Nanoparticles and Viral Vectors
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides the student with knowledge about the most innovative strategies to design and develop biotechnological drugs for the cure of congenital or acquired pathologies.
Specific knowledge will be provided on usage and production of viral vectors for gene therapy and vaccines; nanoparticle design, functionalization, and characterization techniques; concepts and examples of biosensor applications.
Specific knowledge will be provided on usage and production of viral vectors for gene therapy and vaccines; nanoparticle design, functionalization, and characterization techniques; concepts and examples of biosensor applications.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student should be able to:
· describe the characteristics of the different viral vectors discussed during the training;
· evaluate the type of viral vector most suitable for a specific class of pathologies;
· analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the different viral vectors discussed during class;
· compare the different types of inorganic and organic nanoparticles based on their physical and chemical properties and as function of the scale;
· specify nanoparticle characterization techniques and evaluate their limitations and scopes;
· describe the functioning principles of the main biosensor techniques based on nanoparticles;
· describe the design of nanoparticles for the delivery of biotechnological active ingredients;
· describe the methods and techniques of nanoparticle decoration;
· analyze the synthesis and functionalization methods of nanoparticles.
· describe the characteristics of the different viral vectors discussed during the training;
· evaluate the type of viral vector most suitable for a specific class of pathologies;
· analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the different viral vectors discussed during class;
· compare the different types of inorganic and organic nanoparticles based on their physical and chemical properties and as function of the scale;
· specify nanoparticle characterization techniques and evaluate their limitations and scopes;
· describe the functioning principles of the main biosensor techniques based on nanoparticles;
· describe the design of nanoparticles for the delivery of biotechnological active ingredients;
· describe the methods and techniques of nanoparticle decoration;
· analyze the synthesis and functionalization methods of nanoparticles.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1_Prof. Lara Manganaro
Didactic Unit: Viral Vectors
This unit provides an in-depth exploration of viral gene transfer techniques and gene therapy. The main themes include:
Viral Replication and Gene Expression Strategies: Comprehensive study of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy methodologies.
Characteristics and Applications of Vectors: Detailed examination of retroviral, lentiviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, highlighting their unique characteristics and uses.
Innate Immune Response: Analysis of the body's innate immune response to viral vectors.
Advanced Applications: Coverage of viral vector use in genetic editing, genetic vaccines, and oncolytic viruses.
2_Prof. Tommaso Pietro Fraccia
2 Didactic Unit: Physics of Nanoparticles
Techniques for the characterization of the matter at the nanoscale: optical microscopy beyond the resolution limit, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), radiation scattering (neutrons, X-rays).
Inorganic nanoparticles (metallic, magnetic, semiconductors, quantum dots), physical properties as a function of scale, and applications for imaging, biosensing and hyperthermia.
Physical principles for the description of the collective phase behavior of polymeric systems (phase separations, complex coacervation), self-assembly of molecules and biological macromolecules (lipids, nucleic acids, and peptides), and nanostructured biomaterials (DNA nanotechnology). Examples of applications for the development of organic nanoparticles for the transport and/or controlled release of drugs: liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers, polymer/lipid-nucleic acid complexes.
Introduction to microfluidics and biosensors.
3_Prof. Sergio Romeo
3 Didactic Unit: Medicinal Chemistry of Nanoparticles
This didactic unit is divided into three parts; the main focus is the in-depth study of nanoparticles in therapeutic use and in development:
1. Introduction: properties and classification of nanoparticles. Lipid-based nanoparticles: nanolipid carriers, lipid nanoparticles and solid lipid nanoparticles. Polymer-based nanoparticles: synthetic polymers, polysaccharides, dendrimers, proteins, peptides, DNA. Inorganic nanoparticles: gold, magnetic compounds, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, silica
2. Preparation and functionalization of nanoparticles: self-assembly, conjugation reactions, biofunctionalization
3. Study through examples from literature of nanoparticles in therapeutic use and in development: theranostic systems, delivery of siRNA, mRNA and DNA, enzyme-prodrug therapies, targeting of the central nervous system, biosensors
Didactic Unit: Viral Vectors
This unit provides an in-depth exploration of viral gene transfer techniques and gene therapy. The main themes include:
Viral Replication and Gene Expression Strategies: Comprehensive study of in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy methodologies.
