Leticia V. Bentancor, PhD

My professional efforts are concentrated on developing novel therapeutic approaches to Hemolytic uremic syndrome, particularly those associated with the shiga-toxin producing bacteriophage.  My group was the first one to describe eukaryotic promoters driving toxin expression. We have pioneered methods for searching, In silico, for eukaryotic promoters in the genomes of bacteriophages that have been selected for use as antibacterial agents for human pathogens. In addition, my research team has discovered compounds that have the capacity to inactivate bacteriophage. These compounds can be used to block the phage infection and replication in bacteria. They can also interfere with the interaction of bacteriophage with eukaryotic cells. On the other hand, I am founder of, EMLAB, a Biotechnology company focused on the development, evaluation and production of monoclonal antibodies, either traditional antibodies or modified by genetic engineering to be used as reagents or as part of diagnostics kits. The main goal EMLAB is to develop novel reagents under the 3R`s concept: to Reduce, Refine and Replace the use of animals in research and development.