Technologies

This innovative technology involves the use of a high-affinity, highly specific antibody that targets extracellular domains of connexin hemichannels (Cx26, Cx30, and Cx32). The antibody has been designed to reduce or inhibit the growth of brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma (GBM), and to alleviate the associated epilepsy. By blocking connexin hemichannels, the antibody interferes with pathological ATP release and other signaling mechanisms that contribute to tumor progression and neural hyperexcitability.

Aptamers, short structured single-stranded oligonucleotides binding at high affinity to a given target protein, are selected from large combinatorial libraries through repeated cycles of incubation of the library with the target, recovery and amplification of target-bound oligonucleotides (SELEX technology, Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). SELEX can be applied to select aptamers against a known target protein or against a specific cell phenotype, without any prior knowledge of the specific target, leading to new biomarkers discovery.

The present invention relates to the biomedical sector of the treatment of lung diseases and related symptoms. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods based on the use of selected polymeric biomaterials, in combination with stem cells and/or their secretome, capable of synergistically improving the development, regeneration and repair of chronic lung injuries and related symptoms.

Extracellular vesicles produced by teratocarcinoma cells were isolated and characterized. Functional assays on glioblastoma (GBM) cell cultures showed the inhibitory effect of these vesicles on tumor cell migration, without inducing undesirable effects such as increased cell proliferation or chemotherapy resistance.

Integrative omics has posed new challenges in modern precision medicine, particularly in oncology, including i) the identification of new tumor markers for early, precise, and non-invasive diagnostics, and ii) the discovery of innovative molecular targets for therapeutic applications. Our studies on medulloblastoma, a highly malignant childhood tumor, have contributed to identifying RNA molecules that meet these criteria.

Recently, nanoparticles and nanovesicles have been investigated as potential approaches for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, in the Biotech sector an increasingly deeper penetration of new treatment models and biological drugs based on cellular, subcellular and vesicle therapies is expected. The patent is based on the production of Myelin-based nanoVesicles (MyVes) produced by microfluidics, starting from myelin extracted from brain tissue. These vesicles find two major fields of applications as potential drugs or as supplements/nutraceuticals.

Severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are nowadays associated with a poor response to corticosteroids which led to the use of high-dose with consequent improved onset of side effects. The use of nanotechnologies can represent an innovative approach for the effective treatment of both asthma and COPD. The development of new nano-formulations involving the use of nanomaterials and specifically tailored to be inhaled offers numerous advantages over conventional inhaled dosage forms.

Currently, liposomes (artificially synthesised vesicles) are widely used as carriers for a variety of molecules in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. In the clinical applications, for instance, they are employed to encapsulate a range of substances, such as antibiotics, proteins, genetic material, vitamins and anti-cancer drugs.

The technology refers to an innovative plasma (ionized gas) source operating at atmospheric pressure and low electric power levels. A cold plasma is produced, characterized by an ion temperature significantly lower than the electron temperature. Partial ionization of a Helium flux is induced by a time-varying electric field in between two parallel grids, both perpendicular to the flux itself.

The development of an innovative screening platform of natural marine extracts guided by biological assays represents one of the main products developed within the Antitumor Drugs and Vaccines from the SEA (ADViSE) project which aims to provide a new vision in Drug Discovery processes.