Detalle Profesor

Nuestros investigadores

Amaya Azqueta Oscoz

Centro(s)
Farmacología y Toxicología
Facultad de Farmacia y Nutrición Universidad de Navarra
Líneas de investigación
Biomonitorización humana, Daño y reparación de ADN, Nanotoxicología, Genotoxicología, Seguridad alimentaria
Grupos de investigación
Índice H
41, (WoS, 05/05/2023)

I did my PhD in Biology in the University of Navarra (UNAV, 2006) with several internships in Spain, Europe and Africa. My PhD thesis focused on the genotoxicity evaluation of a compound for cancer treatment. During this period, I was fascinated by the comet assay, used to detect DNA strand breaks. I was then a postdoctoral fellow in the research group on DNA Damage and Repair at the University of Oslo for more than 4 years, working in 2 European projects, on developing the comet assay to detect different DNA lesions and DNA repair. I applied the assay in in vitro models and humans, mainly in nutrition-related studies. During my postdoc I funded an spin- off company with some of my colleagues in Norway; the company is still ongoing. I returned to the Laboratory of Toxicology of UNAV with a 'Juan de la Cierva' National Grant (2011-2013). During this period, I set up different modifications of the comet assay and demonstrated the increased sensitivity of the assay when using enzymes to detect different DNA lesions. During an internship in the Autonomous National University of Mexico I learned to apply the comet assay in non-invasive human samples. Joining a European project on the development of nanomaterials as oral drug carriers, I coordinated the work-package on toxicity testing. In 2015 I obtained a 'Ramón y Cajal' contract, a National Consolidator Grant (2015-2020), and was also a finalist in the CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council)-LRI Innovative Science Award, with a proposal to modify the comet assay to measure different DNA lesions. In 2016 I obtained my 1st national project. The project was focused on my two main interests, the modification and validation of the in vitro comet assay and its application in food safety. A new version of the assay to measure alkylated lesions was developed and validated. I also improved the performance of the in vivo comet assay, used in regulatory toxicology. I was also involved in a COST Action (hCOMET) devoted to the use of the comet assay in human biomonitoring, chairing the working group on protocols. In September 2020, after passing the national I3 evaluation (Incentive Program for the Incorporation and Intensification of Research Activity) and being accredited by the Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation, I was contracted as a Professor by the UNAV. In 2021 I obtained the my 2nd national project, a continuation of the previous one, in which both the in vitro and the in vivo comet assay is further modified and validated. The genotoxicity of cooked meat after its in vitro digestion will be assessed. In 2021 I also obtained a European project one as a co-IP of the UNAV. This partnership-project is dedicated to the risk assessment of chemicals. The aim of the task I am working on is to develop methods and strategies to detect chemical that are non-genotoxic carcinogens. I have published over 122 scientific papers (H index: 41, WOS) and has participated in 17 European and National projects; in 4 as IP. I am currently the vice-president of the Environmental Mutagen and Genomics Societies (EEMGS) and part of the management committee of the Spanish affiliated society. I am also one of the councilors of the world-wide International Association of Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Societies (IAEMGS). Apart from the genotoxicity assessment and food safety, one of my interest is the development of alternative methods and in this regard, I am a collaborator of the Spanish Network of Alternative Methods (REMA). I have a wide collaborative network and has been involved in the organization of several national and international conferences. I am responsible for several courses at degree and master level and has supervised 19 undergraduate projects, 9 Master projects and 8 PhD students (3 of them ongoing).