Gian Luigi Puleo

Barium titanate core – gold shell nanoparticles for hyperthermia treatments

The development of new tools and devices to aid in treating cancer is a hot topic in biomedical research. The practice of using heat (hyperthermia) to treat cancerous lesions has a long history dating back to ancient Greece. With deeper knowledge of the factors that cause cancer and the transmissive window of cells and tissues in the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, hyperthermia applications have been able to incorporate the use of lasers. Photothermal therapy has been introduced as a selective and noninvasive treatment for cancer, in which exogenous photothermal agents are exploited to achieve the selective destruction of cancer cells. In this manuscript, we propose applications of barium titanate core–gold shell nanoparticles for hyperthermia treatment against cancer cells. We explored the effect of increasing concentrations of these nanoshells (0–100 μg/mL) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, testing the internalization and intrinsic toxicity and validating the hyperthermic functionality of the particles through near infrared (NIR) laser-induced thermoablation experiments. No significant changes were observed in cell viability up to nanoparticle concentrations of 50 μg/mL. Experiments upon stimulation with an NIR laser revealed the ability of the nanoshells to destroy human neuroblastoma cells. On the basis of these findings, barium titanate core–gold shell nanoparticles resulted in being suitable for hyperthermia treatment, and our results represent a promising first step for subsequent investigations on their applicability in clinical practice.

Another Lesson from Plants: The Forward Osmosis-Based Actuator

Osmotic actuation is a ubiquitous plant-inspired actuation strategy that has a very low power consumption but is capable of generating effective movements in a wide variety of environmental conditions. In light of these features, we aimed to develop a novel, low-power-consumption actuator that is capable of generating suitable forces during a characteristic actuation time on the order of a few minutes. Based on the analysis of plant movements and on osmotic actuation modeling, we designed and fabricated a forward osmosis-based actuator with a typical size of 10 mm and a characteristic time of 2–5 minutes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fastest osmotic actuator developed so far. Moreover, the achieved timescale can be compared to that of a typical plant cell, thanks to the integrated strategy that we pursued by concurrently addressing and solving design and material issues, as paradigmatically explained by the bioinspired approach. Our osmotic actuator produces forces above 20 N, while containing the power consumption (on the order of 1 mW). Furthermore, based on the agreement between model predictions and experimental observations, we also discuss the actuator performance (including power consumption, maximum force, energy density and thermodynamic efficiency) in relation to existing actuation technologies. In light of the achievements of the present study, the proposed osmotic actuator holds potential for effective exploitation in bioinspired robotics systems.

Osmotic actuation modelling for innovative biorobotic solutions inspired by the plant kingdom

Osmotic-driven plant movements are widely recognized as impressive examples of energy efficiency and low power consumption. These aspects motivate the interest in developing an original biomimetic concept of new actuators based on the osmotic principle exploited by plants. This study takes a preliminary step in this direction, by modelling the dynamic behaviour of two exemplificative yet relevant implementations of an osmotic actuator concept. In more detail, the considered implementations differ from each other in the way actuation energy storage is achieved (through a piston displacement in the former case, through membrane bulging in the latter). The dynamic problem is analytically solved for both cases; scaling laws for the actuation figures of merit (namely characteristic time, maximum force, maximum power, power density, cumulated work and energy density) as a function of model parameters are obtained for the bulging implementation. Starting from such performance indicators, a preliminary dimensioning of the envisaged osmotic actuator is exemplified, based on design targets/constraints (such as characteristic time and/or maximum force). Moreover, model assumptions and limitations are discussed towards effective prototypical development and experimental testing. Nonetheless, this study takes the first step towards the design of new actuators based on the natural osmotic principle, which holds potential for disruptive innovation in many fields, including biorobotics and ICT solutions.

Osmolyte cooperation affects turgor dynamics in plants.

Scientists have identified turgor-based actuation as a fundamental mechanism in plant movements. Plant cell turgor is generated by water influx due to the osmolyte concentration gradient through the cell wall and the plasma membrane behaving as an osmotic barrier. Previous studies have focused on turgor modulation with respect to potassium chloride (KCl) concentration changes, although KCl is not efficiently retained in the cell, and many other compounds, including L-glutamine (L-Gln) and D-glucose (D-Glc), are present in the cytosol. In fact, the contributions of other osmolytes to turgor dynamics remain to be elucidated. Here, we show the association of osmolytes and their consequent cooperative effects on the time-dependent turgor profile generated in a model cytosol consisting of KCl, D-Glc and L-Gln at experimentally measured plant motor/generic cell concentrations and at modified concentrations. We demonstrate the influence and association of the osmolytes using osmometry and NMR measurements. We also show, using a plant cell-inspired device we previously developed, that osmolyte complexes, rather than single osmolytes, permit to obtain higher turgor required by plant movements. We provide quantitative cues for deeper investigations of osmolyte transport for plant movement, and reveal the possibility of developing osmotic actuators exploiting a dynamically varying concentration of osmolytes.

Surface Modification of Polyimide Thin Films for Peripheral Invasive Neural Interfaces

Despite recognized as one key component for establishing a functional electrical connection with nerves, neural invasive peripheral interfaces are still not optimal for long-term applications in humans. An improvement in the field of biocompatible and nontoxic materials is necessary to overcome the issues of interface/tissue mismatch and physiological reactions. The present work aimed to study, implement and characterize a novel approach to modify the surface of neural mi-crolectrodes basedon polyimide thin films. The purpose was to improve biocompatibility and to promote neuronal migration, growth and differentiation by increasing the surface roughness and endowing the surface with structure-reactivity for thiol-containing amino acids or peptides. L-Cysteine-Rhodamine B, used as a model biomolecule, was successfully grafted on samples surface via the introduction of cross-linkable vinyl groups on polyimide foils. Preliminary in vitro biological analysis allowed to evaluate the tendency of PC12 cells to adhere and to proliferate.

Modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes potentially suitable for intracellular pH measurements

Carboxylic acid functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) have been studied as macromolecular carriers for pH indicators to be used inside cells. The activation of carboxylic groups with thionyl chloride (SOCl2) followed by the reaction with a family of fluorescein ethylen glycol derivatives led to dyes covalently anchored to the MWCNT surface. Such a functionalization was found to preserve wholly the fluorescence properties of the dye ultimately providing higher water solubility to the modified macromolecular systems. Moreover, the use of a polyether spacer between the dye and the MWCNT surface preserved from undesired florescence quenching effects. The pH dependence of the modified nanotubes was investigated interrogating a solution of MWCNTs, the pH of which was adjusted in the range 4-9 pH units by adding drops of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide. Light from LED was suitably filtered at 480 nm with a high pass-band filter and coupled to an optical fiber which illuminates the solution containing the fluorescein-functionalised MWCNTs. An optical fiber, at 90° with respect to the LED illumination, is connected with a Hamamtsu spectrum analyzer for the recording of the fluorescence spectra. The modified MWCNTs exhibited linear pH dependence in the range between 6 and 8 pH units with a sensitivity less than 0.1 pH units.