Danilo Vona
University of Bari
Network
Latest external collaboration on country level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots.
Publication
Featured researches published by Danilo Vona.
Data in Brief | 2016
Danilo Vona; Laura Urbano; Maria A. Bonifacio; Elvira De Giglio; Stefania Cometa; Monica Mattioli-Belmonte; F. Palumbo; Roberta Ragni; Stefania R. Cicco; Gianluca M. Farinola
Diatoms microalgae produce biosilica nanoporous rigid outershells called frustules that exhibit an intricate nanostructured pore pattern. In this paper two specific Thalassiosira weissflogii culture conditions and size control procedures during the diatoms growth are described. Data from white field and fluorescence microscopy, evaluation of cell densities and cell parameters (k value and R value) according to cell culture conditions are listed. Different cleaning procedures for obtaining bare frustules are described. In addition, FTIR and spectrofluorimetric analyses of cleaned biosilica are shown. The data are related to the research article “Chemically Modified Diatoms Biosilica for Bone Cell Growth with Combined Drug-Delivery and Antioxidant Properties” [1].
Bioengineering | 2016
Stefania R. Cicco; Danilo Vona; Roberto Gristina; Eloisa Sardella; Roberta Ragni; Marco Lo Presti; Gianluca M. Farinola
In the past decade, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with a large surface area and pore volume have attracted considerable attention for their application in drug delivery and biomedicine. Here we propose biosilica from diatoms as an alternative source of mesoporous materials in the field of multifunctional supports for cell growth: the biosilica surfaces were chemically modified by traditional silanization methods resulting in diatom silica microparticles functionalized with 3-mercaptopropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses revealed that the –SH or –NH2 were successfully grafted onto the biosilica surface. The relationship among the type of functional groups and the cell viability was established as well as the interaction of the cells with the nanoporosity of frustules. These results show that diatom microparticles are promising natural biomaterials suitable for cell growth, and that the surfaces, owing to the mercapto groups, exhibit good biocompatibility.
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces | 2015
E. De Giglio; Maria A. Bonifacio; S. Cometa; Danilo Vona; Monica Mattioli-Belmonte; Manuela Dicarlo; Edmondo Ceci; V. Fino; Stefania R. Cicco; Gianluca M. Farinola
The use of biocompatible materials based on naturally derived monomers plays a key role in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. In this paper we describe the synthesis of a new low molecular weight copolymer, based on glycerol and l-tartaric acid, useful to develop biocompatible dermal patches with drug delivery properties. The copolymers chemical composition was assessed by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), (1)H NMR ((1)H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), while its molecular weight distribution was estimated by SEC (size exclusion chromatography). Copolymer thermal properties were studied by TGA (thermogravimetric analysis). Biological evaluations by MTT assay and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) observations performed with murine fibroblasts and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) revealed a good compatibility of the proposed copolymer. Ciprofloxacin was selected as model drug and its release was evaluated by HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), showing that the new copolymer supplied promising results as drug delivery system for wound healing applications. Furthermore, investigations on Skin-Mesenchymal stem cells (S-MSCs) behaviour and gene expression showed that the copolymer and its combination with ciprofloxacin did not affect their stemness. In this regard, the fabrication of dermal patches with new, low cost materials for local treatment of skin infections represents an attractive strategy in order to bypass the worrying side effects of systemic antibiotic therapy. Overall, the performed physico-chemical characterization, drug release test and biological evaluations showed that this new copolymer could be a promising tool for the in situ delivery of bioactive molecules during skin lesions treatment.
Sensors | 2016
Marianna Ambrico; Paolo F. Ambrico; A. Minafra; Angelo De Stradis; Danilo Vona; Stefania R. Cicco; Fabio Salvatore Palumbo; Pietro Favia; Teresa Ligonzo
Early diagnosis of plant virus infections before the disease symptoms appearance may represent a significant benefit in limiting disease spread by a prompt application of appropriate containment steps. We propose a label-free procedure applied on a device structure where the electrical signal transduction is evaluated via impedance spectroscopy techniques. The device consists of a droplet suspension embedding two representative purified plant viruses i.e., Tomato mosaic virus and Turnip yellow mosaic virus, put in contact with a highly hydrophobic plasma textured silicon surface. Results show a high sensitivity of the system towards the virus particles with an interestingly low detection limit, from tens to hundreds of attomolar corresponding to pg/mL of sap, which refers, in the infection time-scale, to a concentration of virus particles in still-symptomless plants. Such a threshold limit, together with an envisaged engineering of an easily manageable device, compared to more sophisticated apparatuses, may contribute in simplifying the in-field plant virus diagnostics.
Chemistry: A European Journal | 2018
Antonio Ardizzone; Davide Blasi; Danilo Vona; Arnulf Rosspeintner; Angela Punzi; Emiliano Altamura; Natascia Grimaldi; Santi Sala; Eric Vauthey; Gianluca M. Farinola; Imma Ratera; Nora Ventosa; Jaume Veciana
Diketopyrrolopyrroles (DPPs) have recently attracted much interest as very bright and photostable red-emitting molecules. However, their tendency to form nonfluorescent aggregates in water through the aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) effect is a major issue that limits their application under the microscope. Herein, two DPP molecules have been incorporated into the membrane of highly stable and water-soluble quatsomes (QS; nanovesicles composed of surfactants and sterols), which allow their nanostructuration in water and, at the same time, limits the ACQ effect. The obtained fluorescent organic nanoparticles showed superior structural homogeneity, along with long-term colloidal and optical stability. A thorough one- (1P) and two-photon (2P) fluorescence characterization revealed the promising photophysical features of these fluorescent nanovesicles, which showed a high 1P and 2P brightness. Finally, the fluorescent QSs were used for the in vitro bioimaging of Saos-2 osteosarcoma cell lines; this demonstrates their potential as nanomaterials for bioimaging applications.
Journal of Materials Research | 2017
Roberta Ragni; Stefania R. Cicco; Danilo Vona; Gabriella Leone; Gianluca M. Farinola
MRS Advances | 2016
Danilo Vona; Marco Lo Presti; Stefania R. Cicco; Fabio Salvatore Palumbo; Roberta Ragni; Gianluca M. Farinola
ChemPlusChem | 2015
Stefania R. Cicco; Danilo Vona; Elvira De Giglio; Stefania Cometa; Monica Mattioli-Belmonte; Fabio Salvatore Palumbo; Roberta Ragni; Gianluca M. Farinola
MRS Advances | 2016
Danilo Vona; Gabriella Leone; Roberta Ragni; Fabio Salvatore Palumbo; Antonio Evidente; Maurizio Vurro; Gianluca M. Farinola; Stefania R. Cicco
MRS Advances | 2017
Gabriella Leone; Danilo Vona; M. Lo Presti; L. Urbano; Stefania R. Cicco; Roberto Gristina; Fabio Salvatore Palumbo; Roberta Ragni; Gianluca M. Farinola