Research

Nanostructures and Nanocarriers

We fabricate nanoparticles and nanostructures based on chemical and self-assembly methods (e.g., biotin-strepravidin, layer-by-layer, etc.).

Main publications:

1. Light triggered nanoscale biolistics for efficient intracellular delivery of functional macromolecules in mammalian cells.

2. Enhanced siRNA Delivery and Selective Apoptosis Induction in H1299 Cancer Cells by Layer-by-Layer-Assembled Se Nanocomplexes: Toward More Efficient Cancer Therapy.

3. Layer by Layer Assembled Chitosan-Coated Gold Nanoparticles for Enhanced siRNA Delivery and Silencing.

Gene Therapies

We develop nucleic acids loaded nanocarriers. In particular, we are currently exploring the use PLGA-based urease powered nanobots (nanosystems that present enhanced motion and collective displacement) with advanced capabilities for enhanced delivery of nucleic acids therapeutics.

This part of the team focuses from the fundamentals of the design of the nanobots for effective intercellular delivery of nucleic acids towards the in vivo evaluation of the delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids with particular emphasis in the context of bladder cancer and optic atrophy.

Main publications:

1. Swarms of Enzymatic Nanobots for Efficient Gene Delivery.

2. Gene therapy to enhance angiogenesis in chronic wounds.

3. Macrophages as a therapeutic target to promote diabetic wound healing.

4. Increasing Angiogenesis Factors in Hypoxic Diabetic Wound Conditions by siRNA Delivery: Additive Effect of LbL-Gold Nanocarriers and Desloratadine-Induced Lysosomal Escape.

5. Macrophage reprogramming into a pro-healing phenotype by siRNA delivered with LBL assembled nanocomplexes for wound healing applications.

Light Therapies

We explore the therapeutic application of nanoparticles with photothermal properties (PLGA NPs loaded with specific dyes, iron oxide based nanoparticles), as classic nanosystems or designed as nanomtors, in combination with pulsed laser light irradiation.

This part of the team focuses on the study and application of light-triggered phenomena (photothermal or photomechanical effects – by means of the formation of vapor nanobubbles) to disrupt biological barriers, facilitate intracellular delivery of therapeutics or even induce cell killing.

Main publications:

1. Photoporation of NK-92MI cells with biodegradable polydopamine nanosensitizers as a promising strategy for the generation of engineered NK cell therapies.

2. Non-viral engineering of NK cells.

3. Light-Triggered Mechanical Disruption of Extracellular Barriers by Swarms of Enzyme-Powered Nanomotors for Enhanced Delivery.

4. Light triggered nanoscale biolistics for efficient intracellular delivery of functional macromolecules in mammalian cells.

5. Vapor nanobubble is the more reliable photothermal mechanism for inducing endosomal escape of siRNA without disturbing cell homeostasis.