The main objective of the course is to provide an introduction to nanomaterials relevant to biological and medical applications and provide the basis for understanding the properties of materials in the nanometer scale by emphasizing the aspects related to preparation, purification, functionalization, characterization and toxicity. Knowledge and understanding: - understanding the basic concepts of nanotechnology and nanobiotechnology; - understanding the methodologies to prepare some nanomaterials; - knowledge of the methodologies and techniques for the characterization of nanomaterials; - knowledge of the methodological basis for the functionalization and modification of nanomaterials; - understanding the possible causes of toxicity of nanomaterials Apply knowledge and understanding: Students, also through laboratory activities, learn how to prepare and modify and use some nanomaterials, choose the most suitable material for a specific application, select the most suitable techniques for the characterization of nanosystems Making judgements: The ability of making judgment is developed during the lessons in the classroom and through the preparation for the exam, which requires the individual re-elaboration and assimilation of the material presented in class. During the lessons, exercises of making judgements and evaluation of approaches for a specific application are proposed and discussed. Other elements useful for developing independent judgment are acquired during laboratory experiences in which students must critically evaluate the results and evaluate the chosen experimental approach. Communication skills: During the lessons the students are called to interact with the teacher also to acquire language skills and learn to express themselves to be understood by researchers with different background. Furthermore, students must draw up written reports on the experiences carried out, also reporting scientific pronciples. The student must also present orally the experience carried out. Learning skills: the ability to learn is stimulated by the teacher during the lectures asking students to summarize the concepts explained in the previous lesson, in the development of laboratory experiences in which the preparation methodologies and characterization techniques are applied. Learning skills: The student must be able to transfer the notions learned in the field of application and research relating to nanomaterials in the biomedical field.

Basic knowledge of general chemistry and organic chemistry.

Introduction of the course, presentation of the program and modalities of assesment of the knowledge.
Introduction to nanomaterials.
Introduction to Nanobiotechnology.
Principles of self-assembly: importance of non-covalent interactions.
Self-assembled monolayers on flat surfaces: Examples of devices and applications.
Nanolithographic techniques, preparation of devices for the study of biomolecules.
Oranic-inorganic hybrid nanoparticles: preparation, purification, characterization and applications. Hybrid nanoparticles of different shapes.
Examples of use in biology and medicine: Biosensors. Biocompatibility and toxicity.
Allotropic forms of carbon: C60, carbon nanotubes: properties, purification, functionalization, applications in biology and medicine.
Liposomes: methods of preparation, functionalization and applications.
Laboratory experiences: synthesis of gold colloids, characterization with different techniques and stabilization.
The teaching contents are consistent with the educational objectives as reported in Art. 2 of Teaching Regulations of the Course of Studies.

Material provided by the teacher on MOODLE2.
“Nanobiotechnology: Concepts, Applications and Perspectives”, Eds. Christof M. Niemeyer, Chad A. Mirkin, Wiley-VCH, 2005.
“Nanobiotechnology II. More Concepts and Applications”, Eds Chad A. Mirkin, Christof M. Niemeyer, Wiley-VCH, 2007.

Introduction to nanomaterials, nanoscience and nanotechnology. Classification of materials and nanostructured materials. Effect of the nansocale regime on the properties. Some example.
Introduction to Nanobiotechnology: some example, social and ethical implication.
Principles of self-assembling: importance of non-covalent weak interactions: hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals interactions, hydrophobic, electrostatic, dipole-dipole interactions.
Self-assembled monolayers on flat surfaces: preparation, characterization, properties and modification of the surface properties. Techniques for the characterization of SAM. Functionalization/modification of SAM with covalent and non-covalent approaches. Examples with electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, affinity (avidin/streptavidin, esa-histidine tag and lipids with Ni(2+)NTA, complementary oligonucleotides). Preparation of sensors. Examples of devices and applications.
Nanolithography, nanolithographic techniques for the preparation of devices to recognize/study biomolecules, DNA, proteins.
Metal nanoparticles: introduction to synthesis and properties. Nanoparticles protected by self-assembled monolayers: modification of the metal surface. Systems soluble in organic solvents and in aqueous solvents. Synthesis of hybrid conjugates biomolecule-nanoparticle. Methodologies for the characterization of these nanoparticles. Examples of application in biology and medicine: recognition of DNA and proteins, transport and release of drugs, diagnosis and new therapies. Biosensors. Biocompatibility and toxicity of metal nanoparticles protect by organic coatings.
Nanoparticles composed of different materials as silica, magnetic materials, semiconductor materials: synthesis and properties. Application for imaging and for new therapies. Toxicity issues.
Allotropic forms of carbon: C60, properties and functionalization. Applications in biology and medicine.
Carbon Nanotubes (CNT): types of CNT and their properties. Purification, functionalization. Applications in biotechnology.
Liposomes: distinctive features, types of liposomes. Methods for their preparation. Liposomes sensible to pH and liposomes thermosensible. Use of liposomes as drug carriers.
Experiences in lab: synthesis of gold colloids, UV-Vis characterization, stabilization with polymers or biomolecules, determination of the gold number; determination of size and dispersion of the gold core by TEM; measure of the hydrodynamic diameter by DLS and NTA.

Classrooms. Lab experiments carried out by the teachers on topics explained in the classrooms.

Didactical material and slides use for the lectures are present on the MOODLE2 platform.

The evaluation of the student includes laboratory activities, an individual written report on the laboratory activity carried out, an oral presentation of a literature work and an oral interview with questions on topics covered in class. The student will have to demonstrate knowledge of the subject with language properties, know the characterization techniques, the methods of preparation and functionalization and critically evaluate the applications (based on the expected learning outcomes defined through the descriptors in the teaching learning area) . To pass the exam (18/30) the student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the topics listed in the programme; correctly answering at least 2 questions, having attended the teaching laboratory and having delivered the individual report, and having clearly presented the assigned scientific work. To achieve the maximum score (30/30 cum laude), the student instead, he must demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course; answer all the questions correctly, present the assigned work in a brilliant way; have actively attended the laboratory and have delivered an excellent individual report. The evaluation is expressed with a mark on the scale out of thirty. Excellent (30 -30 cum laude): excellent knowledge of the topics, excellent language skills, excellent analytical skills; the student is able to      apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases in an exceptionally clever way. -Very good (27 -29): good knowledge of the topics, remarkable language skills, good analytical skills; the student is able to correctly apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. -Good (24-26): good knowledge of the main topics, good command of the language; the student shows an adequate ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. - Satisfactory (21-23): the student does not show full command of the topics main subjects of teaching, while possessing the fundamental knowledge; however, she/he shows satisfactory language skills and sufficient ability to apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. -Sufficient (18-20): minimum knowledge of the main subjects of teaching and of the technical language, limited ability to adequately apply theoretical knowledge to concrete cases. - Insufficient (<18): the student does not have an acceptable knowledge of the contents of the various topics of the program.

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