We analyze the components of the tear using proteomics and lipidomics techniques in an attempt to identify diagnostic biomarkers of ophthalmological diseases like dry eye disease. We have been pioneers in analyzing the tear using these two techniques and we have published more than 15 articles in this field.

Representative publications:

• Acera A, Abad B, Pereiro X, Rodríguez FD, Ruzafa N, Duran JA, Vecino E., 2022. Comparative study of the lipid profile of tears and plasma enriched in growth factors. Exp Eye Res. 219, 109061.
• Acera, A. et al., 2019. A simple and reproducible method for quantification of human tear lipids with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Mol Vis. 25:934-948.
• Acera et al., 2013. Tear MMP-9 levels as a a marker of ocular surface inflammation in conjuntivochalasis. Inves. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 54(13):8285-91
• Acera, A. et al., 2011. Changes in tear protein profile in keratoconus disease. Eye (Lond). 25(9):1225-33.

Projects:

• Tear Lipidomics in dry eye disease: potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers. MINECO-Retos Fondos Fender (RTC-2016-48231).
• Research on Biofunctional Materials for biomedical sector devices (IMABI). Hazitek.

A collaboration with the company IMG-Pharma through the co-supervision University-Industry Doctoral Thesis of the graduate student Miguel de la Fuente.

The design of hydrogels to liberate therapeutic growth factors that drive the regeneration of the ocular surface. We collaborate with two technology centres, CIDETEK and POLYMAT, to develop the biomaterials that liberate the growth factors.

Representative publications:

• Rodríguez-Agirretxe I et al. The PLGA implant as an antimitotic delivery system after experimental trabeculecyomy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 54(8):5227-35

Project:

• Novel biomaterials in regenerative ophthalmic medicine. ELKARTEK (KK-2019/00086)

Foundation Gangoiti fellowship to the graduate student Nerea Ayucar

By analyzing the tears of Parkinson's disease patients, we have characterized some potential early biomarkers that could help achieve an early diagnosis of this disease.

This work has been the result of the direct collaboration between the neurologist Dr Juan Carlos Gómez and Dr Marta Galdós, an ophthalmologist, both working at the Cruces University Hospital, and with the assistance of the Proteomics service at the CIC Biogune and through the collaboration of specialists in bioinformatics.

Representative publications:

• Acera A, Gómez-Esteban JC, Murueta-Goyena A, Galdos M, Azkargorta M, Elortza F, Ruzafa N, Ibarrondo O, Pereiro X, Vecino E. Potential tear Biomarkers for early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. A pilot study. Proteomes. 2022 Jan 13;10(1):4. doi: 10.3390/proteomes10010004. PMID: 35076620.

Funding: Elkartek 2020 Programme