Research

SAMANTA

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Research Projects , ,

SA.MA.NT.A – ScAling-up di un sisteMA aNTi-particolato, anti-coronavirus, biocida Autorigenerante

The SA.MA.NT.A project is a scaling-up innovation of a filtration system capable of retaining the totality of particulate matter with diameter greater than 4nm (inorganic, organic, and biological PM) and providing >99.99% filtration efficiency, suitable for any indoor environment.

The system allows the inactivation of COVID-19 and a general biocidal action against all biological elements. It is indeed based on a heat treatment for the inactivation of COVID-19 virus and for the combustion of all particulate material collected on the filter, resulting in a completely biocidal as well as self-healing action of the filter itself, eliminating the production of special waste.

The system is designed to be independent from all possible variants of COVID-19 and any possible future pandemic biota, being the system based on a universal method of inactivation and destruction of any biological structure based on carbon chemistry (thermal method with the possibility of acting up to 900°C).

Project Coordinator: Luca Ferrero

INTEGRANO

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it News and Events, Research ,
INTEGRANO

UNIMIB is coordinator of a new Horizon Europe project: INTEGRANO (GA. 101138414).

In line with the current guidelines for Safe and Sustainable by Design – SSbD chemicals and materials, INTEGRANO proposes a general assessment approach based on quantitative evidence to be applied in practice for specific Nano Materials (NMs) design cases.
INTEGRANO ambition is to set the basis for a new paradigm based on standardised frameworks and by creating suitable NMs datasets as well as Nanospecific impact categories of NMs through their Life Cycle Stages (LCS), applied to specific design cases assessment.

12 partners from 8 different countries participate in the Integrano Project. This network allows for different expertises and skills within the project, which complement and support each other.

For further information visit INTEGRANO page, the website INTEGRANO – INTEGRANO or the Linkedin page.

AMYGING

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Research Projects , ,
AMYGING

AMYGING – Holistically sustainable multi-modal β-amyloid imaging

AMYGING will demonstrate in a zebrafish embryo model that natural polyphenol-based carrier systems hold great potential as natural actives useful to form the basis of a highly modular amyloid imaging toolbox suitable for in vivo MRI and difference-fluorescence imaging.

Out-of-the-box approaches for combining traditional amyloid-sensing structures with insights from nanotechnology, molecular electronics and inherent characteristics of natural polyphenols allow for the simultaneous realization of multimodal imaging probes.

AMYGING aims at the implementation of a screening platform for highly sensitive detection of misfolded Aβ-oligomers in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer’s Disease patients via tunable nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs comprise a core of natural condensed polyphenolic (PNPs) structure complexing gadolinium ions and an outer layer of PNPs that are functionalized with amyloid-sensing small actives (ASSAs), a combination which leads to effectively increased contrast agent concentration in the immediate proximity of Aβ-oligomers for optimum bimodal imaging.

Call: PRIN2022

Grant Agreement: 202295845T

Project Coordinator: Margherita Brindisi (UNINA)

UNIMIB WP leader: Heiko Lange (WP2 Leader), Anita Colombo (WP3 Leader)

