Prof. Elena Formoso

Profesora Agregada
📍 Farmazia Fakultatea Gazteiz
📞 34945013062

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 Università della Svizzera Italiana and ETH Zürich, 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.

2026

24.

Rodriguez, Alba; Formoso, Elena; Knudsen, Birgitta R.; Tesauro, Cinzia; Fuertes, Maria; Alonso, Concepcion

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

In: ChemMedChem, vol. 21, no. 5, 2026, ISSN: 1860-7187.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2025

23.

Verdugo, Marta Costa; Sierri, Giulia; Hernandez-Fernandez, Laura; Formoso, Elena; Miranda, José I.; Sica, Francesco Saverio; Orrego, Alejandro H.; González, Alba; Rezabal, Elixabete; Re, Francesca; Salassa, Luca

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

In: Chem. Commun., vol. 61, no. 65, pp. 12167–12170, 2025, ISSN: 1364-548X.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2023

1.

Azpitarte, Oksana; Zudaire, Ane; Uranga, Jon; Lopez, Xabier; Salassa, Luca; Formoso, Elena; Rezabal, Elixabete

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

In: ChemPhysChem, vol. 24, no. 15, 2023, ISSN: 1439-7641.

Abstract | Links | BibTeX

2021

22.

Gurruchaga-Pereda, J.; Martinez-Martinez, V.; Formoso, E.; Azpitarte, O.; Rezabal, E.; Lopez, X.; Cortajarena, A. L.; Salassa, L.

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

In: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, vol. 12, no. 19, pp. 4504-4508, 2021, ISSN: 1948-7185, (Gurruchaga-Pereda, Juan Martinez-Martinez, Virginia Formoso, Elena Azpitarte, Oksana Rezabal, Elixabete Lopez, Xabier Cortajarena, Aitziber L. Salassa, Luca Martinez-Martinez, Virginia/L-5440-2013; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Salassa, Luca/M-7300-2014; Cortajarena, Aitziber/J-6202-2012 Martinez-Martinez, Virginia/0000-0001-7551-3714; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Salassa, Luca/0000-0002-2112-9095; Azpitarte, Oksana/0000-0003-0874-6424; Cortajarena, Aitziber/0000-0002-5331-114X; Gurruchaga-Pereda, Juan/0009-0005-6646-7943).

Links | BibTeX

2020

21.

Zubeltzu, J.; Formoso, E.; Rezabal, E.

Lignin solvation by ionic liquids: The role of cation Journal Article

In: Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 303, 2020, ISSN: 0167-7322, (Zubeltzu, Jon Formoso, Elena Rezabal, Elixabete Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; REZABAL ASTIGARRAGA, ELIXABETE/0000-0003-0397-6140 1873-3166).

Links | BibTeX

20.

Grande-Aztatzi, R.; Formoso, E.; Mujika, J. I.; Sancho, D.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 210, 2020, ISSN: 0162-0134, (Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael Formoso, Elena Mujika, Jon, I de Sancho, David Lopez, Xabier Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/G-4660-2015; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; De Sancho, David/C-4995-2009; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/0000-0002-1919-4883; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; De Sancho, David/0000-0002-8985-2685; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717 1873-3344).

Links | BibTeX

2019

19.

Grabowski, Slawomir J.; Casanova, David; Formoso, Elena; Ugalde, Jesus M.

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

In: CHEMPHYSCHEM, vol. 20, no. 19, pp. 2443-2450, 2019, ISSN: 1439-4235.

Links | BibTeX

18.

Aizpurua, J.; Martin, L.; Formoso, E.; Gonzalez, A.; Irusta, L.

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

In: Progress in Organic Coatings, vol. 130, pp. 31-43, 2019, ISSN: 0300-9440, (Aizpurua, June Martin, Loli Formoso, Elena Gonzalez, Alba Irusta, Lourdes Irusta, Lourdes/X-5502-2019; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Irusta, Lourdes/0000-0003-2079-8016; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Martin Alberdi, Loli/0000-0003-3756-4582 1873-331x).

Links | BibTeX

17.

Formoso, E.; Grande-Aztatzi, R.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 192, pp. 33-44, 2019, ISSN: 0162-0134, (Formoso, Elena Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael Lopez, Xabier Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/G-4660-2015; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/0000-0002-1919-4883; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588 1873-3344).

