A5033342633- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
- Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Photochromic and Fluorescence Chemistry
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
- Advanced Fluorescence Microscopy Techniques
- Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection
- Click Chemistry and Applications
- Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
- Sulfur-Based Synthesis Techniques
- Chemical Synthesis and Reactions
- Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics
- Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
- Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
- Cellular transport and secretion
- Synthesis and Characterization of Heterocyclic Compounds
- Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Cardiac Valve Diseases and Treatments
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Crystallization and Solubility Studies
- Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies
- Nerve injury and regeneration
Center for Nanotechnology Innovation
2010-2025
University of Pisa
2005-2025
University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
2021-2024
Ospedale Sant'Anna
2023-2024
National Research Council
2023-2024
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica
2023-2024
Fondazione Pisa
2019-2024
International Flame Research Foundation
2019-2024
Scuola Normale Superiore
2009-2021
Istituto Nanoscienze
2017-2020
The metabolic state represents a major hurdle for an effective adoptive T cell therapy (ACT). Indeed, specific lipids can harm CD8+ (CTL) mitochondrial integrity, leading to defective antitumor responses. However, the extent which affect CTL functions and fate remains unexplored. Here, we show that linoleic acid (LA) is positive regulator of activity by improving fitness, preventing exhaustion, stimulating memory-like phenotype with superior effector functions. We report LA treatment...
Polarity-dependent fluorescent probes are recently attracting interest for high-resolution cell imaging. Following a stepwise rational approach, we prepared and tested toolbox of new coumarin derivatives tailored to in vivo imaging applications. Our compounds characterized by donor-(coumarin core)-acceptor molecular structure, where the electron donor is represented alkylether or naphthyl groups, acceptor benzothiazene cyano groups. Prior synthesis, substitution patterns were screened...
One of the mechanisms responsible for cancer-induced increased blood supply in malignant neoplasms is overexpression vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Several antibodies VEGF targeting have been produced both imaging and therapy. Molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles, nanoMIPs, however, offer significant advantages over antibodies, particular relation to improved stability, speed design, cost control functionalization. In present study, successful production nanoMIPs against...
The transferrin receptor (TfR) is a promising target in cancer therapy owing to its overexpression most solid tumors and on the blood–brain barrier. Nanostructures chemically derivatized with are employed TfR targeting but often lose their functionality upon injection bloodstream. As an alternative strategy, we rationally designed peptide coating able bind suitable pockets not involved binding or iron by using iterative multiscale-modeling approach coupled quantitative structure–activity...
Dual fluorescence is an anomalous photophysical phenomenon observed in very few chromophores which a two-color radiative process occurs that involves two distinct excited electronic states. To date its observation was linked either to rearrangement of fluorophore leading conformers with emissive properties, or photochemical modification different fluorescent species. In both cases, emission originates from the lowest state resulting molecular configurations, line so-called Kasha's rule. We...
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are an abundant and wide class of molecules produced by many tissues cell types in a variety mammals, plant animal species. Linear alpha-helical antimicrobial among the most widespread membrane-disruptive AMPs nature, representing particularly successful structural arrangement innate defense. Recently, have received increasing attention as potential therapeutic agents, owing to their broad activity spectrum reduced tendency induce resistance. The introduction...
Aptamers able to bind efficiently cell-surface receptors differentially expressed in tumor and healthy cells are emerging as powerful tools perform targeted anticancer therapy. Here, we present a novel oligonucleotide chimera, composed by an RNA aptamer DNA decoy. Our assembly is (i) target via antitransferrin receptor (ii) selective codelivery of chemotherapeutic drug (Doxorubicin) inhibitor cell-survival factor, the nuclear factor κB decoy oligonucleotide. Both payloads released under...
GALC-loaded nanoparticles can reinstate enzymatic activity in the brain of mouse model Krabbe disease.
