Nanoparticles: Chemistry and Applications
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The objective of the course is to provide the student with the most important knowledge related to basic principles of nanoparticles and their applications.
Expected learning outcomes
Skills acquired by the students at the end of the course are the knowledge of synthetic methods of inorganic nanoparticles and their functionalization for application in the biomedical field.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
In the first part of the course, basic concepts on the nanoparticles, their physico-chemical properties and how these latter can be modulated by changing nanoparticles size will be presented. In particular, the synthetic procedures (using bottom-up approaches) for the preparation of different nanoparticle classes (metallic, semiconductors and quantum dots) will be described. The peculiar properties of the different types of nanoparticles (absorption, emission, modulation of the nanosized semiconductors band gap etc.) will be described. The most relevant strategies for nanoparticles stabilization in colloidal suspension, for the choice of the capping material as a function of the biomedical use of the nano-object, will be presented, as well as the techniques most commonly employed for their characterization in the solid-state (TEM, SEM and AFM) and in suspension (DLS and Z-Potential). Some recent applications will be discussed as well.
In the second part of the course basic principles of the use of nanoparticles in biomedical applications (sensors for the study of biological interactions; drug delivery systems, contrast media for diagnostic techniques); materials employed for NPs fabrication, the influence of physico-chemical properties of NPs (size, shape, surface charge, etc) in biological interactions; surface functionalization, passive and active targeting; stimuli-responsive nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles based on organic material in drug delivery and diagnostic applications: liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers, polymer/lipid-Nucleic acids complexes ("polyplexes"/"lipoplexes") for genic therapy. General characteristics, physico-chemical properties, methods of fabrication and functionalization will be described for each type of NPs, together with some examples of application.
In the second part of the course basic principles of the use of nanoparticles in biomedical applications (sensors for the study of biological interactions; drug delivery systems, contrast media for diagnostic techniques); materials employed for NPs fabrication, the influence of physico-chemical properties of NPs (size, shape, surface charge, etc) in biological interactions; surface functionalization, passive and active targeting; stimuli-responsive nanoparticles.
Nanoparticles based on organic material in drug delivery and diagnostic applications: liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers, polymer/lipid-Nucleic acids complexes ("polyplexes"/"lipoplexes") for genic therapy. General characteristics, physico-chemical properties, methods of fabrication and functionalization will be described for each type of NPs, together with some examples of application.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have basic knowledge of inorganic and organic chemistry that are preliminary basis necessary to properly face contents of the course.
Teaching methods
Lessons will be held in classrooms as scheduled in the timetable.
Teaching Resources
Slides of both parts of the course used during lessons will be provided to the students through the Ariel website. Students can communicate with the teachers through e-mail, or rather, making an appointment to take advantage of the weekly reception time.
Suggested text: "Nanobiotechnology: Inorganic nanoparticles vs Organic Nanoparticles, Ed. Jesus M. de la Fuente, V. Grazu, Elsevier.
Suggested text: "Nanobiotechnology: Inorganic nanoparticles vs Organic Nanoparticles, Ed. Jesus M. de la Fuente, V. Grazu, Elsevier.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists in a written test with open questions about the contents of the two units, three questions dealing with the first part program (different synthetic methods of inorganic nanoparticles, the analytical techniques employed in the characterization of nanoparticle objects, and applications in the biomedical field) and three questions dealing with the second part of the program (general characteristics of nanoparticles used in biomedical applications, functionalization techniques and different typologies of nanoparticles based on organic materials). The final mark, expressed as 30/30 is determined by the sum of the scores obtained in each answer, to which a maximum of 5 is attributed. Students attending the course can take two in itinere exams dealing with the program of the two single units. The final mark is determined by the mean of the two partial evaluations that must both be higher or at least equal to 18/30.
During each academic year, a number of at least 7 exams will be set, in the ordinary exam sessions.
During each academic year, a number of at least 7 exams will be set, in the ordinary exam sessions.
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
room 1053, first floor side B, building 5 (A), Department of Chemistry, Via Golgi 19 Milan