Nano-bio-interfaces

The biophysics of the cell and its microenvironment strongly impact on cell functioning and fate, an aspect that was long-neglected in cell biology, compared to the extensively studied biochemical influences. In recent years, it became evident that cells possess a remarkable capacity to sense physical cues of the extracellular matrix, namely its rigidity and nanotopography. An intricate not yet fully understood signalling pathway, called mechanotransduction, translates this microenvironmental information into cellular responses, particularly during cell differentiation. We use supersonic cluster beam deposition to fabricate nano-bio-interfaces with controllable nanotopographies that closely resemble those found in extracellular matrices. Several research lines are active within this general framework.

Related research lines:

Study and control of mechanotransductive and differentiative processes modulated by the cell/nanotopography interactions

We explore how cellular interaction with and sensing of different microenvironmental nanotopographies influences essential cellular parameter relevant for mechanotransductive signalling (such as e.g. integrin clustering, cytoskeletal organisation and nanomechanical properties) and how this eventually impacts on the cellular differentiation, program and fate. To get a comprehensive in-depth understanding of these processes and their mechanistic interdependence, we utilise a highly interdisciplinary approach merging versatile advanced imaging techniques (including electron, optical and atomic force microscopy), label-free shotgun (phospho)proteomics and methods to examine cellular functioning (e.g. electrophysiological recordings). We have a special focus on neuronal cells but also other cellular systems are studied (e.g. mesenchymal stem cells).

Referent: Carsten Schulte

Participants: Serena Ortoleva, Matteo Chighizola, Francesca Borghi, Claudio Piazzoni, Alessandro Podestà, Cristina Lenardi, Paolo Milani.

Last publications show all

Scale Invariant Disordered Nanotopography Promotes Hippocampal Neuron Development and Maturation with Involvement of Mechanotransductive Pathways

Schulte, Carsten; Ripamonti, Maddalena; Maffioli, Elisa; Cappelluti, Martino A.; Nonnis, Simona; Puricelli, Luca; Lamanna, Jacopo; Piazzoni, Claudio; Podesta, Alessandro; Lenardi, Cristina; Tedeschi, Gabriella; Malgaroli, Antonio; Milani, Paolo: Front. Cell. Neurosci. 10 (2016) 267 [DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00267]

Conversion of nanoscale topographical information of cluster-assembled zirconia surfaces into mechanotransductive events promotes neuronal differentiation

Schulte, Carsten; Rodighiero, Simona; Cappelluti, Martino Alfredo; Puricelli, Luca; Maffioli, Elisa; Borghi, Francesca; Negri, Armando; Sogne, Elisa; Galluzzi, Massimiliano; Piazzoni, Claudio; Tamplenizza, Margherita; Podesta, Alessandro; Tedeschi, Gabriella; Lenardi, Cristina; Milani, Paolo: J. Nanobiotechnol. 14 (2016) 18 [DOI: 10.1186/s12951-016-0171-3]

EU – European Union (EU H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018 – ETN) (from 2019-01-01 to 2022-12-31)

Implementation of nano-bio-interfaces into applications

We are developing also methodologies to integrate the extracellular matrix-like nanotopographical features, fabricated by supersonic cluster beam deposition, into applications and cell culture devices. In the neuroscience framework, we established e.g. a procedure that enable us to design micropattern of nanotopographical films permissive for neuronal cell adhesion (and neuronal differentiation-fostering) on elsewhere antifouling cell-repellent surfaces.

Referent: Carsten Schulte

Participants: Serena Ortoleva, Matteo Chighizola, Francesca Borghi, Claudio Piazzoni, Alessandro Podestà, Cristina Lenardi, Paolo Milani.

EU – European Union (EU H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018 – ETN) (from 2019-01-01 to 2022-12-31)

Nanotoxicity and sustainability of ionic liquids

We aim at understanding the basic mechanisms of toxicity of ionic liquids (ILs) by a direct study of the interaction of ILs with reconstituted lipid membranes (as representatives of biomembranes), and living cells. The first interaction of living microorganisms with ILs indeed takes place at the cell membrane level. To this purpose, we use atomic force microscopy and other interface-sensitive techniques to characterisethe how ILs influence the structural-morphological and mechanical properties of model biomembranes and cells.