Significance Neurotrophins (NTs) are homodimeric growth factors displaying fundamental roles in the nervous system. Their activity stems from binding and activation of 3 different receptor types cell membranes. The p75 NT (p75 NTR ) was first to be discovered 1986; nevertheless, for numerous structural functional facets so far reported, its mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, we demonstrate that pleiotropic functions regulated by redistributions receptors, which crucially depend on...
Small extracellular vesicles have been intensively studied as a source of biomarkers in neurodegenerative disorders. The possibility to isolate neuron-derived small (NDsEV) from blood represents potential window into brain pathological processes. To date, the absence sensitive NDsEV isolation and full proteome characterization methods has meant their protein content underexplored, particularly for individual patients. Here, we report rapid method based on an immunoplate covalently coated...
Abstract Globoid cell leukodystrophy (GLD) is a metabolic disease caused by mutations in the galactocerebrosidase (GALC) gene. GALC lysosomal enzyme whose function to degrade galacto-lipids, including galactosyl-ceramide and galactosyl-sphingosine (psychosine, PSY). loss of causes progressive intracellular accumulation PSY. It widely held that PSY main trigger for degeneration myelinating cells white-matter loss. However, still little known about molecular mechanisms which imparts toxicity....
We introduce biodegradable hollow silica nanocapsules embedding arrays of 3 nm gold nanoparticles. The shell degrades in full serum a few hours, potentially allowing the clearance capsules and their contents by efficient renal pathway, thereby overcoming accumulation issues typical metal
Abstract The clinical adoption of nanoscale agents for targeted therapy is still hampered by the quest a balance between efficacy and side effects on healthy tissues, due to nanoparticle biodistribution undesired drug accumulation issues. Here, an intravascular catheter able efficiently retrieve from bloodstream magnetic nanocarriers not contributing therapy, thus minimizing their uncontrollable dispersion consequently attenuating possible effects, proposed. device consists miniature module,...
Glioblastoma (GB) is the most severe form of brain cancer, with a 12-15 month median survival. Surgical resection, temozolomide (TMZ) treatment, and radiotherapy remain primary therapeutic options for GB, no new therapies have been introduced in recent years. This standstill primarily due to preclinical approaches that do not fully respect complexity GB cell biology fail test efficiently anti-cancer treatments. Therefore, better treatment screening are needed. In this study, we developed...
The supramolecular organization of Doxorubicin (DOX) within the standard Doxoves® liposomal formulation (DOX®) is investigated using visible light and phasor approach to fluorescence lifetime imaging (phasor-FLIM). First, phasor-FLIM signature DOX® resolved into contribution three co-existing fluorescent species, each with its characteristic mono-exponential lifetime, namely: crystallized DOX (DOXc, 0.2 ns), free (DOXf, 1.0 bound membrane (DOXb, 4.5 ns). Then, exact molar fractions species...
Abstract CLN5 disease, a form of juvenile dementia within the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL), is associated with mutations in gene encoding lysosomal bis(monoacylglycero)phosphate (BMP) synthase, essential for BMP production and function. Limited knowledge cellular mechanisms unclear drug targets hinder translating this to children’s treatment, which remains symptomatic. We developed characterized new cln5 knock-out zebrafish model that replicates key features molecular signatures...
The neurotrophin receptor TrkA (also known as NTRK1) is to be crucially involved in several physio-pathological processes. However, a clear description of the early steps ligand-induced responses at cell plasma membrane missing. We have exploited single particle tracking and TIRF microscopy study lateral mobility changes oligomerization state upon binding diverse agonists (NGF, NGF R100E HSANV mutant, proNGF NT-3). show that, absence ligands, most receptors are fast moving monomers...
Doxorubicin is a widely used but toxic cancer chemotherapeutic agent. In order to localize its therapeutic action and minimize side effects, it was covalently conjugated peptide-encapsulated gold nanospheres by click-chemistry then photo-released in controlled fashion multiphoton process. Selective treatment of chosen region 2D layer U2Os cells shown driving photorelease with 561 nm irradiation at μW power. These results show promising directions for the development practical applications...