CRS Labs Around the World - The Center for Innovation in Nanostructured Systems and Topical Administration (NanoTop) – University of São Paulo, Brazil

Renata F. V. Lopez is a Full Professor at the Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo (FCFRP-USP), and head of the Center for Innovation in Nanostructured Systems and Topical Administration (NanoTop). She serves as Vice Chair of the Graduate Program at FCFRP-USP, is a member of the Brazilian Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences (ABCF) advisory board, and Vice-Coordinator of the Support Center for Research in Physiopathology and Ocular Therapy. She also participates in the National Institute of Science and Technology in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (INCT-NanoFarma). In 2020, she founded the CRS Brazilian Local Chapter and served as its first president. She was a member of the Executive Committee of the CRS Women in Science (WIS) initiative, where she acted as liaison with the Local Chapters for two years.

Renata is recognized as a leading expert in Brazil in developing nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, particularly via non-invasive routes such as cutaneous, ocular, and pulmonary administration. Her group investigates how physical enhancement techniques, such as iontophoresis, ultrasound, and light, can improve nanoparticle interactions with complex biological barriers and modulate local immune and antimicrobial responses. Brazilian funding agencies, including FAPESP and CNPq primarily support her work. International collaborations include joint graduate programs and research with Université Paris-Saclay (France) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands), focusing on the clinical translation of advanced drug delivery systems. She has published extensively, holds patents, and has supervised over 30 graduate students. The NanoTop group includes a multidisciplinary team of students and researchers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive research environment. Currently, she mentors four PhD candidates, two MSc students, five undergraduate researchers, and two postdoctoral fellows.

Current Research Highlights
A major ongoing project explores how physical stimuli combined with nanocarriers (including nanoparticles, films, and hydrogels) can modulate local immune responses and antimicrobial activity. The research spans applications in chronic wound healing, skin rejuvenation, ocular therapy, melanoma treatment, and antiviral pulmonary delivery.

Studies investigate how electrical currents, light, ultrasound, or magnetic fields influence nanocarrier-tissue interactions, intracellular trafficking, microbiota, and immune mechanisms. Key developments include electroconductive dressings with antimicrobial peptides and healing proteins responsive to electric fields; ex vivo models studying the effect of electrical stimulation on skin aging and ocular drug penetration; sonodynamic
therapy with ultrasound-sensitive nanoparticles to treat melanoma; light-triggered nitric oxide-releasing dressings for deep wounds; and magnetically guided lipid nanoparticles delivering antivirals to the lungs. In parallel, the group is advancing a nasal delivery platform for Alzheimer’s disease, using hybrid nanoparticles to transport an artificial antibody (NUsc1) that targets toxic β-amyloid oligomers. This formulation aims to protect the antibody from degradation and facilitate its delivery to the brain. Other ongoing projects include clinical research on ocular drug delivery systems for dry eye
disease, drug-delivering implants for glaucoma surgery, and intranasal formulations for ENT applications.

More than a research leader, Renata fosters a lab culture grounded in curiosity, scientific rigor, and mutual support. Her enthusiasm, openness, and commitment to mentoring have shaped NanoTop into a dynamic and motivating space for innovation and learning. She believes science should be driven by excellence, collaboration, and joy, principles reflected in the team's everyday work.

Relevant References:
- Galvão, G.F, Petrilli, R., Arfelli, V.C., Carvalho, A.N., Martins, Y.A., Rosales, R.R.C., Archangelo, L.F., DaSilva, L.L.P., Lopez, R.F.V. Iontophoresis-driven alterations in nanoparticle uptake pathway and intracellular trafficking in carcinoma skin cancer cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2025; 248:114459. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2024.114459. - Martins, Y.A., Guerra-Gomes, I.C., Rodrigues, T.S., Tapparel, C., Lopez, R.F.V.
Enhancing pulmonary delivery and immunomodulation of respiratory diseases through virus-mimicking nanoparticles. J Control Release. 2024; 372:417-432. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2024.06.044. Epub 2024 Jun 25. PMID: 38908758.
- Martin, B.A., Dalmolin, L.F., Lemos, C.N., Vaidergorn, M.M., Emery, F.S., Vargas- Rechia, C.G., Ramos, A.P., Lopez, R.F.V. Electrostimulable polymeric films with hyaluronic acid and lipid nanoparticles for simultaneous topical delivery of
macromolecules and lipophilic drugs. Drug Deliv Transl Res. 2024; 14(9):2499-2519. doi: 10.1007/s13346-024-01526-9.
- Pereira, T.A., Ramos, D.N., Sobral, L.M., Martins, Y.A., Petrilli, R., Fantini, M.A.C., Leopoldino, A.M., Lopez, R.F.V. Liquid crystalline nanogel targets skin cancer via low- frequency ultrasound treatment. Int J Pharm. 2023; 646:123431. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123431.
- Viola, S.G., Dalmolin, L.F., Villarruel Muñoz, J.B., Martins, Y.A., Dos Santos Ré, A.C.,
Aires, C.P., Lopez, R.F.V. Investigation of the antimicrobial effect of anodic iontophoresis on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria for skin infections treatment. Bioelectrochemistry. 2023; 151:108374. doi: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108374.
- Martins, Y.A., Pavan, T.Z., Lopez, R.F.V. Sonodynamic therapy: Ultrasound parameters and in vitro experimental configurations. Int J Pharm. 2021 Dec 15;610:121243. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2021.121243.