Dr. Patricia Rico, Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine , Spain
Dr. Patricia Rico is a distinguished molecular biologist and Associate Researcher at the Spanish national biomedical network CIBER-BBN (Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine). Her research integrates bioengineering, molecular biology, and regenerative medicine to develop novel therapies for muscle injuries and epithelial cancers. With extensive experience in designing cellular microenvironments and stem cell niches, she has made significant strides in tissue engineering and cell-material interactions. Her interdisciplinary work connects basic science with clinical applications. Dr. Rico is widely recognized for her commitment to translational biomedical research and has contributed to pioneering studies in boron-based therapies and extracellular matrix dynamics.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
🎓 Education
Dr. Patricia Rico began her academic career with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (1994–1999), followed by a CAP Master for pedagogical aptitude (1999–2000). She completed doctoral coursework and earned the Diploma of Advanced Studies (DEA) between 2001 and 2003 as part of her PhD pathway. She earned her PhD in Molecular Biology in 2006, focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning regenerative biology. Her training also includes a Master in experimental animal research procedures (2013) and the European R3 certification (2023), showcasing her commitment to both scientific excellence and ethical research standards.
🧪 Experience
Dr. Rico currently serves as an Associate Researcher at the CIBER-BBN network within the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBERISCIII), where she leads and contributes to several interdisciplinary biomedical projects. Her role involves engineering cellular microenvironments, designing synthetic tumor niches, and integrating biomaterials into therapeutic models. She has collaborated with leading Spanish and European institutions, mentoring junior scientists and contributing to strategic biomedical innovations. Her career spans over two decades, with a consistent focus on cell-material interactions, matrix biology, and translational research. She also holds research identifiers through ORCID and ResearcherID to ensure her scholarly contributions are accessible.
🏅 Awards & Honors
Dr. Patricia Rico has earned recognition for her impactful contributions to molecular biology and biomedical engineering. She holds the European R3 Researcher Certification (2023), which highlights her experience and competency at the international level. Her research has been supported by prestigious biomedical institutions, including CIBER-BBN and ISCIII. While specific named awards were not listed in the provided CV, her consistent leadership in projects, research collaborations, and participation in national biomedical research consortia reflect a high level of academic trust and professional standing. She is also authorized to conduct animal-based biomedical research, underscoring her credibility in preclinical studies.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Rico’s research focuses on developing boron-based therapies for muscle injuries, aging, neuromuscular diseases, and muscular dystrophies. She designs biomaterial-based cellular microenvironments that modulate intracellular signaling and promote stem cell differentiation for regenerative purposes. Her work also targets the engineering of synthetic tumor niches for the treatment of epithelial cancers. With a strong emphasis on the extracellular matrix and integrin-mediated adhesion, she explores how ions like boron and zinc influence cell behavior. Her studies integrate stem cells, membrane receptors, and matrix proteins to unlock new biomedical solutions, particularly in bone, cartilage, and muscle tissue regeneration.
Publication Top Notes
📘 Role of material-driven fibronectin fibrillogenesis in cell differentiation 📊 Cited by 164 🗓️ 2011
📘 Effect of nanoscale topography on fibronectin adsorption, focal adhesion size and matrix organisation 📊 Cited by 146 🗓️ 2010
📘 Substrate-induced assembly of fibronectin into networks: influence of surface chemistry and effect on osteoblast adhesion 📊 Cited by 117 🗓️ 2009
📘 Role of surface chemistry in protein remodeling at the cell-material interface 📊 Cited by 104 🗓️ 2011
📘 Engineered 3D hydrogels with full-length fibronectin that sequester and present growth factors 📊 Cited by 99 🗓️ 2020
📘 Role of superhydrophobicity in the biological activity of fibronectin at the cell–material interface 📊 Cited by 78 🗓️ 2011
📘 Insights into the Selective Pressures Restricting Pelargonium Flower Break Virus Genome Variability 📊 Cited by 62 🗓️ 2006
📘 Subtle variations in polymer chemistry modulate substrate stiffness and fibronectin activity 📊 Cited by 57 🗓️ 2010
📘 In Situ Hydroxyapatite Content Affects the Cell Differentiation on Porous Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite Scaffolds 📊 Cited by 44 🗓️ 2016
📘 Effect of in situ formed hydroxyapatite on microstructure of freeze-gelled chitosan-based biocomposite scaffolds 📊 Cited by 43 🗓️ 2015
📘 Controlled wettability, same chemistry: biological activity of plasma-polymerized coatings 📊 Cited by 42 🗓️ 2012
📘 Effect of topological cues on material-driven fibronectin fibrillogenesis and cell differentiation 📊 Cited by 41 🗓️ 2012
📘 Zinc uptake promotes myoblast differentiation via Zip7 transporter and activation of Akt signalling 📊 Cited by 39 🗓️ 2018
📘 Development of a Ta/TaN/TaNx(Ag)y/TaN nanocomposite coating system and bio-response study 📊 Cited by 34 🗓️ 2017