Curriculum vitae
CURRICULUM VITAE
RODRIGO GONZALO TORRES SAEZ
Biochemist, PhD
Office Address:
Edificio 7, Piso 3
Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo
Piedecuesta, Santander
COLOMBIA
E-mail: rodrigo.torres@ecopetrol.com.co
CV SUMMARY
Rodrigo Torres is currently working at the Colombian Petroleum Institute - ECOPETROL, in Bucaramanga-Colombia. As professional, Rodrigo obtained his PhD from the Molecular Biology Department at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Spain, and his BSc. in Biochemistry and MSc. in Biochemical Engineering from the Schools of Chemistry and Biochemical engineering at Universidad Catòlica de Valparaìso, Chile.
His research has been focused in the Field of Applied Biochemistry, with special emphasis on enzyme technology, biocatalysis and biotranformations, bioremediation for different applications on biotechnology. Currently, he is exploring in proteomics and peptide synthesis and the nanotechnology field for biomedical applications.
Professor Torres has directed several biotechnology projects in different areas, such as pharmaceutical, agricultural and environmental technology, working mainly with enzymes and microorganisms. In addition, he has an academic and industrial experience in the biotechnology field carrying out different biotechnology projects at different scales, and funded by academic, industrial and government organizations working with a multidisciplinary equipment of academics, scientists and students. Moreover, Professor Rodrigo is a highly motivated academic, with an integral vision of science and technology, and with excellent relationships with his research group and colleagues.
EDUCATION
2004 PhD. Biochemistry (Molecular Biology). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. Spain.
Thesis: “Development of new simple methods for protein immobilization: Improvement of Stability and Selectivity of Industrial Enzymes”. Summa Cum Laude.
Advisor: Prof. José Manuel Guisan Seijas.
1993 MSc. Biochemical Engineering. Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso. Chile.
Thesis: “Production bioprocess of penicillin acylase from Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14945”. Cum Laude.
Advisor: Prof. Andres Illanes Frontaura.
1990 Biochemist (MA). Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Chile.
Research Project:“Determination of kinetic parameters of Beta-glucosidase from Chrysonilia sitophila for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic wastes". Cum Laude
Advisor: Prof. Sybill O`Reilly.
1989 BSc. Biochemistry. Universidad Catolica de Valparaíso. Chile.
Thesis: “Studies of conformational changes in the pre-albumin caused by thyroxin interaction using Fluorescence Spectroscopy”.
Advisor: Prof. Gustavo Gonzalez.
Areas of Academic and Research Experience
Protein Engineering, Biocatalysis and Biotransformations, Protein Purification, Bioanalysis, Molecular Biology of Proteins, Simulation of Bioprocess, Functional Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Bioconjugate chemistry.
Research Interest
NanoBiotechnology, Protein Engineering, Bioconjugate Chemistry, Proteomics, Applied Biochemistry.
HONORS AND AWARDS
2014 Member of the Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales de Colombia
2002 Graduate Studies Scholarship ICP-CSIC-Spain
2001 Graduate Studies Fellowship ICFES-UIS-Colombia.
2001 Colombian Chemical Engineering Award Chemical Engineering Association-Colombia.
1995 Graduate Studies Fellowship ICRO-UNESCO-USA
1991 Graduate Studies Scholarship UCV and Conicyt-Chile.
MEMBERSHIP TO PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Society of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, European Federation of Biotechnology, American Chemical Society, Colombian Chemical Society
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
- EMPLOYMENT
2014-Present Research Scientist Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo-Colombia
2013-2014 Full Professor Universiodad Industrial de Santander-Colombia
2009-2013 Associate Professor Universidad Industrial de Santander-Colombia
2006-2009 Assistant Professor Universidad Industrial de Santander-Colombia
2001-2005 Research Assistant Universidad Autonoma de Madrid-Spain, Biocatalysis Department at Institute of Catalysis
1998-2000 Auxiliar Professor Universidad Industrial de Santander-Colombia
1997 Lecturer Universidad Industrial de Santander-Colombia
1996-1997 Associate Scientist Colombian Petroleum Institute-Colombia
1994-1995 Associate Scientist Universidad del Valle-Colombia
1992-1993 Research Assistant Universidad Católica de Valparaíso-Chile
1991 Research Assistant Santiago Brewery-Chile
1989-1991 Teaching Assistant Universidad Católica de Valparaíso-Chile
- INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
1998-1999 LEVAPAN COMPANY-COLOMBIA
Research Consultant
- Designed a new bioprocess production of baker`s yeast with high content of the tripeptide glutathione at pilot scale.