Links | BibTeX

2018

16.

Torre, Gabriele Dalla; Mujika, Jon I.; Formoso, Elena; Matito, Eduard; Ramos, Maria J.; Lopez, Xabier

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

In: DALTON TRANSACTIONS, vol. 47, no. 29, pp. 9592-9607, 2018, ISSN: 1477-9226.

Links | BibTeX

15.

Mujika, J. I.; Torre, G. D.; Formoso, E.; Grande-Aztatzi, R.; Grabowski, S. J.; Exley, C.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 181, pp. 111-116, 2018, ISSN: 0162-0134, (Mujika, Jon I. Dalla Torre, Gabriele Formoso, Elena Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael Grabowski, Slawomir J. Exley, Christopher Lopez, Xabier 12th Keele Meeting on Aluminium (Keele) - Living in the Aluminium Age Mar 04-08, 2017 Vancouver, CANADA Torre, Gabriele Dalla/T-3733-2017; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/G-4660-2015; Grabowski, Slawomir J/N-3119-2014; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Torre, Gabriele Dalla/O-8849-2019; Mujika, Jon/H-7132-2012 Torre, Gabriele Dalla/0000-0002-9652-9659; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/0000-0002-1919-4883; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Torre, Gabriele Dalla/0000-0002-9652-9659; Exley, Christopher/0000-0002-5116-7607; Mujika, Jon/0000-0002-4584-7497 1873-3344).

Links | BibTeX

2017

14.

Formoso, E.; Asua, J. M.; Matxain, J. M.; Ruiperez, F.

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

In: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, vol. 19, no. 28, pp. 18461-18470, 2017, ISSN: 1463-9076, (Formoso, Elena Asua, Jose M. Matxain, Jon M. Ruiperez, Fernando Ruiperez, Fernando/H-9744-2013; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Asua, Jose M/B-2288-2015 Ruiperez, Fernando/0000-0002-5585-245X; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; 1463-9084).

Links | BibTeX

13.

Formoso, E.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Rsc Advances, vol. 7, no. 10, pp. 6064-6079, 2017, (Formoso, Elena Lopez, Xabier Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717 2046-2069).

Links | BibTeX

2016

12.

Grande-Aztatzi, R.; Formoso, E.; Mujika, J. I.; Ugalde, J. M.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, vol. 18, no. 10, pp. 7197-7207, 2016, ISSN: 1463-9076, (Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael Formoso, Elena Mujika, Jon I. Ugalde, Jesus M. Lopez, Xabier Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/G-4660-2015; Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Mujika, Jon/H-7132-2012 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/0000-0002-1919-4883; Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Mujika, Jon/0000-0002-4584-7497 1463-9084).

Links | BibTeX

11.

Grande-Aztatzi, R.; Formoso, E.; Mercero, J. M.; Matxain, J. M.; Grabowski, S. J.; Ugalde, J. M.

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

In: Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 144, no. 11, 2016, ISSN: 0021-9606, (Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael Formoso, Elena Mercero, Jose M. Matxain, Jon M. Grabowski, Slawomir J. Ugalde, Jesus M. Mercero, Jose/E-6828-2010; Grabowski, Slawomir J/N-3119-2014; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/G-4660-2015; Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014 Mercero, Jose/0000-0003-4857-6685; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Grande-Aztatzi, Rafael/0000-0002-1919-4883; Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649 1089-7690).

Links | BibTeX

2015

10.

Luque, N.; Mujika, J. I.; Formoso, E.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Rsc Advances, vol. 5, no. 78, pp. 63874-63881, 2015, ISSN: 2046-2069, (Luque, Noelia Mujika, Jon I. Formoso, Elena Lopez, Xabier Mujika, Jon/H-7132-2012; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015 Mujika, Jon/0000-0002-4584-7497; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588).

Links | BibTeX

9.

Formoso, E.; Mujika, J. I.; Grabowski, S. J.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, vol. 152, pp. 139-146, 2015, ISSN: 0162-0134, (Formoso, Elena Mujika, Jon I. Grabowski, Slawomir J. Lopez, Xabier Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Mujika, Jon/H-7132-2012; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Grabowski, Slawomir J/N-3119-2014 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Mujika, Jon/0000-0002-4584-7497; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; 1873-3344 Si).

Links | BibTeX

8.

