Ciencias Exactas y Ciencias de la Salud

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/11285/551014

Pertenecen a esta colección Tesis y Trabajos de grado de los Doctorados correspondientes a las Escuelas de Ingeniería y Ciencias así como a Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud.

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A comparative study on chemically and phytogenically synthesized TiO₂ nanoparticles and their role in modulating plant growth and metabolic dynamics
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-12-04) Bhatti, Atiya; Navarro López, Diego Eloyr; mtyahinojosa, emipsanchez; Sánchez Martínez, Araceli; Lozano Sánchez, Luis Marcelo; Mejía Méndez, Jorge L.; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Estado de México; López Mena, Edgar René
The present research provides a comprehensive investigation of the synthesis, characterization, and agricultural applications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) developed via a conventional and eco-friendly (green synthesis method) route, focusing on their interactions with plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) in order to boost the physiological and antioxidant performance of Capsicum annuum cultivars. The TiO₂-NPs synthesized through the molten salt method exhibited a nano-cuboid structure, a negative surface charge, and a moderate surface area. While green-synthesized TiO₂-NPs obtained from blueberry natural extracts using isopropanol (TiO₂-I.P) and methanol (TiO₂-M) exhibited mesoporous polyhedral anatase structures (E₉ ≈ 3.0 eV), hydrodynamic sizes of 130–150 nm, and stable ζ-potentials ranging from −33 to −50 mV. The extracts rich in flavonoid and phenolic compounds provided distinctive surface functionalities, improving the stability and bioactivity of the nanoparticles (NPs). In-vitro compatibility studies indicated that TiO₂-NPs facilitated microbial proliferation up to 150 µg/mL without exhibiting toxicity, thereby enhancing Bacillus thuringiensis (B.t) (1.56–2.92×10⁸ CFU/mL) and Trichoderma harzianum (Th) (2.50–3.90 × 10⁸ spores/mL), greenhouse experiments revealed significant enhancements in plants shoot and root growth, as well as increases in fresh weight (F.W) and dry weight (D.W) biomass and chlorophyll content. When TiO₂-NPs were utilized either independently or in combination with PGPMs B.t, Th. The synergistic treatments significantly improved antioxidant and enzymatic responses. Including peroxidase (69.90 UA/g F.W), β-1,3-glucanase (2.45 nkat/g FW), total phenolic content (29.50 GA/g FW), and chlorophyll accumulation (210.8 ± 11.4 mg/mg FW). In the context of green formulations were observed, TiO₂-I.P increased number of leaves and height of plant, whereas the root elongation not greater than control. Specifically with individual microorganism B.t, Th combined with at moderate concentration of TiO₂-I.P improved F.W and D.W. Peroxidase levels significantly increased when 50 µg/mL of TiO₂-M combined with microorganisms B.t+Th, While TiO₂-I.P stimulated a wider range of antioxidant responses, at 150 µg/mL of both formulation increased the total proteins. In case of total chlorophyll content increased at 150 µg/mL of TiO₂-I.P alone or combination of microorganism B.t+Th. The results emphasize biphasic behavior that is dependent on both formulation and dose, influenced by the surface chemistry of NPs and their compatibility with beneficial PGPMs. This work advances a practical framework for precision and sustainable agriculture through the integration of nanotechnology and microbial biotechnology. Where the surface chemistry of NPs and their biological compatibility can be tailored to ensure reliable and useful outcomes in agricultural fields.
