abstract prima parte 2016_11_16 - BtBsDay

BtBsDay 2016
1-52 GLYCO-NANOTECNOLOGY LAB 4014: Glyconanoparticles and Glyco-Molecular
tools for targeting and as modulators-inhibitors-drugs
Research Area: 1 - Nanobiotechnologies for preclinical studies
Research Team: PI: Prof. Barbara La Ferla (1)
Alice Paiotta, PhD student (1), Rana Edwards, PhD student (1), Alessandro Palmioli, Post Doc (1)
Marta Rosati, master student (1)
(1) Dep. Biotechnology and Bioscience, Piazza della Scienza 2, I-20126, Milan, Italy
[email protected]
Abstract
Multivalent carbohydrate-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-protein interactions are at the base of a
plethora of biological (physiological/pathological) process, including virus/bacterial adhesion,
cancer cell proliferation and metastases, immune response, etc. In this contest we design and
synthesize multivalent glycosylated scaffolds, including sugar decorated PLGA-NP and
glycodendrons, to study cellular interactions and respons. Preliminary studies using mannitol
decorated NP showed their ability to increase permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB),
opening
the
way
for
a
controlled
delivery
of
drugs
to
the
brain.
Another topic of our lab deals with glycol-based NPs, the so called cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs).
Despite there are examples of drug loaded CNCs in the literature, there is no study of in-vivo
pharmacokinetic study of such NPs. We are addressing this topic and preliminary data show an
important tropism towards bone tissue, promising fact for the treatment of bone related
pathologies. CNCs are also being studied as saccharidic polymers able to inhibit bacterial
adhesion.
Glyco-Molecular tools: in this context we are developing selective inhibitors/modulators of the
hexosamine biosynthetic pathway, as potential antitumoral drugs and as chemical tools for the
treatment of related pathologies. We are also synthesizing a library of peptidomimetics based on a
glycidic scaffold, for the specific targeting of the gastrin releasing peptide receptor (GRPR)
overexpressed in a plethora of tumor cells, and with potential antitumor activity.
Biosensors: The selective detection of biomolecules is a key feature for the development of novel
and high-throughput diagnostic tools. In collaboration with the CNR institute we are developing a
carbohydrate functionalized electrode able to selectively detect the presence of lectines in
solution, with a very high sensitivity.
Collaborations:
UNIMIB - Prof. Marco Orlandi / Dr. Luca Zoia , Dr. Giulio Sancini, Dr.ssa Cristina Airoldi, Dr. Ferdinando Chiaradonna,
Dr. Patrizia Di Gennaro
CNR - Dr.ssa Barbara Vercelli
Mario Negri Institute - Dr. Paolo Bigini
Acknowledgments: This project has received funding from the European Union’s HORIZON 2020 Programme for
research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no. 642028 H2020-MSCA-ITN-2014