Nanobiotechnology Platform
Over last few years, nanobiotechnology has played an increasingly central role in the field of biomedical sciences. A combination of both chemistry, physics and biology it has found applications in the diagnosis and therapy of several diseases, notably neoplastic diseases, in targeted drug delivery and in the development of biomaterials.
Research Interests
Within the wide scope of nanobiotechnology, the CISI research group is particularly interested in two main areas: nanoparticles and biomaterials. Nanoparticles (Qdots, SPION, etc.) not only are of a comparable size to biological systems, but also exhibit enhanced optical, magnetic and electronic properties when compared to their macroscopic counterparts. Nanoparticles are often used in biomedical sciences as diagnostic probes, in particular magnetic nanoparticles which have potential applications in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
The laboratories dedicated to nanotechnologies have the capacity to synthesise nanoparticles, conjugate these nanoparticles to pharmacologically active vectors in order to target their action towards specific target organs as well as investigate their chemical-physical properties by means of advanced equipment.
Another research area is the synthesis of conveniently functionalised nanomaterials suitable for the preparation of three dimensional matrices capable of promoting the growth, differentiation and development of a certain cell type.
This activity, directed towards the preparation of new biomaterials for tissue engineering, is centred on the synthesis of new polymers functionalised with molecules that will either promote the interaction with specific cell lines or will promote selective differentiation from a pluripotent cell line.
Scientific Director
Daniela Arosio, head scientist of the nanobiotechnology section, gained her Laurea degree in Chemistry from University of Milan. Subsequently she received her PhD from the University of Milan in 2003, under the supervision of Professor Anna Bernardi. In 2006, following a post-doctoral research position at the University of Pavia, she obtained a position at CNR (Institute of Molecular Science and Technologies – ISTM) as a research scientist.
Dr. Daniela Arosio