Salud / Health
1) Research interest in Molecular Parasitology
Molecular Biomedicine Program
Dr. Guillermo Pérez Ishiwara y Dra. Consuelo Gómez García
ENMH SEPI - IPN
Putative collaboration in Belgium
Dr. David Pérez-Morga (Ph D)
Molecular Parasitology Department. The Université Libre de Bruxelles
One of the research lines of the Molecular Biomedicine group is mainly focus in the study of molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis from infectious diseases and cancer. In parasites, we are specifically working in Entamoeba histolytica transcriptional regulation, in the identification and characterization of promoter elements and transcriptional factors involved in drug resistance, virulence and invasiveness. On the other hand, we are also working in Programmed Cell Death (PCD) in both, determining the in vitro and in vivo inductors of PCD, and also defining the genetic mechanism and molecular effectors that have pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic activities. The department of Molecular Parasitology of The Universite Libre de Bruxelles study similar topics including gene transcription, mechanisms that modulate gene expression using Trypanosoma species as model. Thus, we wish to take advantage of our mutual interest and also of the expertise of the Bruxelles Universite researchers such as Dr. David Pérez-Morga to make specific collaborative projects. The collaboration will promote exchange of researchers and students that would accelerate and improve our research projects.
2) Trypanosomiasis
Dra. Claudia Benítez Cardosa
ENMH - IPN
Putative collaboration in Belgium
Véronique Hannaert and Paul A. M. Michels
Research Unit for Tropical Diseases, Christian de Duve Institute of Cellular Pathology and Laboratory of Biochemistry, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Trypanosome brucei is the parasite responsible of trypanosomiasis, a widely extended disease in the third world, where sanitary conditions are still precarious, specially affecting the poorest people of developing countries in Africa. Trypanosome cruzi causes Chagas disease, also extensively spread in Latin-America. Glycolytic enzymes have been proposed as possible drug targets of illnesses caused by these parasites. Particularly our proposal is focused on characterizing the catalytic parameters, structure, stability and folding/unfolding pathways of the glycolytic enzyme enolase from Trypanosome brucei. The information obtained by this project would be used in the rational design of drugs against the mentioned parasite. Since 2004, my research group has established collaborative contact with Drs. Michels and Hannaert. They have kindly provided us the plasmid harbouring the gen of enolase from T. brucei. Also we have got some assistance in the over expression and purification of the enzyme. If we were able to formalize our collaboration we might be able to promote exchange of researchers and students in order to share information and resources that would accelerate and improve our research projects.
3) PHYLOGENIC STUDIES OF POLYPOROID FUNGI FROM MEXICO AND CULTURE OF MEDICINAL SPECIES
M. en C. Ricardo Valenzuela y Biól. Tania Raymundo
ENCB - IPN
In this project we pretend to make the Phylogeny of Polypores from Mexico, mainly the Family Hymenochaetaceae (genera Phylloporia, Fomitiporia, Phellinus, Coltricia), Ganodermataceae (Ganoderma) and Polyporaceae (Trametes). This groups of fungi are very important as pathogenic fungi in trees of forest and ornamental interest. Besides, this group of fungi include a medicinal fungi that are used in treatment or prevention against tumors, leukemia, diabetes, levels of cholesterol, etc. We will work these fungi in two lines of researches: 1) We will collect polyporoid fungi in several parts from Mexico and we will do isolation of micelial parts or spores of these fungi in cultural media and we will extract DNA with technical of molecular biology using two or three gene. Then, we construct the phylogenic tree of this group of fungi and described new species of fungi of these groups and classify these fungi correctly. 2) In this way, we isolated fungi of medical importance and we will make culture of these fungi to get fructifications (basidiomas) and test these fungi in mouse with certain kind of induced sickness and then we treat to get principles actives of these fungi and applied this in pharmaceutical industry.
4) TOXICOLOGICAL STUDIES OF BEACHES
Dra. Eva González Jasso
CICATA Querétaro - IPN
eglezjasso@yahoo.com.mx
The seawater at sea resorts is often contaminated by direct or indirect discharge of industrial and urban waste originating in surrounding areas. This can cause an increase in the concentration of microbial pathogens of importance for public health: levels of metals, pesticides, or hydrocarbons may also rise as a result of local economic activities. The present study aims at correlating the seawater quality with the health of the beach users, at various beaches in Mexico. At several beaches in Acapulco, in the state of Guerrero, the levels of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and enterococci have been used as indicators of microbiological contamination; also, as indicators of exposure to heavy metals of toxicological importance, metals such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium were evaluated. Furthermore, for the purpose of evaluating the health of the beach users a methodology was developed which uses questionnaires to assess the health status of the beach users before and after their exposure to the sea water; a methodology to correlate these health status with the quality of the seawater was also established. Thus far, higher levels of contamination of the sea water have been found to correlate with increased incidence of skin and gastrointestinal symptoms.
