On April 22nd at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Mireia Bernuz Gimeno presented her doctoral thesis titled “In vitro diagnostic designs for applications in health care.” This event was presided over by an esteemed committee including Maria Dolores Jaraquemada Perez De Guzman from the Department of Cellular Biology, Physiology, and Immunology at UAB as president, with Lluis Masip Vernis from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili as the secretary and Amanda Cano Fernández from Fundació ACE as a vocal member.
Summary of the Thesis
Mireia’s thesis addresses the critical demand for specific, sensitive, and rapid diagnostic methods that has intensified due to the rise of emerging diseases. Her research focuses on developing novel biomarkers for in vitro diagnostic applications in both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Highlighting the limitations of current methods in terms of cost, complexity, and accessibility, her work proposes innovative approaches that could revolutionize diagnostics in point-of-care settings.
Key Innovations and Findings
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as Cancer Biomarkers. Mireia developed a competitive magneto enzyme-linked miRNA assay to detect specific miRNAs within exosomes, such as miRNA21 and miRNA27a, which are indicators of breast cancer presence.
- Messenger RNA (mRNA) for Immune Response Evaluation. In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, she proposed a method to measure interferon gamma mRNA, streamlining the evaluation process and potentially aiding in prognosis.
- Neuro-Derived Exosomes for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis. Her work on neuro-derived exosomes utilizes neuron-specific biomarkers and beta-secretase detection in a magneto-actuated immunoassay, aiming for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
Impact and Future Applications
Mireia’s thesis emphasizes the potential of these diagnostic strategies to be readily adapted to primary healthcare facilities and resource-limited settings. The flexibility of her diagnostic platform to accommodate emerging health challenges makes it especially relevant in the wake of potential future pandemics.
Reflections on the Defense
The defense session was marked by rigorous examination and fruitful discussions, showcasing Mireia’s comprehensive understanding and innovative contributions to the field of in vitro diagnostics. The tribunal members, each bringing their expertise, provided insightful feedback that underscored the relevance and applicability of Mireia’s research.
As Mireia Bernuz Gimeno moves forward from this successful defense, her work stands to make significant impacts on the development of diagnostic technologies, making advanced testing more accessible and effective in combating global health challenges.