Activities

The development of biosensors is emerging as an important tool for the in vitro detection and quantification of i) biomarkers of diseases (e.g. cancer, cardiovascular diseases, infective diseases, …), ii) analytes of interest for food analysis.

Nano- and micro-sized systems are currently proposed as amplification systems for improving the sensitivity of analytical tools. Liposomes, RBCs-derived systems, mesoporous silica nanoparticles are examples of available systems.

These systems are properly designed in order to contain highly sensitive reporter agents (e.g. chromophores/fluorescent molecules, photoacoustic-active probes or paramagnetic NMR-detectable molecules) and to be responsive to the bio-analyte of interest.

Our current projects include:

• Detection of MMP-2 activity in biological fluids (e.g. plasma) by using enzyme-responsive LipoCEST agents for MRI;
• Detection of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) by using fluorescent-liposomes;
• Development of highly sensitive small and giant liposomes for revealing biomarkers of diseases (e.g. integrin overexpression). 

Group

• Dr. Giuseppe Ferrauto, Researcher, PI

• Prof.ssa Simonetta Geninatti Crich, Associate Professor

• Pros.ssa Daniela Delli Castelli, Associate Professor

• Dr. Enza Di Gregorio, post-doc fellow

• Dr. Martina Tripepi, PhD student

• Dr. Jacopo Sforzi, PhD student