Microalgae-based bioremediation of food and beverage processing wastewater: A sustainable approach toward a circular economy concept
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-12-03) Najar Almanzor, César Eduardo; Carrillo Nieves, Danay; mtyahinojosa, emipsanchez; Luzardo Ocampo, Iván Andres; Gutiérrez Uribe, Janet Alejandra; Chairez Oria, Jorge Isaac; Detrell, Gisela; Santaeufemia Sánchez, Sergio; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Guadalajara; García Cayuela, Tomás
Food and beverage production generates large volumes of nutrient-rich wastewaters that pose severe environmental challenges when discharged untreated. Effluents such as nejayote (from tortilla production), tequila vinasses (from tequila distillation), and cheese whey (from cheese production) contain high organic loads and extreme pH values that contribute to eutrophication and ecosystem disruption. Developing sustainable technologies that mitigate pollution while enabling resource recovery is therefore essential for advancing circular and cleaner production. This thesis evaluates microalgae-based bioremediation as an alternative for the treatment and valorization of these agro-industrial effluents. The work encompasses algae adaptation, process scale-up, biomass characterization, and environmental assessment. A UV-mutagenesis and gradual acclimatization strategy enabled Chlorella vulgaris, Haematococcus pluvialis, and Anabaena variabilis to grow in undiluted wastewater, achieving pollutant reductions of 87–99.9% in nejayote, 31–81% in vinasses, and 35–56% in whey. Although substantial, these results indicate that microalgae are best suited as components of a hybrid treatment systems rather than standalone technology. The technology’s scalability was validated through the cultivation of H. pluvialis in 100-L raceway pond, which maintained high remediation performance and biomass productivity despite minor declines associated with evaporation. The biomass showed significant protein and ash content, supporting potential use as biofertilizer, feed ingredient, or nutraceutical ingredient. Biochemical and functional characterization of biomass grown in nejayote and tequila vinasses revealed reduced pigment and phenolic content due to cultivation stress. However, extracts retained cytokine-modulating activity in RAW 264.7 macrophages, indicating potential for use as nutraceutical ingredient, animal feed, or biofertilizers following safety validation. Life Cycle Assessment comparing a microalgae-based vinasse treatment with the conventional industrial process showed similar overall environmental burdens but substantial reductions in terrestrial ecotoxicity and human carcinogenic toxicity. It also highlighted the need for optimization in coagulant sourcing and energy integration. Overall, this work demonstrates that microalgae-based treatment of agro-industrial effluents is technically viable, environmentally promising, and aligned with a circular bioeconomy, while identifying key challenges that must be addressed to enable industrial implementation.
Investigating the impact of CD16b on the functional responses in human neutrophils
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-09-01) Cruz Cárdenas, José Antonio; Brunck, Marion Emilie Genevieve; emimmayorquin, emipsanchez; Rodríguez González, Mabel; Schnoor, Michael; Antunez Ricardo, Marilena; Vazquez Garza, Eduardo; Fernandes, Maria; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Monterrey
Neutrophils rely on Fc gamma receptors (FcgRs) to recognize IgG-opsonized pathogens, initiating antimicrobial functions such as phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytokine release, and SYK-dependent signaling. CD16b (FcgRIIIb), the most abundant FcgR on human neutrophils, is a GPI-anchored receptor lacking an intracellular domain, and its signaling mechanisms remain poorly understood. The rarity of CD16b deficient neutrophils in the population (<1%) limits direct investigation in primary cells. To address this, we generated HL-60–derived neutrophil-like cell lines with CRISPR/Cas9 mediated deletion of either CD16b or CD32a (FcgRIIa) and performed functional assays including phagocytosis, ROS production, SYK phosphorylation, and cytokine profiling. Both CD16b-/- and CD32a-/- HL-60-derived clones differentiated normally into neutrophil-like cells and retained phagocytic capacity. However, FcgR-mediated ROS production and SYK activation were significantly impaired, particularly in CD16b-deficient cells. Cytokine responses were altered in a receptor-specific manner: CD16b-/- cells produced less IL-6 and IL-1β, whereas CD32a-/- cells produced less TNF-α and IL-10. These results highlight the distinct contributions of CD16b and CD32a to neutrophil effector functions and immune regulation. Complementing the model, we identified two healthy brothers naturally lacking CD16b on their neutrophils. Sequencing revealed mutations in exon 2 of FCGR3B resulting in loss of protein expression. FcgRIIIbnull neutrophils exhibited compensatory upregulation of CD16a and CD64 but showed impaired phagocytosis, ROS production, actin polymerization, and SYK-dependent signaling following stimulation with opsonized E. coli. Altered surface expression of FcgRIa, TLR-4, and CD11b was also observed upon bacterial challenge, suggesting broader regulatory effects of CD16b on neutrophil activation. Overall, this study combines engineered cellular models and rare human phenotypes to demonstrate that CD16b is a critical regulator of neutrophil antimicrobial functions and signaling. These findings provide mechanistic insight into FcgR biology and establish platforms for future investigation of receptor-specific contributions to neutrophil functions.
