Biography:

Director of CIBBIM-Nanomedicine (www.cibbim.eu), a research center focused on new biomedical nanotechnology-based applications. Director Assistant in Basic Research at the Valld’Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona.Deputy director of CIBER-BBN, a center of national excellence in the field of nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Co-founder and Science Advisor of ARGON Pharma SL, and former member of the editorial Board of Nanomedicine-NBM and Eur. J. Nanomedicine. External science advisor of the European Nanomedicine Characterization Laboratory (EU-NCL). Holds 14 patents, most transferred to leading companies of the biotech and pharma sectors and coauthors more than 90 papers in high impact factor journals. Honorary Board member of Precision Nanomedicine journal, he also acts as coordinator and partner of several research international EU projects involving SME’s and large Pharma companies. Coordinator for technology transfer at CIBER-BBN, he was recently appointed as President of the European Society of Nanomedicine and Executive Board member of the International Society of Nanomedicine.

Abstract:

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), comprising microparticles, exosomes and othersecreted vesicles, are naturally occurring delivery systems produced by most celltypes. EVs have been described as fully biocompatible submicron-sized vehicleswith high transfection capacity and low immunogenic responses, especially when produced in autologous systems. In this work, we propose the use of EV as direct delivery platforms for proteins defective in lysosomal storage disorders (LSD).

LSDs are congenital rare diseases caused by the lack or malfunction of a lysosomal protein, mainly enzymes. Note worthy, most LSDs are currently treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). This approach is based in periodic intravenous infusions of human recombinant enzymes. Nevertheless, as in other protein therapeutics, ERT has important drawbacks, including poor bio distribution, lowenzyme half-life, inability to cross the blood brain barrier and high immunogenicity, which often limits it efficacy.

In this scenario, we isolated and characterized EVs from a CHO cell line over expressing the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA), the defective enzyme in Fabry disease, with a myc-his tag (cmychis). In our hands, EVs containing GLA (EVs-GLA) were rapidly uptaken by target cells and driven directly to the lysosomes, where the exogenous GLA enzyme could restore lysosomal functionality. Indeed, the GLA in EVs had a higher specific activity (6-fold) and greater efficacy reducing the Gb3substrate accumulations (3-fold) than the free GLA enzyme or the Algasidase alfa in clinical use. Tolerability and biodistribution assays showed that intravenously administered EVs accumulate mainly in liver and spleen but also in kidneys, without causing any deleterious side-effect. Finally, GLA knock-out mice treated with EVGLA showed a greater Gb3 reduction in plasma and kidneys compared to those receiving free GLA or Algasidase alfa. Additional assays are being conducted to test the blood brain barrier crossing and the generation of auto-antibodies in EV-GLA treated mice compared to their controls. Studies have been also extended to other LSD, such Sanfilippo, with promising results.

Overall, our results demonstrate that EVs from cell lines over expressing lysosomal enzymes work as natural drug delivery systems for LSD, improving the stability and the efficacy of the cargo.

Biography:

Ivan Kelnar is head of the Department of nanostructured polymers and compositesat the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Fields of research: Crosslinking of polymers with organo-functional silanes; binary and ternary reactive blends with improved balance of mechanical properties; multiphase polymer systems modified with nanofillers (NF), effect of nanofillers on reactive-induced phase separation in epoxy systems.Effect of NF on fibril formation and performance in melt- drawn microfibrillar composites.Complex effect of graphite nanoplatelets on parameters of multicomponent polymer systems. The research is mainly focused on structure-properties relationships, mechanisms of mechanical energy absorption and effects of interface. Most of the research is done within national and international projects, published in more than 80 papers.

Ivan Kelnar is head of the Department of nanostructured polymers and compositesat the Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Fields of research: Crosslinking of polymers with organo-functional silanes; binary and ternary reactive blends with improved balance of mechanical properties; multiphase polymer systems modified with nanofillers (NF), effect of nanofillers on reactive-induced phase separation in epoxy systems.Effect of NF on fibril formation and performance in melt- drawn microfibrillar composites.Complex effect of graphite nanoplatelets on parameters of multicomponent polymer systems. The research is mainly focused on structure-properties relationships, mechanisms of mechanical energy absorption and effects of interface. Most of the research is done within national and international projects, published in more than 80 papers.

Abstract:

It is now well accepted that application of different rigid nanoelements (NF) is effective especially in multicomponent polymer systems due to simultaneous structure-directing effects, e.g. ability to replace polymeric compatibilizers. As a result, the role of NF is more complex and can result in enhancement of all basic mechanical parameters. Even more effective can be formation of complex morphologies improving mechanical energy dissipation at impact. Recently, the best parameters of nanocomposites were achieved with graphene and graphene oxide (GO) that also have high potential for modifications.

