At Alkemio, my primary responsibility involves leading the microbiology team and providing support across various scientific departments. Within the microbiology team, I am responsible for planning and executing research projects focusing on microalgae and cyanobacteria, ensuring alignment with company goals. Additionally, I explore new initiatives for research and development, seeking innovative approaches to enhance our recovery process.

As part of the R&D team, I participated in the characterization of Cas proteins (CRISPR-Cas) and various endonucleases, contributing to a deeper understanding of their properties and functionalities. I conducted molecular detection assays utilizing techniques such as quantitative PCR (qPCR), Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP), and LAMP combined with CRISPR. My role involved designing and optimizing experiments to achieve accurate and reproducible results. Additionally, I was responsible for writing comprehensive standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and compliance with laboratory standards.

In my thesis, I investigated the role of TcPARP in the metacyclogenesis of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Using Olaparib, a specific PARP inhibitor, and two differentiation techniques, TAU-TAU 3AAG medium and blood agar, I explored the effects of TcPARP inhibition on metacyclogenesis. Additionally, I examined the formation of autophagosomes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) during metacyclogenesis induction. Furthermore, I successfully generated a TcPARP knockout strain using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, thereby providing a valuable tool for future studies on the role of TcPARP in infection establishment.