Associate Prof. Elena Formoso

iSoM-KT · Bio-KT

Associate Prof. Elena Formoso

Profesora Agregada

EHU & DIPC

Office: Farmazia Fakultatea; Gasteiz

Main Research Interest

  • Investigation of aluminum in biological systems
  • Anticancer drug design
  • Study of conformational changes of proteins
  • Study of enzymatic reactions
  • Study of nanoclusters

Scientific Career

  • 12/09/2018-today: Associate Professor, Physical Chemistry Department at the University of the Basque Country, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country.
  • 02/01/2017-11/09/2018: Postdoctoral fellow in the Theoretical Chemistry Group, Donostia, Basque Country.
  • 02/01/2014-01/01/2017: Postdoctoral fellow in the Theoretical Chemistry Group at the Donostia International Physics Center, Donostia, Basque Country.
  • 02/01/2011-01/31/2014: Postdoctoral fellow at the Universita della Svizzera Italiana and ETH Zurich, Lugano, Switzerland.
  • 07/01/2010-01/31/2011: Postdoctoral fellow in the Theoretical Chemistry Group at the University of the Basque Country, Donostia, Basque Country.
  • 06/25/2010: PhD in the Theoretical Chemistry Group at the University of the Basque Country, Donostia, Basque Country.

Advisor: Xabier Lopez

  • 2009-06/30/2010: Researcher position in the Theoretical Chemistry Group at the University of the Basque Country, Donostia, Basque Country.
  • 2005-2009: PhD position (FPI fellowship) in the Theoretical Chemistry Group at the University of the Basque Country, Donostia, Basque Country.

Publications

  1. 25.

    Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Theoretical Study of Indenoquinolinylphosphine Oxide Derivatives as Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitors and Antiproliferative Agents

    ChemMedChem , 2026 , 21 (5)

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-cmdc-202500751,
      title = {Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Theoretical Study of Indenoquinolinylphosphine Oxide Derivatives as Topoisomerase 1 Inhibitors and Antiproliferative Agents},
      author = {Alba Rodriguez and Elena Formoso and Birgitta R. Knudsen and Cinzia Tesauro and Maria Fuertes and Concepcion Alonso},
      journal = {ChemMedChem},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {21},
      number = {5},
      doi = {10.1002/cmdc.202500751},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cmdc.202500751},
    }
    Bio-KT IT2067
  2. 24.

    Hydrogen-bond networks and proton transfer in choline geranate: insights from IR spectroscopy

    Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics , 2026 , 28 (28) , 17605-17614

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{loizate-2026-hydrogen-bond-networks-and,
      title = {Hydrogen-bond networks and proton transfer in choline geranate: insights from IR spectroscopy},
      author = {Mikel Loizate and Trân Ngọc Khanh Lê and Matias L. Picchio and Jon Zubeltzu and Elena Formoso and Tom Frömbgen and Barbara Kirchner and Thierry Tassaing and Elixabete Rezabal},
      journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {28},
      number = {28},
      pages = {17605-17614},
      doi = {10.1039/d6cp01217e},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/d6cp01217e},
    }
    ISoM-KT IT2067
  3. 23.

    Choline–geranate (CAGE) ionic liquids potentiate the anticancer activity of platinum-based drugs

    Chem. Commun. , 2025 , 61 (65) , 12167--12170

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-d5cc02226f,
      title = {Choline–geranate (CAGE) ionic liquids potentiate the anticancer activity of platinum-based drugs},
      author = {Marta Costa Verdugo and Giulia Sierri and Laura Hernandez-Fernandez and Elena Formoso and José I. Miranda and Francesco Saverio Sica and Alejandro H. Orrego and Alba González and Elixabete Rezabal and Francesca Re and Luca Salassa},
      journal = {Chem. Commun.},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {61},
      number = {65},
      pages = {12167--12170},
      doi = {10.1039/d5cc02226f},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/d5cc02226f},
    }
    EJ1584 iSoM-KT
  4. 22.

    One‐ and Two‐Electron Reductions in MiniSOG and their Implication in Catalysis**

    ChemPhysChem , 2023 , 24 (15)

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-cphc-202300091,
      title = {One‐ and Two‐Electron Reductions in MiniSOG and their Implication in Catalysis**},
      author = {Oksana Azpitarte and Ane Zudaire and Jon Uranga and Xabier Lopez and Luca Salassa and Elena Formoso and Elixabete Rezabal},
      journal = {ChemPhysChem},
      year = {2023},
      volume = {24},
      number = {15},
      doi = {10.1002/cphc.202300091},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202300091},
    }
    ISoM-KT Bio-KT
  5. 21.