The effect of NF on phase structure can be even higher for thermosets with reaction-induced phase separation due to a crucial effect on its germination, kinetics, etc. Unlike thermoplastics, GO modifications with low molecular-weight compounds or oligomers are mostly applied. The reason is high performance attained with well exfoliated/bonded GO. At the same time, high ability of polymer chains-modified GO for self-assembly into nature- mimicking morphologies¹ indicates promising potential of these compounds to form effective complex structures also in neat and impact-modified epoxy².

This work deals with a thorough study of the effect of short polymer chains-modified GO on structure and properties of epoxy systems. Unlike few existing studies, focused on achieving high degree of GO exfoliation only, we have aimed at the self-assembling potential of such adducts. Discussed is effect of modifier type, content and geometry of grafting on formation of complex structures as well as difference from themoplastics-based systems. Highlighted are basic aspects leading to nacre-like lamellar structures (Fig a), new “3D” lamellar arrays (Fig b) and potential for deposition on interface in epoxy/carbon fibre composites to form rigid tough interface.

TEM images of epoxy modified with GO-g-polybutadiene

Biography:

Since 2017 SimonasRamanavicius is a PhD student at State Research Institute Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Lithuania. All his career as a researcher is devoted to the synthesis of various metal oxide based nanostructures and to finding application for those structures. As a researcher, Simonas has valuable experience and passion to share knowledge with other colleagues. He attended as a presenter at international conferences in the USA and Europe. As an active young scientist in 2019, he was nominated for the fellowship by Lithuania Research Council. Besides working in laboratory Simonas actively participates in Research and Research-Enterprise projects, where he applies his knowledge for nanotechnologybased solutions. The ongoing project is related to the development of metal oxidebased sensors for the determination of gases.

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a very versatile material, which has a wide range of practical applications. It can be used in the design of sensors, biosensors, solar cells, waste water treatment systems, etc.Titanium oxide application areas especially depend on phase and crystal structure composition, surface morphology, band gap. Due to this fact, there is a high interest in the synthesis of new titanium oxide structures with new properties in order to extend its application. Thus, there is a high demand for a simple and efficient method for the production of new titanium oxide based materials with a desirable and easily controllable properties [1,2]. One of the ways to change TiO₂characteristics is based on the formation of defective structures of titanium oxide (TiO_x, where x<2).

Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:

In this work, hydrothermal synthesis was applied for the formation of nonstoichiometric TiO_x with easily controllable characteristics.In order to prove the formation of TiO_x, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis methods were employed. Ellipsometry was used to measure the thickness and band gaps of the films.

Findings:

Band gaps of synthesized structures varies from less than 3,2 eV to 1,29 eV depending on the oxide composition. The modelling was used for calculations the porosity of layers showing that porosity is nearly 80%, which could be very important for the application of these products in the gas sensing.

Conclusion & Significance:

In this research, nonstoichiometric TiO_x thin films and nanoparticles were formed. Synthesized structures had exclusive characteristics such as high porosity and narrow bandgap. The narrow band gap is a great advantage due to the fact, that some characteristics of TiO₂ noticed under UV light can occur in visible light illumination of TiO_x structures.

Biography:

Abstract:

The surface morphology and particle size (size distribution) of the pure (Fe:Ti=0) photocatalyst were further analyzed by TEM, it’s evident from these images that the synthesized nanoparticles were agglomerated, and their shapes were quasi-nanospheres. The optical properties of TiO2 and Fe-TiO2 were separately detected by ultraviolet- visible diffuse reflection spectrometer (UV–Vis DRS). The absorption edge of the Fe-TiO2 in comparison to undoped TiO2 is extended greatly toward the visible light. The absorption edge is more extended to the visible light with the increasing of the Fe concentration, which is induced by the electron transition from Fe3d orbitals to TiO2 conduction band (CB). In N2 physical adsorption-desorption study, it was observed that the prepared TiO2 and Fe-TiO2 possess mesoporous surface as the isotherms are of Type IV and with typical H3 hysteresis loop according to the IUPAC convention, it indicates that TiO2 sample contain non-rigid aggregates of plate-like or slit shaped pores with a contribution of micropores and mesopores.

Results obtained for the photocatalytic degradation of Cypermethrin using nanomaterials suspended and immobilized, as well as the respective soft adsorption and photolysis. The molar ratios higher than Fe:Ti (Fe:Ti=0.075 and Fe:Ti=0.1) and the immobilization of nanoparticles on the spathe of coconut palm biomaterial generate a decrease in the percentages of elimination.