Development of biosensor-based diagnostic systems for breast cancer using biorecognition engineering techniques and machine learning approaches for biomarker discovery
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07-25) Mayoral Peña, Kalaumari; De Donato Capote, Marcos; emipsanchez; Artzi, Natalie; Víctor Manuel Treviño Alvarado; Alfaro Ponce, Mariel; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; González Peña, Omar Israel
Cancer is the second cause of mortality worldwide, while breast cancer is the second leading cause of global female mortality. Diagnosing and treating breast cancer patients at early stages is relevant for successful treatment and increasing the patient's survival rate. However, early diagnosis of this complex disease is challenging, especially in populations with limited healthcare services. As a result, developing more accessible and accurate diagnostic tools is necessary. The development of low-cost biosensor technologies that have been relevant in the last two decades, but these technologies are still in the process of reaching maturity. For these reasons, we decided to study two promising technologies that can be implemented in cancer biosensor development: 1) biorecognition engineering techniques; 2) machine learning approaches for biomarker discovery. The first technology comprises alternative techniques to generate molecules and molecule-based scaffolds with similar properties to those presented by antibodies. In this study, we presented a systematic analysis of the scientific peer-reviewed literature in the Web of Science from the last two decades to present the fundamentals of this technology and address questions about how it has been implemented in biosensors for cancer detection. The three techniques analyzed were molecularly imprinted polymers, recombinant antibodies, and antibody mimetic molecules. The PRISMA methodology included 131 scientific from 2019 to 2021 for further analysis. The results showed that antibody mimetic molecules technology was the biorecognition technology with the highest number of reports. The most studied cancer types were: multiple, breast, leukemia, colorectal, and lung. Electrochemical and optical detection methods were the most frequently used. Finally, the most analyzed biomarkers and cancer entities in the studies were carcinoembryonic antigen, MCF-7 cells, and exosomes. For the second technology, we developed a novel bioinformatics pipeline that uses machine learning algorithms (MLAs) to identify genetic biomarkers for classifying breast cancer into non-malignant, non-triple-negative, and triple-negative categories. Five Gene Selection Approaches (GSAs) were employed: LASSO (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator), Membrane LASSO, Surfaceome LASSO, Network Analysis, and Feature Importance Score (FIS). We implemented three factorial designs to assess the impact of MLAs and GSAs on classification performance (F1 Macro and Accuracy) in both cell lines and patient samples. Using Recursive Feature Elimination (RFE) and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) in the first four GSAs, we reduced the gene count to eight per GSA while maintaining an F1 Macro ≥ 80%. Consequently, 95.5% of our treatments with these gene sets achieved an F1 Macro or Accuracy ranging from 70.3% to 97.2%. As a result, 37 different genes were obtained. We analyzed the 37 genes for their predictive power in terms of five-year survival and relapse-free survival and compared them with genes from four commercial panels. Notably, thirteen genes (MFSD2A, TMEM74, SFRP1, UBXN10, CACNA1H, ERBB2, SIDT1, TMEM129, MME, FLRT2, CA12, ESR1, and TBC1D9) showed significant predictive capabilities for up to five years of survival. TBC1D9, UBXN10, SFRP1, and MME were significant for relapse-free survival after five years. The FOXC1, MLPH, FOXA1, ESR1, ERBB2, and SFRP1 genes also matched those described in commercial panels. The influence of MLA on F1 Macro and Accuracy was not statistically significant. Altogether, the genetic biomarkers identified in this study hold potential for use in biosensors aimed at breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. We concluded that both technologies had demonstrated their utility in cancer biosensor development for vulnerable populations with limited access to healthcare. However, further studies are required, and a long road exists to establish a commercial biosensor. For this reason, we generated a research proposal to develop a biosensor integrating this study's information in an optical and electrochemical sensing platform. Also, some designs of this biosensor and preliminary results are presented.
