Cingolani R. – TechConnect Briefs

Cell Culture Media elicit a different dynamic Formation of Protein-NP Complexes: Effects on the Cellular Response

Sabella S., Maiorano G., Sorce B., Brunetti V., Malvindi M.A., Cingolani R., Pompa P.P., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

We show that the dynamics of proteins-NP interactions are differently mediated by different cellular media, which are the liquid environments where NPs encounter cells. We used, as a model, spherical NPs (citrate-capped gold nanoparticles, AuNPs) [...]

In vivo nanotoxicity assessment: the role of size, surface coating, nanostructuration and dose-metrics

Vecchio G., Galeone A., Brunetti V., Maiorano G., Malvindi M.A., Sabella S., Cingolani R., Pompa P.P., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

The growing use of nanomaterials in commercial goods and as novel carriers for drug delivery is generating increasing questions about possible risks for human health and environment, due to the lack of an in-depth assessment [...]

Nanomaterials can influence living biological systems with nanometer sensitivity

Sabella S., Brunetti V., Maiorano G., Rizzello L., Sorce B., Vecchio G., Galeone A., Cingolani R., Pompa P.P., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

We show the different response of human neuroblastoma cells line to gold surfaces with different levels of nanoroughness, finding out that neurons are capable to sense and actively respond to these nanotopography features, with a [...]

Magnetically Induced Drop Movement on Nanorough Micropatterned Nanocomposites

Milionis A., Fragouli D., Anyfantis G.C., Bayer I., Cingolani R., Athanassiou A., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

Hybrid organic/inorganic surfaces are engineered by exploiting photo-lithographically tailored patterns of SU-8 polymer nanocomposites containing 2% wt colloidal nanoparticles of iron oxide. The role of the magnetic nanoparticles has two aspects. The first one is [...]

Rendering superhydrophobic laser-induced rough surfaces by transfering on them Teflon nanoparticles

Athanassioua A., Bayer I., Brandi F., Cingolani R., Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, IT

In this work we demonstrate the possibility to alter the wettability properties of silicon/SiO2 surfaces, by UV nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation, to render them initially superhydrophilic. By varying the laser fluence, it is possible to [...]

Selective Separation of Oil from Water via Superhydrophobic Magnetic Foams

Fragouli D., Bayer I., Bertoni G., Calcagnile P., Anyfantis G.C., Cingolani R., Athanassiou A., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

We demonstrate an inexpensive and very facile technique, of forming magneticaly actuated superhydrophobic/superoleophilic foams. Specifically, a simple commercial polyurethane foam is used as a substrate on which a small amount of toluene solution containing colloidal [...]

Halloysite Clay Nanotubes: Characterization, Biocompatibility and Use as Drug Carriers

Vergaro V., Abdullayev E., Zeitoun A., Giovinazzo G., Santino A., Cingolani R., Lvov Y.M., Leporatti S., National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL) of CNR-INFM, IT

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are efficient nano-containers capable of entrapping a range of active agents within the inner lumen, followed by their retention and slow release. Halloysite is a green environmentally friendly object available in commercial [...]

Nanocarriers for Cancer Therapy

Vergaro V., Zheng X., Zheng Z., Zheng X., Zheng Z., Lvov Y.M., Giovinazzo G., Santino A., Cingolani R., Rinaldi R., Leporatti S., National Nanotechnology Laboratory (NNL) of CNR-INFM, IT

Drug nano-colloids encapsulated by combination of layer by layer (LbL) techniques and ultrasonication, phytochemical encapsulated-artificial oleosomes and drug-loading clay nanotubes have been uptaken by neoplastic cells. Morpho- mechanical changes induced by such nanocarriers in living [...]

Directed assembly of magnetic nanoparticles in polymers: the formation of anisotropic plastic films containing aligned nanowires

Fragouli D., Buonsanti R., Villafiorita Monteleone F., Bertoni G., Sangregorio C., Torre B., Cingolani R., Athanassiou A., Italian Institute of Technology, IT

We present a study of the dynamical formation of spatially localized arrays of 1-D aligned magnetic nanowires in plastic films. We demonstrate a straightforward technique, easily reproducible, where by specifically varying experimental conditions we can [...]

Micropatterned Laminin-1 Matrices

Sgarbi N., Pisignano D., Di Benedetto F., Aloisi A., Nicolardi G., Cingolani R., Rinaldi R., Leece University, IT

We have obtained self-assembled laminin-1 networks on glass, realized by one-step microcontact printing lithography, without any preliminary functionalization of the substrates. We investigated the realized patterns by indirect immunofluorescence and atomic force microscopy (AFM), in [...]