Research and Development

Alexis Díaz, PhD
Dr. Alexis Díaz is the director of the Research and Development Department of LifEscozul™ Group.
With 17 years of experience and author of more than 25 scientific articles on blue scorpion venom, he is considered the highest scientific authority on the subject. Currently, the Research and Development Department is in charge of the development of scientific research in coordination with several universities attached to the Project with the aim of achieving the corresponding sanitary registration, as well as the patent of the LifEscozul™ formulation, the most advanced and effective formulation made with blue scorpion venom.
Another project is the development of a synthetic formulation of blue scorpion venom, through the identification of the fundamental components of the active ingredient.
STUDIES
2019-2020Postdoctorate; Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Sgto. de Chile, Chile.
2019-2020Doctor in Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Havana, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food. Havana, Cuba.
2007-2008Master in Experimental Pharmacology, University of Havana, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food. Havana, Cuba.
1996-2001Degree in Microbiology, University of Havana, Faculty of Biology.
Work Experience
2019 - CurrentLifEscozul™ Chile SpA. Stgo de Chile, Chile.
2001-2018Laboratorios Biológico-Farmacéuticos (LABIOFAM), La Habana, Cuba.


Technical Expertise
Cell toxicity assays: MTT, LDH, ALAMAR BLUE, CRISTAL VIOLET.
Cell biology methods: PCR, RT-PCR.
Isolation and purification of DNA, RNA and proteins.
ELISA methods for detection of cytokines and other immune mediators in cell cultures, serum and plasma.
DNA and protein electrophoresis and Western blot.
Experimental models of cancer.
Scientific Experience
Basic research in the prospecting and evaluation of natural products against cancer.
Investigation of the pharmacological properties of venoms of poisonous animals.
Investigation of the characteristics of ion channels present in tumor cells and their relationship with tumor progression.
Study of the effect of natural products on the immune system in vitro and in vivo.
Study of the molecular mechanisms of action of active principles and natural products on tumor cells.
Writing and reviewing scientific articles.
Communication of research results in national and international scientific congresses.
Design, writing and execution of research projects.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
28 NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2015Standardization of a qPCR for Leprosy diagnosis. Cuba (Undergraduate thesis tutor).
Study of the antitumor potentialities of Brazilian and Cuban propolis. (Co-Director of PhD Thesis).
Training in cell culture techniques and cytotoxicity studies. "Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) Cuba. (Professor).
Biodistribution and Pharmacokinetics of the venom of the scorpion Rhopalurus junceus (Thesis Tutor).
Biodistribution and Pharmacokinetics of Rhopalurus junceus scorpion venom administered subcutaneously. (Thesis Tutor).
In vitro toxicological evaluation of Cuban propolis extracts. (Master's Thesis Tutor).
Partial purification of protein fractions from scorpion venom Rhopalurus junceus scorpion venom and evaluation in normal and tumor cell lines. Cuba (Graduate Thesis Tutor).
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
2008 - 2019Proyecto de colaboración Cuba-Venezuela. “Estudio de las toxinas y antitoxinas de escorpiones“. Venezuela. Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC).
2016Proyecto de colaboración en la evaluación de los mecanismos de acción moleculares de péptidos citotóxicos en células de cáncer epitelial. Universidad Miguel Hernández, España.
REVIEWER OF SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS
2017European Journal of Biological Research
2016Journal of Venom Research
2015 - 2018Revista Cubana de Medicina Tropical
2014Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
2013Revista Colombiana de Biotecnología
LANGUAGES
Spanish - Native
English - Intermediate