Research Director (
&
Full Professor In Biomedical Engineering and Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering (
University Medical Center Groningen / University of Groningen, The Netherlands
(Docent Pharm. Nanotechnol.; D.Sc. Tech., Chem. Eng.; Lic. Chem. Eng.; Lic. Chem.)
Full Professor in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2020–2021)
Visiting Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China (2021–2023)
Visiting Professor, University of Tartu, Estonia (2021–2022)
Visiting Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro, Italy (2020–2021)
Visiting Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Università degli studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Italy (2019–2020)
Co-founder and Chairman of
Associate professor in pharmaceutical nanotechnology (2017–2020)
Director of the
Chair of the
Dr. Hélder A. Santos is a physical chemist specialized in electrochemistry, biological mimetic models and soft interfaces. In 2003, he obtained his MSc in Chemistry from the Department of Chemistry, University of Porto (Portugal). In 2007, he obtained his DSc in Chem. Eng. from the Laboratory of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Helsinki University of Technology (Finland, now named Aalto University). In 2007, Dr. Santos joined the University of Helsinki, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, as a Postdoctoral Fellow. In 2009, he was appointed Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Research Fellow.
Currently, Prof. Santos (D.Sc. Tech., Chem. Eng.) is a Full Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Groningen/ University Medical Center Groningen, and Research Director of the Nanomedicines and Biomedical Engineering Lab, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. He is also the Chairman and co-founder of Capsamedix Oy, and the Coordinator of the large and prestigious EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network on Perspectives For Future Innovation in Tendon repair (P4 FIT), among others. He was a former Full Professor in Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, former Head of the Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, and former Head of the Preclinical Drug Formulation and Analysis Group at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. He was also the former Director of the Doctoral Programme in Drug Research at the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, and the Director of the FinPharmaNet. In 2012, Dr. Santos received the ERC starting grant for 2013-2017 worth of 1.5 M€ and an ERC PoC in 2019-2020.
Prof. Santos' research is focused on nanobiomaterials, including nanoporous silica/silicon materials and polymeric-based nanoparticles for controlled drug delivery, diagnostics and therapy. The research interests include the development of nanoparticles/nanomedicines for biomedical and healthcare applications. His current work makes the bridge between engineering, pharmaceutical and medical research. His main research focus is in the use of biodegradable and biocompatible nanoporous silicon nanomaterials, polymers, the application of microfluidics technology for nanoparticle production for simultaneous controlled drug delivery, diagnostic and treatment of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, and further translation of these nanotechnologies into the clinic.
He is the author of more than 450 publications (
In 2010, Prof. Santos received the "Talent Prize in Science" awarded by the Portuguese Government (TV-broadcasted for more than 15 million people), in 2013 and 2014 he received the Young Researcher Award 2013 and was distinguished by the exceptional scientific productivity, respectively, by the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Helsinki, in 2016 he was awarded the Academy of Finland Award for Social Impact, and the Controlled Release Society (USA) Young Investigator Award 2021. He was among the Top 4 Nominees for the
He has several national and international research collaborations in the areas of biomedical nano/micro-technology, controlled drug delivery, nanomedicine and cancer therapy, and innovative therapeutic modalities. He has acted as invited Guest Editor for Current Drug Discovery Technologies, Current Drug Metabolism and Biomatter journals. He is also an active referee for more than 100 international journals and evaluator for 18 international research foundations). Dr. Santos is also an Editorial Board Member for the journals of Drug Delivery Letters (2011–current), Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (2012–current), American Journal of Digestive Disease (2013–current), AIMS Materials Science (2013–current), Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and Materials - section Frontiers in Biomaterials (2015–current), Current Nanoscience (2016–current), Advances in Materials Science and Engineering (2017–current), Advances Therapeutics (2018–current), International Journal of Molecular Sciences — Section Board for 'Materials Science' (2018–current), Advances Healthcare Materials (2020–current), Science and Engineering of Composite Materials (2020–current); Journal of Functional Materials (2020–current), Chemical Society Reviews (2020–current), and VIEW (2021–current). He is also the Editor of the Mesoporous Biomaterials journal, Academic Editor of BioMed Research International, Journal of Healthcare Engineering, and PLOS ONE. He is also the Editor of the book entitled "Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications" (published), Woodhead Publishing/Elsevier, 2014.
Prof. Santos’ research career and development portfolio since 2009 totals over 10 M€ (European Research Council, H2020-MSCA-ITN-IJD, Academy of Finland, Tekes/Business Finland, CIMO, Biocentrum Helsinki, Finish Cultural Foundation, University of Helsinki Research Funds, H2020-MSCA, etc.).
Prof. Santos’ has also been the chair and coordinator of the courses Nanomedicines for Biomedical Applications, Microfluidics in Pharmaceutical Applications and Analysis, and Laboratory Experience within a Research Group.
Board Member of the Leadership Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2017–2021).
Board Member of the Drug Research Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2018–2021).
Director of the Doctoral Programme in Drug Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (2018–2021).
Board Member of the Doctoral Science in Health Sciences, University of Helsinki (2018–2021).
Expert panel member,
Drug Research Programme scientific committee, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Finland (January 2016–current)
Mesoporous Biomaterials (
Review Editor:
1.1.2021–31.12.2024: H2020 EU MSCA-ITN-EJD-2020: Perspectives for future innovation in tendon repair (Project #955685), Coordinator: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki).