- Collaborated with the Research Department of the Company in the improvement of different bioprocesses, such as, yeast extracts production (low salt, high ribonucleotide content, etc.), strain improvement, etc.
- Molecular characterization of yeast strains collection from the company were carried out.
1996-1997 COLOMBIAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE-ECOPETROL-ICP-COLOMBIA.
Associate Scientist.
- Worked in Research Projects in the Environmental Section of Biotechnology Laboratory from ICP.
- Developed a new biocatalytical process for demetallization (Ni and V) of Castilla Crude Oil, using enzymes.
- Collaborated in the design a new bioprocess for Barium removal from oil production waters at industrial scale
- Improved bioremediation process at pilot scale by means of using of oxidative bioprocess.
- ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE
2005-present UNIVERSIDAD INDUSTRIAL DE SANTANDER-COLOMBIA
Assistant Professor (2005-2009), Associate Professor (2009-present)
- Director of Graduate Program (PhD and MSc) in Chemistry
- Director and member of the Biochemistry and Microbiology Group
- Advisor of MSc and PhD thesis in Chemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering and System Engineering.
- Developed new graduate courses: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry and Bioinformatics.
- Performed research projects on Applied Biochemistry with emphasis in protein biotechnology and Biocatalysis and Biotransformations.
2001-2004 UNIVERSIDAD AUTONOMA DE MADRID-INSTITUTO DE CATÁLISIS Y PETROLEOQUIMICA-CSIC-SPAIN.
- Lectured Laboratory of Biochemistry course for Undergraduate students from Molecular Biology Program.
- Collaborated in the Biocatalysis course for graduate students from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program.
- Performed research work on Enzyme Technology, Chemical Modification of Polymers for enzyme immobilization, Protein Engineering for Protein Modification and Metagenomics for discovery of new enzyme functions.
1998-2000 UNIVERSIDAD INDUSTRIAL DE SANTANDER-COLOMBIA
Auxiliar Professor
- Director and member of the Biochemistry and Protein Engineering Group
- Performed research work in Environmental Biotechnology, in fields such as, Bioremediation, Heavy Metal Bio-demetallization and Agro-industrial wastes bioprocessing,
1994-1995 UNIVERSIDAD DEL VALLE-COLOMBIA
- Collaborated in the design of Research Programs on Environmental and Process Biotechnology from The BIOTEC Corporation.
- Performed research work in Starch Bioprocessing for lactic acid production (for biopolymer and food applications) and solid state fermentation for organic acid production.
1991-1993 UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE VALPARAISO-CHILE
- Assisted with teaching activities for graduate course on Biochemical Engineering.
- Lectured Biochemistry and Laboratory of Biochemistry courses for undergraduate students from Biology, Biochemical Engineering and Biochemistry.
- Performed research work on Enzyme and Fermentation Technology, working in cell culture of microorganisms and downstream processing of primary metabolite.
- TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- Undergraduate Courses (School of Biology, Chemistry, Medicine and Chemical Engineering)
2010. Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry
2009. Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry
2008. Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry
2007. Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry
2006. Biochemistry, Laboratory of Biochemistry
2005. Biochemistry (Metabolism), Organic chemistry I, Research I
2000. Biochemistry, Biochemistry (Metabolism)
1999. Analytical Chemistry I, Biochemistry (Macromolecules), Biochemistry (Metabolism)
1998. Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Chemistry I, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry
- Graduate Courses (MSc and PhD Program on Chemistry, MSc Program on Biomedical Sciences)
2010. Advanced topics in Biochemistry
2009. Medicinal Biochemistry, Advanced topics in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics.
2008. Advanced Topics in Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Seminars in Research Methodology
2007. Bioinformatics, Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
2006. Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
2005. Medicinal Biochemistry, Bioinformatics
2000. Advanced Topics in Biochemistry
1999. Advanced Biochemistry
1998. Advanced Biochemistry
RELATED SKILLS
- Languages: English and Spanish.
