Medicine, health and biotech
Metabolomics of nanoparticles and biomaterials
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The use of nanotechnology offers some exciting possibilities. As of December 2012, there are ca. 1500 consumer products around the world that are manufacturer-identified as nanotechnology based. In the field of medicine it could revolutionize the way we detect and treat disease and damage to the human body. Applications in food safety and biosecurity, material science, and food processing and product development are also widespread. The main question is: Is nanotechnology safe? We have developed metabolomic protocols based on NMR spectroscopy and statistical analysis to follow the fate of nanoparticles inside the cells. This can be achieved by monitoring changes in the metabolic profiles of cells and/or extracts. From the NMR spectra (Fig. 1), by applying statistical analysis, we identify specific metabolites whose concentration variation determines clustering of classes (Fig. 2). Furthermore, identification of metabolites allows detection of specific metabolic pathways altered by nanoparticles. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate which pathways are affected by the presence of nanoparticles and shed light on the possible biological effects. We have applied the protocols to the metabolic evolution of SH-SY5Y (human neuroblastoma) cells after gold nanoparticles treatment. Our protocols can be used to evaluate possible toxicity of nanoparticles, nanomaterial for food packaging and tissue-interacting biomaterials.
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Contact:
With regard to enterprises...
Andrea Motta (andrea.motta@icb.cnr.it) ICB – Pozzuoli (NA) Gianfranco Carotenuto (giancaro@unina.it) IMCB – Napoli Angela Longo (anglongo@unina.it) IMCB – Napoli Emilia Vitale (emilia.vitale@cnr.it) IBP – Napoli
We can offer: NMR service, statistical analysis, diagnostics, for quality and safety controls, toxicity tests, etc.
Micro and Nanotechnologies at CNR
Therapeutic Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Liver Cancer Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the third most common cause of cancer-related death globally and its incidence is rising worldwide, including in Italy. The overall survival rate for most HCC patients is grim due to the lack of adequate therapies. Conventional chemotherapies are generally ineffective. Even to novel therapies (i.e. Sorafenib recently approved by the FDA and EMEA for the treatment of patients with advanced HCC) tumor response rates are not satisfactory, especially if compared to the results obtained with targeted therapies in other solid tumors. Poor aqueous solubility and undesirable side effects limit the clinical application of conventional (chemotherapeutic agents) and novel (sorafenib) therapies. These side effects might be overcome by use of nanoparticles for tumor delivery and controlled release of drugs. Nanoparticles (NPs) represent valid carriers to deliver drugs to target cells and tissues. The drug delivered in nanovectors (drug delivery) crosses the cell membrane or protective barriers more efficiently than in the free form. Consequently, the NP systems reduce the quantity of drug to be administered, limiting the side effects due to its indiscriminate distribution, thus leading to considerable advantages in oncological treatment. NPs are excellent carrier for directing drugs to solid tumor masses, as they present the EPR (Enhanced Retention Permeability) effect, i.e. they are able to cross the fenestrated endothelium present in the capillaries of the tumor masses where they tend to accumulate because of poor lymphatic drainage, a typical feature of tumors. This represents a great advantage in cancer treatment. In this context, the HCC is a particularly interesting model as it is an hypervascularised tumor. Therefore, NPs mediated delivery system is a promising approach for targeted drug delivery to HCC.
With regard to enterprises...
Contact:
We collaborate with Distretto Tecnologico Sicilia Micro e Nano Sistemi S.c.a.r.l. We can offer: preclinical antitumor activities tests (in vitro and in vivo animal tests)
M. Cervello (melchiorre.cervello@ibim.cnr.it) IBIM - Palermo M.L.Bondì (marialuisa.bondi@ismn.cnr.it) ISMN-Palermo E. Amore (amore@mail.pa.ismn.cnr.it) C. Botto (botto@mail.pa.ismn.cnr.it)
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