Divulgatio. Academic postgraduate profiles

Laccases: Versatile enzymes with several industrial applications

Julián E. Gianolini — 2025-06-24

The increasing environmental awareness in society and the global expansion of bio-based economies have driven the growth of the biotechnological industry. Enzymes play a key role in biotechnology and are fundamental tools in the field of biocatalysis. In this context, laccases have emerged as versatile and sustainable catalysts. These multicopper enzymes, belonging to the group of polyphenol oxidases, are able to oxidize a wide variety of substrates by using molecular oxygen as co-substrate and generating water as the only byproduct. Consequently, laccases are positioned as promising catalysts in various sectors, including textiles, paper, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioremediation processes. This review summarizes the importance of enzymes in biocatalysis, focusing on the main characteristics of laccases and their application in diverse industrial fields.

El contexto de perturbación en finger tapping con metrónomo calibra el mecanismo de corrección de errores

Rodrigo Laje — 2025-06-24

La sincronización sensomotora (SMS) es la capacidad, principalmente humana, de moverse en sincronía con un estímulo externo periódico, como por ejemplo al ritmo de la música. El paradigma experimental más común para estudiar su mecanismo subyacente, en gran parte desconocido, es la tarea de finger tapping, en la que un participante golpetea con el dedo al ritmo de una secuencia periódica de estímulos breves. A diferencia del tiempo de reacción, esta tarea implica una predicción temporal porque el participante necesita desencadenar la acción motora con antelación para que el golpeteo y el estímulo se produzcan simultáneamente, y luego un mecanismo de corrección de errores toma el desempeño pasado como entrada para ajustar la siguiente predicción. En una tarea diferente y más sencilla, se ha demostrado que la exposición a una distribución de intervalos temporales individuales crea un "contexto temporal" que puede sesgar las estimaciones, producto de un único intervalo objetivo. Como la estimación y la producción temporales también están implicadas en la SMS, nos preguntamos si una tarea de finger tapping con perturbaciones de período mostraría algún efecto de contexto relacionado con el tiempo. En este trabajo demostramos que un contexto de perturbación puede generarse de hecho mediante la exposición a perturbaciones de período durante el finger tapping, lo que afecta la forma y el tamaño de la curva de resincronización. La asimetría de la respuesta también se ve afectada, lo que evidencia una interacción entre el contexto y las no linealidades intrínsecas del mecanismo de corrección. Concluimos que el contexto de perturbación calibra el mecanismo de corrección de errores subyacente en SMS.

Advances in the development of a moist sponge cake premix made from beer bagasse

Emilse Verónica Padin — 2025-06-24

The craft beer sector has experienced significant growth in Argentina, leading to the generation of large volumes of by-products such as beer bagasse (BC). In this context, the circular economy emerges as a key strategy to reduce environmental impact through the reuse, regeneration, and recycling of these residues, promoting their reintegration into the food industry.

In addition to mitigating waste generation, this approach offers opportunities to strengthen local economic resilience, diversify income sources, and enhance competitiveness—particularly in emerging economies and small to medium-scale enterprises. However, its implementation faces challenges such as a lack of infrastructure, the need for technical training, and limitations in access to financing.

In this study, a moist sponge cake premix was developed using brewer’s spent grain as the main ingredient. Its impact on product properties and consumer acceptance was evaluated through a hedonic analysis. The results indicated that the complete replacement of wheat flour with BSG flour in the premix formulation was satisfactory in terms of weight loss, collapse, circularity, and moisture parameters. The acceptability level was found to be positive for the sponge cake prepared with the developed premix.

The conclusions indicated that beer bagasse represents a viable and sustainable alternative for the production of baking premixes and contributes to a more responsible production model aligned with the principles of the circular economy.

Ecology in addressing environmental problems in Argentina: Revisiting the Latin American World Model

Christian Beri — 2025-06-24

Almost half a century after the publication of the Latin American World Model by a team formed at the Bariloche Foundation (Argentina), this article revisits the assumptions of its perspective and working methodology, as well as the integration of ecology into this interdisciplinary project. Reflecting on its contributions allows us to assess the theoretical and methodological advance that surpassed the simplifications of other world models developed in central contexts. In the article, we explore the reasons for its relevance today and argue how its conclusions continue to be a fundamental contribution to a still-open debate, by emphasizing the contributions of ecology in an unprecedented interdisciplinary approach.

Current medical applications and potential of human amniotic membrane: state of the art in Argentina and future research directions

Rocio Comito — 2025-06-24

The human amniotic membrane (hAM), derived from the placenta, has been established as a highly valuable biomaterial in regenerative medicine due to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and regenerative properties. Its avascular structure, rich content of bioactive factors (cytokines, growth factors, and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors), and extracellular matrix composed of collagen and laminin make it an ideal substrate for promoting wound healing, reducing inflammation, and acting as a biological barrier in various clinical settings.