- Programming languages: Fortran, Pascal, ISIM
- Scientific Computing: Matlab
- Advanced Operation of Equipments and Method developments: Protein Electrophoreris (1D and 2D), DNA isolation, DNA electrophoresis, PCR, RT-PCR, Screening Methods (ELISA, HTS), FTIR, UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Circular Dichroism, Liquid Chromatography (HPLC, RP-HLC, Chiral-HPLC, HPLC-MS), Protein Purification by Chromatography, Separation techniques, Chemical Modification of Polymers and Biopolymers, Peptide Synthesis, Fermentation Cultures at different Scales (Batch, Continuous, Fed-Batch), Micro and Ultrafiltration, Downstream Processing of Biomolecules Design, Bioprocess Design.
Patents
1.“ Laminar Biological Filter for pollutant removal from industrial effluents“. COLOMBIA C 2 F 3 30. File N° 97 71368. Date: 05/12/97.Inventors: Mogollón, L., Rodríguez, R., Larrota, W. and Torres, R. Instituto Colombiano del Petróleo (ICP) Empresa Colombiana de Petróleos (ECOPETROL). Bucaramanga, Colombia.
2.”New Immobilization Method for Enzymes and other Biomacromolecules on Supports activated with Epoxy groups containing ionizated groups in the spacer arm that binds every epoxy group onto the support surface”. SPAIN. Spanish Patent N° 200300428. Date: 21/02/2003. Inventors: Guisan, J.M., Fernández-Lafuente, R., Mateo, C., Torres, R., Fernandez-Lorente, G., Ortiz, C., Fuentes, M., Hidalgo,A., Palomo, J.M., López-Gallego, F., Betancor, L. and Pessela , B.C.C. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-España and Resindion S.R.L.-Mitsubishi Chemical Company, Milan, Italia.
RESEARCH RECORD
Current Projects at the Laboratory of Biochemistry-UIS
Comparative Analysis of genomic expression between parasites from Trypanosoma cruzi groups I and II isolated in Chile and Colombia
PI: Rodrigo Torres,Clara Gonzàlez
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia, Colciencias-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 165,000
2007-2010
Identification of produced biomarkers from pro B natriuretic peptide as mortality predictors in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)
PI: Rodrigo Torres,Gerardo Muñoz, Patricio López
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia, Colciencias-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 135,000
2008-2010
Production of bioethanol and biobuthanol using Colombian cassava starch as substrate
PI: Daniel Molina, Luz Angela Carreño, Rodrigo Torres, Caludia Ortiz
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia, Colciencias-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 350,000
2008-2010
Biodiesel Production from oil obtained from Colombian Native Microalgae
PI: Viatcheslav Kafarov, Alexander Guzmán, Rodrigo Torres Sàez, Claudia Ortiz, Astrid Pimiento
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia, Ministerio de Agricultura
Amount Funded: US250.000
2009-2010
Past Projects at the Laboratory of Biochemistry-UIS
Isolation and characterization of immune-modulating proteins of salival glands from Lutzomyia trapidoi.
PI: Rodrigo Torres, Gerardo Muñoz
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 7,500.
2007-2008
Kinetic Resolution of chiral pharmaceutical through insolubilized lipases
PI: Claudia Ortiz, Rodrigo Torres, Aide Perea
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 7,500
2007-2008
Metagenome Conservation from Colombian Forest of high biodiversity
PI: Rodrigo Torres, Manuel Ferrer
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE.-Colombia, Programa Andrès Bello, CSIC-Spain, Colciencias-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 30,000
2007-2008
Process simulation of phenol biotransformation from petroleum refinery industrial waste-waters
PI: Rodrigo Torres, Claudia Ortiz, Cristian Blanco, Nubia Ramírez
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE-Colombia, ECOPETROL-ICP-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 100,000
2006-2008
Lab Scale Production of Lignolytic Enzymes from Basidiomycetes using tropical agronindustrial by-products as substrate.
PI: Rodrigo Torres
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 2,500
2000
Biocatalytical Oxidation of Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in organic media.
PI: Rodrigo Torres
Source of Funds: Universidad Industrial de Santander-VIE-Colombia.
Amount Funded: US$ 2,500
1999
Biocatalytical removal of Ni and V from Heavy Crude Oil fractions
PI: Jorge Grosso, Leonardo Mogollon, Rodrigo Torres, William Larrota, Raul Rodríguez
Source of Funds:ECOPETROL-ICP, Chevron Petroleum Co.
Amount Funded: US$ 250,000
1996-1997
UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING RECORD
- Finished:
- “Hydrolysis of cassava starch using soluble and insolubilized preparations of recombinant alpha-amylase from Aspergillus niger” . Andrea Peña, Chemistry (2009). DIRECTOR.
