Maribel Navarro-Muñoz

• Coordinate and oversee the Innovation team (1-5) in developing analytical methods for gene therapies, ensuring alignment with project timelines, quality standards, and company objectives.
• Lead the characterization of proteins and biologics using mass spectrometry to enhance the analysis and quality control of gene therapy products.
• Ensure adherence to GMP regulations, including during the research and innovation project development phase.
• Stay informed on advancements in advanced therapies medicional products (ATMPs), particularly lentivirus, adenovirus and adeno-associated virus, to support client projects related to production.
• Collaborate with the marketing team to expand and enhance the portfolio of analytical methods.

Main duties:

• Managed studies to meet high-quality standards (GMP and GLP) and elaborated/supervised primary data, final reports, and deviations (incidences, CAPA, OOS, etc.).
• Developed intact mass analysis and LC-MS/MS for protein characterization, and stress-testing analysis ensuring compliance with all documentation required (protocols, SOPs, etc.).
• Coordinated technical staff (1-5) and conducted customer meetings to define project scope and updates.
• Performed calibration and maintenance of the MS equipment.

Main duties

• Led, managed, and conducted R&D projects focused on developing uHPLC-MS/MS, intact protein MS, and gel electrophoresis methods for improving the detection of EPO in biological fluids by characterizing post-translational modifications of erythropoietin (EPO).
• Wrote two competitive grant applications.
• Teaching theoretical/experimental first-year student project on EPO and antidoping research (5 students in team, ECTS value:5).
• Teaching Experimental second-year Basic Biochemistry Course (BMB530, ECTS value: 5).

Key achievement

• The research resulted in one WADA (World Anti-doping Agency)-funded project and two PCC (Partnership for Clean Competition)-funded projects.
• Currently working on two manuscripts for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
  

Main duties

• Conducted an R&D project focused on developing HPLC-MS/MS methods to detect Growth Hormone in biological fluids (WADA, World Anti-doping Agency-funded project).
• Conducted R&D projects focused on the detection of biomarkers in biological fluids by developing abundant protein depletion methods, exosome isolation, and hydrogel nanoparticles.

Main duties

• Conducted an R&D project focused on the detection of serum circulating anti-Neu5Gc antibodies by ELISA in subjects receiving erythropoietin.
• In collaboration with Professor Peter Kristensen from Aarhus University (Denmark), worked on developing antibodies by Phage Display technology able to recognize changes in red blood cells related to storage lesions by flow cytometry and ELISA.
• In collaboration with Sciex, worked on developing HPLC-MS/MS methods to detect erythropoietin Neu5Gc-containing glycopeptides in biological fluids.
• Wrote two competitive grant applications.

Key achievement

• The research resulted in one publication, and two WADA (World Anti-doping Agency)-funded projects.

Main duties

• Designed and conducted an R&D project, aimed to identify peptide profiles associated with IgA-histological lesions by MALDI-TOF MS.
• Designed and conducted an R&D project, focused on establishing proteomic and genotyping profiles related to steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome.
• Supervised medical doctors in mass spectrometry research projects.

Key achievement

• The research resulted in one first-author, two co-authored publications, and several oral presentations at national and international meetings.

Main duties

• The Ph.D. research project aimed to detect for the first time mRNA B7-1 (CD80) expression in urinary podocytes by RT-qPCR and identify peptides/proteins as putative glomerular disease biomarkers by MALDI-TOF MS for non-invasive differentiation of glomerular kidney diseases.
• Development of attitude to collaborate closely with medical doctors, supervised one undergraduate and one master student, training them in laboratory techniques, procedures, and daily tasks.
• Development of knowledge to design a research project and to write competitive research applications.

Key achievement

• My Ph.D. resulted in three first-authors and four co-authored publications, and several posters and oral presentations at national and international meetings including an award-winning oral presentation.
• The research resulted in two ISCIII-funded projects (PI06/0878 and PI10/01424).
  

Main Duties:

• Testing blood and urine samples to determine the dual blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin-System effects on blood pressure and plasma levels of TGF-β1 in glomerular disease patients.
• Updated protocols and collecting data.

Key achievement:
Master thesis: "Study of TGF-beta 1 in dual-blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in glomerular disease".

Main Duties:

• Testing blood samples to characterize prothrombinase complex- dependent procoagulant activity on cultured monocytes.

Key achievement:

Final project: "Estudi de l'efecte del plasma humà sobre l'activitat procoagulant dels monòcits en cultiu".