Production of secondary metabolites in environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa by genetic engineering tools
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07-24) Salazar García, Luis Mauricio; Licona Cassani, Cuauhtémoc; emipsanchez; Ponce Noyola, Patricia; Soberón Chávez, Gloria; Orellana Montecino, Camila; Torres Acosta, Mario A.; Villalobos Escobedo, José Manuel; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Monterrey
La Biotecnología, a manera personal, consiste en la aplicación de microorganismos como un medio para la obtención de productos útiles y con ello satisfacer una necesidad. Para tal fin se necesitan herramientas eficaces para favorecer a que estos organismos nos apoyen a resolver esas necesidades. Este trabajo se enfoca al establecimiento de una técnica de edición genética que apoye al desarrollo y estudio de microorganismos. Dentro de los microorganismos con mayor versatilidad se encuentran las bacterias, en donde aquí se usaron como modelo de estudio dos cepas de Pseudomonas. Dentro de la colección del laboratorio contamos con una cepa aislada en el Golfo de México en un derrame petrolero. Esta cepa se identificó y se denominó como P. aeruginosa IGLPR01. Debido a su contexto ambiental, este microorganismo tiene la capacidad de usar hidrocarburos como fuente de carbono, por lo que se visualizó como un candidato de interés para realizar pruebas y estudios de biorremediación. Además de estudiar y caracterizar esta cepa, se propuso el reto de hacer edición genética para aumentar aún más esas capacidades que la hicieron crecer en condiciones extremas. Esto, como se detallará más adelante, representó un fuerte reto ya que los microorganismos ambientales no son tan dóciles como lo representan los microorganismos modelo que encontramos a diario en los laboratorios de investigación. En esta primera parte, se enfocó en poder montar una técnica de edición efectiva que permitió la generación de una mutante en el gen rpoS para la producción de Piocianina. Este compuesto es naturalmente producido por P. aeruginosa IGLPR01, y la mutante lo sobre produce dando un fenotipo de coloración verdosa en el medio de cultivo. Junto con esto, observamos y cuantificamos la producción de otros metabolitos importantes como son los ramnolípidos; además de aplicar el sobrenadante a pruebas de emulsificación sobre gasolina como simulación rápida de un proceso de biorremediación. Una vez teniendo esta técnica de edición decidimos aplicarla para aportar al estudio del género Pseudomonas. Este género es de especial interés ya que la Organización de las Naciones Unidad ubica a Pseudomonas aeruginosa como un microorganismo que representa una amenaza a la salud pública por su resistencia a los antibióticos y ser causa de infecciones nosocomiales. Debido a que el gen rpoS es un factor  de respuesta a estrés, y ya que teníamos la estrategia de edición exitosa dirigida hacia este gen, decidimos probar si funcionaría en una cepa patógena de humano. Seleccionamos la cepa P. aeruginosa PA14, una cepa modelo para el estudio de procesos infecciosos en humanos. Una vez obtenida la mutante, decidimos realizar análisis de transcriptómica y metabolómica para evaluar el mecanismo de respuesta a estrés que está relacionado con el gen rpoS. Así, en la presente tesis, se presenta como se logró establecer una técnica de edición en una cepa de P. aeruginosa ambiental, junto con la detección y cuantificación de metabolitos de interés; además de la aplicación de la metodología a la cepa patógena P. aeruginosa PA14 para contribuir en la descripción de los mecanismos de respuesta a estrés. Finalmente, esperamos que este trabajo sirva como base para motivar a la edición genética de microorganismos ambientales, ya que muchos de los problemas actuales podrían resolverse al observar a la naturaleza como fuente inspiradora de soluciones.
