Ricerc@Sapienza

Applications of nanosystems are relevant in different items spanning from material science to biomedicine. Remind, however, that their biocompatibility is still an open question. Preparing bioinspired nanoparticles (NPs) with manifold functionalities requires the optimization of their structure, size, shape, surface area, chemical composition, solubility and local geometry, Combination of all such properties ensures perspectives in biomedicine, despite possible toxicity is to be considered. Therefore, the design of multi-functional NPs may improve the efficacy of existing formulations and reduce current drawbacks, such as compatibility with different environments. We adopt a bottom-up approach to obtain hybrids having performances and properties not occurring in the single components. Size, morphology, functionalities, and other physico-chemical features of NPs will be tuned to achieve materials responsive to stimuli such as temperature, pH or ionic strength. The proposal will focus on fluid or gel matrices of temperature- and pH-sensitive molecules such as:
1. peptide conjugates with synthetic polymers and polysaccharides.
2. lipopeptides
3. cholic acid derivative conjugated or mixed with smart synthetic polymers.
4. cholic acid derivative-peptide/lipopeptide conjugates with antimicrobial activity.

Classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations as a function of pH and concentration will be carried out to characterize the self-assembly rearrangement of some of these systems, at molecular level. SAXS, DLS, AFM, electron microscopies (SEM, TEM and cryo-TEM), NMR, circular dichroism, fluorescence, rheology, electrophoretic mobility, and relaxation methods will be jointly used to investigate and optimize size, shape, charge and mechanical properties of NPs. Finally, the toxicity and the interaction between self-assemblies and cells will be assessed by flow cytometry analysis on the most promising NPs.