Papers by Author: Serena Danti

Abstract: This paper reports on two examples of biomedical applications of ceramic nanoparticles. Thanks to their physical and chemical inertia, barium titanate nanoparticles and boron nitride nanotubes have been proved to have an optimal in vitro biocompatibility, even at high concentrations. Barium titanate nanoparticles-doxorubicin composites are successfully internalized by cancer cells, and allow for a considerable enhancement of drug up-take. Conversely, boron nitride nanotubes are explored as “nanotransducers”, thanks to their excellent piezoelectric properties. These two examples encourage further investigations and applications in biology and medicine of ceramic nanomaterials, that exhibit interesting advantages respect to traditional materials.

Abstract: The aim of this report was to investigate the behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) when cultured on different porous 3D scaffolds, having natural or synthetic origination. Natural scaffolds were obtained by hand made processing of human bone tissue (allograft), because its well known osteoconductive features, using different procedures to eliminate the donor cellular phase. Cancellous bone was frozen, heated or demineralized before being loaded with hMSCs. Among the variety of synthetic materials, biodegradable polymeric spongy matrices were chosen and comparatively tested as scaffolds for hMSCs growth.