Psychophysiological evaluation of an online method for learning aimed at children with reading and mathematical difficulties
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-07-04) Corona González, César Emmanuel; Alonso Valerdi, Luz María; emipsanchez; Gómez Velázquez, Fabiola Reveca; Ramírez Moreno, Mauricio Adolfo; Ericka Janet Rechy Ramírez; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; Ibarra Zárate, David Isaac
The present research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Smartick, a serious game that includes an online method for learning, aimed at improving educational outcomes among children with reading or math difficulties. Although serious games are increasingly used in academic settings, many lack a strong pedagogical foundation, making it difficult to identify truly effective tools. To address this gap, 76 children aged 7 to 13 were recruited for this study (𝐱̅=𝟗.𝟖𝟖,𝐒𝐃=𝟏.𝟒𝟒) who come from unfavorable socioeconomic conditions and family environments. The methodology was structured in four stages. In stage 1, a screening evaluation for reading and math skills, where two groups were formed, reading difficulties and math difficulties. This assessment addressed (1) reading ability, (2) mathematical fluency, (3) calculation, (4) orthographic errors, (5) phonological errors, and (6) selective attention. Then, stage 2 consisted of a first psychometric and electrophysiological evaluation. The reading difficulties group underwent psychometric assessments focused on reading speed and reading comprehension, whereas the math difficulties group were assessed in math knowledge. Moreover, IQ was estimated for both groups. After that, EEG recordings were collected for each child in baseline state and while performing either a reading or math activity. Additionally, EEG task performance was considered in the process regarding correct answers and response time. During stage 3, each child was reallocated into the experimental subgroup (reading group, n = 19; math group, n = 19), where Smartick must be used, or the control subgroup (reading group, n = 16; math group, n = 22), who did not receive any intervention. Both groups were followed up for 3 months. Finally, stage 4 comprised a second psychometric and EEG assessment. Power Spectral Density was calculated across 15 regions, within theta (4-8 Hz), alpha (8-13 Hz), low beta (13-20 Hz), and high beta (20-30 Hz) bands. Psychometric results suggest that the experimental subgroups improved in reading comprehension (𝒑=𝟎.𝟎𝟑𝟔𝟑) and mathematical knowledge (𝒑=𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟔𝟏), respectively, compared to control groups. Statistical analysis revealed that children in the RDG experimental group showed significant changes in all bands in left parietal, centroparietal, and temporal areas. However, only small effect size was found in the left temporal area. In contrast, the control group showed no significant difference across any frequency band. On the other hand, no notable EEG synchronization or desynchronization patterns were observed in either the experimental or control groups in the MDG. Effect size revealed that negligible significant differences were found across the bands. On the other hand, the experimental group in the MDG exhibited small effect sizes in the left centroparietal region, known for its role in working memory during mental arithmetic, and the right frontocentral, temporal, and centroparietal regions, which are linked to visuospatial numerical processing. While no patterns indicative of improved learning was identified, this work shows a trend between EEG power values and language-related regions that would be worth investigating in depth. It is suggested that the low IQ levels and adverse conditions of the participants may have limited the children's performance, so a more homogeneous sample in terms of intellectual capacity and socioeconomic status could reveal more significant changes.
Local immunomodulatory strategies to enhance allogeneic pancreatic islet engraftment in a vascularized subcutaneous platform for the treatment of type 1 diabetes
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-06-13) Campa Carranza, Jocelyn Nikita; Cuevas Díaz Durán, Raquel; emipsanchez; Nichols, Joan E.; Zavala Arcos, Judith; Lozano García, Omar; Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud; Campus Monterrey; Grattoni, Alessandro
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease marked by pancreatic β-cell destruction, leading to lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin therapy. Pancreatic islet transplantation offers a functional cure, but clinical application is limited by poor graft engraftment, hypoxia-related cell loss, and dependence on chronic systemic immunosuppression. This thesis investigates local immunomodulation approaches to improve allogeneic islet engraftment in a vascularized subcutaneous platform, the Neovascularized Implantable Cell Homing and Encapsulation (NICHE) device. Specifically, it evaluates the immunomodulatory and proangiogenic roles of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the localized delivery of clinically relevant immunosuppressive agents. Experiments were conducted in immunocompetent diabetic rats, with sex included as a biological variable. MSC-loaded NICHE devices promoted robust vascularization and improved islet engraftment, even in the context of diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction. High-dimensional immune profiling demonstrated that MSCs transiently reduced innate immune infiltration and inflammatory cytokines and preserved regulatory T cells. Sex-specific differences were observed, with female rats exhibiting improved vascularization and immune regulation. Additionally, local immunosuppression was explored revealing different immunomodulatory profiles, and drug retention at the graft site with minimal systemic exposure. Together, this work supports a combinatorial local immunomodulation approach integrating MSCs and targeted immunosuppression. The NICHE platform provides a clinically relevant strategy for long-term islet engraftment without systemic immunosuppression, advancing safer, more effective therapies for T1D.
