Pulmonary Surfactant and Respiratory Diseases

Description

Scientific objectives and lines of work

• Composition and structural characteristics of the pulmonary surfactant seeking its greatest therapeutic efficacy.
• Functional tests with a captive bubble surfactometer.
• Analysis of the lipid composition of the surfactants.
• Dynamics, understanding-expansion and stability of the surfactants.
• Pathogenesis of the inactivation of the surfactant in acute lung damage.
• Screening tests for surfactant replacement in preterm infants.
• Nanotoxicity: the study of the impact of certain drugs, liposomes and nanoparticles on the structure and function of the pulmonary surfactant.
• Nanopharmacology: the study of the pulmonary surfactant as a route for drug administration. Surfactant-promoted diffusion of the pharmaceuticals towards the alveoli.
• Biophysical models used to optimize interface vehiculation.