field of natural product biotransformations.

After obtaining my degree as a Pharmaceutical Chemist, I began my graduate studies with a doctoral thesis titled "Biotransformation of sterols for obtaining high value-added compounds," co-advised by Dr. Pilar Menéndez and Dr. Carlos García. This research, conducted between 2014 and 2019, led to my Ph.D. in Chemistry. During this period, I investigated new biocatalysts capable of transforming sterols—particularly cholesterol and bile acids—to obtain compounds with potential as intermediates in drug synthesis. My workflow encompassed the isolation and identification of microorganisms, the biotransformation of sterols, product recovery and characterization, optimization of catalytic processes, and the scale-up of bioreactions in 5-liter fermenters, including the identification of enzyme sequences responsible for these transformations. The results contributed new biocatalysts to the field of steroids, with applications in drug synthesis or possessing intrinsic pharmacological activity. This doctoral work resulted in two peer-reviewed publications: an original research article on cholesterol biocatalysts and a review covering the literature in the field since the year 2000.

To consolidate my training as a researcher, I completed a postdoctoral stay funded by PEDECIBA, supervised by Dr. Inés Carrera. During this stage, I developed techniques to use C. elegans as a model organism to study the effects of cannabinoids and Cannabis plant extracts. This work combined my previous experience in natural products and microorganisms with Dr. Carrera's expertise in pharmacology and the nervous system.

Subsequently, I worked as a postdoctoral assistant on various research projects, such as: the characterization and effects of Cannabis in autism models; the biotransformation of cannabinoids; the synthesis of sugar and fatty acid esters for the valorization of lignocellulosic residues; and the development of biocatalysts immobilized on biopolymers to reduce contamination caused by estrogenic compounds. Additionally, I worked on the biocatalytic functionalization of indole nuclei for the synthesis of bioactive compounds. These projects have led to several publications in peer-reviewed journals. Currently, I am also a member of the Cannabis Phytochemistry research group, led by Dr. Carlos García, where I participate in activities related to the metabolite profiling (cannabinoids and flavonoids) of different Cannabis varieties and the evaluation of their in vitro antioxidant activity.

Currently, my research line focuses on the biotransformation of natural products, with the general objective of obtaining new compounds or high value-added products with potential applicability in the synthesis of complex molecules. My ongoing projects focus on the biotransformation of steroids, cannabinoids, and indole alkaloids, involving the development of biocatalysts (whole cells, monooxygenases, laccases, lipases), the valorization of agro-industrial by-products, and the structural analysis of the resulting compounds.

Altogether, my scientific activity utilizes biotransformations as the engine to solve critical problems in health and the environment. Through biocatalytic processes, I seek to obtain new drugs and synthetic precursors, mitigate emerging contaminants, and valorize agro-industrial waste. This approach integrates chemical strategies with the principles of the circular economy, adding value to natural products and by-products through sustainable processes such as biotransformations.