Engineering scalable exosome isolation platforms and biomimetic scaffolds for ADSC-based regenerative therapies
(2025-06-12) Torres Bautista, Abril Lorena; González Valdes, José; Torres Acosta, Mario A.; Romero Robles, Laura E.; Aguilar Jiménez, Oscar A.; Benavides Lozano, Jorge A.; Sawadkar, Prasad
The therapeutic use of exosomes, small extracellular vesicles involved in paracrine signaling and intercellular communication, has emerged as a promising alternative to cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. However, their clinical application remains limited by challenges in scalable production, efficient purification, and functional validation in biologically relevant models. This dissertation addresses these limitations by integrating bioprocess optimization with engineered human-based platforms for tissue regeneration. The experimental work presented in this thesis is divided into two main parts. The first part explores strategies for the scalable and selective isolation of exosomes from mammalian cell cultures. This included the design and optimization of aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) for the purification of CaCo2-derived exosomes, which achieved high recovery efficiency (>80%) with minimal protein contamination. A comprehensive review of emerging technologies such as microfluidics, membranebased methods, and bioreactor platforms was also conducted and classified according to their scalability and purity output. The second part investigates the regenerative and immunomodulatory potential of ADSC and their exosomes using advanced biomimetic systems. A human in vitro burn wound model was developed to assess the impact of ADSC-derived exosomes on macrophage modulation and angiogenesis, resulting in enhanced vascularization and the immunomodulatory regulation of IL-6 and IL-10 expression. In parallel, a set of tunable ternary scaffolds composed of collagen, elastin, and fibrin were developed to support adipose tissue regeneration both in vitro and in vivo. The scaffolds enhanced the adipogenic differentiation of ADSCs without external induction, as confirmed by the upregulation of adipogenic marker such as CEBPα, PPARγ, FABP4 and Caveolin-1. By combining scalable manufacturing strategies with functional evaluation in biomimetic systems, this dissertation contributes to the development of next-generation platforms for exosome-based regenerative therapies. The findings presented here offer new insights into the engineering of both bioprocesses and bioactive scaffolds, supporting future applications in personalized medicine and soft tissue repair
Characterization and application of cricket anatomical fractions in sustainable food systems
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-04-25) De la Brena Meléndez, Alejandro; Tejada Ortigoza, Viridiana Alejandra; emipsanchez; Espinosa Ramirez, Johanan del Pino; Pascacio Villafán, Carlos Andrés; Liceaga, Andrea; Welti Chanes, Jorge; School of Engineering and Sciences; Campus Monterrey; García Amézquita, Luis Eduardo
The growing interest in sustainable protein sources has led to increased exploration of edible insects, particularly Acheta domesticus. However, scaling their use in food systems requires a deeper understanding of how feed formulation, processing, and ingredient functionality interact to shape performance and product potential. This dissertation aims to address these knowledge gaps by developing an integrated strategy for the farming, processing, and formulation of A. domesticus-derived ingredients divided in 4 phases: Manuscript 1 (Chapter 2): “Diet optimization by Acheta domesticus self-selection of regional by product ingredients under an industrial farming system” shows that stage-specific self-selection diets using 13 Mexican agro-industrial ingredients (including 6 by-products, 2 food-grade waste materials, and 5 primary products) improved biomass yield (+59 %), survival (+35 %), and feed conversion efficiency (+14 %) versus broiler feed. Ingredient preferences varied by stage (fiber-rich corn bran during initiation, carb-rich corn flour during growth, and lipid-dense toasted sesame pasta during reproduction). This work supports stage-targeted strategies for efficient feed development. Manuscript 2 (Chapter 3): “Novel food ingredients: Evaluation of commercial processing conditions on nutritional and technological properties of edible A. domesticus and its derived parts” characterizes flours from three anatomical fractions (legs+antennae [LF], head+torso [HF], whole body [WF]) processed under three thermal regimes (T1 ≈ 115 °C/2 min @10 psi; T2 ≈ 90 °C/2 min; T3 ≈ 90 °C/30 min). Findings show that anatomical fraction, rather than processing temperature, drives differences in composition and functionality, with leg-based flours offering higher protein content (~70%) and techno-functional properties