Inorganic Chemistry and Biomaterials
Lecturer, Universidad de Costa Rica
Dr. rer. nat., Universität Duisburg-Essen, Germany, 2019 (Prof. M. Epple)
M.Sc., Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica, 2012 (Prof. Mavis Montero)
I have a special interest in inorganic materials for biological and environmental applications.
My vision as an inorganic chemist starts from the material structure and properties up to its application. During the former years I have worked with calcium phosphate nanoparticle systems with special attention for the material synthesis and surface modification. Applications for this material such as for transportation of biological active substances, molecule coupling, vaccination and imaging were developed and studied.
My interdisciplinary work with other areas like physics, life sciences, and medicine lead me to an open vision. In addition, I have been involved with successful international collaborations with research groups from around the world that had have broadened my scientific perspective.
Recent Publications
L. Rojas-Sánchez, K. Loza, M. Epple, Synthesis and intracellular tracing surface-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticles by super-resolution microscopy (STORM), Materialia 12 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2020.100773
L. Rojas-Sanchez, E. Zhang, V. Sokolova, M. Zhong, H. Yan, M. Lu, Q. Li, H. Yan, M. Epple, Genetic immunization against hepatitis B virus with calcium phosphate nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo, Acta Biomater 110 (2020) 254-265. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2020.04.021
T. Tenkumo, L. Rojas-Sanchez, J.R. Vanegas Saenz, T. Ogawa, M. Miyashita, N. Yoda, O. Prymak, V. Sokolova, K. Sasaki, M. Epple, Reduction of inflammation in a chronic periodontitis model in rats by TNF-alpha gene silencing with a topically applied siRNA-loaded calcium phosphate paste, Acta Biomater 105 (2020) 263-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2020.01.031
L. Rojas‐Sánchez, V. Sokolova, S. Riebe, J. Voskuhl, M. Epple, Covalent Surface Functionalization of Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles with Fluorescent Dyes by Copper‐Catalysed and by Strain‐Promoted Azide‐Alkyne Click Chemistry, ChemNanoMat 5(4) (2019) 436-446. https://doi.org/10.1002/cnma.201800509
D. Damm, L. Rojas-Sanchez, H. Theobald, V. Sokolova, R.T. Wyatt, K. Uberla, M. Epple, V. Temchura, Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticle-Based Vaccines as a Platform for Improvement of HIV-1 Env Antibody Responses by Intrastructural Help, Nanomaterials (Basel) 9(10) (2019). https://doi.org/10.3390/nano9101389
V. Sokolova, L. Rojas-Sanchez, N. Bialas, N. Schulze, M. Epple, Calcium phosphate nanoparticle-mediated transfection in 2D and 3D mono- and co-culture cell models, Acta Biomater. 84 (2019) 391-401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2018.11.051
A. Arce-Rodriguez, F. Puente-Sanchez, R. Avendano, E. Libby, L. Rojas, J.C. Cambronero, D.H. Pieper, K.N. Timmis, M. Chavarria, Pristine but metal-rich Rio Sucio (Dirty River) is dominated by Gallionella and other iron-sulfur oxidizing microbes, Extremophiles 21(2) (2017) 235-243. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00792-016-0898-7
L. Rojas, H. Olmedo, A. Piñeres-García, C. Silveira, L. Tasic, L. Fraga; M. L. Montero, Simple route for nano-Hydroxyapatite properties expansion. Biomed. Mater., 2015; 10:055015. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-6041/10/5/055015
H. Olmedo, M. Herrera, L. Rojas, M. Villalta, M. Vargas, E. Leiguez, C. Teixeira, R. Estrada, J.M. Gutiérrez, G. León, M.L. Montero, Comparison of the adjuvant activity of aluminum hydroxide and calcium phosphate on the antibody response towards Bothrops asper snake venom. J Immunotoxicol 11(1), (2014) 44-49. https://doi.org/10.3109/1547691X.2013.772267
A. Ulloa, C.S. Campos-Fernández, L. Rojas, Cueva Los Minerales, volcán Irazú, Costa Rica: descripción, mineralogía y origen. Rev. Geol. Amér. Central 48 (2013), 169-187.
Inorganic Chemistry at University of Costa Rica 