1.9.2020–31.8.2024: Academy of Finland:
1.6.2020–31.5.2022: Business Finland: Microneedle skin patch for enhanced drug delivery (grant intended for researcher commercialization) (Project # 1179/31/2020), P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 945 000€
1.6.2020–31.5.2021: Instrumentariumin tiedesäätiö: Drug delivery device for long-term oral administration of drugs and other active ingredients,
1.5.2019–30.4.2022: Sigrid Jusélius Foundation: Towards Personalized Nanomedicines for Infarcted Myocardium Regeneration and Repair, P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 165 000€
1.9.2018–31.3.2022: Bayer Oy: Development of polymer based nano drug delivery system for targeted therapy to brain, P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 350 000 €.
1.1.2019–31.5.2020: European Research Council (Proof of concept grant): Biohybrid and biodegradable nanovaccines for cancer immunotherapy (grant no. 825020). Total fund: 150 000 €
1.9.2018–31.8.2021: Academy of Finland:
1.1.2017–31.12.2018: Norwegian Research Council: Consortium together with Nacamed AS (Norway) company.
1.7.2017–31.7.2020: HiLIFE Membership, University of Helsinki, P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 180 000€
1.1.2017–31.12.2018: Academy of Finland: Consortium together with Aalto University:
1.5.2016–30.4.2019: Sigrid Jusélius Foundation: Development of Nanovaccines for Cancer Therapy (Decision no. 9-3-2016), P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 159 000€
1.1.2016–30.6.2016: Centre for International Mobility, CIMO:
1.1.2015–30.4.2015: Centre for International Mobility, CIMO:
1.1.2015–31.8.2016: Academy of Finland (additional research costs):
1.3.2014–28.2.2019: TEKES:
1.3.2014–30.11.2014: Centre for International Mobility, CIMO:
1.1.2014–31.12.2017: Drug research doctoral programme (DRDP), Faculty of Pharmacy (University of Helsinki): Targeted drug delivery into injured myocardium with porous silicon nanoparticles: myocardial remodelling and repair. P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 159 290€.
1.1.2014–31.12.2016: Biocentrum Helsinki Membership (2014–2016), University of Helsinki: (Decision no. 429/51/2013), P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 105 000€
1.9.2013–31.3.2014: Centre for International Mobility, CIMO:
1.1.2013–31.12.2017: University of Helsinki Research Funds, P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 125 000 €
1.1.2013–31.12.2017: European Research Council:
1.8.2012–31.3.2013: Centre for International Mobility, CIMO:
1.9.2011–31.12.2014: Academy of Finland (additional research costs):
1.9.2011–31.8.2016: Academy of Finland:
1.2.2011–31.12.2013: The National Doctoral Programme in Nanoscience (NGS-NANO): Biofunctionalization of porous silicon nanoparticles for brain cancer therapy, P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 69 000 €
1.1.2009–31.12.2011: University of Helsinki Research Funds: Biodistribution and biofunctionalization of nanoporous silicon particles (BioNanoPSi-Project #490039), P.I.: Dr. Hélder A. Santos (University of Helsinki). Total fund: 120 000 €
1.1.2009–31.12.2011: Academy of Finland:
1.1.2008–31.12.2011: Academy of Finland: Mesoporous silicon based composite materials as oral drug delivery systems (ComPSi-Project #122314), P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.1.2008–31.12.2011: Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH (Germany): Towards enhanced bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs utilizing PSi (ENBIPSi project, 2008-2011), P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.4.2007–31.12.2007: Academy of Finland: Mesohuokoiset materiaalit oraalisessa lääkeannostelussa (HUMALA-Project #211048), P.I.: Prof. Jouni Hirvonen (University of Helsinki).
1.3.2006–31.3.2007: Academy of Finland: ESPOM graduate school, P.I.: Prof. Kyösti Kontturi (Helsinki University of Technology).
22.9.2003–28.2.2006: Training and Mobility Research EU network:
Hélder A. Santos, Scientific report for the chemical Finish company
Hélder A. Santos, Annual scientific report for the research and training
Hélder A. Santos, Annual scientific report for the research and training
Academy of Finland Research Fellow,
Academy of Finland Post-doctoral Research Fellow,
Post-doctoral Researcher,
Doctor of Science in Technology (October 2007),
Licentiate of Science in Technology (November 2005),
Graduated in Chemistry (Licentiate Degree; July 2003),
Harvard University,
Saarland University,
Univeristy of Porto,
Univeristy of Warwick,
Univeristy of Liverpool,
University of Kuopio,
Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Bio-electrochemistry, Nanotechnology, Pharmaceutics, Biomaterials, Porous Silica / Silicon
Biomimetic Systems
Structure of complex interfaces (amphiphiles, peptides, proteins, polymers, clusters, nanoparticles glycosaminoglycans)
Polymers/peptides/glycosaminoglycans/proteins/nanoparticles-lipid/liposome interactions
Ion and drug transfer across model membranes
Chemistry and Physics in Confined Space
Air/liquid and liquid/liquid interfacial systems
Physicochemical processes at surfaces of model membranes
Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of glycosaminoglycans-functionalised nanoparticles
Thermodynamic parameters of glycosaminoglycans binding to drug molecules
Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology
Controlled and targeted drug delivery: nanoporous silica / silicon micro- and nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Analytical analysis (e.g., HPLC, etc), flourescent- and luminescent-based in vitro assays, cell culturing for in vitro tests (Caco-2, RAW 264.7 macrophages, etc), cellular uptake and toxicity assays, etc.
Techniques/Instrumentation of Expertise (among others)
Langmuir–Blodgett, ac impedance/voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, isothermal titration calorimetry, UV-Vis, GC, HPLC, TEM, SEM, SECM, confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culturing, dissolution and permeation methods, ELISA assays, etc.
The Finnish Association of Pharmacy Teachers and Researchers (FOTY ry)