The mission of the Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine is to

• rationally design polymeric nanoconstructs for multi-modal imaging (PET, MRI and optical imaging) and combination therapy (chemotherapeutic and anti-inflammatory molecules, biologicals) in cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases
• fabricate microfluidic chips for the rapid screening of novel molecular and nano-based therapeutic agents and for elucidating new biophysical mechanisms in diseases;
  
• develop multi-scale, hierarchical computational models for optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of nanoconstructs;
  
• organize dissemination activities at the interface between engineering and biomedical sciences;
  
• promote the professional development of lab members in a highly multi-disciplinary environment.

Our laboratory is divided in sub-groups working on the development of:

• Spherical Polymeric Nanoconstructs (from 20 to 200 nm);
• Discoidal Polymeric Nanoconstructs (from 800 to 2,000 nm, exhibiting a variety of geometries and mechanical stiffnesses);
• polymeric microPlates (> 20 µm);
• Microfluidics for organ-on-a-chip;
• Computational tools for vascular and extra-vascular modeling.

The laboratory involves scientists and students with a variety of backgrounds including biomedical, mechanical and electrical engineers, computational scientists, physicists, chemists, biotechnologists and biologists.

Our research laboratory combines state-of-the-art technology with the highest standards of safety, flexibility and sustainability. Laboratory members, trainees and visitors have access to equipment for the synthesis, physico-chemical, magnetic, and biological characterization of nanoconstructs and for the design and realization of complex micro-fluidic systems.
Lab core instrumentation includes DLS, Multisizer Coulter Counter, HPLC and UPLC, bench-top relaxometers (0.5, 1 and 1.4T) and SQUID. Furthermore, laboratory members have access to Institutional facilities comprising i) a Clean Room Facility equipped with Optical and Electron beam lithographic systems, SEM, TEM and AFM; ii) Microscopy Nikon Centre equipped for super-resolved optical imaging and live cell imaging; iii) pre-clinical imaging facility equipped with an IVIS Spectrum, 3T GE MRI scanner and micro-PET system.

The Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine has active collaborations with the three major Research Hospitals in Genova (Galliera Hospital, Cancer Center at the San Martino Hospital and Gaslini Children Hospital). Also, the Laboratory has ongoing collaborations with several Academic and Research Institutions in Italy, Europe and World wide.