5) Multiparametric Human Vital Signs Monitoring System
Dr. Fernando Martínez Piñón
CIITEC - IPN
Electronics Laboratory
Research and Technology Innovation Center
This equipment is the technological product result of the agreement between the Centro de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (CIITEC) of the IPN and the private Mexican company Imágenes y Medicina, S.A. de C.V. This system is capable of measuring the following parameters: SpO2 (Pulse Oximetry) , EtCO2 (Capnography), ECG (Electro Cardiography), Arrhythmia detection, ST Analysis, IBP (Invasive Blood Pressure), NIBP (Non Invasive Blood Pressure), Thermometry and CO (Cardiac Output); it can also communicate with a medical ventilator. All measurements are displayed in a LCD Touch Screen.
The system has the capacity of storing the records of the vital signs and presents visual and sound alarms when parameters are out of normal range; these capabilities are used by the physician to identify irregularities and be able to act very quickly. The introduction of this product to the national market has the purpose of allow that the private and public hospitals install in their intensive care areas a larger number of vital signs monitors with less cost. The design and development required advanced programming techniques, state of the art signal processing and electronic and biomedical knowledge, for such reason it was needed a multidisciplinary team. All the software and a high percent of the hardware were developed by the CIITEC and some commercial modulus were integrated (OEM: Original Equipment Manufacturer). This collaboration shows that private companies can work closely with research centers to find technological solutions to market needs.
6) Photothermal Tecniques in Biotecnology
Dr. José Abraham Balderas López
UPIBI - IPN
Although Photothermal techniques have provide of many analytical methodologies for quantification of gases, they exploration in the field of biotechnology is relatively new. Right now there are Photothermal-based commercial instruments for very high precision quantification of CO2, ethylene, methane, and others gases, which result of the metabolism of living beings. However the application of these methodologies for quantification purposes of substances in condensed phase has not been exploded until now. Quantification of substances in condensed phase in biotechnology is very important since many metabolites of commercial relevance (alcohols, vitamins, proteins, etc), which result of the microbial activity, are obtained as dissolved in liquids (generally in water). The ability of new Photothermal methodologies for high precision measurements of thermal diffusivity and optical absorption coefficient in liquids (Balderas-Lopez, A. Mandelis and J. A. Garcia, Rev. Sci. Instrum., 71, 7, 2000, J. A. Balderas-Lopez, Int. J. Thermophys., 23, 3, 2002, J. A. Balderas-Lopez, 77, 086104, 2006) make these methodologies very convenient for quantification purposes in biotechnology. Since the thermal diffusivity of water is very large as compared to the corresponding one for other organic substances (alcohols and vitamins, for example) the quantification of these substances, based on photothermal measurement of this thermal property, is proposed. On the other hand the design and construction of a new photothermal device for direct optical absorption quantification of pigments and its possibilities and advantages over other similar devices, like commercial spectrometers, is proposed.
7) POSDOCTORAL STAY PROJECT
Dra. Rosa Amalia Bobadilla Lugo
ESM - IPN
Guest: Dr, Johan Vehaeghe. From the Depatrment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Campus Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven, Belgium.
We will study some aspects of Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) on placental development in a Gestational Diabetes Mellitus animal model.
The aim is to study the effect of exogenous TNF- α in various doses on fetoplacental development in a GDM model (db/+ mice) and wt mice, focusing on fetoplacental apoptosis, oxidative DNA damage and mitochondrial function. The dams are fed a standard chow, and the exogenous TNF-alfa is expected to replicate the enogenous TNF-alfa boost produced by a high fat diet.
Interest: To establish a colaboration for possible student exchange.
8) Anticonvulsionant Drugs
Dr. Germán Chamorro-Cevallos
ENCB - IPN
Since time ago we have been developing some anticonvulsionant and hipocolestriolemiant drugs that have resulted highly promising, compared to the ones that already exist in the pharmaceutical market.
We would like to invite a Belgian laboratory to develop this project, it could be the Jansen Laboratory, so they could make the toxicological studies that we can´t do because of our infraestructure. As a part of the project, maybe the Belgian laboratory would like to corroborate our results so far, which have been published in scientific magazines. Scientists and students of our institution would also participate.