This article presents an updated state-of-the-art overview of the medical uses of hAM in Argentina, describing its mechanisms of action, clinical applications, presentations, and regulatory status. Its immunomodulatory effects, mediated by epithelial and mesenchymal amniotic cells, are detailed, along with its role in re-epithelialization and angiogenesis, and its anticancer potential based on the secretion of bioactive molecules such as thrombospondin, endostatin, and interleukin-10. Additionally, its capacity as a structural scaffold and its usefulness in tissue engineering are highlighted.

In clinical practice, hAM is used across specialties such as ophthalmology, dermatology, traumatology, plastic surgery, gynecology, and dentistry. In ophthalmology, for example, it is applied to treat corneal ulcers, persistent epithelial defects, and inflammatory disorders of the ocular surface. In dermatology and plastic surgery, it is used for chronic ulcers, burns, and complex surgical wounds. Its application in orthopedics and dentistry includes bone regeneration and adhesion prevention.

In Argentina, there are currently seven certified tissue banks that process and distribute hAM in various formats (cryopreserved, lyophilized, and dehydrated). Key institutions include Hospital Garrahan, the Hemoderivados Laboratory at the National University of Córdoba (UNC), the Ecodaic Multitissue Bank in Córdoba, and Amnios BMA in Buenos Aires. These centers have developed standardized protocols for the procurement, processing, and distribution of hAM. Furthermore, several translational and applied research projects are being carried out in collaboration with CONICET, universities, and public hospitals.

Despite its growing use and production, regulatory, logistical, and public awareness challenges regarding placenta donation still remain. Nonetheless, hAM stands out as a strategic resource with enormous potential in public health, offering safe and accessible regenerative therapies that can significantly improve patients' quality of life.

Technology policies and the construction of a strategic development agenda in Argentina (2003-2023)

Manuel Lugones — 2025-06-24

This paper, considering the transformations Argentina underwent between 2003 and 2023, asks how a strategic agenda was constructed to promote technological development in three fields: telecommunications and the satellite industry, public pharmaceutical production, and, within the framework of nuclear policy, the development and expansion of nuclear power generation capacities. Based on a comparative study, it investigates the objectives pursued, assuming that defining a policy as strategic is the result of a complex process that undergoes transformation over time. In constructing such an agenda, it is necessary to distinguish different types of objectives (social, economic, industrial, and/or geopolitical), which are organized into a system of priorities that vary as the problems addressed by the policies are resolved, expanded, or disappear.

Technological potential of the Oenococcus oeni UNQOe19 indigenous strain for use as a malolactic fermentation starter

Elizabeth Naiquen Flores — 2025-06-24

During winemaking, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) conduct malolactic fermentation (MLF), reducing total acidity, and influencing the wine's aromatic profile. In Argentina, imported starter cultures containing strains from other world regions are used to drive MLF. Therefore, developing malolactic starters with native strains selected for their oenological potential presents a significant opportunity for the wine sector and regional economies.
These starters must have the technological properties necessary to survive the challenging conditions of winemaking and should be available in a dehydrated format to ensure easy preservation and marketing. To produce starter cultures on a large scale, it is essential to optimize the growth of native LAB biomass. Utilizing byproducts from the food industry to create alternative culture media could replace commercial ones, allowing for the sustainable production of native starters. This innovation would enhance the regional character of wines while preserving the distinctive qualities of the terroir.
This study aimed, first, to optimize the biomass production of the Oenococcus oeni strain UNQOe19 in alternative culture media made from food industry byproducts, such as apple pomace and whey permeate. Second, it evaluated the technological properties of the O. oeni strain UNQOe19 by assessing its tolerance to varying levels of pH, alcohol, sulfites, lysozyme, and freeze-drying conditions. The UNQOe19 strain grew on both alternative substrates supplemented with yeast extract and salts. Furthermore, it exhibited tolerance to sulfites (SO2), acidic pH, and 10% ethanol, while maintaining viability during the freeze-drying process. This, makes it suitable for presentation as a solid-form malolactic starter.

Technological Development for Family Farmers. Contributions from an Industrial Design Perspective

Silvia Alejandra Sivila Soza — 2025-06-24

This article is part of a research project on the production technologies used by local family farmers in the province of Jujuy, Argentina. In response to the question of how technologies are incorporated or adopted —considering the contexts in which they were originally conceived and how they are implemented in local work environments—this paper draws on contributions from the sociology of technology and industrial design to analyze the interactions taking place in these specific settings. The methodology combines a case study and theoretical review, based on several fieldwork visits to local farming communities conducted between 2015 and 2017. The information gathered enabled a socio-technical analysis and a subsequent reflection on potential contributions for future interventions.