At the European Laboratory for Nonlinear Spectroscopy (Florence), we prepare polymers and nanoparticle formulations for applications in the life sciences.

The engineering of liquid crystalline polymers and hydrogels is studied for the preparation of cellular supports capable of mimicking some of the properties of biological tissues. We aim to provide simple materials for the development of in vitro biological models for use in pharmacological or physiological studies and tissue engineering.

Magnetic nanoparticles are prepared by solution techniques focusing on the scalability and reproducibility of synthesis protocols. Formulations are mainly studied for applications in magnetic hyperthermia, a localised tissue heating produced by nanoparticles under the action of alternating magnetic fields. This effect can be exploited in the medical field as a possible treatment in the treatment of cancer or for the realisation of smart materials capable of responding to magnetic fields.