9) Obtaining of an monoclonal antibody for oncogenic therapy
Dr. Francisco Bradley Alvarez
CIIDIR Durango - IPN
This project is developed from the poison of scorpion Centruroides suffusus suffusus, from which a protein called Chlorotoxin (Cltx) is obtained, it will be used as antigen to develop a monoclonal antibody (Mab) in rates, since it´s has been demonstrated, that the above mentioned protein has antineoplásica activity in certain human cancer, with the disadvantage that it may induce toxic effects for some people. They have developed murin Mab of this Cltx, in rates of the same species that originate the antibody, it has been observed that the above mentioned antibodies have the same antineoplasic activity of the primary protein, therefore the purpose is to develop murin Mab to obtain humanized Mab's , that could be used as another tool for the oncogenic treatment in human beings.
10) Simulation of biological processes in patients with viral diseases
Dr. Jesús Alberto Martínez Castro
CIC - IPN
During my Ph. D. thesis I worked for the CERN (European Center for Nuclear Research) in a radiation detector project for ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) collaboration. I was related to GRID (INFO-GRID, DATAGRID and GRIDKA) and clustering computing for high performance calculations using ROOT data analysis framework. I still work on data analysis for high energy physics such as Pierre Auger Cosmic Ray Observatory. Justification: Two years ago, a collaboration with M. D.s was initiated. The areas of interaction are: Statistical analysis of data arising from microarrays, simulation of some biological processes such as IgG and IgM evolution in patients with viral diseases (Epstein-Barr e.g.), Visualization and segmentation of medical images (Software for automatic white blood cell counting was developed), MammoGRID project (Evaluating current GRID technologies, testing and implementing MammoGRID database and learning how to prepare mammographic data acquisition) and radiative therapies among other projects. Expertise areas: -Simulation. -High Performance Computing. -Visualization. -Data acquisition. Mayor interest: -MammoGRID. -Microarray analysis. -Synchrotron radiation therapies for cancer treating.
11) CELL THERAPY IN CONGENITAL AND ACQUIRED CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE
Etienne SOKAL
Université Catholique de Louvain, Laboratory of Pediatric Hepatology & Cell Therapy
Département HPED, unité PEDI
Avenue E. Mounier 52, B-1200 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone: +32-(0)2-7641387- Fax: +32-(0)2-7648909
Etienne.Sokal@uclouvain.be
Liver targeted cell therapy in congenital and acquired liver disease
Liver diseases are a major cause of death in adults. In children, inborn errors of the
metabolism (IEM) are often related to a liver based defect; these patients have a poor quality of life, have physical and intellectual disabilities, and the family social life is deeply affected.
Orthotopic liver transplantation can cure these diseases; however, in metabolic disorders,
the liver is often normal except one single missing function; the child may not be sick enough to
undergo a radical and irreversible surgery; in addition, on the long term, progressive fibrosis of the graft may compromise results of OLT.
Liver cell transplantation has been done so far in approximately 20 to 25 patients with IEM,
and a similar number of fulminant liver failure patients. Amongst the successes obtained are
marked bilirubin decrease in Crigler Najjar, stabilization of ammonia levels and urea production in urea cycle disorders, improvement of fasting glucose and lactic acidemia in type I glycogenosis, metabolite improvement in Refsum diseases, reduced needs for factor supply in factor VII deficiency. In a child with arginosuccinate lyase deficiency, we have demonstrated long term engraftment of donor cells, and de novo enzyme activity in the recipient liver. Although cryopreserved mature hepatocytes can achieve metabolic efficacy, we observed after thawing severe decrease of ATP production, due to impaired O2 consumption and mitochondrial
respiratory chain complex I defect parallel to cytochrome C release.
To overcome organ shortage and cryopreservation pitfalls, and attempt better repopulation,
stem cell technology may succeed to mature liver cells. Adult liver derived mesenchymal
stem/progenitor cells can be obtained by sub culturing the hepatocyte suspension; these cells are already predetermined to hepatocyte lineage, can proliferate in vitro, express different hepatocytic markers including HNF4 and CYP3A4, and display more pronounced hepatocytic differentiation as compared to bone marrow or cord jelly MSCs. In SCID & uPA+/+ -SCID mice, the liver derived mesenchymal cells can engraft and differentiate in situ.
Additional preclinical studies and clinical trials should now follow to evaluate the safety and
the ability of such candidate cells to correct IEM , fulminant liver failure, or even refill the liver stem cell niche in advanced – end stage liver diseases.
