A5013080220- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Surfactants and Colloidal Systems
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- DNA and Nucleic Acid Chemistry
- Supramolecular Self-Assembly in Materials
- Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Nanopore and Nanochannel Transport Studies
- Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
- Extracellular vesicles in disease
- Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies
- Cultural Heritage Materials Analysis
- Building materials and conservation
- Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
- Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- Characterization and Applications of Magnetic Nanoparticles
- Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
- Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Polydiacetylene-based materials and applications
- Fluid Dynamics and Thin Films
- Material Dynamics and Properties
- Protein Interaction Studies and Fluorescence Analysis
- Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
Baylor University
2025
University of Florence
2015-2024
Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase
2012-2024
Texas A&M University
2019-2022
Florence (Netherlands)
2014-2021
Virginia Tech
2019
Instituto Brasileiro de Mercado de Capitais
2015
University of Southampton
2008-2010
University of Cagliari
2009
Chalmers University of Technology
2008
Modern civilization's inherited artworks have a powerful impact on society, from political, sociological, and anthropological points of view, so the conservation our Cultural Heritage is fundamental for conveying to future generations culture, traditions, ways thinking behaving. In cultural artifacts, scientists intervene in degradation often unique handcrafts, resulting delicate balance aging, unpredicted events, environmental conditions, sometimes incorrect previous restoration treatments,...
The mechanical properties of extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known to influence their biological function, in terms of, e.g., cellular adhesion, endo/exocytosis, uptake, and mechanosensing. EVs have a characteristic nanomechanical response which can be probed via force spectroscopy (FS) exploited single them out from nonvesicular contaminants or discriminate between subtypes. However, measuring the characteristics individual FS is labor-intensive time-consuming task, usually limiting this...
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) – cell secreted vesicles that carry rich molecular information of the parental and constitute an important mode intercellular communication are becoming a primary topic in translational medicine. EVs (that comprise exosomes microvesicles/microparticles) have size ranging from 40 nm to 1 μm share several physicochemical proprieties, including size, density, surface charge, light interaction, with other nano-objects present body fluids, such as single aggregated...
In the present study, we investigated lipid membrane interactions of silica nanoparticles as carriers for antimicrobial peptide LL-37 (LLGDFFRKSKEKIGKEFKRIVQRIKDFLRNLVPRTES). doing so, smooth mesoporous were compared to virus-like nanoparticles, characterized by a "spiky" external surface, well nonporous nanoparticles. For this, employed combination neutron reflectometry, ellipsometry, dynamic light scattering, and ζ-potential measurements studies bacteria-mimicking bilayers formed...
The widely overlapping physicochemical properties of lipoproteins (LPs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) represents one the main obstacles for isolation characterization these pervasive biogenic lipid nanoparticles. We herein present application an atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based quantitative morphometry assay to rapid nanomechanical screening mixed LPs EVs samples. method can determine diameter mechanical stiffness hundreds individual nanometric objects within few hours. obtained...
Although Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) is widely applied for ultrasensitive diagnostics and imaging, its potential largely limited by the difficult preparation of SERS tags, typically metallic nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with Raman-active molecules (RRs), whose production often involves complex synthetic approaches, low colloidal stability poor reproducibility. Here, we introduce LipoGold Tags, a simple platform where gold NPs (AuNPs) clusters form via self-assembly on...
The search for innovative, smart and performing cleaning agents is one of the main issues modern conservation science. Nanosciences do not only provide solutions to this scientific field in terms new materials but also change radically approach problems challenges. In feature article we review most innovative nanostructured systems developed last decade artworks together with some noteworthy case studies. Micelles, microemulsions, thickened complex fluids, responsive gels that constitute...
Interaction between nanoparticles and model lipid membranes from the molecular to mesoscale domains.
The simultaneous or sequential delivery of multiple therapeutic active principles to a specific target is one the main challenges nanomedicine. This goal requires construction complex devices often extremely time and cost consuming. Supramolecular self-assemblies, with building blocks different nature, each providing function final construct, can combine facile synthetic route high tunability structural control. In this study we provide proof-of-principle drug system, DDS, constituted (i)...
The presence of pressure-sensitive tapes (PSTs) on paper artworks, either fortuitous or specifically applied for conservation purposes, is one the most frequent and difficult issues encountered during restoration. Aged PSTs can damage disfigure compromising structural integrity, readability, enjoyment. Current procedures are often inherently hazardous artistic media support. Challenged by necessity to remove from a contemporary an ancient drawing (20th century, artists da Silva Hayter,...
In recent years, many efforts have been devoted to investigating the interaction of nanoparticles (NPs) with lipid biomimetic interfaces, both from a fundamental perspective aimed at understanding relevant phenomena occurring nanobio interface and an application standpoint for design novel lipid-nanoparticle hybrid materials. this area, reports revealed that citrate-capped gold (AuNPs) spontaneously associate synthetic phospholipid liposomes and, in some cases, self-assemble on bilayer....
The sudden emergence and rapid spreading of viral, bacterial, fungal infections the usual development resistance against traditional molecular drugs prompt urgent need for alternative approaches to kill or inactivate pathogenic agents. This motivation has inspired a vast number research works devoted design, synthesis, application nanomaterials, specifically inorganic plasmonic nanoparticles, as antimicrobial We will pay special attention articles from 2019 2023 where control colloidal...
Lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), ranging from nanovesicles to non-lamellar assemblies, have gained significant attention in recent years, as versatile carriers for delivering drugs, vaccines, and nutrients. Small-angle scattering methods, employing X-rays (SAXS) or neutrons (SANS), represent unique tools unveil structure, dynamics, interactions of such particles on different length scales, spanning the nano molecular scale. This review explores state-of-the-art methods applied structure...
Methylene blue (MB) can be employed as a photo-activatable antimicrobial drug in photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to its ability release oxygen free radicals upon photo-activation. However, poor penetrate bacterial cell walls and biofilms limits activity. To overcome these limitations, we propose some formulations of MB based on different cationic liposomes. The liposome-MB systems were characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis UV-visible spectroscopy. Their...
Magnetic–plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) have shown remarkable potential in hyperthermia, magnetic resonance imaging, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering imaging diagnostics. However, despite their promise, effective clinical translation remains limited due to a lack of fundamental knowledge about the biological response these materials, ongoing efforts seek bridge gap between nanomaterial design applicability. To overcome hurdles, combination inorganic NPs with lipid membranes has emerged...