    Enhancing the Photocatalytic Conversion of Pt(IV) Substrates by Flavoprotein Engineering

    Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters , 2021 , 12 (19) , 4504-4508

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1021-acs-jpclett-1c00802,
      title = {Enhancing the Photocatalytic Conversion of Pt(IV) Substrates by Flavoprotein Engineering},
      author = {J. Gurruchaga-Pereda and V. Martinez-Martinez and E. Formoso and O. Azpitarte and E. Rezabal and X. Lopez and A. L. Cortajarena and L. Salassa},
      journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters},
      year = {2021},
      volume = {12},
      number = {19},
      pages = {4504-4508},
      doi = {10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00802},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00802},
    }
    iSoM-KT Bio-KT
  6. 20.

    Theoretical characterization of Al(III) binding to KSPVPKSPVEEKG: Insights into the propensity of aluminum to interact with key sequences for neurofilament formation

    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry , 2020 , 210

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-jinorgbio-2020-111169,
      title = {Theoretical characterization of Al(III) binding to KSPVPKSPVEEKG: Insights into the propensity of aluminum to interact with key sequences for neurofilament formation},
      author = {R. Grande-Aztatzi and E. Formoso and J. I. Mujika and D. Sancho and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry},
      year = {2020},
      volume = {210},
      doi = {10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111169},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2020.111169},
    }
    Bio-KT
  7. 19.

    Lignin solvation by ionic liquids: The role of cation

    Journal of Molecular Liquids , 2020 , 303

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-molliq-2020-112588,
      title = {Lignin solvation by ionic liquids: The role of cation},
      author = {J. Zubeltzu and E. Formoso and E. Rezabal},
      journal = {Journal of Molecular Liquids},
      year = {2020},
      volume = {303},
      doi = {10.1016/j.molliq.2020.112588},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2020.112588},
    }
    iSoM-KT
  8. 18.

    Tetravalent Oxygen and Sulphur Centres Mediated by Carborane Superacid: Theoretical Analysis

    CHEMPHYSCHEM , 2019 , 20 (19) , 2443-2450

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-cphc-201900687,
      title = {Tetravalent Oxygen and Sulphur Centres Mediated by Carborane Superacid: Theoretical Analysis},
      author = {Slawomir J. Grabowski and David Casanova and Elena Formoso and Jesus M. Ugalde},
      journal = {CHEMPHYSCHEM},
      year = {2019},
      volume = {20},
      number = {19},
      pages = {2443-2450},
      doi = {10.1002/cphc.201900687},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.201900687},
    }
    MolEles-KT
  9. 17.

    One pot stimuli-responsive linear waterborne polyurethanes via Diels-Alder reaction

    Progress in Organic Coatings , 2019 , 130 , 31-43

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-porgcoat-2019-01-008,
      title = {One pot stimuli-responsive linear waterborne polyurethanes via Diels-Alder reaction},
      author = {J. Aizpurua and L. Martin and E. Formoso and A. Gonzalez and L. Irusta},
      journal = {Progress in Organic Coatings},
      year = {2019},
      volume = {130},
      pages = {31-43},
      doi = {10.1016/j.porgcoat.2019.01.008},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.porgcoat.2019.01.008},
    }
  10. 16.

    Does phosphorylation increase the binding affinity of aluminum? A computational study on the aluminum interaction with serine and O-phosphoserine

    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry , 2019 , 192 , 33-44

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-jinorgbio-2018-12-004,
      title = {Does phosphorylation increase the binding affinity of aluminum? A computational study on the aluminum interaction with serine and O-phosphoserine},
      author = {E. Formoso and R. Grande-Aztatzi and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry},
      year = {2019},
      volume = {192},
      pages = {33-44},
      doi = {10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.12.004},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2018.12.004},
    }
    Bio-KT
  11. 15.

    Tuning the affinity of catechols and salicylic acids towards Al(III): characterization of Al-chelator interactions

    DALTON TRANSACTIONS , 2018 , 47 (29) , 9592-9607

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-c8dt01341a,
      title = {Tuning the affinity of catechols and salicylic acids towards Al(III): characterization of Al-chelator interactions},
      author = {Gabriele Dalla Torre and Jon I. Mujika and Elena Formoso and Eduard Matito and Maria J. Ramos and Xabier Lopez},
      journal = {DALTON TRANSACTIONS},
      year = {2018},
      volume = {47},
      number = {29},
      pages = {9592-9607},
      doi = {10.1039/c8dt01341a},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c8dt01341a},
    }
    QCD-KT Bio-KT
  12. 14.