12) FUNGAL DIVERSITY AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Cony DECOCK
Université Catholique de Louvain, Unité de Microbiologie
Laboratoire de Mycologie. Place Croix du Sud 31348 Louvain-la-NeuveBelgium
Tel. + 32 10 47 82 59 Fax. + 32 10 45 15 01
decock@mbla.ucl.ac.be
The project we plan to have between our Institute and the IPN, especially the school of Biological Science, is related to fungal diversity, specifically some groups of wood-inhabiting polypores (wood-decay fungi) and concern their taxonomy, phylogeny, ecology, host-relationships, search of endemic lineages within meso-America, and their relationships with other norhtern or southern areas. The project also plan to develop a culture collection of wood-decay fungi in Mexico for future applied purposes (biotechnology (enzyme), agriculture, medecine).
We plan to introduce a first rather samll project to the CONACYT / FNRS in the frame of the cooperation agreement between these two funding agency, in order to have exchange of scientists between our institute. This will be done between our laboratory (at the UCL), the department of botany at University of Liège, and the departement of botany at IPN.
13) Molecular Parasitology
Prof. David PÉREZ-MORGA
Université Libre de Bruxelles. Institut de Biologie et de Médicine Moléculaires
Trypanosomes are parasites which have been responsible for a number of epidemics in Africa, in particular sleeping sickness in humans and nagana among cattle. Around 45 million humans and 25 million head of cattle are exposed to these diseases which are transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly, in which these parasites spend part of their life. Nagana is depriving Africa of over 80% of the livestock that it could potentially produce... Trypanosomes are therefore having a devastating impact on the economy and on public health.
Once the parasite reaches the blood of the mammal, it escapes the notice of the immune system of its host due to the fact that it constantly disguises itself: since almost all of its surface is covered with a protein called VSG -against which the infected organism is able to produce antibodies - it thwarts the defence system by constantly transforming this protein so that the antibodies do not recognize it.
The trypanosome is an excellent model for use in the study of the mechanisms through which parasites are able to adapt to their successive hosts, in particular through antigenic variation, a process whereby the surface components constantly change, throwing the immune system into disarray and preventing the development of a vaccine.
The research of this team has afforded a clearer understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms of this fascinating phenomenon and has yielded some surprising findings which are currently being used to develop new vaccination strategies.
Ingeniería / Engineering
1) Heterologous Expression Of Proteins With Biotechnological Importance Using Genus Streptomyces As Model
M. en C. Ángel Absalon Constantino y Dra. Verónica Cortés
CIBA Tlaxcala
Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología Aplicada - IPN
Jozef Anne PhD (Belgium); Laboratory of Bacteriology, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The genus Streptomyces is well know by its capacity for biosynthesis of several antibiotics and others secondary metabolites. Plus that, this genus offer a excellent alternative for the heterologous expression of proteins. On the other hand, the Streptomyces genus as other Actinomycetes are typical microorganisms of soil; and recently, several studies affirm that the Actynomycetes can metabolize several toxic substances as pesticides, Chlorophenols, and other toxic aromatic compounds. In our project, we propose work in the genetic improvement of Actynomycetes from soil for use in bioremediation of contaminated soils by expression of enzymes involved in degradation of toxic compounds as Lignin and Manganese Peroxidases, Laccase and monooxigenases. Finally, we want develop suicidal genotypes on this genetically modify microorganisms for its evaluation for use “on site”.
2) PLANT MICROBE INTERACTION
Dra. Paulina Estrada de los Santos
CBG - IPN
Plant Microbe Interaction Laboratory, Centro de Biotecnología Genómica
Azospirillum is a free-living, plant-growth-promoting bacterium (PGPB), capable of promoting growth and yield of a wide diversity of plant species. Particularly, Azospirillum brasilense has been used as a bio-fertilizer in gramineous plants. Besides, A. brasilense has been isolated from highly gasoline contaminated soils and it its capacity to reduce nitrate and perchlorate in soils has been detected. Due to the characteristics of this bacterial species, the genome of Azospirillum brasilense CBG497, an isolate from alkaline soil is being sequenced. The sequence annotation will be carried out within the next two years. Financial support has been granted by State Government (Fomix-Tamulipas).
Burkholderia scopeBurkholderia is widely distributed in the environment. Several species are implicated in human, animal and plant diseases. However, it is involved in bioremediation and biocontrol processes as well. In the recent years, these characteristics have directed the description of several new Burkholderia species not associated to any disease, both in human or in plants. A remarkable finding was the capacity of some Burkholderia species to nodulate legume plants. The interest of our laboratory is to study Burkholderia considering diversity, distribution and antagonism. Financial support has been granted by IPN (SIP projects).