that are comparable (in practical terms) with whole cricket flour preparations suitable for diverse food applications. Manuscript 3 (Chapter 4): “Unveiling the protein profile and techno-functional potential of A. domesticus protein concentrates: A comparative study of different body parts” evaluates hexane-defatted protein concentrates from legs and antennae (LPC), head and torso (HPC), and whole body (WPC). LPC showed the highest protein content (75.2 g/100 g d.w.) and the highest foaming capacity (75.3%). Functional properties were broadly similar across fractions, while digestibility was highest in HPC (85.5%, PDCAAS = 0.86) and lowest in LPC (PDCAAS = 0.73). ATR-FTIR analysis revealed high β-sheet content in all fractions, with LPC showing the highest proportion (89.6%), indicating extensive protein aggregation that may contribute to reduced digestibility. All fractions displayed tropomyosin bands (~33 kDa), indicating potential allergenicity for individuals with crustacean allergies. These results demonstrate that anatomical fractionation can tailor the functional properties of A. domesticus protein concentrates, though improving the digestibility of LPC remains a key challenge for broader food applications. Manuscript 4 (Chapter 5): “Unlocking the potential of insect and plant proteins: Predicting techno-functional properties with machine learning” presents a dataset of 124 samples [66 single ingredients and 58 binary blends (insect–insect, insect–plant, plant–plant)]. Composition data were used to predict five techno-functional properties: water-holding capacity (WHC), oil-holding capacity (OHC), foaming capacity, oil-in-water emulsifying capacity (O/W EC), and water-in-oil emulsifying capacity (W/O EC). Six machine learning algorithms were tested in multi-output and single-output configurations. Spline regression performed best in multi-output mode (R² = 0.763, MAE ≈ 0.23) and was the most accurate for O/W EC and OHC, while Extreme Gradient Boosting outperformed other models for foaming capacity. Validation with new insect–plant blends showed relative errors within ±1–7% in balanced formulations. The models, while limited by dataset size and missing variables, provide a practical tool for predicting functional properties and reducing empirical trials in ingredient formulation. This dissertation presents an integrated strategy to advance the use of Acheta domesticus as a functional food ingredient. It shows that stage-specific feeding with regional agro-industrial by-products improves farming outcomes, anatomical fractionation creates ingredients with distinct nutritional and functional properties, and machine learning models can predict techno-functional behavior from composition data. Together, these findings support the efficient incorporation of A. domesticus-based ingredients into food systems.
Design and characterization of a biosensor for the detection of codon-readthrough inducers
(Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, 2025-02-28) Trejo Alarcón, Luisa María; Licona Cassani, Cuauhtémoc; emipsanchez; Utrilla Carreri, José; García Echauri, Sergio A.; Rodríguez López, Carlos Eduardo; García García, Jorge Donato; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias; Campus Monterrey; Cruz Morales, Pablo
Las enfermedades raras afectan a menos del 0.05% de la población mundial y se atribuyen en gran medida a desórdenes genéticos que generan proteínas incompletas. Los inductores de codon-readthrough (CR), como algunos aminoglucósidos (AGs), han sido evaluados como terapias potenciales debido a su capacidad para restaurar la traducción de genes afectados. En este trabajo, desarrollamos un biosensor eficiente basado en levaduras para la detección de moléculas con actividad CR. Construimos una cepa de Saccharomyces cerevisiae con un plásmido conteniendo el gen reportero de luminiscencia nluc modificado para incluir un codón de terminación prematura (PTC), lo que lo hace no funcional. La actividad CR, inducida por AGs comerciales como G418, gentamicina, tobramicina y paromomicina, restauran la funcionalidad del gen, generando una señal de luminiscencia en ensayos in vivo en microplaca. El sistema fue aplicado al análisis de 91 cepas de actinobacterias aisladas, identificando un potencial inductor de CR, proveniente de la cepa Streptomyces sp. CR101A. A través de minería genómica, fraccionamiento por Cromatografía Líquida de Ultra Alta Resolución (UPLC) y espectrometría de masas (MS), se identificó un clúster de genes biosintéticos (BGC) como responsable de la producción de una molécula con un anillo ciclitol. Actualmente, se trabaja con herramientas de biología sintética como CRISPR/Cas9 para la generación de mutantes y expresión heteróloga, para confirmar la implicación del BGC detectado en la producción del inductor de CR.

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