4. Conclusions

The immobilization of nanoparticles on coconut palm-based biomaterial using the resin applied in this study brings two important advantages from an economic and environmental point of view.

Biography:

Abstract:

The collaborative behavior exhibited by the combination of Magnetic Metal-Organic Frameworks (MMOFs), containing a core of magnetite and shell of MOFs is related to the magnetic properties of nanomagnetite and the contribution from MOFs. Nano MOFs properties combines interesting properties for many applications in sample treatment such as high BET surface area, tunable pore size, and ratio pore to volume. Nano MOFs as sorbents for dispersive solid phase extraction of small molecules in sample posses several interesting attributes, such as high cargo loading capacity, ease of post-modification, tunable size and shape. Magnetic nano Fe-BTC was synthesized, the MMOFs was formed by a core of nanomagnetite and shell of Iron(III) metal–trimesic acid (BTC). Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were used to characterize the MMOFs sorbent. The new material was tested and applied as sobrbent for magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) of small molecules related to pharmaceuticals uses such as fibrates (bezafibrate, clofibric acid, clofibrate, gemfibrozil, and fenofibrate) and dyes from triarylmethanes family from different type of water samples. Magnetic nano MOFS as sorbents present interesting properties, such as high loading capacity and selectivity for the tested small molecules making MMOFs excellent candidates as sorbents for determination of small molecules of environmental interest.

Acknowledgements This work has received financial support from MINECO (Spain) through projects Ref. MAT2014-57465-R and MAT2017-89207-R.

Biography:

Adil Shafi Ganie, working as a research scholar under the guidance of Prof. Suhail Sabir at Environmental Research laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, India. He is working on nanomaterials from past few years and successfully used some of them as potential photocatalysts and nanosensors.

Abstract:

Development of highly sensitive and efficient chemical sensor is the key approach for safeguarding the health of environment and ecosystem. Herein, we report a facileacetone sensor based on Ag₂S/NiO-ZnO modified GCE electrode with high sensitivity, lower-detection limit, reproducibility and good linearity. The ternary nanocomposite based acetone sensor was synthesized by homogenous precipitation method. The morphological, elemental, optical and structural characterizations were done by conventional methods such as Fourier-transform infraredspectroscopy (FTIR), Ultra violet visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electroanalytical and electrochemical behaviour of Ag₂S/NiO-ZnO/GCE was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical results indicated that, due to grafting of Ag onto binary metal oxide, the nanocomposite sensor show enhanced electrocatalytic property, fast electron transfer towards sensing of acetone. The fabricated nanocomposite sensor showed high sensitivity (4.0764 μA mmol L-1 cm-2), and a lower detection limit (LOD: 0.06 mmol L-1) for detectionof acetone. Thus, the prepared sensor may be a promising for effective detection of hazardous and carcinogenic chemicals in ecological as well as environmental fields.

Biography:

Abstract:

BACKGROUND

Herpes is a disease caused by a type of virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae that represents an important public health problem worldwide. Available dosage forms (creams and ointments) have many disadvantages, which include insufficient residence time and lack of precise dosage, etc¹. Polymeric films based on drug- interpolyelectrolyte complexes (DIPEC) represent an interesting therapeutic strategy that allows controlled drug release, providing a prolonged effect. Besides, they are easy and convenient for topical administration, avoiding high drug plasma concentration, which allow reducing side effects. The aim of this work was to develop and characterize acyclovir-loaded polymeric films for topical treatment of skin wounds by herpes.

METHODS

DIPEC dispersions were prepared by coacervation method. First, chitosan (Ch) was partially neutralized with HCl 1N, followed the addition of acyclovir (ACI) to neutralize 50% of ionizable amine groups of Ch. Then, sodium hyaluronate (HA) 0.005 M was added to neutralize 10% of ionizable amine groups of Ch under constant stirring at 14.000 rpm for 15 minutes. DIPEC dispersions with the formulae Ch-ACI₅₀-HA₁₀ were obtained. Solids of DIPEC were obtained by lyophilization. DIPEC dispersions were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) to evaluate their Z potential (ZP), hydrodynamic diameter (Dh) and polydispersity index, pH measurements and ionic displacement were also evaluated. Solid DIPEC, pure ACI, Ch, HA and the physical mixture (PM) were characterized by thermal analysis (differential calorimetry scanning (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD) and optical microscopy.

