WP4: Measurement of nanoparticles in model tissue phantoms and in biological tissues

Main goals:

To advance the development of measurement methods to detect, localise and quantify NPs in biological tissues, to compare the results obtained by orthogonal techniques, and to evaluate their robustness and associated uncertainty. To support the methodological development, the following biological samples will be considered: model tissue phantoms, cell cultures and animal or human tissues spiked with controlled amounts of the previously characterised NPs (WP1).

An internal ILC will be organised and performed to consolidate the measurement methods, correlate the results and define measurement uncertainties. This internal comparison will provide the protocol for the initiation of an external ILC in the framework of the VAMAS TW40 (WP5).

Techniques:

1. Measurement methods to detect inorganic nanoparticles in model tissue phantoms and in biological tissues: Electron microscopy, Spatially resolved LA-ICP-MS, Single-cell (SC) ICP-MS, SAXS,Micro CT imaging, Optical microscopy techniques, Benchtop X-ray fluorescence computed tomography (XFCT), TOF-SIMS
2. Measurement methods to detect lipid-based nanoparticles and liposomes in biological tissue: TOF-SIMS, SAXS and Grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS), Optical microscopy techniques

WP4 Leader:

Dr.  Leonardo Mortati
Scienze e tecnologie biomediche, INRIM, Italy

Short Bio: Dr. Leonardo Mortati is currently a researcher in the Advanced Material and Life Science Department at the Italian Metrology Institute (INRIM). His research interests are in nonlinear optics microscopy (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering, Second Harmonic Generation and Two-Photon Excitation Fluorescence techniques), atomic force microscopy and image analysis algorithms for biomedical application with a focus on regenerative medicine, drug delivery and material characterization.