A5035229728- Advanced biosensing and bioanalysis techniques
- Photonic and Optical Devices
- Photonic Crystals and Applications
- Advancements in Transdermal Drug Delivery
- Silicon Nanostructures and Photoluminescence
- Plasmonic and Surface Plasmon Research
- Diatoms and Algae Research
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Metamaterials and Metasurfaces Applications
- Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
- Nanowire Synthesis and Applications
- Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior
- Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications
- Graphene research and applications
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Optical Coatings and Gratings
- Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
- Electrochemical sensors and biosensors
- Protist diversity and phylogeny
- Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
- Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
- Advanced Biosensing Techniques and Applications
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Carbon and Quantum Dots Applications
National Research Council
2015-2024
Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent Systems
2020-2024
Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems
2011-2020
Naples Anesthesia & Physician Associates
2016-2020
Bioengineering Center
2017
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
2017
John Wiley & Sons (United States)
2017
Hudson Institute
2017
Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials
2014
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
2014
Some natural structures show three-dimensional morphologies on the micro- and nano-scale, characterized by levels of symmetry complexity well far beyond those fabricated best technologies available. This is case diatoms, unicellular microalgae, whose protoplasm enclosed in a nanoporous microshell, made hydrogenated amorphous silica, called frustule. We have studied optical properties Arachnoidiscus sp. single valves both visible ultraviolet range. found photonic effects due to diffraction...
Current advances in the fabrication of smart nanomaterials and nanostructured surfaces find wide usage biomedical field. In this context, nanosensors based on localized surface plasmon resonance exhibit unprecedented optical features that can be exploited to reduce costs, analytic times, need for expensive lab equipment. Moreover, they are promising design nanoplatforms with multiple functionalities (e.g., multiplexed detection) large integration within microelectronics microfluidics....
Abstract Interstitial fluid (ISF) extraction and analysis are challenges that can be tackled by Hollow MicroNeedles (HMNs) technology, overcoming most of the difficulties associated with in situ detection. Herein, a plasmonic transducer, composed gold nanoparticles embedded poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels, is integrated inner cavity HMNs to detect biomarkers from ISF‐based point‐of‐care. The wearable HMN‐based patch used for minimally invasive pierce skin. large swelling...
In this work, two procedures for fabrication of polymeric microneedles based on direct photolithography, without any etching or molding process, are reported. Polyethylene glycol (average molecular weight 250 Da), casted into a silicone vessel and exposed to ultraviolet light (365 nm) through mask, cross-links when added by commercial photocatalyzer. By changing the position support with respect vessel, different shapes lengths can be achieved. Microneedles from hundred microns up...
Microneedles (MNs) are an emerging technology in pharmaceutics and biomedicine, ready to be commercialized the world market. However, solid microneedles only allow small doses time-limited administration rates. Moreover, some well-known already approved drugs need re-formulated when supplied by MNs. Instead, hollow (HMNs) for rapid, painless self-administrable microinjection of their standard formulation. Furthermore, body fluids can easily extracted analysis a reverse use HMNs, thus making...
Inspired by the concept of complementary media, we experimentally demonstrate that an engineered metamaterial made alternating, stripe layers negatively refracting (photonic crystals) and positively (air) materials strongly collimates a beam near-infrared light. This quasi-zero-average-index fully preserves spot size throughout sample for light traveling through distance 2 mm---more than 1000 times input wavelength $\ensuremath{\lambda}=1.55\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. These...
Diatoms can represent the major component of phytoplankton and contribute massively to global primary production in oceans. Over tens millions years they developed an intricate porous silica shell, frustule, which ensures mechanical protection, sorting nutrients from harmful agents, optimization light harvesting. Several groups microalgae evolved different strategies protection towards ultraviolet radiation (UVR), is for all living organisms mainly through formation dimeric photoproducts...
A 3D plasmonic sensing platform that combines the properties of citrate gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and poly-(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels is proposed as a nanocomposite hybrid material for biosensing applications, whose optical sensitivity can be tuned by varying particle mean diameter also predicted Mie theory. It found AuNPs embedded in hydrogel network are more stable when compared to colloidal aqueous solutions. PEGDA physically retains even after full swelling process...
Temporins are one of the largest families antimicrobial peptides with both anti-inflammatory and activity. Herein, for a panel cyclic temporin L isoform analogues, antifungal antibiofilm activities were determined against representative Candida strains, including C. albicans, glabrata, auris, parapsilosis tropicalis. The outcomes indicated significant anti-candida activity planktonic biofilm growth four (3, 7, 15 16). absence toxicity up to high concentrations survival after infection...
Antimicrobial activity of many AMPs can be improved by lysine-to-arginine substitution due to a more favourable interaction arginine guanidinium moiety with bacterial membranes. In previous work, the structural and functional characterization an amphipathic antimicrobial peptide named RiLK1, including lysine as positively charged amino acids in its sequence, was reported. Specifically, RiLK1 retained β-sheet structure under wide range environmental conditions (temperature, pH, ionic...
Evolution shows that photonic structures are a constituent part of many animals and flora.These elements produce structural color useful in predator-prey interactions between the exploitation light for photosynthetic organisms.In particular, diatoms have evolved patterned hydrated silica external valves able to confine with extraordinary efficiency.Their evolution was probably guided by necessity survive harsh conditions sunlight deprivation.Here, we exploit such diatom valves, conjunction...
Human α-thrombin (TB) is a serine protease with crucial role in coagulation and hemostasis.
Native diatoms made of amorphous silica are first converted into silicon structures via magnesiothermic process, preserving the original shape: electron force microscopy analysis performed on silicon-converted demonstrates their semiconductor behavior. Wet surface chemical treatments then in order to enhance photoluminescence emission from resulting and, at same time, allow immobilization biological probes, namely proteins and antibodies, silanization. We demonstrate that light...
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a significant nosocomial pathogen in predisposed hosts because of its capability forming biofilm on indwelling medical devices. The initial stage formation has key role S. abiotic surface colonization. Recently, many strategies have been developed to create new anti-biofilm surfaces able control bacterial adhesion mechanisms. In this work, the self-assembled amphiphilic layers formed by two fungal hydrophobins (Vmh2 and Pac3) proven be reduce different strains...
Fabrication and characterization of an optically monitored hybrid patch for local administration drugs, based on polymeric micro-needles a porous silicon free-standing membrane, are reported.The microneedles realized by innovative photolithographic approach that allows fine tuning geometrical parameters, using polyethylene glycol commercial photo-catalyzer.The multilayer not only increases the storage relevant amount drug, but also offers continuous, naked-eye monitoring drug delivery...
Abstract Mainly designed and realized as a painless alternative to the hypodermic syringe, microneedle‐based devices are currently approaching commercial market placement. The considerable academic industrial investment in this technology is reflected by multitude of papers published patents registered every year, which also sign field full fermentation. New materials innovative methodologies continuously exploited search best performance at lowest cost. For these reasons, an updated review,...
Introduction: The design of delivery tools that efficiently transport drugs into cells remains a major challenge in drug development for most pathological conditions. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is very aggressive subtype with poor prognosis and limited effective therapeutic options. Purpose: In TNBC treatment, chemotherapy the milestone, doxorubicin (Dox) represents first-line systemic treatment; however, its non-selective distribution causes cascade side effects. To address these...
Light passing through a photonic crystal can undergo negative or positive refraction.The two refraction states be functions of the contrast index, incident angle and slab thickness.By suitably using these properties it is possible to realize very simple efficient optical components route light.As an example we present passive device acting as polarizing beam splitter where TM polarization refracted in direction whereas TE component negatively refracted.