Formoso, E.; Limongelli, V.; Parrinello, M.

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

In: Scientific Reports, vol. 5, 2015, ISSN: 2045-2322, (Formoso, Elena Limongelli, Vittorio Parrinello, Michele Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Limongelli, Vittorio/0000-0002-4861-1199).

Links | BibTeX

2010

7.

Formoso, E.; Matxain, J. M.; Lopez, X.; York, D. M.

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

In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 114, no. 21, pp. 7371-7382, 2010, ISSN: 1520-6106, (Formoso, Elena Matxain, Jon M. Lopez, Xabier York, Darrin M. Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649; York, Darrin/0000-0002-9193-7055 1520-5207).

Links | BibTeX

2008

6.

Matxain, J. M.; Formoso, E.; Mercero, J. M.; Piris, M.; Lopez, X.; Ugalde, J. M.

Magnetic Endohedral Transition-Metal-Doped Semiconduncting-Nanoclusters Journal Article

In: Chemistry-a European Journal, vol. 14, no. 28, pp. 8547-8554, 2008, ISSN: 0947-6539, (Matxain, Jon M. Formoso, Elena Mercero, Jose M. Piris, Mario Lopez, Xabier Ugalde, Jesus M. Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Mercero, Jose/E-6828-2010; Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Piris, Mario/E-7406-2010; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015 Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Mercero, Jose/0000-0003-4857-6685; Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Piris, Mario/0000-0003-0222-2953; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588 1521-3765).

Links | BibTeX

2007

5.

Matxain, J. M.; Eriksson, L. A.; Formoso, E.; Piris, M.; Ugalde, J. M.

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

In: Journal of Physical Chemistry C, vol. 111, no. 9, pp. 3560-3565, 2007, ISSN: 1932-7447, (Matxain, Jon M. Eriksson, Leif A. Formoso, Elena Piris, Mario Ugalde, Jesus M. Piris, Mario/E-7406-2010; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014; Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Eriksson, Leif A/D-1226-2012; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Piris, Mario/0000-0003-0222-2953; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649; Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Eriksson, Leif A/0000-0001-5654-3109; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717 1932-7455).

Links | BibTeX

4.

Matxain, J. M.; Piris, M.; Formoso, E.; Mercero, J. M.; Lopez, X.; Ugalde, J. M.

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

In: Chemphyschem, vol. 8, no. 14, pp. 2096-2099, 2007, ISSN: 1439-4235, (Matxain, Jon M. Piris, Mario Formoso, Elena Mercero, Jose M. Lopez, Xabier Ugalde, Jesus M. Piris, Mario/E-7406-2010; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Mercero, Jose/E-6828-2010; Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014 Piris, Mario/0000-0003-0222-2953; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Mercero, Jose/0000-0003-4857-6685; Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649 1439-7641).

Links | BibTeX

2006

3.

Mercero, J. M.; Formoso, E.; Matxain, J. M.; Eriksson, L. A.; Ugalde, J. M.

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

In: Chemistry-a European Journal, vol. 12, no. 17, pp. 4495-4502, 2006, ISSN: 0947-6539, (Mercero, JM Formoso, E Matxain, JM Eriksson, LA Ugalde, JM Ugalde, Jesus/M-2771-2014; Matxain, Jon M./J-8184-2014; Eriksson, Leif A/D-1226-2012; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010; Mercero, Jose/E-6828-2010 Ugalde, Jesus/0000-0001-8980-9751; Matxain, Jon M./0000-0002-6342-0649; Eriksson, Leif A/0000-0001-5654-3109; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717; Mercero, Jose/0000-0003-4857-6685).

Links | BibTeX

2.

Mujika, J. I.; Formoso, E.; Mercero, J. M.; Lopez, X.

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

In: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 110, no. 30, pp. 15000-15011, 2006, ISSN: 1520-6106, (Mujika, Jon I. Formoso, Elena Mercero, Jose M. Lopez, Xabier Mercero, Jose/E-6828-2010; Mujika, Jon/H-7132-2012; Lopez, Xabier/G-5690-2015; Formoso, Elena/E-6834-2010 Mercero, Jose/0000-0003-4857-6685; Mujika, Jon/0000-0002-4584-7497; Lopez, Xabier/0000-0002-2711-3588; Formoso, Elena/0000-0002-7106-3717 1520-5207).

Links | BibTeX