Characteristics and Applications of Vectors: Detailed examination of retroviral, lentiviral, adenoviral, and adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, highlighting their unique characteristics and uses.
Innate Immune Response: Analysis of the body's innate immune response to viral vectors.
Advanced Applications: Coverage of viral vector use in genetic editing, genetic vaccines, and oncolytic viruses.
2_Prof. Tommaso Pietro Fraccia
2 Didactic Unit: Physics of Nanoparticles
Techniques for the characterization of the matter at the nanoscale: optical microscopy beyond the resolution limit, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), radiation scattering (neutrons, X-rays).
Inorganic nanoparticles (metallic, magnetic, semiconductors, quantum dots), physical properties as a function of scale, and applications for imaging, biosensing and hyperthermia.
Physical principles for the description of the collective phase behavior of polymeric systems (phase separations, complex coacervation), self-assembly of molecules and biological macromolecules (lipids, nucleic acids, and peptides), and nanostructured biomaterials (DNA nanotechnology). Examples of applications for the development of organic nanoparticles for the transport and/or controlled release of drugs: liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, polymeric micelles, polymersomes, dendrimers, polymer/lipid-nucleic acid complexes.
Introduction to microfluidics and biosensors.
3_Prof. Sergio Romeo
3 Didactic Unit: Medicinal Chemistry of Nanoparticles
This didactic unit is divided into three parts; the main focus is the in-depth study of nanoparticles in therapeutic use and in development:
1. Introduction: properties and classification of nanoparticles. Lipid-based nanoparticles: nanolipid carriers, lipid nanoparticles and solid lipid nanoparticles. Polymer-based nanoparticles: synthetic polymers, polysaccharides, dendrimers, proteins, peptides, DNA. Inorganic nanoparticles: gold, magnetic compounds, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, silica
2. Preparation and functionalization of nanoparticles: self-assembly, conjugation reactions, biofunctionalization
3. Study through examples from literature of nanoparticles in therapeutic use and in development: theranostic systems, delivery of siRNA, mRNA and DNA, enzyme-prodrug therapies, targeting of the central nervous system, biosensors
Prerequisites for admission
Basic notions of general biology, medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry applied to macromolecules and physics are required
Teaching methods
Lectures
Teaching Resources
Materiale di riferimento
Giacca M. "Gene Therapy"
Springer, 2010
ISBN 978-88-470-1643-9
Bionanotechnology : Concepts and Applications
Fruk, Ljiljana, Kerbs, Antonina
Cambridge University Press, 2021
ISBN : 9781108609623
online https://www.sba.unimi.it/
Characterisation methods in solid state and materials science
Morrison, Kelly
IOP Publishing
2019
ISBN : 9780750313834
online on www.sba.unimi.it
Slides of the course uploaded on Teams website
Giacca M. "Gene Therapy"
Springer, 2010
ISBN 978-88-470-1643-9
Bionanotechnology : Concepts and Applications
Fruk, Ljiljana, Kerbs, Antonina
Cambridge University Press, 2021
ISBN : 9781108609623
online https://www.sba.unimi.it/
Characterisation methods in solid state and materials science
Morrison, Kelly
IOP Publishing
2019
ISBN : 9780750313834
online on www.sba.unimi.it
Slides of the course uploaded on Teams website
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of 3 tests, one for each instructional unit. Viral Vectors Unit (3 CFU): written "multiple choice" test with one open-ended question. Physics Unit (2 CFU): oral exam. Chemistry Unit (2 CFU): oral exam.
The student should be able to present the acquired knowledge, as well as the ability to reason and integrate the topics covered in the lessons.
The final grade (out of thirty) will be calculated as the weighted average (based on the CFU) of the scores obtained in the individual instructional units.
The student should be able to present the acquired knowledge, as well as the ability to reason and integrate the topics covered in the lessons.
The final grade (out of thirty) will be calculated as the weighted average (based on the CFU) of the scores obtained in the individual instructional units.
BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGY - University credits: 3
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 2
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 2
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 2
Lessons: 56 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 10:30-12:30, by appointment via email
Via Mangiagalli 25, second floor, office 2062