Fundamental and translational nanobiophysics

The research activities are devoted to the understanding at different levels of complexity of the pathogenesis of diseases with high social impact or aging, the development of innovative drugs, and methodologies for detecting pathogens and cell diagnostics. These activities range from the characterization of the interaction between biological moieties and nanostructured materials to studies on the development of novel scaffolds for cell cultures suitable for regenerative medicine.

This is an intrinsically multidisciplinary and rapidly developing field in which, often, concepts developed for a certain discipline, for example condensed matter, find application in very different contexts, such as neuroscience or optimization problems. The impact of this strategic area is on various fields such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, epidemiology, engineered materials, plasmas, biological systems and soft matter.

Of particular importance in this area is the Human Brain Project (HBP), having as the main objectives the development of new methodological and technological tools for the study, diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases and dysfunctions, such as autism, epilepsy, cognitive process deficits, neurodegenerative diseases, human interfaces machine, neural modeling, low-power intelligent technologies, and brain-enabled robots.

Nanotechnological approaches are used to investigate single cells and biomolecules, to identify the microscopic mechanisms active in physiological and pathological conditions, also aimed at the development of innovative pharmacological strategies.

The development of diagnostic tools beyond the state of the art using nanotechnology methods and techniques and bio-inspired strategies for nanotechnology applications, is also included.

The self-assembly of biomolecules (proteins, nanostructured biomaterials and nanofibers, biopolymers) and the interaction of biomolecules with nanostructured inorganics is another main topic. Nanoscale engineered biomaterials are investigated for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Recently, combined in silico and in vitro studies are performed to develop fluorescent sensors based on minimal virus fragments (SARS-CoV-2), which are extendable to different / mutated viruses, to address and limit any future pandemics. Also, novel therapeutic paradigm, based on chimeric proteins, are focused on the protection of cells from viral invasion.

See also: Bio@Nano, Green@Nano, HPC@Nano.

Contacts

To learn more on specific topics of Fundamental and translational nanobiophysics at Cnr Nano, please contact the Principal Investigators listed below. For general info, please contact Antonella Sgarbossa, antonella.sgarbossa@nano.cnr.it.

Running Projects

National Project​
International Project
Industrial Project
Others
Centre
Agency
TITLE
Dates
CNR Researcher
Modena
MUR PRIN 2020

ASTRO SECRET - Molecular mechanisms of astrocyte maturation and secretome in neurodevelopmental disorders associated with prenatal inflammation (project nr. 2022Y544HH)

2022-2025
Modena
Next Generation EU PNRR

PE13 INF-ACT - One Health Basic and Translational Research Actions addressing Unmet Needs on Emerging Infectious Diseases - SPOKE 5 "New therapeutic strategies” - PE00000007

2022-2025
Modena
MIUR-PRIN

Interaction between cholinergic and glumatergic synaptic trasmission at tripartite synapse in the pathophysiology of alzehimer's disease (project nr. 2020AMLXHH)

2022-2025
Pisa
Regione Toscana- Bando Salute 2018

DEM-AGING - Neurodegenerative disorders throughout the lifespan. Autophagy-dependent biomarkers for trial readiness from infantile neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses to senile dementias

2020-2024
Modena
MIUR - PRIN 2021

PACECOR - Early Phase Preclinical Development of PACECOR, a Mutation-Independent Anti-SARS-Co2 Therapeutic Strategy (project nr. 2020LW7XWH)

2022-2025
Pisa
Bando CARILUCCA 2029-2021 "Ricerca"

SAWINE - Laboratorio on-chip basato su onde acustiche di superficie (2019-06910001)

2020-2022
Pisa
GEIE ELA International

NanoERT - Nanoparticle based Enzyme Replacement Therapy for the treatment of Krabbe disease: a pre-clinical study in the Twitcher Mouse (GA 019-008I2)

2020-2022
Pisa
Bando Ricerca Salute 2018 -DD15397/2018 Regione Toscana

DECODE-EE - Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: epidemiology, comorbidities, molecular diagnosis, personalized management, and costs analysis (Atto Regione Toscana 975 del 16/01/2019)

2020-2023
Pisa
Bando Ricerca Salute 2018 -DD15397/2018 Regione Toscana

TOSCANO - The Omics SCiences AgaiNst Osteosarcoma (Atto Regione Toscana 975 -16/01/2020)

2020-2023
Pisa
MIUR FISR 2019

VIOloC - Wine and Oil Analysis 4.0: development of a Lab-On-Chip with remote connectivity (project nr. FISR2019-03020)

2021-2024
National Project​

Principal investigators