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RIVAS PARDO LAB
Mechano-Biology Group
WELCOME TO RIVAS PARDO LAB
Exploring the Role of Mechanical Forces on Biology
We have a deep interest to understand for forces control critical biological processes. Our current research lines are focused to determine through a combination of molecular strategies how forces is able to modulate bacterial adhesion, muscle elasticity, and cell communication
Would you like to try your protein in our microscope? Write us and tell about your project
(updated to August 2025)
Our Team
Aiming to understand how mechanical forces control molecular processes
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FORMER MEMBERS
(updated to August 2025)
FERNANDA CONTRERAS
Biochemist, Lab tech 2019-20
(currently PostDoc at GEMA)
In 2019 I joined the RP-Lab as lab manager and research assistant. During my time in the lab I collaborated in the preparation of proteins and single molecule experiments. After finishing my PhD in Microbiology, I joined GEMA Center at UMayor under supervision of Dr. Fernando Alfaro.
ANDREA SAN MARTÍN
Biotech Engineer 2019-2020
(currently PhD student USACH)
Despite I started working in the lab on titin during my thesis I focused to design and implemented a platform for protein immobilization and polymerization. I used protein engineering and molecular biology yielding vectors for easy-oriented-cloning of mechanical proteins. Currently, I am in my thrid year at the PhD program of Biotecnology at USACH.
TOMAS HERMOSILLA
Biotechnologus 2020-2022
(currently at Starks Industries)
I completed my BSc thesis in 2022, working in the implementation of the first Magnetic Tweezers based of 3D printing. I keep my interest in the instrumentation and the fabrication of tools, reason I continue working on the new generation of 3D printed microscopes and software for studying single molecule and single cells mechanics.
VICENTE COLARTE
Biotechnologist 2020-2022
FDP UMayor awardee
(currently at Bio UP)
After finishing my BSc degree in the lab, working with the engineering of elastic proteins, I continued working group as a researcher assistant. After completing my training I moved to industry joining BioUp, an emerging company related to the generation of Veterinary solutions based on molecular biology.
PABLO BERRIOS
Biotechnologist 2020-2022
(currently AFM specialist at Aguayo's lab PUC)
I joined the lab in 2020, aiming to accomplish my BSc thesis. My investigation was focused to understand the impact of the RedOx conditions on the folding of the muscle giant protein titin. In particular my thesis project I combined stereed molecular dynamics and single-molecule AFM to determining the elastic properties of titin I10 domain. Take a look of my thesis manuscript
MARCELO JORQUERA
Biotechnologist 2021-2022
MERCK Award Best Undergraduate 2022
FDP UMayor awardee
I did my thesis investigating the elastic properties of the pili protein AgI/II from Streptococcus mutans. In particular, I used a combination of molecular dynamics and docking for designing peptides for the intervention of the elasticity of AgI/II. Supported by ANID FONDECYT1221064
NICOLAS SCHERER
Biotechnologist 2023-2024
(currently at Starks Industries)
I joined the lab in 2020, aiming to accomplish my BSc thesis. My investigation was focused to understand the impact of the RedOx conditions on the folding of the muscle giant protein titin. In particular my thesis project I combined stereed molecular dynamics and single-molecule AFM to determining the elastic properties of titin I10 domain. take a look of my thesis manuscript. Supported by ANID FONDECYT1221064
HECTOR VASQUEZ
Biotechnologist 2022-2024
(currently at Starks Insdustries)
I joined the lab in 2020, aiming to accomplish my BSc thesis. My investigation was focused to understand the impact of the RedOx conditions on the folding of the muscle giant protein titin. In particular my thesis project I combined stereed molecular dynamics and single-molecule AFM to determining the elastic properties of titin I10 domain. take a look of my thesis manuscript.
NATALIE DUCHENS
Biotechnologist 2023-2024
Awards: Arduino Competition, 3rd Place Best Undergraduate Project
My thesis was focused to developed a software for motorizing the magnetic-tweezers based force spectrometer. For that I combined programing in C++, phyton and some arduino for fully controlling the microscope.
PAST INTERN
MARIANELA VERDUGO, winter internt 2025
NATALIA MONDACA, winter internt 2025
FELIPE , summer 2022
JAIME CISTERNAS, internt summer 2019
ISRAEL MORENO, internt winter 2019
From 2019-2025
(updated January 2025)
THE TEAM
Aiming to understand how mechanical forces control molecular processes
IVANA ORELLANA
PhD student
ANID Fellow 2022
UN-UBioLAC Fellow 2024
Bioinformaticians Engineer
I studied bioinformatics engineering at Talca University, Class 2019.
Currently, I am in my fourth year of the Integrative Genomics PhD Program at UMayor. My project aims to study the evolutive pathway of the adhesive mechanism present in the Streptococcus genus through a combination of phylogenomics, molecular dynamics and force spectroscopy.
JOSEFA NUÑEZ
PhD student
UN-UBioLAC Fellow 2024
Bayer Fellow 2025
Doctor of Dental Surgery
After graduating from the Dental School in 2020, I joined the Integrative Genomics PhD Program, aiming to continue my training and research. I do have interest in the understanding infectious oral pathologies, in particular periodontitis disease.
My Ph.D. project proposed to understand the diversity, virulence, and fimbriae adhesion mechanics of the Porphyromonas gingivalis. (Currently in Münster University, Germany)
MICHELLE MENDOZA
Research Assitant & Lab Manager
Biotechnologist UMayor 2023
2024 SBBMCh awardee
After finishing my thesis working in developing peptides for interfering with the elasticity of Spy0128 proteins, I became Lab Manager of the lab. Currently I am working in several projets related to protein and DNA elasticity using single molecule instrumentation.
Would you like to try your protein in our microscope? Write us and tell about your project
(updated to June 2025)
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