Andrés Rodriguez Vega, inventor of an active peptide against the parasite of Leishmania.
All the processes of his master’s thesis were performed at the Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics in Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Andrés synthesized a strong and resistant chain of amino acids, with the capacity to attack the parasites that cause this disease. – Photos A. Felipe Castaño / Unimedios.
Medellín, nov. 23 de 2011 - Agencia de Noticias UN- Andrés Rodriguez Vega did not have good results in chemistry during his Icfes exam. Today, now age 26, he is the inventor of an active peptide against the parasite of Leishmania.
At the end of 2009, this chemist from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá synthesized a peptide against the cell membranes of micro bacteria. Currently he is coursing a Master degree in Chemistry-Science in Medellin campus and since he arrived, at the beginning of 2010, he has been a tutor of the courses General Chemistry and Introduction to Biochemistry, in the careers of Agronomy, Forest Engineering and Biology Engineering.
He alternates his studies with his classes as basketball tutor. Every Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 12 to 2, he wears the t-shit of his team and plays with the University's team on Saturdays and Sundays. "I practice this sport not to think only in the academy. Everything consists on building the habit and having the energy".
Andres Rodriguez was always the first of his class in high school. He also played the guitar in a rock band, and the zampoña, the flute and the quena in a group of Andean music. "I also used to wear stilts for the festivals", added the scientist. Many people thought that music was his talent and his future profession, but when he registered in the university, he did it to the chemistry program just to check is he really was that bad in the subject.
When he arrived to Medellin, the campus did not have a lab to synthesize peptides; however, with the management of Blanca Fabioloa Espejo, his thesis director in the master program, he made a request of the elements he needed until the university finally inaugurated the Laboratory of Molecular Dynamics, where he synthesized the necessary peptides to attack the reproduction and activity of the parasites that cause the disease, which affects 14 million people in the world.
This coming November 27th, he is traveling to the International Congress of Biotechnology in La Habana (Cuba), where he will present this amazing scientific breakthrough. "With this trip I expect to promote my work in international events. Besides, I expect to meet people who can provide support."
He is planning to begin his doctorate in biotechnology next year, and apply his development in living animals.
Due to his achievements and commitment to his career, Andrés Rodriguez Vera is one example and UN Proud, an institutional campaign of Universidad Nacional de Colombia that highlights the academic, investigative, cultural and athletic achievements of the university's community.
(Por: End/amp/whg)
N° 793
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