(Toledo, 1946 – Madrid, 2022)
Graduated in Pharmacy and Chemical Sciences from the Complutense University, he received his doctorate from the University of Salamanca (1972) under the direction of Julio R. Villanueva. He worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the United States (1972-75) with Severo Ochoa at New York University and at the Roche Institute of Molecular Biology (New Jersey). Pharmacist Specialist in Microbiology and Parasitology. Scientific Collaborator by opposition of the CSIC (1975), at the Institute of Biochemical Microbiology of the CSIC in Salamanca; Associate Professor of Microbiology, at the universities of Santiago de Compostela and Madrid (1979), he became Professor of Microbiology, in 1981, at the University of Santiago de Compostela, moving in 1982 to the Complutense University, to occupy what was the first chair of Microbiology of the Spanish University (endowed in 1900) in the Faculty of Pharmacy. He was Director of the Department for 16 years.
His research in microbial Molecular Biology and Biotechnology focused on model microorganisms, addressing cell wall biogenesis, signal transduction in the cell, pathogenicity and virulence factors, and their applications to the production of recombinant proteins and antimicrobial design. . Its use of genomic and proteomic technology stands out. He was founder and director of the DNA Sequencing Center of the Complutense University and directed since 2001 the first Extraordinary Chair of Genomics and Proteomics of the Spanish university (sponsored by the Merck, Sharp & Dhome laboratories). Author of more than 150 original research works and director of more than 25 doctoral theses. He published popular articles and public debate in areas such as bioethics, university policy and scientific policy, as a columnist in various media outlets. He published the book “Stem cells. Biological crossroads for Medicine” (EDAF Editorial. Madrid 2007). Editor of various international publications, especially the journal Microbiology, leader in the specialty in Europe. He was President of the Spanish Society of Microbiology (1982-1990) and President of the European Federation of Microbiology Societies (1995-98).
Among other organizational tasks, he was mainly responsible for the national Microbiology congresses in 1981 and 1995, as well as the European Microbiology Congress (2006). Secretary of the School of Clinical Analysis of the Faculty of Pharmacy (1980-86). He was also a member of the Advisory Committee for the Training of Pharmacists of the EU (1991-2000) and President of the National Commission of the specialty in Microbiology and Parasitology, as well as President of the National Council of Pharmaceutical Specializations (1988-1996). Member of the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee (1998-2003) and, in Spain, he was also President of the “Advisory Committee on Ethics in Scientific and Technological Research” (2002-2005). President of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) from 1996 to 2000. He was also part of the Evaluation Commissions of the Health Research Fund (FIS), in the 80s, as well as planning and evaluation panels of the Interministerial Science Commission and Technology (CICYT) and the European Union. Member of the European Science and Technology Assembly (ESTA), in Brussels, in 1997-98, and member of the CICYT, chaired by the President of the Government (1996-2000). Member of the National Council of Universities (1996-2000). He served as President of the Carmen and Severo Ochoa Foundation, by Nobel's testamentary appointment. He was a member of the Academia Europaea, Honorary Member of the Spanish Association of Industrial Pharmacists, Gold Medal from the universities of Lérida and Castilla-La Mancha, Van Udden Conference Award (1993) from the University of Coimbra and the Portuguese Society of Biochemistry and CEOE Prize for Sciences (1995).
He participated in Medialab Madrid within the conferences organized for “Cibervisión02. Winter Cycle of Science and Technology of the Complutense University of Madrid” (February 27, March 4-8, March 11-15, 2002). In the context of the I International Festival of Art, Science and Technology – Cibervisión 02, a cycle of 18 conferences was held in which prominent personalities from the world of science, art and thought participated. The cycle addressed the topic of flows from the most diverse angles and contexts: those related to fluid physics; the dynamics of complex and self-organizing systems; global and economic ecosystem models; energy and information flows; neural flows and educational processes.