Scientific Publications 2023

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Publications, Research
  • Bengalli RD, Zerbi G, Lucotti A, Catelani T, Mantecca P. Carbon nanotubes: Structural defects as stressors inducing lung cell toxicity. Chem Biol Interact. 2023 Sep 1;382:110613. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110613
  • Botto L, Lonati E, Russo S, Cazzaniga E, Bulbarelli A, Palestini P. Effects of PM2.5 Exposure on the ACE/ACE2 Pathway: Possible Implication in COVID-19 Pandemic. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023 Mar 1;20(5):4393. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054393
  • Bragato C, Pistocchi A, Bellipanni G, Confalonieri S, Balciunie J, Monastra FM, Carra S, Vitale G, Mantecca P, Cotelli F, Gaudenzi G. Zebrafish dnm1a gene plays a role in the formation of axons and synapses in the nervous tissue. J Neurosci Res. 2023 Apr 9. https://doi.org/1002/jnr.25197.
  • Gualtieri M, Carriere M, Mantecca P. Hazard, Distribution and Exposure of Particulate Pollution from Indoor and Outdoor Environments.Toxics. 2023 Sep 12;11(9):772. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11090772
  • Kose O, Béal D, Motellier S, Pelissier N, Collin-Faure V, Blosi M, Bengalli R, Costa A, Furxhi I, Mantecca P, Carriere M. Physicochemical Transformations of Silver Nanoparticles in the Oro-Gastrointestinal Tract Mildly Affect Their Toxicity to Intestinal Cells In Vitro: An AOP-Oriented Testing Approach. Toxics. 2023; 11(3):199. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11030199
  • Kose O, Mantecca P, Costa A, Carrière M. Putative adverse outcome pathways for silver nanoparticle toxicity on mammalian male reproductive system: a literature review. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2023 Jan 5;20(1):1. https://doi.org/1186/s12989-022-00511-9
  • Marchetti S., Gualtieri M., Pozzer A, Lelieveld J., Hansell A. L., Colombo A., Mantecca P. On fine particulate matter and COVID-19 spread and severity: an in vitro toxicological plausible mechanism. Environ Int. 179 (2023) 108131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108131
  • Moschini E, Colombo G, Chirico G, Capitani G, Dalle-Donne I, Mantecca P. Biological mechanism of cell oxidative stress and death during short-term exposure to nano CuO. Sci Rep. 2023 Feb 9;13(1):2326. https://doi.org/1038/s41598-023-28958-6
  • Motta G, Gualtieri M, Saibene M, Bengalli R, Brigliadori A, Carrière M, Mantecca P. Preliminary Toxicological Analysis in a Safe-by-Design and Adverse Outcome Pathway-Driven Approach on Different Silver Nanoparticles: Assessment of Acute Responses in A549 Cells. Toxics. 2023; 11(2):195. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020195

AMROCE – AGAINST CECs (AMR BACTERIA AND ANTIBIOTICS) IN WATER BODIES

rossella.bengalli@unimib.it Research Projects
AMROCE – AGAINST CECs (AMR BACTERIA AND ANTIBIOTICS) IN WATER BODIES

Antibiotics, pathogens and antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria are contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in water bodies associated to intensive fish and inland animal farming.  AMROCE aims at reducing antibiotic pollution and spread of AMR bacteria in the entire water cycle through a platform of novel antibiotic-free antimicrobial products. In the project, antimicrobial/antibiofilm fish cage nets and wastewater filtration membranes will be developed through polymer and surface nano-engineering. Marine-derived antimicrobial agents and antibiofilm enzymes will be nano-formulated as alternative to antibiotics for fish and animal feed supplement. Human and environmental nanosafety during the manufacturing and use of the novel nanotechnology-embedded products will be continuously evaluated to anticipate nanosafety issues.

UNIMIB is leader of WP3, which aims at identifying the parameters related to the safety of the nano-formulation process for both workers and users, considering not only the existing regulation, but also the gaps existing in the legislation and norms.

Project Coordinator: Tzanko Tzanov (UPC)

UNIMIB WP/Task leader: Paride Mantecca (WP3)

Please visit the webiste of the project amroce.eu

IT-BEST

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Research Projects , ,
IT-BEST

IT-BEST project aims to characterise the formation, the atmospheric ageing and the toxicological effects of ultrafine particles (UFP) resulting from the combustion of biofuels. Indeed, combustion processes involving biofuels may emit UFP that are actually different in size, chemical composition and health effects than those from conventional fossil fuels.

The special interest in UFP is related to evidence, currently available in the literature, that biofuels reduce the total particulate matter emitted, but simultaneously produce smaller particle size with a relevant number concentration, which are potentially more toxic.

Experimental measurements using an atmospheric simulation chamber, will be performed to determine the effect of different biofuels composition, on UFP numbers, size, chemical composition and their transformation under relevant atmospheric conditions as well as their toxicological assessment.

The expected outcome of the research project will result in a better the understanding of different nature and health-related toxicological effects of the carbonaceous particle formed during the combustion of biofuels.