3) Synthesis, studies and characterization of nanopowders and thin films of rare earth doped ceramic materials with optical properties
Dr. Felipe de Jesús Carrillo Romo y Dr. Arturo López Maure
CICATA Altamira - IPN
The goal of this project is to establish a multidisciplinary collaboration between Belgium Universities and Institutes (UCL, Liège, ULB) and the National Polytechnic Institute, specifically with the Engineering and Processing Materials Group (GIPMAT) of the Research Centre in Applied Science and Advanced Technology -Altamira Unit (CICATA- UA – IPN) in order to exchange scientific experiences, postgraduate student interchanges (co-direction thesis) and researchers mutual visits in accordance with possibly common projects financed by the European Union – IPN – and the Science and Technology National Council (CONACYT).
The GIPMAT is a research group constituted by ten persons including researchers and students; which main research topics developed the last five years have been the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and films with optical properties, several host ceramic matrices have been studied doped with rare earth ions and we have evaluated the structural and optical properties. The investigation results up to now showing high quality materials, however our studies need another investigations including low temperature spectroscopy, neutron diffraction and synchrotron analyses; in order to determine the rare earth ions atomic positions, also the evaluation of high quality images when applying high energies as X-Rays due to the fact of the promising scintillating properties for applications of high energy imagery (X-Ray and g-Ray) specially when using lutetium, gadolinium, erbium, europium, terbium and yttrium as doping ions.
Additionally, catalyst and laser emitters systems had been also studied which also require being measured using low temperature spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy among others.
Synthèse, étude et caractérisation de poudres nanométriques ainsi que des films minces synthétisés dopés par terres rares pour des applications à l’optique
Le but de ce projet est d’établir une collaboration multidisciplinaire avec des Universités et des Instituts Belges (notamment UCL, Liège et ULB) et L’Institut Polytechnique du Mexique, spécifiquement avec le groupe de Génie et des Procédés des Matériaux (GIPMAT) du Centre de Recherche en Science Appliqué et Technologie Avancé, Unité Altamira (CICATA – UA –IPN) vissant l’échange de « savoir faires », d’étudiants du troisième cycle (Thèses en cotutelle) et de chercheurs, dans le cadre des projets de recherche conjoints financées entre l’Union Européenne – L’IPN et le Conseil National de la Science et de la Technologie du Mexique (CONACYT).
Le GIPMAT est un groupe de dix personnes parmi étudiants du troisième cycle et chercheurs de l’Institut qui a travaillé près de cinq ans dans la synthèse de nanoparticules et des films minces (par la méthode du sol-gel et la technique du dip coating) notamment pour des applications dans l’optique. Nous avons déjà travaillé avec plusieurs matrices céramiques dopées avec des ions des terre rare et nous avons évaluée quelques propriétés structurelles et optiques, les résultats ont montre jusqu’a maintenant que nos matériaux sont d’une grande qualité, malgré cela nos études doivent encore se compléter par des études spectroscopiques à basses températures, diffraction des neutrons et scintillement synchrotron ayant pour but la détermination précise de la position dans le réseau des ions dopants ainsi que la qualité des images lorsque des hautes énergies sont utilisées, notamment radiation X synchrotron. Et ceci du au fait que nous cherchons a éliminer l’utilisation des substrats photographiques au moment d’effectuer de analyses des rayons X chez les êtres vivants, spécialement quand nous avons des films dopes lutécium, gadolinium, erbium europium terbium et yttrium (monodopés ou codopés).
En outre, nous en avons aussi effectué des études de catalyse et des materiaux laser, qui doivent aussi être évalués avec des techniques d’haute technologie, par exemple l’spectroscopie a basse température et la microscopie de transmission de très haute résolution.
4) Remotion of Arsenic and Heavy Metals (Mn, Cd, Ni, Fe and Pb)
from Underground Water by Spherical Agglomeration
Dr. José Bernardo Proal Nájera
CIIDIR Durango - IPN
The purpose of this Project is the research of the elimination of Arsenic (As) and Heavy Metals (Mn, Ni, Cd, Fe and Pb), at first, from Underground Water-Models. After precipitation, the hydroxides will be separated from water by spherical agglomeration. The important parameters (pH, supersaturation of NaOH) influencing the precipitation, hidrophobization and after agglomeration will be optimized as a function of temperature and metal concentration in water solution (from 20 to 1000 mg/l). These results will be transferred from a water- model solution to a real underground water containing specially As and/or Heavy Metals (Mn, Ni, Cd, Fe and Pb). The main parameter influencing particle growth and separation is the supersaturation of NaOH for heavy metals, leading to a reduction of tenside consumption (Sodium Oleate, Sodium Lauril Sulphate, Natural Tenside Substances or Comercial Detergents). Precipitation is complete in a specific pH-range.
