Organic Materials for Detection and Controlled Release – MODeLiC
Research focuses on the synthesis and evaluation of colorimetric and fluorometric chemical sensors specifically designed for biomedical applications and personal safety. This includes assessing the sensing performance of newly developed compounds in cellular environments to monitor biologically relevant processes and detect disease-related biomarkers. In parallel, the group has developed highly selective, user-friendly sensors for the in situ detection of chemical submission drugs, such as GHB, in alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. These portable detection systems are designed to be safe, affordable, and accessible to non-specialist users, providing rapid and reliable results in real-world social settings.
A second major research line is the design of smart nanomaterials for controlled drug delivery to improve the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis, solid tumors, and inflammatory bowel disease. These systems incorporate molecular gates activated by external stimuli, enabling site-specific and on-demand drug release while reducing side effects. By combining supramolecular chemistry, nanotechnology, and biomedicine, the group develops multifunctional organic–inorganic hybrid materials with theranostic capabilities, integrating disease diagnosis, targeted therapy, and real-time treatment monitoring within a single platform.
CV Prof. Pablo Gaviña Costero
He obtained a BSc in Chemistry (1989) and a PhD in Chemistry (1994) from the University of Valencia. Following a postdoctoral fellowship (1995–1997) with Prof. Jean-Pierre Sauvage (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 2016) at Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg, he returned to the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol), where he worked on molecular motors, metallosupramolecular architectures, and luminescent metal complexes. He joined idm in 2011, became Full Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2021, and has led the MODeLiC research group since 2022. His research focuses on chemosensors, molecular probes, and gated mesoporous silica nanomaterials for sensing and drug delivery. He has authored 105 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters (h-index 30; ~4,000 citations), participated in 36 competitive research projects (11 as PI/co-PI), holds seven patents, co-founded Optical Sens SL in 2024, and has supervised 11 PhD and 10 MSc theses.
Research Lines
Chemosensors and Smart materials for the detection of chemical species of interest.
Functionalized porous nanomaterials for the controlled release of drugs and/or fluorophores.
Highlighted Funding
Kits para detección rápida de GHB en bebidas, saliva y orina. Evidencia e impacto de las agresiones por sumisión química en la comunidad valenciana (VSAFE). PND2025-I044. Ministerio de Sanidad. 2026-2027. Pablo Gaviña
Quimiosensores y materiales inteligentes para la detección de drogas ilícitas y liberación de drogas dirigida a tumores solidos (SMADDS). PID2024-155683OB-C42. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2025-2028. Pablo Gaviña, Margarita Parra
Dispositius per a detectar la submissió química. UV-INV-PROVAL25-3960176. Universitat de Valencia (UV). 2025-2027. Salvador Gil
Nanosistemas de liberación controlada para la detección y tratamiento de tumores pipóxicos (NANOHIPOX). CIAICO/2022/146. Generalitat Valenciana (GVA). 2023-2025. Pablo Gaviña, Margarita Parra
Desarrollo de kits basados en sondas moleculares para la detección de drogas de sumisión química (NOSUMPROBES). PDC2022-133576-C22. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2024-2025. Pablo Gaviña, Ramón Martínez
Quimiosensores y materiales inteligentes para la detección de drogas y tratamiento/imagen de trumores hipóxicos (HYDRUGSENS). PID2021-126304OB-C42. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2022-2025. Pablo Gaviña, Margarita Parra
Desarrollo de una sonda molecular para detección de la droga de sumisión química GHB (NOSUQUI). UV-INV_PROVAL21-1871796. Universitat de Valencia. 2022-2023. Ana M. Costero, Pablo Gaviña
Diseño y evaluación de un “kit personal” para prevenir las agresiones sexuales por sumisión química (NOSUM). PND2020-I040. Ministerio de Sanidad. 2021-2022. Pablo Gaviña
Materiales inteligentes para la detección de drogas de abuso y biomarcadores (BIOMEDCOM). RTI2018-100910-B-C42. Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI). 2019-2021. Ana M. Costero, Pablo Gaviña
Highlighted Publications
Roig-Rubio, J.; Hernández-Contreras, J.; Parra, M. et al. A “turn-on” fluorogenic probe for the rapid and on-site detection of synthetic cathinones, ketamine and scopolamine in water and beverages. Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research. 2026. 51, 100987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2026.100987
Rodrigo-Martínez, P.; Barros, M.; Terencio, M.C. et al. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles with an azobenzene gatekeeper as hypoxia-responsive nanocarriers for targeted doxorubicin delivery. Drug Delivery and Translational Research. 2026. 16, 5, 1423-1434. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13346-025-01950-5
Barros, M.; Sáez, J.A.; Arroyo, P. et al. Nitroreductase-responsive gated mesoporous silica nanocarriers for hypoxia-targeted drug delivery. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2025. 672, 125326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2025.125326
Barros, M.; Arroyo, P.; Sáez, J.A. et al. Push-pull fluorophores based on NHS esters of bithiophene for labelling of biomolecules containing primary amines. Royal Society Open Science. 2025. 12, 241816. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241816
Hernández-Contreras, J.; Roig-Rubio, J.; Parra, M. et al. Silica-based optical chemosensors for rapid and reliable on-site detection of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in beverages and oral fluids. Microchimica Acta. 2025. 192, 275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-025-07134-9
Hernández-Contreras, J.; Roig-Rubio, J.; Parra, M. et al. Green and real-time detection of GHB in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages using an eco-friendly cellulose paper-based fluorescent probe. Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research. 2024. 46, 100691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbsr.2024.100691
Hernández-Contreras, J.; Madrigal P.; Arroyo, P. et al. Optical detection of scopolamine and ketamine with a BODIPY-Phen conjugate and Cu(II). Dyes and Pigments. 2024. 221, 111806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2023.111806
Martí, A. Arroyo, P. Gaviña, P. et al. Gold nanoparticles as monoanion sensors through modified electrophilicity. Colorants. 2023. 2, 491-600. https://doi.org/10.3390/colorants2040030
Hernández-Contreras, J.; Parra, M., Gil, S. et al. Colorimetric and fluorescent detection of synthetic cathinones in oral fluid with meso-aryl BODIPYs and Cu(II). RSC Advances. 2022. 12, 28580-28585. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra05188e
Rodríguez-Nuévalos, S. Costero, A.M.; Parra, M. et al. Colorimetric and fluorescent BODIPY-hydrazone probes for the detection of γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and cathinones. Dyes and Pigments. 2022. 207, 110757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2022.110757
Prof. Margarita Parra
Prof. Salvador Gil Grau
Prof. Pau Arroyo Máñez
Prof. Jose Antonio Sáez Cases
Prof. María Carmen Martínez Bisbal
Prof. Carmen Coll Merino
Prof. Daniel Gaviña Rueda
Jordi Roig Rubio
Carlos Herrera Saiz
Enrique Terol Ortolá
Agustina Altuna
Martina Beviglia Emilce