Research interests
Our first research line is dedicated to the interaction of a relatively new class of organic electrolytes, known as ionic liquids (ILs), with the basic building blocks of living matter including lipids and biomembranes, proteins and amyloids, and cells, with the aim to understand the chemical-physical properties relevant to the development of applications in bio-medicine and bio-nanotechnology. Neutron scattering and atomic force microscopy are the two major techniques used for these investigations, which are combined with a series of complementary approaches.
Our second line of research is dedicated to the development of a new neutron scattering method/spectroscopy for dynamics. This novel approach is based on the detection of the solely elastic scattered intensity and offers several advantages in comparison to standards methods for dynamics, which make it particularly suitable for the study of biomolecules. Theoretical approaches and Monte Carlo computations are the two methods employed here, which are completed by a series of test experiments at large-scale neutron scattering facilities.
Our third research line focuses on water dynamics in confinement, with a special focus on water molecules confined at biological surfaces. Other interests include the investigation of the dynamics-function relationship in proteins. Neutron scattering and classical molecular dynamics simulations are the two major approaches adopted in these studies.
Methods:
Neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy and computer simulations are the three major approaches we are using with the aim to link molecular, if not, atomistic-scale mechanisms to behaviours and processes taking place at the meso-scale (Fig. 1). A series of complementary approaches are also used which include static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, fluorescence and electronic microscopies, Raman and infrared spectroscopies and a palette of different biological methods as, for example, cell survival assays, western blotting of key proteins, flow cytometry, cell migration and scattering assays.
Neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy and computer simulations are the three major approaches we are using with the aim to link molecular, if not, atomistic-scale mechanisms to behaviours and processes taking place at the meso-scale (Fig. 1). A series of complementary approaches are also used which include static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, fluorescence and electronic microscopies, Raman and infrared spectroscopies and a palette of different biological methods as, for example, cell survival assays, western blotting of key proteins, flow cytometry, cell migration and scattering assays.
Fig. 1 - A representative example. Neutron reflectometry allows to determine the partitioning of ionic liquid (IL) cations into the lipid phase of a model biomembrane, which supports the classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations carried out on the same system. The analysis of the MD trajectories suggested that IL-cations alter the elasticity of the membrane. Atomic force microscopy allows to investigate this experimentally.
Fig. 2 - Neutron spin-echo is one of the several neutron scattering techniques that we are routinely using in our research. The instrument pictured in the figure is the Neutron Spin-Echo installed at the Centre for Neutron Research at the National Institute for Standards and Technology (Maryland, USA). We have recently used this technique to measure how ionic liquids alter bending elasticity and thickness fluctuations of lipid vesicles, used as basic model of biomembranes.
Fig. 3 - Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is another neutron technique that we are routinely using in our research. The instrument pictured in the figure is one of the SANS machines installed at Institute for Standards and Technology (Maryland, USA). Recently, we used SANS to determine the partitioning of ionic liquid (IL) cations between lipid vesicles and their aqueous solvent. The knowledge of IL-partitioning is necessary for any development of applications of ILs in bio-medicine and bio-nanotechnology.
Fig. 4 - Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is another technique we are routinely using in our research. Recently, we used AFM to determine the effect of ionic liquids on cell membrane elasticity. Alterations in cell elasticity have been observed in several pathological conditions and are relevant in bacteria and virus dissemination. As a results, being able to act on cell viscoelasticity with ionic liquids can lead to high-impact applications in bio-medicine and, more in general, bio-nanotechnology.