- “Purification of immunogliblulins from permeate whey serum by different chromatographic techniques” Cèsar Bernal, Chemistry. (2009). DIRECTOR.
- “Study and preparation of cross-linked aggregates of amyloglucosidase from Streptomyces rubiginosus for optimization of catalytical properties and termal stability of the enzyme”. Laura Chaparro, Chemistry. (2009). DIRECTOR.- “Design and implementation of different methods for quantification of Pseudomonas putida biomass in complex media”, Leidy Niño, Chemistry (2009).DIRECTOR.
- “Development of new multifunctional supports for immobilization of lipase from Candida antarctica B. Kinetic resolution of (±) athenolol y (±) propranolol”. César Ariza Villamil, Chemistry.(2009). CO-DIRECTOR.
-“Synthesis, characterization and preparation of hydrogels from di-acrylated poly-ethylene-glycol (DA-PEG) and collagen type I, and its potential application in tissue engineering”. Viviana Güiza Argüello, Chemical Engineering. (2009)- COR-DIRECTOR
- “Software tool for the protein analysis and identification from spots in protein 2D-electrophoresis images”. Cristian Camilo Peña Alvarez, Luzby Stiwenson López Amado, System Engineering (2009). CO-DIRECTOR
- “Enantioselective Hydrolysis of (R,S)-Methyl Mandelate catalyzed by cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) from Candida antarctica lipase B”. Jennifer Cruz Laiton, Chemistry (2009).
- “Biotransformation of limonene by means of chloroperoxidase enzyme from Caldariomyces fumago”. Ginna Paola Arias Moyano, Chemistry (2008). DIRECTOR.
- “Glucoamylase biosynthesis by Rhizopus spp using Solid State Fermentation with Cassava Starch as substrate”. Aura Judit Cuadros Martínez, Biology (2008). DIRECTOR.
- “Study of the oligomarization of invertase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae through intermolecular cross-linking”. Johanna Florez Castillo, Chemistry (2008). DIRECTOR.
- “Kinetic reslution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate using immobilized preparations of lipase from Candida antarctica B”. Andrés Mauricio Escorcia Cabrera, Chemistry (2008). CO-DIRECTOR.
- “Evaluation of the effect of different Reducing Thiosulphate Bacteria in the corrosion of buried pipes in production areas from Neiva”. Sergio Antonio Garrido, Chemistry (2008). CO-DIRECTOR.
- “Study of the insertion of k-DNA from Trypanosoma cruzi in the genome of chagasic patients” Carolina Chacín Peñaloza, Chemistry (2008). DIRECTOR.
- “Preparation of cross-linked aggregates of peroxidase from Royal palm leaves using bovine serum albumin as proteic source”. Nazzoly Rueda Arango, Chemistry (2007). DIRECTOR.
- “Mathematical model and Simulation of phenol biotransformation in treatment plants of industrial waste-waters from Barrancabermeja Refinery” Crisóstomo Alberto Barajas Solano, System Engineering (2007). DIRECTOR.
- “Simulation of soil biorremediation processes”. Wilmar Ortiz Jaimes, Chemical Engineering (2007). DIRECTOR.
- “Biotransformation of halogenated terpenes by means of marine fungi Penicillium brevicompactum y Geotrichum sp.”. Silvia Milena Orejarena Díaz, chemistry Química (2007). DIRECTOR.
- “Comparative study of antigenic proteins from Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated in Colombia”. Yeni Bueno Duarte, Chemistry (2007). DIRECTOR.
- “Elaboration of an active biological support for degrading hydrogen sulphide generated in UASB reactors from the PTAR- Río Frío in Bucaramanga”. Edgardo Portilla Restrepo, Chemistry (2006). DIRECTOR.
- “Elaboration of crosslinked enzyme aggregates of peroxidase from Royal Palm (Roystonea regia) leaves”. Luis Oveimar Barbosa Jaimes, Chemistry (2006). DIRECTOR.
- “Biotransformation of organic dyes catalyzed by peroxidase from Royal Palm (Roystonea regia) leaves”. Carlos Alberto Graterón Santos, Chemistry (2006). DIRECTOR.
- “Effect of Zn2+, Mg2+, Cu2+ and Fe2+ on biosynthesis of amyloglucosidase from Aspegillus niger by solid and submerged fermentation”. Carlos Eduardo Delgado Sierra, Chemistry (2006). DIRECTOR.