    Aluminum's preferential binding site in proteins: sidechain of amino acids versus backbone interactions

    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry , 2018 , 181 , 111-116

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-jinorgbio-2017-10-014,
      title = {Aluminum's preferential binding site in proteins: sidechain of amino acids versus backbone interactions},
      author = {J. I. Mujika and G. D. Torre and E. Formoso and R. Grande-Aztatzi and S. J. Grabowski and C. Exley and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry},
      year = {2018},
      volume = {181},
      pages = {111-116},
      doi = {10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2017.10.014},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2017.10.014},
    }
    Bio-KT
  13. 13.

    The role of non-covalent interactions in the self-healing mechanism of disulfide-based polymers

    Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics , 2017 , 19 (28) , 18461-18470

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-c7cp03570e,
      title = {The role of non-covalent interactions in the self-healing mechanism of disulfide-based polymers},
      author = {E. Formoso and J. M. Asua and J. M. Matxain and F. Ruiperez},
      journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics},
      year = {2017},
      volume = {19},
      number = {28},
      pages = {18461-18470},
      doi = {10.1039/c7cp03570e},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c7cp03570e},
    }
    POL-KT
  14. 12.

    A computational study on interaction of aluminum with D-glucose 6-phosphate for various stoichiometries

    Rsc Advances , 2017 , 7 (10) , 6064-6079

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-c6ra27037a,
      title = {A computational study on interaction of aluminum with D-glucose 6-phosphate for various stoichiometries},
      author = {E. Formoso and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Rsc Advances},
      year = {2017},
      volume = {7},
      number = {10},
      pages = {6064-6079},
      doi = {10.1039/c6ra27037a},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ra27037a},
    }
    Bio-KT
  15. 11.

    Structural and optical properties of the naked and passivated Al5Au5 bimetallic nanoclusters

    Journal of Chemical Physics , 2016 , 144 (11)

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1063-1-4943129,
      title = {Structural and optical properties of the naked and passivated Al5Au5 bimetallic nanoclusters},
      author = {R. Grande-Aztatzi and E. Formoso and J. M. Mercero and J. M. Matxain and S. J. Grabowski and J. M. Ugalde},
      journal = {Journal of Chemical Physics},
      year = {2016},
      volume = {144},
      number = {11},
      doi = {10.1063/1.4943129},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4943129},
    }
    MatCat-KT POL-KT
  16. 10.

    Phosphorylation promotes Al(III) binding to proteins: GEGEGSGG as a case study

    Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics , 2016 , 18 (10) , 7197-7207

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-c5cp06379e,
      title = {Phosphorylation promotes Al(III) binding to proteins: GEGEGSGG as a case study},
      author = {R. Grande-Aztatzi and E. Formoso and J. I. Mujika and J. M. Ugalde and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics},
      year = {2016},
      volume = {18},
      number = {10},
      pages = {7197-7207},
      doi = {10.1039/c5cp06379e},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c5cp06379e},
    }
    Bio-KT
  17. 9.

    Energetics and Structural Characterization of the large-scale Functional Motion of Adenylate Kinase

    Scientific Reports , 2015 , 5

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1038-srep08425,
      title = {Energetics and Structural Characterization of the large-scale Functional Motion of Adenylate Kinase},
      author = {E. Formoso and V. Limongelli and M. Parrinello},
      journal = {Scientific Reports},
      year = {2015},
      volume = {5},
      doi = {10.1038/srep08425},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/srep08425},
    }
  18. 8.

    Aluminum interaction with 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid. A computational studyle

    Rsc Advances , 2015 , 5 (78) , 63874-63881

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1039-c5ra06796k,
      title = {Aluminum interaction with 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid. A computational studyle},
      author = {N. Luque and J. I. Mujika and E. Formoso and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Rsc Advances},
      year = {2015},
      volume = {5},
      number = {78},
      pages = {63874-63881},
      doi = {10.1039/c5ra06796k},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c5ra06796k},
    }
    Bio-KT
  19. 7.

