Cytomechanical and topological investigation of MCF-7 cells by scanning force microscopy.

Despite enormous advances in breast cancer biology, there is an increased demand for new technologies/methods that are able to provide supplementary information to genomics and proteomics. Here, we exploit scanning force microscopy (SFM) in combination with confocal microscopy, to investigate the morphological and mechanical properties of two neoplastic cell lines: (i) MCF-7 (human breast cancer) and (ii) HeLa (human cervical carcinoma). Living and fixed cells either in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) or in air have been studied, and the viscoelastic properties (including the Young's modulus) of cells grown onto standard and modified (e.g. by fibronectin, one of the cellular matrix components) substrates have been measured. We observed different Young's modulus values, influenced by the adhesion and growth behaviour onto specific substrate surfaces

FM19G11-Loaded Gold Nanoparticles Enhance the Proliferation and Self-Renewal of Ependymal Stem Progenitor Cells Derived from ALS Mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. In ALS mice, neurodegeneration is associated with the proliferative restorative attempts of ependymal stem progenitor cells (epSPCs) that normally lie in a quiescent in the spinal cord. Thus, modulation of the proliferation of epSPCs may represent a potential strategy to counteract neurodegeneration. Recent studies demonstrated that FM19G11, a hypoxia-inducible factor modulator, induces epSPC self-renewal and proliferation. The aim of the study was to investigate whether FM19G11-loaded gold nanoparticles (NPs) can affect self-renewal and proliferation processes in epSPCs isolated from G93A-SOD1 mice at disease onset. We discovered elevated levels of SOX2, OCT4, AKT1, and AKT3, key genes associated with pluripotency, self-renewal, and proliferation, in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs at the transcriptional and protein levels after treatment with FM19G11-loaded NPs. We also observed an increase in the levels of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein (UCP) gene in treated cells. FM19G11-loaded NPs treatment also affected the expression of the cell cycle-related microRNA (miR)-19a, along with its target gene PTEN, in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs. Overall our findings establish the significant impact of FM19G11-loaded NPs on the cellular pathways involved in self-renewal and proliferation in G93A-SOD1 epSPCs, thus providing an impetus to the design of novel tailored approaches to delay ALS disease progression

Quantum dot nanoparticles: Properties, surface functionalization, and their applications in biosensoring and imaging

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as Quantum Dots (QDs), posses unique properties due to their nanometric size. They have broad absorption spectra and narrow emission bands that are related to the materials used and to their size. QDs represent a new class of fluorescent probes that are gradually substituting traditional organic dyes since they present many advantages compared to them, first of all improved photostability. Furthermore, since QDs have broad absorption spectra, it is possible to excite many QDs using just one wavelength. Much progress has been made in the last years in the synthesis of QDs, which now can yield highly homogeneous and highly crystalline QDs. Many strategies are also available nowadays to make QDs water soluble and biocompatible, the most common being the ligand exchange and polymer coating. The surface passivation of the QDs to make them water soluble also allows for further functionalization. As an example, if biological ligands are attached to the outer shell of the nanocrystals, they can selectively recognize specific targets. This approach can be exploited for numerous applications, among them biosensoring and imaging. Biosensors are a class of probes developed for biomarkers detection on a real-time or continuous basis in a complex mixture. This easy to use and low cost technique perfectly combines with the optical properties of QD. For example, the high photostability of QDs can allow for continuous monitoring of a signal over time. Furthermore, simultaneous detection of several specific receptors can be also achieved if many QDs with different emission colors are combined into a single structure, effectively behaving as an optical barcode. Optical imaging, in particular fluorescence imaging, is an area where QDs are gaining increasing popularity. Near-infrared wavelengths are of key importance for biological analysis since in this region biological tissues absorb only weakly. Few traditional organic dyes are available for such spectral window and in addition they suffer from photobleaching. On the other hand, QDs can be tuned to the desired emission wavelength by adjusting their composition and size. QDs have been already extensively used for cell imaging in vitro; however, the full potential of QDs can be appreciated only when they are employed in in vivo imaging. The preparation of multicolor probes which are highly stable in biological buffers and can be followed over long periods of time can be achieved by exploiting the QDs properties. Although just in its infancy, biosensoring and imaging by means of QDs has already proved to be of paramount importance in biomedicine and future developments in QDs synthesis and functionalization will probably yield nano-tools of priceless value for medical application, e.g. for the early detection of diseases, such as in cancer diagnosis. In this chapter, we will try to give to the reader a general overview on the many aspects of QDs, mainly of their physical properties that are relevant for biological applications and on the strategies followed to make them biocompatible. Then the main biological applications of QDs will be reviewed, their implementation in biosensoring and imaging, both in vitro and in vivo, including their exploitation in photodynamic therapy. Finally, we will give an overview on the toxicity issues and on the upcoming new generations of QDs that should solve those issues