- "Study of the biosorption of lead, cadmium and nickel using dry biomass from the fungus Rhizopus oryzae" Jeny Patricia Nino Guerrero., Chemistry (2001). DIRECTOR.
- “Biosorption of lead, chromium and cadmium using dry biomass from the fungus Trichoderma aureoviride”. Claudia Yolanda Reyes, Chemistry (2001). DIRECTOR.
- “Study of the effect of organic solvents on the biocatalytical activity of chloroperoxidase”. Edgar Gutierrez Infante, Chemistry (2001). DIRECTOR.
- “Production of lignolytic enzymes by Basidiomycetes through Solid State Fermentation”. Angélica María García Torres, Chemistry (2001). DIRECTOR.
- “Study of the solid state fermentation of Pleurotus spp in Packed Colum Bioreactors at laboratory scale”. Raúl Alberto Castillo Plazas, Chemistry (2001). DIRECTOR.
- Current Thesis:
- ”Chemical modification of lipases to increase stability and enantioselectivity properties of microbial lipases from Candida antarctica B and Candida rugosa”. Laura Tarazona. Chemistry.
- “Screening of lipase activity on microplates for evaluating enantioselectivity of lipases”. Johan Gualdrón. Chemistry.
- “Isolation and molecular characterization of new native Zymomonas mobilis sp isolated from colombian beverages for bioethanol production”. Laura Pinilla. Biology.
- “Synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antimicrobial activity against infective E.coli and S.aureus native strains”. Daissy Paredes. Chemistry.
GRADUATE ADVISING RECORD
Finished
- “Kinetic resolution of propranolol and athenolol by esterification reactions catalyzed by insolubilized lipases”. Luis Oveimar Barbosa Jaimes (2010), MSc. Chemistry. CO-DIRECTOR.
- “Development of a mathematical model and process simulation of phenol biotransformation in waste waters from petroleum refineries”. María Angélica Martínez Mendoza (2009). MSc.
Chemical Engineering. DIRECTOR.
- “Evaluation of agroindustrial residues as substrate for production of lignolytic enzymes using semi-solid state fermentation”. Sandra Milena Pinto Bohórquez (2004), MSc. Chemistry. DIRECTOR.
- “Evaluation of lignolytic enzyme production by white rot fungi using agroindustrial wastes as substrate”. Alejandra Marina Duarte Puentes (2004), MSc. Chemistry. DIRECTOR.
- “Study of laccase production by solid state fermentation using agroindustrial by-products” Fanny Dugarte Peña (2002), MSc. Chemical Engineering. DIRECTOR.
- “Analysis of catalytical behavior of two different peroxidases in organic phase systems”. Nelson Hernando Caicedo Ortega (2000), MSc. Chemical Engineering. CO-DIRECTOR.
- Current Thesis
- “Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae applied to ethanol production through metabolic flux analyses”. Carlos Eduardo García Sánchez, PhD. Chemical Engineering. DIRECTOR.
- “Deferential Proteomics of type I and II of Trypanosoma cruzi strains isolated from asymptomatic and symptomatic patients suffering Chagas disease”. Rocío del Pilar Niño, MSc Biomedical Sciencies. DIRECTOR.
- “Proteomic analysis of blood plasma from patients with acute coronary syndrome”. Yeni Bueno Duarte, MSc Biomedical Sciences. DIRECTOR.
- “Solid phase chemical synthesis of new peptides with biological activity on the Central Nervous System”. Andrés Escorcia, PhD Chemistry. DIRECTOR.
“Differential proteomic analysis of hippocampus and amygdale regions from cerebral samples of rats experimented to ansiogenic stress tests” Nasser Guerrero, MSc. Biomedical Sciences. DIRECTOR.
- “Synthesis of SIlver and Silica nanoparticles coated with antimicrobial peptides against different gram (+) and (-) bacteria”. Jennifer Laiton. MSc.Chemistry. DIRECTOR.
- “New basic software for Semiflexible Molecular Docking calcularions of ligand-protein interactions using artificial intelligence algorithms”. Paola Rondón, MSc. Systems Engineering. CO-DIRECTOR.
- “Design of a new software for prediction of secondary (2D) (alpha, beta and coli) and (3D) protein structures using Markov Hidden Models”. José Darío Mendoza, MSc Systems Engineering. CO-DIRECTOR.