Scientific & creative writing

Photo by Ana Elisa Sotelo

Select scientific articles

1) RV Espinoza, et al. (2021) Engineering P450 TamI as an Iterative Biocatalyst for Selective Late-Stage C-H Functionalization and Epoxidation of Tirandamycin Antibiotics. ACS Catalysis, 11, 8304-8316. [Link] [PDF]

We hacked microbial enzymes’ DNA to produce new antibiotics that could serve as drug leads against endocarditis and anthrax.

Diagram showing iterative P450 TamI reaction pathway with molecular structures and red arrows indicating different chemical transformations and products labeled "Multi-step cascade."

2) RV Espinoza, et al. (2020) Exploring the Molecular Basis for Selective C-H Functionalization in Plant P450s. Synthetic and Systems Biotechnology. 5(2), 97. [Link] [PDF]

Illustration of a plant cell highlighting the P450 enzyme mechanism with electron transfer, NAD(P)H, and CYP reductase interaction, accompanied by strategies for enzyme expression optimization, including N-terminal modification, co-expression techniques, growth condition adjustment, and media supplementation.

A commentary on plant-derived enzymes of industrial relevance in pharmaceuticals, fragrances, pesticides and vitamins.

3) RV Espinoza, et al. (2021) Epoxidation and Late-Stage C–H Functionalization by P450 TamI Are Mediated by Variant Heme-Iron Oxidizing Species. ACS Catalysis, 12(6), 3731-3742. [Link] [PDF]

Diagram showing chemical structures and interactions of three iron compounds: Cpd 0, Cpd I, and Peroxo-iron, connected through Taml L295A pathway.

We investigated the formation of new chemistry in antibiotic molecules using microbial-derived enzymes.

4) C Delgado and RV Espinoza (2023) Physicochemical parameters and chemoprofiling of honey of two species of stingless bees in the Peruvian Amazon. Food and Humanity, 1, 1145-1156. [Link]

We conducted the first chemical analysis of stingless bee honey in the Peruvian Amazon, detecting various medicinally-relevant molecules.

5) Delgado et al (2019) Rhynchophorus palmarum used in Traditional Medicine, in the Peruvian Amazon. Ethnobiology Letters, 10(1), 120-128. [Link] [PDF]

Map showing regions, provinces, and communities in northern Peru, including Loreto and Amazonas. Areas labeled include Mariscal Ramon Castilla, Requena, Caballo Cocha, Condorcanqui, with specific communities like Santa Rosa de Cacao and Flor de Castaña highlighted.

We describe the medicinal use of insects in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest.

6) RA Demetrio et al (2024) Traditional ecological knowledge on stingless bees in two Ashaninka communities in the central rainforest of Peru. Currently under revision in Ethnobiology and Conservation.

This articles describes, for the first time, the traditional ecological knowledge of Ashaninka regarding bees. Co-authored with Ashaninka indigenous community members and beekeepers.

For a full list of scientific articles on Google Scholar, click here

Select narrative pieces

1) A Sotelo and RV Espinoza (2022). Life, death and stingless bees in the Peruvian Amazon. Bee Culture. [Link]

Bees on a honeycomb structure, with one bee in flight.

A narrative piece describing how stingless bees cope with death within their species while bringing life back to the Amazon

2) RV Espinoza (2021). Seeking extremophiles in the Boiling River of the Peruvian Amazon. American Society of Pharmacognosy Field Notes.

Steaming hot spring surrounded by rocks and trees in a forested area.

A narrative piece describing the experience of working in the sacred Boiling River.