5) Supercritical extraction of compounds from natural products for industrial purposes
Dr. Luis A. Galicia-Luna
ESIQUIE - IPN
Supercritical fluids are important solvents for the extraction of compounds from natural products, since they do not have environmental impact. The Thermodynamics Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional has different apparati to develop supercritical processes applied to natural products, petroleum and chemical industry. Some of them are used to determine pvt properties, phase behavior, critical points, solid and liquid solubilities of pure and mixtures in solvents in function of pressure (up to 100 MPa) and temperature (up to 473 K). Also a supercritical extraction unit of 500 cc working up to 60 MPa and 423 K is available for develop new processes.
6) BIOFERTILIZERS: FRUIT QUALITY PROMOTING MICROORGANISMS??
Dra. Hortencia Mena Violante
CIIDIR Michoacán - IPN
In the past few years, the changes in consumer attitudes and expectations associated with cultural practices and concerns about the side effects of agrochemicals, have led to new perspectives on agricultural management. Research in this area has been oriented to developing technological alternatives which increase crop yield and lesser dependence on agrochemical inputs. The development of organic agriculture has become increasingly important and the utilization of biofertilizers a feasible practice of production. In this sense, symbiotic associations with beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) or plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), bring a variety of benefits to nutritional status, health, growth and development in plants. Several changes in host plant biochemistry and physiology occurring during these symbioses have been documented. Moreover, fruit, vegetables and grains may be modified not only in terms of biomass produced but also in some of their quality attributes. We propose rhizosphere microorganisms as pre-harvest biotic factors affecting fruit and vegetable quality. This is why the effects of interactions in the rhizosphere are on crop yield and quality, are of current concern and should be considered during agricultural production. It is of our interest to evaluate the effect of rhizophere microorganisms on fruit quality under greenhouse and field conditions.
7) The quality of the engineer: The concept of variation
Dra. Elena Ruiz Ledesma y Patricia Camarena Gallardo
ESCOM - IPN
We show in this article the preliminary results of an investigation, whose intention is to identify learning obstacles to student engineering in the Instituto Politécnico Nacional on the theme “variation”. This applies an open questionnaire to teachers, whose responses are analyzed by systemic networks. During the application is made for the validation of the instrument, you get that teachers use only one type of learning strategy with their students and to discuss an other strategies, identified the same set of learning that his proposal, albeit in nature very different. So far, the conclusion is obtained that the main obstacle is the difficulty of teachers to use strategies that promote the conceptual development of theme and variation of skills to identify the skills that students must bring into play to solve related problems same subject.
8) Interactions terre-mer-société sur le littoral nord de la plaine côtière du Pacifique (état de Sinaloa, Nord-ouest du Mexique) : implications pour une gestion intégrée et durable des bassins versants des fleuves El Fuerte et Sinaloa
Dra. Norma Patricia Muñoz Sevilla
CIIEMAD - IPN
Mots-clés / Discipline (4 maximum) : eau, littoral, développement durable, géomatique
Le projet porte sur les bassins versants des fleuves El Fuerte et Sinaloa et les zones côtières et marines adjacentes qui bordent le Golfe de Californie, au nord de l'État de Sinaloa (Mexique). Les transformations de grande ampleur connues depuis une vingtaine d’années par ce territoire à forte contraintes aboutissent à une situation de crise qui d’une part remet en cause une partie des activités humaines développées à fort enjeu économique et social (agriculture irriguée, pêche et aquaculture semi-intensive et intensive) et d’autre part conduit à une dégradation importante de l’environnement.
Ce projet concerne les activités humaines et leur impact sur l'environnement et plus particulièrement sur la qualité des eaux fluviales, côtières et marines. Il a pour objectif de proposer une démarche globale, construite de manière conjointe entre les partenaires mexicains et français, qui vise l’évaluation et la quantification des différentes composantes physico-chimiques, environnementales et anthropiques à l’origine d’une dégradation des eaux terrestres et côtières aux émissaires des bassins versants des fleuves El Fuerte et Sinaloa. Cette approche s’inscrit dans la perspective de fournir, aux gestionnaires mexicains, un appui méthodologique dans la compréhension des interactions homme/milieu à l’interface terre/mer et un appui thématique dans la production d’informations spatialisées utiles à une gestion intégrée et durable de cette zone côtière.