Call: PRIN2022

Grant Agreement: 2022CH87SA

Project Coordinator: Dario Massabò (UNIGE) and Gianluigi De Falco (UNINA Federico II)

UNIMIB WP leader: Maurizio Gualtieri

Scientific Publications 2022

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Publications, Research
  • Bengalli B, Zerboni A, Bonfanti P, Saibene M, Mehn D, Cella C, Ponti J, La Spina R, Mantecca P. Characterization of microparticles derived from waste plastics and their bio-interaction with human lung A549 cells. J Appl Toxicol. 2022 Dec;42(12):2030-2044. doi: 10.1002/jat.4372. Epub 2022 Aug 30. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jat.4372
  • Bonfanti P, Colombo A, Saibene M, Motta G, Saliu F, Catelani T, Mehn D, La Spina R, Ponti J, Cella C, Floris P, Mantecca P. Microplastics from miscellaneous plastic wastes: Physico-chemical characterization and impact on fish and amphibian development. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2021 Dec 1;225:112775. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112775. Epub 2021 Sep 15. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651321008873
  • Bragato C, Mostoni S, D’Abramo C, Gualtieri M, Pomilla FR, Scotti R, Mantecca P. On the In Vitro and In Vivo Hazard Assessment of a Novel Nanomaterial to Reduce the Use of Zinc Oxide in the Rubber Vulcanization Process. Toxics. 2022; 10(12):781. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10120781
  • Ferrero L, Scibetta L, Markuszewski P, Mazurkiewicz M, Drozdowska V, Makuch P, Jutrzenka-Trzebiatowska P, Zaleska-Medynska A, Andò S, Saliu F, Nilsson E. D, Bolzacchini E. Airborne and marine microplastics from an oceanographic survey at the Baltic Sea: An emerging role of air-sea interaction? Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jun 10;824:153709. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153709. Epub 2022 Feb 9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35150686/
  • Ivanova A, Ivanova K, Fiandra L, Mantecca P, Catelani T, Natan M, Banin E, Jacobi G, Tzanov T. Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, and Antiviral Farnesol-Containing Nanoparticles Prevent Staphylococcus aureus from Drug Resistance Development. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Jul 7;23(14):7527. doi: 10.3390/ijms23147527. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/14/7527
  • Massimino L, Bulbarelli A, Corsetto P. A, Milani C, Botto L, Farina F, Lamparelli L. A, Lonati E, Ungaro F, Maddipati K. R, Palestini P, Rizzo A. M. LSEA Evaluation of Lipid Mediators of Inflammation in Lung and Cortex of Mice Exposed to Diesel Air Pollution. Biomedicines. 2022 Mar 19;10(3):712. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8945792/
  • Perucca, M.; Capuano, L.; Magatti, G.; Rosa, F.; Mantecca, P. Environmental Performance of Road Asphalts Modified with End-of-Life Hard Plastics and Graphene: Strategies for Improving Sustainability. Processes 2022, 10, 2151. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10102151
  • Traina G, Bolzacchini E, Bonini M, Contini D, Mantecca P, Caimmi S. M. E, Licari A. Role of air pollutants mediated oxidative stress in respiratory diseases. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2022 Jan;33 Suppl 27(Suppl 27):38-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35080317/
  • Zerboni A, Rossi T, Bengalli R, Catelani T, Rizzi C, Priola M, Casadei S, Mantecca P. Diesel exhaust particulate emissions and in vitro toxicity from Euro 3 and Euro 6 vehicles. Environ Pollut. 2022 Mar 15;297:118767. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749121023496?via%3Dihub

BIOMAT

sara.marchetti1@unimib.it Research Projects , ,
BIOMAT

BIOMAT – Open  Innovation Test Bed for Nano-Enabled Bio-Based PUR Foams and composites

The POLARIS Research Center is involved in the European BIOMAT project, funded by the European Commission in the Horizon 2020 framework (Grant Agreement nr.) with the aim of establishing an Open Innovation Test Bed (BIOMAT-TB) with a Single-Entry Point (SEP) . The aim of this project is to accelerate a sustainable European bioeconomy through the development of nanomaterial-based and advanced polyurethane foams (PUR Foams) for various companies (building, construction, automotive, furniture, textiles).

Project ID:953270; Call ID: H2020-EU.2.1.3. – INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP – Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Advanced materials;   H2020-EU.2.1.2. – INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP – Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – Nanotechnologies

Project coordinator: Dr. Mariana Ornelas (CENTI)

Dissemination Manager: Dr. Pnina Dan (OSM-DAN LTD).

Partner UNIMIB – POLARIS Prof. Paride Mantecca is leader of WP7 – Recycling technologies, nanosafety and regulatory issues with specific focus on Nanosafety and toxicology (Task 7.2).

Further information can be found at the link.

Discover more on the project here!