The unique properties of fluorocarbons have triggered numerous biomedical applications of these compounds. This project will focus on the preparation and use of fluorocarbon-based diagnostic agents. Design, synthesis, biomedical applications, and sustainability evaluations will be considered as key issues for the development of new interesting products.
In particular, “ultraparamagnetic” nanoparticles based on liquid perfluorocarbon emulsions will be considered as highly flexible contrast agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging at molecular level. It will be addressed how they identify sparse biomarkers at nanomolar or even picomolar concentrations. Strategies for perfluorocarbon emulsion stabilization in vivo by a lipid-surfactant coating around the perfluorocarbon core will be explored. Fluorinated amphiphiles that allow to obtain stable and reverse emulsions and gels will be investigated as drug delivery devices. Finally, the use of injectable fluorinated microbubbles as reflectors of ultrasonic sounds with increased in vivo stability will be considered for the non-invasive and early detection of tumours.
Principal Academic Tutors
Giuseppe Resnati
Chemistry,Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano
Academic Tutors
Roberta Bongiovanni
Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Torino
Enrico Caiani
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Gianluca Ciardelli
Mechanics, Politecnico di Torino
Pierluigi Civera
Electronics, Politecnico di Torino
Maria Laura Costantino
Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
Pierangelo Metragolo
Chemistry, Materials, and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano
Maria Cristina Tanzi
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano
External institutions
Solvay-Solexis
Bracco
External Tutors
Walter Navarrini
Solvay-Solexis S.p.A.
Fulvio Uggeri
Bracco S.p.A.
Team members
TEAM A
Beniamino Sciacca [Team controller], Biomedical Engineering
Marco Cantini, Biomedical Engineering
Alessandro Casati, Nuclear Engineering
Andrea Ranzoni, Physics Engineering
TEAM B
Carlo Guala [Team controller], Biomedical Engineering
Eleonora Valeria Canesi, Materials Engineering
Marco Roberto Enrico Masella [Project Communication Coordinator], Computer Engineering
Livia Sallemi, Biomedical Engineering
Filippo Scotti, Nuclear Engineering