Dans un premier temps, un état des lieux vise l’acquisition de connaissances sur la qualité des eaux, sur l’occupation/l’usage des sols et les changements intervenus cours des 20 dernières années et, enfin, sur la nature des conflits d’usage et la mise en lumière des mécanismes générateur de crises. Dans un deuxième temps, une démarche de modélisation des interactions homme/milieu à l’interface terre/mer est proposée. Celle-ci se déroulera en trois phases : intégration/analyse de données spatialisées au sein d’un système d’information géographique, simulation agrohydrologique, simulation multiagents. Dans un troisième temps, l’objectif est de mettre en place une surveillance régulière de la qualité des eaux des bassins versants des zones côtières et marines et de suivre l'état de leurs écosystèmes.
Les recherches seront menées conjointement par les équipes mexicaine et française, les résultats escomptés reposant sur la complémentarité des compétences et des expériences : géochimie, biochimie et écologie du milieu aquatique fluvial, côtier et marin pour la partie mexicaine, télédétection spatiale et cartographie évolutive associée, recherche sur les interactions entre terre, mer et société et gestion intégrée des zones côtières pour la partie française.
9) M. en C. Asur Cortés Gómez
ESIME Ticomán - IPN
Putative collaboration in Belgium
Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering, Université de Liège
Interested in the Construction of a Nanosatelite
Work with this project in the workpackage and solar pannels.
Processes of Composite Materials Manufacturing
In this area ESIME Ticomán has produced structures in composite materials with filament winding.
Mechanical Characterization of Composite Materials
ESIME Ticomán works today in mechanical characterization for strength of shell structures constructed with filament winding and monitoring of healt.
10) Agricultural Biotechnology in plant-microorganism interaction
Dr. Jesús Méndez Lozano
CIIDIR Durango - IPN
The Agricultural Biotechnology Department at CIIDIR Sinaloa Unit is focused in using different biotechnological approaches to support agricultural activities in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. Important pathogens affecting relevant crops in Northwestern Mexico have been identified and characterized, such as viruses affecting tomato, potato and pepper Also, phytoplasm detection assays, including techniques such as real-time PCR, are routinely performed in the laboratory as a service for farmers. Importantly, novel viruses and phytoplasms have been found for the first time and characterized in Sinaloa.
A massive cryo-preserved collection of soil native microorganisms is used for screening potential biocontrol agents against tomato and common bean pathogens, Other beneficial organisms such as arbuscular mycorrhiza are being studied aiming to understand its potential as inducers of plant pathogen tolerance using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches. Proteomics characterization of seed storage proteins from common bean is conducted in order to determine genetic variability in cultivated and wild genotypes. Functional properties of plant proteins are studied in order to add value to agricultural products. Functional proteins and biopeptides extracted from conventional and non-conventional grain crops are being identified and characterized.
11) FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPY FOR THE CANCER DIAGNOSES
Dr. José Manuel de la Rosa Vázquez
ESIME Zacatenco - IPN
We are working in the development of systems to study the fluorescence of the human tissue for cancer detection. One, for steady-state measurements, consists of a mini-spectrometer manufactured by Ocean Optics , an UV led (365 nm) from Nichia und a PC. A second one, for time resolved measurements, consists of a monocromator, a PMT, a home-made nitrogen laser (337.1nm) und a PC. Until now we have done measurements in skin, cervical and brain biopsies. We have promissory results. We start now with in vivo measurements in skin tissue in a dermatological department in a hospital in Mexico City. To recognize the spectra we are using back- propagation neural networks.
12) Development of improved techniques for power system dynamic security assessment and control
Dr. Daniel Ruiz Vega y Dr. Daniel Olguín Salinas
ESIME Zacatenco - IPN
Prospective Project in collaboration with following members of the systems and modeling research unit of the Montefiore Institute of the University of Liege: Dr. Thierry Van Cutsem (FNRS) (Coordinator of the project on the ULg side) Prof. Louis Wehenkel. Prof. Mania Pavella.
Dynamic security assessment and control functions are much needed in power systems today, because they are very valuable tools to avoid power system blackouts. However, dynamic security functions are still in the process of being developed and tested either in an of line off line or an online environment at very few control centers around the word. The objective of this project is to develop improved dynamic security assessment and control techniques able to combine all types of dynamic security analysis and of performing its tasks in a more efficient, fast and exact way. Some specific initial actions of the collaboration between both research groups are: the granting of academic licenses to the IPN research group of some software programs developed at the ULg, participation of both research groups in an international IEEE task force in order to establish test systems adequate to test the new security functions, and registering a research network in power system dynamic analysis at the IPN and CONACyT.