Referent: Alessandro Podestà

Participants: Massimiliano Galluzzi, Lorenzo Marfori, Stefania Asperti, Alessandro De Vita, Carsten Schulte

Last publications show all

Interaction of Imidazolium-Based Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids with DOPC Phospholipid Monolayers: Electrochemical Study

Galluzzi, Massimiliano; Zhang, Shengwen; Mohamadi, Shahrzad; Vakurov, Alexander; Podesta, Alessandro; Nelson, Andrew: Langmuir 29 (2013) 6573-6581 [DOI: 10.1021/la400923d]

Study of the mechanical properties of cells, tissues, and ECMs in health and disease

The mechanical and morphological properties of living cells and their microenvironment (the extracellular matrix – ECM) have been shown to correlate with cellular fate and patho-physiological state. This research activity aims at investigating the mechanical markers of both the healthy and pathological state of cells and tissues, in view of the development of novel early-diagnostic strategies. Atomic force microscopy -based nanomechanics is a powerful tool for the characterisation of the mechanical properties of soft matter, including cells, tissues, and ECMs. This activity takes advantage from previous (COST Action TD1002), and present (MSCA-ITN Phys2BioMed, EU H2020 FET-OPEN EDIT) extended collaborations of CIMAINA with other groups at European level (including hospitals).

Referent: Alessandro Podestà

Participants: Carsten Schulte, Matteo Chighizola, Luca Puricelli, Massimiliano Galluzzi

Last publications show all

Scale Invariant Disordered Nanotopography Promotes Hippocampal Neuron Development and Maturation with Involvement of Mechanotransductive Pathways

Insight On Colorectal Carcinoma Infiltration by Studying Perilesional Extracellular Matrix

Nebuloni, Manuela; Albarello, Luca; Andolfo, Annapaola; Magagnotti, Cinzia; Genovese, Luca; Locatelli, Irene; Tonon, Giovanni; Longhi, Erika; Zerbi, Pietro; Allevi, Raffaele; Podesta, Alessandro; Puricelli, Luca; Milani, Paolo; Soldarini, Armando; Salonia, Andrea; Alfano, Massimo: Sci Rep 6 (2016) 22522 [DOI: 10.1038/srep22522]

Nanomechanical and topographical imaging of living cells by atomic force microscopy with colloidal probes

Puricelli, Luca; Galluzzi, Massimiliano; Schulte, Carsten; Podesta, Alessandro; Milani, Paolo: Rev. Sci. Instrum. 86 (2015) 033705 [DOI: 10.1063/1.4915896]

EU – European Union (EU H2020-MSCA-ITN-2018 – ETN) (from 2019-01-01 to 2022-12-31)

EDIT – Novel precision technological platforms to promote non-invasive early diagnosis, eradication and prevention of cancer relapse: proof of concept in the bladder carcinoma

EU – European Union (FET-OPEN 2017) (from 2018-10-01 to 2022-09-30)

Study of structural/configurational properties of biomolecules (DNA, proteins) and their complexes

Atomic force microscopy allows studying the structural/configurational properties of biomolecules (DNA, proteins, lipids) and their complexes, to get quantitative insights on biomolecular processes.

Oligomerization/aggregation of proteins
Biomolecular processes in DNA systems
Physical properties of lipid bilayers (mimicking biomembranes) and liposomes

Referent: Alessandro Podestà

Participants: Matteo Giannangeli

Last publications show all

The Incorporation of Ribonucleotides Induces Structural and Conformational Changes in DNA

Meroni, Alice; Mentegari, Elisa; Crespan, Emmanuele; Muzi-Falconi, Marco; Lazzaro, Federico; Podesta, Alessandro: Biophys. J. 113 (2017) 1373-1382 [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.07.013]

Tuning the Extent and Depth of Penetration of Flexible Liposomes in Human Skin

Franze, Silvia; Donadonit, Giulia; Podesta, Alessandro; Procacci, Patrizia; Orioli, Marica; Carini, Marina; Minghetti, Paola; Cilurzo, Francesco: Mol. Pharm. 14 (2017) 1998-2009 [DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.7b00099]

Direct Characterization of Fluid Lipid Assemblies on Mercury in Electric Fields

Vakurov, Alexander; Galluzzi, Massimiliano; Podesta, Alessandro; Gamper, Nikita; Nelson, Andrew L.; Connell, Simon D. A.: ACS Nano 8 (2014) 3242-3250 [DOI: 10.1021/nn4037267]