PhD in Nanoscience for Medicine and the Environment

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The PhD in Nanoscience for Medicine and the Environment supports research projects dealing with the relation between Nanoscience and Health, considering both “human health and environmental health”. Two different thematic areas are planned:
1. Nanoscience for Medicine

• Interactions between nanostructures and biomolecules/cellular structures
• Drug delivery systems
• Nanostructures, solid pharmaceutical hybrids formulations, crystalline polymorphism of active pharmaceutical ingredients
• Nanostructures and nanoformulations for high bioavailability administration of nutrients and bioactive molecules
• Use of artificial molecular machines in biomimetic systems
• Development of theranostic nanoplatforms
• Design of nanostructurated materials for the development of (multimodal) imaging contrast agent
• Nanostructured organic semiconductors for sensor applications
• Nanobiosensing for “point-of-care” and personalized medicine
• Nanostructures for regenerative medicine
• Cellular nanoengineering
• Nanotoxycology and technologies for “safety by design”

2. Nanoscience for the Environment

• Photo and/or electrocatalysts for water and air remediation or for the production of energy using “solar fuels”
• Nanobiosensing for enviromental monitoring
• Nanostructured photo and/or electrocatalysts for the reduction of CO2 in high energy density products
• Development of innovative synthesis for the production of nanocatalysts active in the sustainable transformation of biomass into chemicals
• Nanostructured platforms for the development of membranes for “water remediation”
• New materials for the conversion and storage of solar energy using molecuar machines
• Nanoecotoxycology
• Life cycle analysis (LCA) of the production and use of nanomaterials

Appointed by RD n. 709/2023 Prot n. 149534 on Jun 02, 2023

* The following shall take part in the work of the Examination Board as expert members for positions linked to specific research topics:

• Stefano Toffanin - Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati del CNR

The PhD course Nanoscience for Medicine and the Environment aims to build a large area of advanced teaching and research centered on nanosciences and on their applications in medicine and the environment.The doctorate has its fundamental objective in the development of a multidisciplinary approach to the nanosciences, at the interface between chemistry, physics, biology, medicine and environmental science.
This PhD has, as its primary objective, that of crossing the “jargon” barriers in order to construct cultural connections between the various disciplines, integrating scientific communities with very different methodologies and approaches, with the awareness that innovations in this area can only take place in a fully interdisciplinary context.
The integration of the diverse scientific areas will thus provide the opportunity to design and develop common research projects thanks to multidisciplinary / interdisciplinary approaches.

The type of training offered in the proposed PhD is training through research. The students will take part in training courses based on frontal lessons although the most relevant part of the training will be attained by working on specific experimental research projects with basic and / or applied objectives also in collaboration with public or private international research institutions.
The "hands on" training in these areas will allow the doctoral student to experience directly the planning of experiments, collecting and processing data, as well as the drafting of reports and publications. The training will also include science communication, "scientific writing", exploitation of intellectual property and training in scientific project writing in order to gain skill to apply for public and private research grants.
The PhD student research activity will rely on collaborative projects between the various components of the PhD to attain a high interaction and integration of the research while maintaining a high level of specialization
The overall objective of the training of PhD students will therefore be the development of analytical and experimental expertise and the acquisition of skills, which will be at the same time

• broad and interdisciplinary across the whole field of nanosciences
• specific about issues concerning specific nanoscience applications.

In this way, students will be able to develop an interdisciplinary / multidisciplinary and non-sectoral approach to the chemical, physical, medical, and agricultural sciences.

The PhD course guarantees a training characterized by multidisciplinarity and interdisciplinarity, offering basic teaching in chemistry, physics, biology, medicine and enviromental science.
The PhD in Nanoscience for Medicine and the Environment will provide basic teachings about nanoscience to which all students are expected to attend and a series of more applicative courses, dealing with specific topics related to the two thematic areas ( 1. Nanoscience for Medicine, 2. Nanoscience for the Environment).
During the three-year PhD period each student must attend the courses offered in the doctoral program.
PhD students are expected to participate to seminars and workshops, organized by the Departments or by the Institute of Advanced Studies.
Finally, the PhD students must attend to at least one school/conference.

The doctoral course in Nanoscience for Medicine and the Environment, guarantees a research environment of the highest level open to international collaboration. The internationalization of the training will be favoured by operating at various levels:
TEACHING

• All teaching and evaluation tests will be carried out in English
• The PhD student will be required to attend seminars delivered by international visiting professors and researchers.

RESEARCH

• The active participation of PhD students in international research projects and other scientific initiatives of choice will be favoured
• Strong support will be provided to ensure training in the preparation and management of european ad extra-european international research projects

MOBILITY

• All PhD students will be expected to spend at least three months in a foreign lab characterized by scientific excellence
• All PhD students will be expected to participate actively in international schools and meetings giving talks and presenting posters on their research

ACTRACTIVITY

• The PhD course will be advertised internationally in order to attract good candidates holding master degrees granted by foreign universities
• The possibility of co-tutelle in collaboration with foreign institutions is envisaged.
• Participation in international mobility programmes (e.g. Programma Erasmus Mundus, Scienze Senza Frontiere, China Scholarship Council) will be explored in order to obtain further financial support for PhD fellowships

The products and the expected results of the research activity of PhD students are those recognized by the international scientific community. In particular, at least one product related to participation in national and international conferences or schools (e.g., posters, oral presentations, publication of reports, etc.) are expected during the three-year PhD period for each student. The achievement of this goal will be assessed during the periodical evaluations of the PhD students’ activity. It is also expected that during the PhD period, and in any case within one year after the conclusion of the doctorate, each student has produced - as author or co-author - at least one publication (or possibly patents) related to the research activity.