13) Production and Physicochemical, Mechanical and Rheological Characterisation of Biofilms Obtained from banana oxidised starch and Plasticizer
Dr. Antonio Jinénez Aparicio y Dr. Javier Solorza Feria
CEPROBI - IPN
Starch, a renewable biopolymer of amylose and amylopectin has gained considerable interest because it is inexpensive and readily available in large quantities from sources as cereals, tubers, legumes and palms. Due to its low price and effective degradability, starch based materials are potentially suited for selected packaging applications. Starch can be made thermoplastic through destructurisation of granular starch (gelatinization) in the presence of plasticizers (e.g. water, glycerol) under specific processing conditions that can include the conventional plastic processing techniques.The main processing techniques for production of starch based films are the extrusion and the casting. During extrusion, starch granules are exposed to high temperatures and shears and undergo structural changes such as gelatinization and melting. Besides, to produce flexible films by casting, it is necessary to prepare and dry conveniently, a dispersion of starch and to promote its gelatinization by thermal treatment. The presence of a plasticizer ensures that starch undergoes gelatinization rather than degradation under effect of heat. Also, the plasticizer improves the workability of films based on this biopolymer. The aim of this work is to characterize biofilms obtained by casting and extrusion using oxidized banana starch and various plasticizers (e.g. glycerol, sorbitol), by means of physicochemical (transitions temperatures and enthalpy), rheological (viscosity, viscoelasticity) and mechanical (breaking strength, elasticity) tests.
14) Technology Business Incubator Center
M. en C. E. Mario Alberto García Díaz
CIEBT - IPN
Technology Business Incubator Center (CIEBT) mission is to create technology enterprises under the four phases of the incubation model such as a) Project evaluation, b) enterprise hosting in CIEBT, c) Business plan integration and d) enterprise support.
By this time, IPN is building the “Technopoli” which is a center that incorporates software labs, technology observatory, patents center, and Spin off`s enterprises in incubation process.
Our interest to collaborate with Belgium universities is about hosting Spin Off s at Technopoli and vice versa. Also, exchange business incubator advisors and best practices.
15) Production de biocarburants
Dr. Enrique Durán Páramo
UPIBI - IPN
REUNION AVEC LA DÉLÉGATION DE LA BÉLGIQUE
Le 4 septembre 2008 à la Direction Générale de l’Institut Polytechnique National á México.
L’Unité de Biotechnologie (UPIBI) de l’Institut Polytechnique National, par l’intermediaire de son directeur, Dr. Enrique Durán Páramo, a proposé des colaborations aux differentes Universités Bélges dans les domaines suivants:
a).- ÉCHANGE D’ÉTUDIANTS ET DE PROFESSEURS.
- Pour des courtes séjours.
- Bourses pour étudiants bélges pour faire des études de 2eme cycle dans le Master en Bioprocédés à México.
b).- COLABORATIONS DANS DIVERS PROJETS DE RECHERCHE.
dans les domaines suivants :
Production de biocarburants.
a).- Bioethanol para fermentation liquide.
b).- Biodiesel para culture d’algues.
Production d’enzymes en bioreacteur.
a).- enzymes d’origine végétal.
b).- enzymes microbiennes.
Bioremediation des sols.
16) Project of collaboration IPN – University of Liège (ULg) in the area of Electric Power System engineering
Contact persons: Dr Thierry Van Cutsem (ULg and FNRS) - Dr. Daniel Ruiz Vega (IPN)
The planned collaboration will be in the area of Dynamic Security Assessment of Electric Power Systems. This analysis is needed for the real-time control of power systems to avoid blackouts. In spite of improvements over the last decade (linked in particular to the increase in computational power), many aspects remain to be considered in order to provide operators with efficient computing tools that can assist them in their decisions.
One theme of collaboration will be the combination of various aspects of dynamic security analysis, such as transient (angle) and voltage instability, in which both partners have a good know-how. Other, more specific topics are:
· coupling of preventive and emergency variants of the SIME method with industry software such as PSS/E or DSAT
· testing of approaches on the Mexican (CFE) System
· coupling of detailed and quasi steady-state simulations
· possibly, the development of a preventive security function for assessing and controlling electromechanical oscillation problems
· participation of IPN in an IEEE Working group on “Test Systems for Voltage stability analysis” in which ULg is involved and would appreciate the support of IPN in carrying out some dynamic simulations.
One of the short-term actions will be the granting to the IPN research group of an academic license for using the software developed at ULg in the above mentioned area.
El pasado 2 de octubre se anunció la creación de la Escuela de Gestión de Lovaina, que reúne departamentos de ingenierías y ciencias de gestión de cuatro universidades: Universidad Católica de Lovaina, las Facultades de Nuestra Señora de la Paz en Namur, las Facultades Católicas de Mons y las Facultades San Luis en Bruselas. 