Films were obtained using solvent casting method. Glycerin (2% w/v) was added to the DIPEC dispersions as plasticizer. Samples were degassed and dried at 40°C in an on oven until constant weight. Polymeric films were characterized through uniformity weight and content test, swelling, in vitro bioadhesion and release studies.

RESULTS

DIPEC dispersions showed pH=4.19±0.01, Dh=834.3±59.0 nm and ZP=59.6±0.8 mV. Addition of NaCl produced changes in the dispersion pH, which indicated ionic displacement, which revealed ionic interaction between ACI and Ch. However, even after addition of 600-mol % of NaCl, the pH only increased a little, which revealed the strong but reversible union of the drug and the polymers in the DIPEC. DSC showed endothermic peak in the curve of ACI and PM, while this was not present in the solid DIPEC. TGA curves showed two thermal events for the DIPEC, at about 100°C, which could be assigned to a loss of water and at 275°C which indicated the drug decomposition. XRPD of DIPEC showed a characteristic pattern of an amorphous solid. XRDP of the PM and ACI showed the characteristics peaks of ACI, denoting its crystalline nature. Moreover, image of optical microscopy showed birefringence phenomenon for PM and ACI, while the DIPEC could not be observed under polarized light due to their amorphous nature. These results indicated that in the DIPEC there is not free drug. The ?lms obtained had excellent ACI content uniformity with very low percentage of coef?cient of variation (lower than 5%), which indicated that the casting solvent method employed was success. A higher sorption capacity was observed in both unloaded and loaded films. In presence of the ?lms the zeta potential of mucin switched from negative to positive, which indicated that electrostatic interactions occur between the ?lms and mucin, thus revealing their bioadhesive properties of the films. In vitro release studies showed a controlled release of ACI from the films.

CONCLUSION

Polymeric films based on DIPEC composed by Ch and HA and loaded with ACI were obtained. They showed promising properties for the treatment of skin wound produced by herpes virus. Further studies regarding effectiveness of them are required to confirm the usefulness for these purposes.

Biography:

Dr. Nishu Gupta is specialized in the field of Nano Communication and Networking. He is a Postdoctoral Fellow at University of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. His Masters specialization is in Nanoscience and Technology. He completed Ph.D. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, India in 2016.

Dr. Gupta is designated as Conference Chair at Global 2020 Congress on Networking and Communications and at 1st International Conference on Vehicular Systems, Networks and Technologies, March 2020, Athens, Greece.

Previously, Dr. Nishu has been Invited as Speaker at 20th World Summit on Nanotechnology and Expo (Nanotek-2018), Los Angeles, USA; Invited as Speaker at Conference on Wireless & Telecommunication at Lisbon, Portugal; designated as Session Co-chair in the 15th International Conference on Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems (WINSYS 2018), Porto, Portugal. Earlier, he has served as Publicity Co-chair for the 8th and 7th International Conference on Advanced Materials Research (ICAMR 2018 in Japan and ICAMR 2017 in Hong Kong respectively) and Program Co-chair for the 6th International Conference on Advanced Materials Research (ICAMR 2016), Torino, Italy, 2016.

Dr. Nishu serves as an active reviewer in various highly reputed Journals. He also serves as editorial member and committee member of various academic and professional bodies across the world.

Abstract:

Sensors play important role in wireless communication applications. These allow network of communicating devices to be assembled within the Internet of things, wireless sensor network, mobile/vehicular ad-hoc network and many more potential applications. To fabricate these sensors, many varieties of materials are used. These include eco-friendly materials, low-cost materials, recycleable materials, future generation materials etc. The research paradigm has now shifted towards newer classes of materials. These classes of sensor materials are playing dominant role in communication devices because of their flexibility to get easily fabricated, and by changing the composition of their elemental materials. Some of these materials are: piezoelectric materials, metamaterials, ultrahigh frequency (UHF) purpose integrated circuit (IC) materials, energy-efficient materials; special semiconductors, metals and alloys.

A thick remote system of nano-gadgets, i.e., a nanonetwork, could possibly achieve new and increasingly complex functionalities. A few inventive standards to empower nanonetworks have been proposed over the most recent couple of years. Nano-sensors and nano-actuators conveyed in the human body could empower inescapable and receptive nonstop in-vivo observing. Novel nanoscale electronic segments are being created, which can perform just straightforward assignments, for example, constrained processing, information putting away, detecting and incitation. The mix of a few of these nano-parts into a solitary element will empower the improvement of further developed machines, only a couple of cubic micrometers in size. The subsequent nanonetworks will empower numerous applications in the biomedical, electronic, mechanical and military communication fields, for example, propelled well-being checking and tranquilize conveyance frameworks, remote nanosensor systems for organic and concoction danger identification, or remote system on chip frameworks for ultrahigh-execution multi-center nano-registering structures. In addition, the coordination of nanonetworks with established remote systems and at last the Internet will empower a really digital physical framework, alluded to as the Internet of Nano-Sensors.

