CHIMICA FISICA DEI SISTEMI BIOLOGICI E DELLE BIOINTERFACCE

Module Teranostica e nanomedicina (Modulo 2)

Course description

The course provides advanced physico-chemical insights into the concepts, principles and properties of surfaces, with particular emphasis on solid–liquid interfaces and nano–biointerfaces.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding the physico-chemical interactions at nano–biointerfaces (cells, tissues, natural or artificial materials).
• Gaining in-depth knowledge of the role of water and biomimetic or bioinspired systems (supported lipid bilayers, nanozymes) in modulating surface properties and biological functions.
• Analyzing mechanical (viscoelasticity), magnetic (magnetohydrodynamics), physical (topography, roughness), and chemical (surface free energy, surface chemical structure) properties influencing cellular processes (adhesion, proliferation, differentiation).
• Designing intelligent nanosystems responsive to chemical, physical, and biological stimuli for applications in healthcare (nanomedicine and theranostics), as well as translatable to the environmental and energy sectors.
• Applying chemical synthesis and physico-chemical characterization techniques to colloidal systems for drug delivery, imaging, and biosensing applications.

Contribution to the Dublin Descriptors

D1 – Knowledge and Understanding Applied 

a) At the end of the course, students will be able to solve problems related to the application of theoretical knowledge by comparing experimental results with computational data in case studies of biointerfaces between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM), and between cells, ECM, and medical devices.
b) Students will be able to operate complex instruments for the measurement and analysis of nano–biointerfaces.
c) Students will be able to apply the operational skills acquired to different professional and research contexts, particularly in fields involving bioinspired approaches and multifunctional surfaces for biointerfaces in health, environmental, and energy applications.

D2 – Making Judgements

a) Students will be able to select the most appropriate investigative techniques according to the type of experimental problem (nano–biointerfaces) and evaluate their limitations.
b) Students will be able to critically transfer the methodological skills acquired (synthesis and physico-chemical and biophysical characterisation) to different operational contexts and research topics, identifying the most suitable approaches according to the specific problem (nanomedicine and theranostics).
c) Students will be able to design experimental activities, assess timing and procedures, and independently evaluate and quantify the results obtained.
d) During laboratory sessions and/or practical exercises, students will develop teamwork skills.
e) Students will be able to retrieve and analyse information from open-access databases, scientific literature, and other relevant sources.
f) Students will be able to formulate critical reflections on scientific and ethical issues related to safety, environmental sustainability, economic impact, and health.

D3 – Communication Skills

a) At the end of the course, students will be able to present and discuss scientific topics related to bioinspired chemistry with linguistic accuracy and terminological rigour, illustrating motivations and results in both specialist and public contexts.
b) Students will develop communication skills useful for participating in or coordinating multidisciplinary projects and research teams in the field of chemistry.
c) Upon completion of the course, students will be able to work independently, managing time and resources effectively and adapting to new contexts.
d) Students will be able to convey to undergraduate students the knowledge acquired on the physico-chemical properties of biointerfaces, both from theoretical and experimental perspectives.
e) During laboratory activities, students will learn to interact with colleagues, plan and manage the time required to carry out experiments, and work both in groups and independently, adapting to different contexts.

D4 – Learning Skills

a) Students will be able to effectively identify and consult scientific literature, specialised databases, and online resources to obtain information on nanomedicine and theranostics.
b) Students will be able to approach new studies, emerging scientific topics, and professional challenges in various fields (health, environment, energy).
c) Students will be able to manage complex and interdisciplinary problems involving chemistry, biophysics, tissue engineering, and biochemistry.
d) Students will be able to gather and critically evaluate information to formulate and discuss solutions in both specialist and outreach contexts.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD): 

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders may request a personal meeting to plan any compensatory measures according to the learning objectives and individual needs.

Face-to-face teaching lessons delivered in the classroom with the aid of the blackboard and suitable projection of slides (3 ECTS). Classroom solution of problems and answers to exercises relevant to the main topics of the course (2 ECTS). The participation of the students in the laboratory experiences (1 ECTS) and the related introductory lessons is mandatory. In the laboratory, there are working places with suitable equipment to perform the experiences; students will work in group. The results of each laboratory experience must be accurately reported by each student in their laboratory notebook.The aim of the writing of this notebook is a self-assessment by the student of the degree of understanding of the experimental activities and the ability to describe them in a scientific and reproducible way.

The students of the EUNICE partner universities participating to the international M.Sc. course ‘EUNICE Excellence Programme - Bioinspired Chemistry' can participate online (Moodle, Microsoft Teams platforms). 

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

• Compulsory (at least 60% attendance)

• Physical chemistry of nano-biointerfaces. 
  
• Introduction, biointerface concept, surface properties (air/water).
  
• Biomaterials: preparation, biomedical prostheses, foreign body reaction and encapsulation. Biosensors, bioelectronics, tissue engineering, nanomedicine and theranostics.
  
• Nanoscale biointerfaces: cell-cell, cell-ECM, protein-surface interactions.
  
• Role of water in surface adsorption and Goldilocks surfaces.
  
• Self-organizing biomolecular systems: supported lipid bilayer (SLB).
  
• Nanozymes and multimodal platforms.
  
• Magneto-hydrodynamic properties of blood and biological fluids and their role in nanomedicine and advanced diagnostics.
  
• Characterization techniques of biointerfaces: acoustic (QCM-D), optical (SPR, OWLS), microscopic (AFM, LSM).
  
• Laboratory exercises on model systems for drug delivery, biosensors, and imaging.
  

Handouts and lecture slides provided by the teacher

1. P. W. Atkins, J. de Paula- Chimica fisica biologica - Zanichelli
   
2. Physical chemistry for the life sciences. 2nd ed. By Atkins, P. W.; De Paula, J.; Ed. W.H. Freeman and Co., Oxford University Press: New York; Oxford, 2011; p xxvi, 590 p.
   
3. W. Pauli - Physical Chemistry in the Service of Medicine - Wiley &Sons
   
4. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology - John Wiley & Sons
   
5. H. Ohshima - Biophysical Chemistry of Biointerfaces - Wiley
6. B.D. Ratner, A.S. Hoffman - BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE: An Introduction to Materials in Medicine - Elsevier
7. NANOMATERIALS INTERFACES IN BIOLOGY - METHODS AND PROTOCOLS, Editors: Bergese, Paolo, Hamad-Schifferli, Kimberly (Eds.) SPRINGER

Oral test. Delivery of written reports from exercises/laboratory; optionally PowerPoint presentations. 

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.