    Aluminum and its effect in the equilibrium between folded/unfolded conformation of NADH

    Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry , 2015 , 152 , 139-146

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1016-j-jinorgbio-2015-08-017,
      title = {Aluminum and its effect in the equilibrium between folded/unfolded conformation of NADH},
      author = {E. Formoso and J. I. Mujika and S. J. Grabowski and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry},
      year = {2015},
      volume = {152},
      pages = {139-146},
      doi = {10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2015.08.017},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2015.08.017},
    }
    Bio-KT
  20. 6.

    Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Bovine Pancreatic Ribonuclease A-CpA and Transition State-like Complexes

    Journal of Physical Chemistry B , 2010 , 114 (21) , 7371-7382

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1021-jp909004y,
      title = {Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Bovine Pancreatic Ribonuclease A-CpA and Transition State-like Complexes},
      author = {E. Formoso and J. M. Matxain and X. Lopez and D. M. York},
      journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry B},
      year = {2010},
      volume = {114},
      number = {21},
      pages = {7371-7382},
      doi = {10.1021/jp909004y},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/jp909004y},
    }
    Bio-KT POL-KT
  21. 5.

    Magnetic Endohedral Transition-Metal-Doped Semiconduncting-Nanoclusters

    Chemistry-a European Journal , 2008 , 14 (28) , 8547-8554

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-chem-200800376,
      title = {Magnetic Endohedral Transition-Metal-Doped Semiconduncting-Nanoclusters},
      author = {J. M. Matxain and E. Formoso and J. M. Mercero and M. Piris and X. Lopez and J. M. Ugalde},
      journal = {Chemistry-a European Journal},
      year = {2008},
      volume = {14},
      number = {28},
      pages = {8547-8554},
      doi = {10.1002/chem.200800376},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200800376},
    }
    MatCat-KT Bio-KT POL-KT NOFT-KT
  22. 4.

    Endohedral stannaspherenes Mn@Sn-12 and its dimer: Ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic?

    Chemphyschem , 2007 , 8 (14) , 2096-2099

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-cphc-200700428,
      title = {Endohedral stannaspherenes Mn@Sn-12 and its dimer: Ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic?},
      author = {J. M. Matxain and M. Piris and E. Formoso and J. M. Mercero and X. Lopez and J. M. Ugalde},
      journal = {Chemphyschem},
      year = {2007},
      volume = {8},
      number = {14},
      pages = {2096-2099},
      doi = {10.1002/cphc.200700428},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.200700428},
    }
    MatCat-KT Bio-KT POL-KT NOFT-KT
  23. 3.

    Endohedral (X@ZniSi)(i=)(0,+/-)(4-16) nanoclusters

    Journal of Physical Chemistry C , 2007 , 111 (9) , 3560-3565

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1021-jp0668697,
      title = {Endohedral (X@ZniSi)(i=)(0,+/-)(4-16) nanoclusters},
      author = {J. M. Matxain and L. A. Eriksson and E. Formoso and M. Piris and J. M. Ugalde},
      journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry C},
      year = {2007},
      volume = {111},
      number = {9},
      pages = {3560-3565},
      doi = {10.1021/jp0668697},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/jp0668697},
    }
    POL-KT NOFT-KT
  24. 2.

    Sandwich complexes based on the "All-Metal" Al-4(2-) aromatic ring

    Chemistry-a European Journal , 2006 , 12 (17) , 4495-4502

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1002-chem-200600106,
      title = {Sandwich complexes based on the "All-Metal" Al-4(2-) aromatic ring},
      author = {J. M. Mercero and E. Formoso and J. M. Matxain and L. A. Eriksson and J. M. Ugalde},
      journal = {Chemistry-a European Journal},
      year = {2006},
      volume = {12},
      number = {17},
      pages = {4495-4502},
      doi = {10.1002/chem.200600106},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.200600106},
    }
    MatCat-KT POL-KT
  25. 1.

    Reaction mechanism of the acidic hydrolysis of highly twisted amides: Rate acceleration caused by the twist of the amide bond

    Journal of Physical Chemistry B , 2006 , 110 (30) , 15000-15011

    DOI
    BibTeX
    BibTeX
    @article{10-1021-jp0604037,
      title = {Reaction mechanism of the acidic hydrolysis of highly twisted amides: Rate acceleration caused by the twist of the amide bond},
      author = {J. I. Mujika and E. Formoso and J. M. Mercero and X. Lopez},
      journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry B},
      year = {2006},
      volume = {110},
      number = {30},
      pages = {15000-15011},
      doi = {10.1021/jp0604037},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/jp0604037},
    }
    MatCat-KT Bio-KT