OVERVIEW

Inorganic Nanomaterials for Biomedicine covers the basics of nanomaterial chemistry, with focus on the design and characterization of inorganic nanomaterials. The approach provided will be aimed at the design and validation of nanomaterials for application in biomedicine.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide fundamental knowledge on nanomaterials chemistry. Students will be provided with basic knowledge of materials’ properties at the nanometric scale, with particular emphasis on preparation and characterization of inorganic nanomaterials. Interaction of nanomaterials with advanced biomodels will be covered, as well as their design for biomedical field use. The course’s final aim is to provide the skills required to critically identify potentialities and possible critical issues of nanomaterials from an applicative perspective.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will be able to explain:

• The principles of nanomaterial chemistry and the main properties of nanometric or nanostructured materials, including the most common characterization techniques.

• The classes of most promising or most used inorganic nanomaterials for the biomedical field, their synthesis techniques, their advantages, and limitations.

• The basis of the interaction of nanomaterials with the human organism and with biomodels of increasing complexity.

• The principles of nanomaterial design for biomedical application.

• The basis of regulation and validation of nanomaterials towards clinical translation.

Furthermore, the student will be able to (1) design a nanomaterial suited to treat a therapeutic goal, and (2) analyze critically a scientific article on nanomaterial science.

In parallel to disciplinary competences, during the formation the student will also acquire soft skills related to project making, analysis, and collegial discussion of case studies and scientific articles. This training will be certified through the release of the following Open Badges:

• Functional Literacy Competence, advanced level: the student will be able to communicate and argue effectively by adapting their communication to the context, processing the information obtained using sources and various kinds of aids.

• Competence in Project Creation, advanced level: the students will develop their critical and strategic thinking as well as problem solving with particular reference to scientific innovation.

PREREQUISITES

The course requires fundamental knowledge of Inorganic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.

TEACHING METHODS

The course foresees 32 hours of interactive teaching. The program will be covered through a combination of frontal teaching, individual and group project work and critical analysis exercises, and instant polling questions followed by debate.

The lessons will also include integrative theoretical/practical investigation of real cases/problems inherent to everyday life, industry, and academic research. This will demonstrate how nanomaterials are ubiquitous and essential, as well as introducing the method to approach and analyze scientific research. General debriefing moments guided by the professors will follow.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction to the course and properties of nanomaterials.

What is a nanomaterial, fundamental characteristics, and emerging chemical-physical properties of the nano-scale such as plasmons. History of nanomaterials and relevance in biomedical, industrial, and everyday life application.

• Study of nanomaterials

o Legislation

Regulatory aspects on the definition of nanomaterial. European regulation on definition and characterization, key aspects and critical issues.

o Characterization

Determination of the dimensions of a nanomaterial: electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, alternative methods (NTA, BET). Determination of colloidal properties: electrophoretic mobility.

o Functionalization

Decoration of the surface of a nanomaterial with molecules of interest: aims and methods.

• Biological response to nanomaterials

Nano/bio interactions, biodistribution, active/passive accumulation phenomena in tissues and nanotoxicity. In-depth study of the interactions of inorganic nanomaterials with biological material after administration. Formation of the protein corona, hemolysis, immunological/inflammatory response, metabolization. Biodistribution and excretion of inorganic nanomaterials after administration as a function of size and surface characteristics.

• Preclinical and clinical validation

Preclinical validation strategies: in vitro, in vivo and alternative models. Notes on the 3R approach (Replace, Reduce, Refine). Journey of a drug from the laboratory to the patient.

• Elementary nanomaterials: plasmonic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Cu), non-plasmonic (Se, Pt), carbon dots

Characteristics, classic and innovative syntheses, surface chemical modification, potential and critical issues. Current applications and future perspectives with special attention to the oncology field. Market analysis.

• Non-elementary nanomaterials: non-metallic oxide nanoparticles (silica, calcium phosphates), metal oxides (TiO2, superparamagnetic iron oxides), quantum dots

Characteristics, classical and innovative syntheses, surface chemical modification, potential and critical issues. Current applications and future perspectives. Bio-inspired nanomaterials.

• Scientific literature analysis

Understanding a scientific article on nanomaterials science. Predatory publishing and scientific frauds.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Gold Nanoparticles: an Introduction to Synthesis, Properties and Applications; Valerio Voliani, De Gruyter GmbH Publisher (2020). ISBN: 978-1-5015-1901-7.
• Behaviors and Persistence of Nanomaterials in Biomedical Applications; Domenico Cassano and Valerio Voliani, Wiley-Scrivener (2018). ISBN: 1119418275, 978-1119418276.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the timetable reported here 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is always conducted by the two professors and lasts ca. 30 minutes. The exam is divided into two parts:

- critical analysis of a scientific article, chosen in advance within a pool provided by the professors;

- Design and defense of a nanomaterial design suited to treat a clinical challenge presented by the professors.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

With the above-reported examination method, the commission accurately verifies the achievement of the course’s educational objectives.

During the critical analysis and project work the commission evaluates student’s ability to analyze critically nanomaterials’ use and development and to implement them, as well as the ability to present, argue, connect, and apply it to practical examples.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Compensatory and dispensatory measures Disability/Invalidity/Specific Learning Disorder

Dispensatory measures and compensatory tools are intended to enable students to achieve the same learning objectives as their fellow students, not to facilitate the examination.

The use of compensatory tools and the application of dispensatory measures must be authorised in advance by the teacher in agreement with the Referee.

To take advantage of the adaptations during the examination, fill in the Adaptation request form; the request will be automatically sent by the system to the teacher in charge of the teaching, to the Contact Person of your School/Area/Department and in copy to the Sector; you will also receive a copy of the request sent by e-mail.

The adjustments available to students are as follows:

• Additional time (+30% DSA)
• Additional time (+50% disability/invalidity)
• Additional time during oral exams to organise the answer
• Calculator (programmable and graphing calculators are not allowed)
• Conceptual Maps
• Tables and/or Forms
• Take the exam in written form
• Take the exam in oral form
• Tutor reader (for written tests only)
• Tutor-writer (for written tests only)

Your request for adaptations must be submitted at least 7 working days before the scheduled exam date.

All information for students with disabilities and DSA is available on the webpage: Services for students with disabilities or DSA | UniGe | University of Genoa

Reference for inclusion: Sergio Di Domizio - sergio.didomizio@unige.it