This paper deals with such novel materials whose incorporation would certainly enhance the future direction of research in wireless communication systems. Details on automotive cameras, lidars and radars as an extrapolation of current series sensors, with a reasonable explanation of technology and physical principles have been presented.

Biography:

Abstract:

In the fight against cancer, development of multifunctional drug carriers that can encapsulate, transport, and specifically release the drugs to cancer cells in an active and stimuli-responsive way is very important. In this study, mesoporous silica nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, functionalized with alginate and chitosan and bonded with folic acid. Curcumin loading, in-vitro drug release in phosphate buffered saline and acetate buffers, in vitro cytotoxicity assay, intracellular uptake and drug internalization by living cells were investigated. The as synthesized MSN particles were highly monodisperse with a hydrodynamic diameter of 639.9 nm. Layer-by-layer coating of MSN by polyelectrolytes and conjugation of folic acid were confirmed by TGA and the zeta potentials. High drug encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of 53% and 2.3% were achieved at pH 5.5. In-vitro drug release confirmed absence of curcumin release at blood pH of 7.4 while an initial burst release was observed at acidic pH followed by a sustained curcumin release over 36 hours. MTT assay showed the biocompatibility of the drug carrier while confocal laser scanning microscopy confirmed the hyper uptake and internalization of the multifunctional drug carrier. Exposure of free curcumin, drug-loaded carrier with and without folic acid, to the surface of HeLa cells before and after folic acid blocking, showed the efficient folic acid receptor assisted drug internalization by the tumour cells. The investigation offered a route to fabrication of biocompatible, pH-responsive, tumour-specific drug carriers with sustained drug delivery. Further investigations of the in-vivo tumour efficacy of the developed carrier are underway.

Biography:

Mohammad Mirjalili, Faculty Member at Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Associate Professor of Textile Engineering & Polymer Department, received his M.Sc. (1998) in textile chemistry. Continued his post graduate studies at the Islamic Azad University, Tehran south branch related to dyeing modification of wool fabric with reactive dyes. Received his Ph. D.(2002) in textile chemistry at   Islamic Azad University of Tehran south. He conducted more than 21 Project and 9 doctoral research as well as project related to textile chemistry. He has published more than 56 scientific papers and presented at a number of national and international conferences including 12th International Toki Conference on Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion 2001 in Japan, Word Textile Conference AUTEX2009 in Turkey, Nano Technology Science 2010 in Canada, AUTEX 2011 in France and 12th World Textile Conference AUTEX 2012 in Croatia. His scientific work is related to Synthesis of Dyes for textile, Industrial wastewater treatment plant, Nano Technology and Natural Dyes.

Abstract:

Recent developments in the textile industry have led to significant improvements in the performance of non-woven fabrics. In this work, the specimen of the fabrics (polyester/viscose) was first placed under microwave radiation at different times, and then the optimum treatment of treated fabrics (8min) was selected for physical properties and surface morphology Graphene oxide (GO) and Carbon nanotube (CNT) with different percentages were measured with using dispersing agent, washing performance and stability, and physical properties of the fabric. The image of Surface morphology's specimens was, also, photographed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After, the electrical conductivity properties of the specimens were measured, according to AATCC2005-76 standards, and subsequently, K/S, %R, and Lab value of specimens analyzed with using reflection spectrophotometer.

Images of SEM fabric containing nanoparticles (Figures 1 and 2) show that for both nanotubes CNT and Go, increasing the amount of nanoparticles to 7 and 9% by weight causes the appearance of some nanoparticles on the fiber surface, the presence of which is a lot more at the 9%. In the less than 7% amounts used, the nanoparticles are predominantly contained within the fiber.

Fig.1. Image of SEM samples of fabric, term of 8min microwave treatment in: a) CNT 3%o.w.f   b) CNT 5%  c) CNT 7%  d) CNT 9%

Fig.2. Image of SEM samples of fabric, term of 8min microwave treatment in: a) GO 3%o.w.f    b) GO 5%   c) GO 7%  d) GO 9%

In fact, the result indicate that optimum electrical resistivity, that is aim of study too, are 9% one weight of fabric nanoparticles on the fabric, and finally, the electrical resistivity for the values ??of 7 and 5%o.w.f  of CNT are approximately the same as those of 9 and 7%o.w.f of GO, which is also shown in the statistical results of the central composite design (CCD).