Bari: tra mare e terra. La proiezione competitiva del capoluogo pugliese

Bari: tra mare e terra. La proiezione competitiva del capoluogo pugliese. Il contributo si propone di fornire un’analisi delle caratteristiche strutturali e delle tendenze evolutive della città di Bari e del suo intorno metropolitano al fine di individuarne le traiettorie di sviluppo e valutarne la proiezione competitiva nel più ampio scenario euro-mediterreneo. A tal fine sono stati analizzati i settori strategici di sviluppo in grado di promuovere la rinascita funzionale e culturale della città e dell’area metropolitana che ne costituisce il suo intorno geografico: Logistica, Cultura, Industria, Ricerca, Servizi, Turismo. Lo sviluppo di Bari e della sua area metropolitana è legato alla possibilità di realizzare un modello di sviluppo che integri questi diversi settori, sfruttandone i legami sinergici ed interattivi. Dallo studio condotto emerge come la possibilità che questa prospettiva si concretizzi sia strettamente connessa ai processi di integrazione euro-mediterranea e alla stessa capacità della città di assumere un ruolo centrale nelle dinamiche di sviluppo delle regione “adriatico-ionica”. Bari deve dunque puntare sulla creazione di un sistema logistico integrato, supportato da un tessuto economico-produttivo coerente ed innovativo, ma deve anche potersi proporre come centro di convergenza ed irradiazione della cultura e della creatività. Il processo di integrazione di queste differenti componenti è realizzabile solo attraverso innovativi ed efficaci modelli di governance che siano espressione di progettualità territoriali volte a migliorarne il posizionamento competitivo senza tralasciare la soluzione di quelle problematiche sociali e ambientali che ne hanno sin qui inibito lo sviluppo e che rischiano di comprometterne la proiezione competitiva

Quantum dot nanoparticles: Properties, surface functionalization, and their applications in biosensoring and imaging

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as Quantum Dots (QDs), posses unique properties due to their nanometric size. They have broad absorption spectra and narrow emission bands that are related to the materials used and to their size. QDs represent a new class of fluorescent probes that are gradually substituting traditional organic dyes since they present many advantages compared to them, first of all improved photostability. Furthermore, since QDs have broad absorption spectra, it is possible to excite many QDs using just one wavelength. Much progress has been made in the last years in the synthesis of QDs, which now can yield highly homogeneous and highly crystalline QDs. Many strategies are also available nowadays to make QDs water soluble and biocompatible, the most common being the ligand exchange and polymer coating. The surface passivation of the QDs to make them water soluble also allows for further functionalization. As an example, if biological ligands are attached to the outer shell of the nanocrystals, they can selectively recognize specific targets. This approach can be exploited for numerous applications, among them biosensoring and imaging. Biosensors are a class of probes developed for biomarkers detection on a real-time or continuous basis in a complex mixture. This easy to use and low cost technique perfectly combines with the optical properties of QD. For example, the high photostability of QDs can allow for continuous monitoring of a signal over time. Furthermore, simultaneous detection of several specific receptors can be also achieved if many QDs with different emission colors are combined into a single structure, effectively behaving as an optical barcode. Optical imaging, in particular fluorescence imaging, is an area where QDs are gaining increasing popularity. Near-infrared wavelengths are of key importance for biological analysis since in this region biological tissues absorb only weakly. Few traditional organic dyes are available for such spectral window and in addition they suffer from photobleaching. On the other hand, QDs can be tuned to the desired emission wavelength by adjusting their composition and size. QDs have been already extensively used for cell imaging in vitro; however, the full potential of QDs can be appreciated only when they are employed in in vivo imaging. The preparation of multicolor probes which are highly stable in biological buffers and can be followed over long periods of time can be achieved by exploiting the QDs properties. Although just in its infancy, biosensoring and imaging by means of QDs has already proved to be of paramount importance in biomedicine and future developments in QDs synthesis and functionalization will probably yield nano-tools of priceless value for medical application, e.g. for the early detection of diseases, such as in cancer diagnosis. In this chapter, we will try to give to the reader a general overview on the many aspects of QDs, mainly of their physical properties that are relevant for biological applications and on the strategies followed to make them biocompatible. Then the main biological applications of QDs will be reviewed, their implementation in biosensoring and imaging, both in vitro and in vivo, including their exploitation in photodynamic therapy. Finally, we will give an overview on the toxicity issues and on the upcoming new generations of QDs that should solve those issues

Random laser emission from a paper-based device

Random laser emission is obtained from a fluidic paper-based device realized by conventional soft-lithography techniques on common, flexible, renewable and biocompatible commercial paper. The device is realized exclusively on paper by creating microfluidic porous channels on the cellulose fibres, in which a laser dye (Rhodamine B) can flow by capillarity. The modulation of the random lasing characteristics, in terms of threshold and spectral position, can be tailored by acting on the confinement induced by the lithographic process as well as on the shape and functionalization at the interface of the emitting regions

Random laser emission from a paper-based device

Random laser emission is obtained from a fluidic paper-based device realized by conventional soft-lithography techniques on common, flexible, renewable and biocompatible commercial paper. The device is realized exclusively on paper by creating microfluidic porous channels on the cellulose fibres, in which a laser dye (Rhodamine B) can flow by capillarity. The modulation of the random lasing characteristics, in terms of threshold and spectral position, can be tailored by acting on the confinement induced by the lithographic process as well as on the shape and functionalization at the interface of the emitting regions

Free-standing micropatternable nanocomposites as efficient colour converting filters for light emitting devices

A set of engineered photoluminescent foils have been realized by incorporating three different types of CdS/CdSe colloidal nanorods into a transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) matrix.</p