Partner Universidad Politécnica del Centro (UPC)

General Description

The Universidad Politécnica del Centro is a Public University of the state that provides higher education through the generation, application and dissemination of knowledge and technological culture, to form comprehensively useful people, with human and academic quality through the development of quality research and University teaching, which allow to become a generator of the economic and social development of the progress of the State of Tabasco and the nation.

Role and Profile of key people

PhD  Sergio Gómez-Cornelio (M): Researcher at UPC. He studies the microbial ecology on the rocks and analyzes the interaction rock-microorganism by carrying out proofs of concept in the biodeterioration of the microorganisms, as well the possible ways of inhibition of these microorganisms. He is interested in assessing the potential impact of climate change on the rock surface and analyzing the behavior of microbial communities on cultural heritage.

Key Research Facilities, Infrastructure and Equipment

In the UPC we have microbiology laboratory with vertical autoclave, water still, laminar flow biological safety, cabinet fume extraction, drying oven, freezer, thermocycler, incubation oven, electrophoresis equipment, Gel documentation system for electrophoresis, spectrophotometers, refrigerators, analytical balances, stereoscopic and microscopes, granatary balances, centrifuges, water bath equipment, air extraction pump.

Independent research premises

In the UPC laboratory we have infrastructure to study microbial ecology and possible biodeterioration of historical monuments.

Previous Involvement in Research and innovation actions

Bioassay for the determination of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum microbicidal concentration (MFC), microdilution and agar-well diffusion, Time-Kill kinetic, Determination of antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles films, Determination of mycelial growth inhibition (MGI), Spore adhesion to solvents (hydrophobicity), Examination of structural damage to fungal by scanning electron microscopy. Account with fungi model for their role in the biomineralization and aesthetic biodeterioration of limestone and dolostone. In-site experiments on the effectiveness of compounds in cultural heritage.

Current involvement in Research and Innovation actions

Desarrollo y aplicación de materiales avanzados para la restauración y conservación de monumentos históricos. Fuente de financiamiento: Fronteras de la Ciencia-CONACYT Clave: 138. UPC will participate in the characterization of the microbial communities of the biofilms on the rock surface, and will carry out antimicrobial tests of nanocomposites in-situ.