Javier Montenegro on functionality in confined environments
For Javier, what sparked his curiosity about living systems was not so much what they are and the elements that make them up, but what they can do. As Oportunius Research Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) in Spain, Javier and his research group are working to understand why cells behave in a certain way and whether it is possible to manipulate and optimise their behaviour and reproduce them in synthetic cells.
What’s striking about Javier is the humility with which he approaches synthetic cell research, positioning himself as a contributor rather than an expert. This field, because of its complexity, is multidisciplinary and brings together people with a wide range of skills, some of whom are entirely dedicated to synthetic cell research, while others, like Javier, straddle the boundary between different fields.
Trained as an organic chemist, Javier worked on artificial analogues of vitamin A during his PhD. After a number of experiences abroad, he set up his own research group in Santiago de Compostela in 2014, his various lines of research focusing on functionality in confined environments (such as membranes). In 2021 He joined the Oportunius programme, which offers the opportunity to develop scientific careers in the Spanish region of Galicia.
The Common thread – functionality
“Why does a cell function or behave in a certain way? Does it give it an advantage, or did it give an advantage to the first protocells from which it evolved, to work better or compete for resources,” said Javier. “Can we manipulate and optimise this function and reproduce it, for example in artificial compartments?”
These questions guide Javier’s various lines of research. His aims are both fundamental – to gain a better understanding of how life works and its origins – and practical – to see whether, on the basis of this knowledge, it is possible to develop technologies that are useful to society.
Supramolecular polymers – one of his main working tools
Javier works on and with supramolecular polymers, whose properties differ from those of most polymers due to the different nature of the bonds that hold the units of the polymer chain together. Protein polymers in the cytoskeleton of cells are an example of biological supramolecular polymers. While many researchers try to reconstitute the cytoskeleton or a primitive version of it using natural polymers such as proteins, Javier uses artificial polymers.
Two main lines of research: supramolecular chemistry and transport of biomolecules
He and his team are studying what happens when a cytoskeleton-like system made up of supramolecular polymers is placed in a compartment. “We want to understand how it interacts with the compartment and can trigger, accelerate or exacerbate a certain function”, explained Javier. To do this, they design artificial systems that are then inserted into compartments. These systems polymerise into fibrous systems that can be seen as minimal models of the protocytoskeleton. This help them to understand more complex supramolecular systems such as the cytoskeleton and to check whether these polymers can be used in a particular application.
The team is also working on the transport of biomolecules. Cells are separated from the outside world by a membrane, and the team is looking to develop ways of crossing the membrane more efficiently, to enable a cargo to be transported or a new function to be added to a living or artificial compartment.
A researcher focused on the future and technology
With several colleagues, Javier has already jointly filed patents and signed transfer agreements to share the knowledge gained from their fundamental research with companies and use it for practical applications.
He and other researchers are also in the process of setting up a company specialising in mRNA-based therapies. They have recently obtained support from the EIC transition programme, which will provide them with the necessary framework to launch their project.
Three questions to Javier about his research, the reasons that led him to apply for the EIC Transition scheme and his advice to those wishing to submit an EIC Transition proposal.
For more information about Javier
Website of his research group: the Montenegro Lab
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