Center for Research in Multiscale Science and Engineering

PhD Thesis Defense - Marc Iglesias Fernández

Fundamentals of calcium phosphate nanotopographies as antibacterial surfaces

When

Mar 04, 2026 from 10:31 AM to 01:00 PM (Europe/Madrid / UTC100)

Where

Aula A1.02 - Edifici A - Campus Diagonal-Besòs (UPC)

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As part of the Doctoral Programme in Materials Science and Engineering, Marc Iglesias Fernández will be defending his PhD thesis on Wednesday, 4th March 2026, at 10:30, at the Escola d’Enginyeria de Barcelona Est (EEBE)

  • Name of the author: Marc Iglesias Fernández

  • Thesis title: Fundamentals of calcium phosphate nanotopographies as antibacterial surfaces

  • Thesis director: Prof. Montserrat Español Pons

  • Thesis co-director: Prof. Maria Pau Ginebra

This PhD thesis focuses on the development of synthetic bone grafts based on calcium phosphates with bactericidal nanotopographies. As antibiotic resistance limits the effectiveness of traditional treatments for surgical infections, this work explores bone grafts that combine osteogenic properties with intrinsic antimicrobial functionalities. The research characterizes the synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) nanostructures, specifically focusing on how nanopillar geometry and spacing influence bacterial mortality. Using advanced techniques such as Synchrotron Soft X-ray Cryo-Microscopy (Cryo-SXT) and XANES spectromicroscopy, the study visualizes sub-cellular interactions and membrane ruptures in a fully hydrated state.