Mauro Comes Franchini

Roma, 7-April-1969.

AWARD

2017: Prize to the scientific research in “Organic Chemistry for Nanoscience” by the Società Chimica Italiana.

ACTUAL POSITIONS

• Full Professor of “Material Organic Chemistry”, Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, University of Bologna.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

1993: Degree in Industrial Chemistry at the University of Bologna.

1993-1996: Ph.D in Chemical Science in the Department of Organic Chemistry "A. Mangini" of the University of Bologna.

1997: PhD final exam at the University “La Sapienza”, Roma (7/09/1997). Title: “Stereoselective synthesis of polifunctionalyzed building blocks through the use of chiral organometallics reagents, auxiliaries and catalyst."

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Part of the degree work (three months) has been performed in the Department of Organic Chemistry of the University of Nijmegen (The Netherlands).

During his Ph.D he spent a six months period in the Dyson Perrins Laboratory, of the Oxford University, (United Kingdom).

ACCADEMIC CARRIER

1997: CNR fellowship entitled “Progetto Strategico. Tecnologie Chimiche Innovative” working in the Department of Organic Chemistry “A. Mangini” of the University of Bologna.

1998: Researcher at the Department of Organic Chemistry “A. Mangini”, Faculty of Industrial Chemistry, Bologna.

2014: Associate Professor. Department of industrial chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna.

2021: Full Professor in Organic Chemistry. Department of industrial chemistry Toso Montanari, University of Bologna.

TEACHING ACTIVITY

Since 1998 teaching in Organic Chemistry and Materials Sciences courses including laboratories. Coordinator of 82 Degrees among first level, second level and internship for foreign students.

Teacher of the Master in “Material Composite” 2015-16, 2016-17, 2022-23, 2023-24.

Tutor and teacher of the “Collegio Superiore- Istituto Studi Avanzati (ISA)” University of Bologna 2012-2018.

MENTORING ACTIVITY

Twenty-one Post-Doctoral fellowships, Ten PhD students in Chemical Sciences, Industrial Chemistry and Nanoscience.

EDITORIAL BOARDS

2014-onward Associate Editor for the journal RSC Advances (Royal Society of Chemistry). Section Nanoscience.

2012-onward Member of the honorary editorial board of International Journal of Nanomedicine (Dove Press).

SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Scopus ID number: 6603855935

ORCID-ID: 0000-0001-5765-7263

Author of 148 articles published in international journals with Impact Factor, 3 papers at educational level. Twenty-three patents (22 WO), 7 contributions to book’s chapter as conferences proceedings and monography. Twenty-five conferences at international congresses of which 17 invited and 8 as oral communication.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Additive Manufacturing 3D-printing

The activity is focused on the optimization of innovative processing techniques with the aim of developing new organic materials for applications in the field of organic electronics, nanomedicine for industrial applications.

Processing techniques include:

• Additive Manufacturing (3D-Printing) to obtain new materials starting from natural pool sources, such as carbohydrates, proteins, terpenes and using recycled polymers with natural fibres as additive. The starting biomaterials are synthetically modified before being applied to the manufacturing. Applications are textile, furnitures and organic electronics. 3D-printing techniques used are: photopolymerization using SLA/DLP/LCD and Fused Granulated Modelling (FGM).

• Bio-Ink for biomedical applications via gel-extrusion deposition. Here too, biocompatible materials are investigated: the formulations are thoroughly explored and optimized in order to obtain suitable rheology for building scaffolds eligible for Tissue Engineering.

Nanoscience and Nanomedicine

Research is in the field of the organic chemistry for nanoscience and nanomedicine. The argument of this research is the functionalization with complex organic molecules of the surface of nanoparticles: in particular magnetic nanoparticles, silver, doped- metal oxides, magnesium and gold nanoparticles (spherical and cylindrical). The entrapment of organic molecules as commercial- or synthetized-drugs (derived from the mentioned 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition) together with the metallic nanostructures of interest into biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles is also a topic of this research. The further bioconjugation of these polymeric nanoparticles with bio-functional molecules (proteins, peptides, monoclonal antibodies and aptamers) gives nanocarriers for biomedical applications against cancer and neurological disorders. Main applications are imaging, drug delivery, phototermal ablation and therefore a Theranostic approach is the main goal.

• INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

  The following expertise have been developed during contract with companies:

  • Powder granulation through Spray Dryer e Fluid Bed. Cosmetic applications of bio-based powders. Micro-encapsulation of API for durg delivery and cosmetics. Coating of micropowder for agrochemistry and nutraceutical.
  • Development of cosmetic formulation. Analysis and investigation of colour, rheology. Main applications are for sun-creame as a boost for sun protection (increasing SPF, Sun Protection Factor).
  • Synthetic chemistry for structural modification of bio-polymers to increase performances and functionalities of composites.
  • Extrusion, injection molding for composite using recycled polymers and natural fibres from renewable resources. High-added value of final products.
  • Electrospinning to obtain fibres including additive as functional nanostructures and API. Medical devices and organic electronic applications.
  • Testing e chemical-physical characterization. Coordinating the use of several modern techniques for shape, structural and composition.
  • Industrial dyes and applications

  FUND RAISING

  1. PNRR-TR1-2023-12377370. Project topic: C2) Tumori rari: sviluppo di soluzioni trasversali che possano avere impatto su molteplici patologie in termini di ricerca e assistenza. Proposal title: Locoregional administration of therapeutic hydrogels to overcome the blood-brain barrier and prevent glioblastoma recurrences. September 2024-August 2026. Local coordinator
  2. Winner of Bando “AlmaValue”. Scouting of Alma Mater research results and support for market valorization. Principal Investigator. 2023
  3. HORIZON-EIC-2022-TRANSITIONOPEN-01. Type of action: HORIZON EIC Grants. Title: Photoacoustic imaging and artificial intelligence-based theranostc approach for cancer. Acronym: PHIRE. For the period: September 2023-August 2026. Local coordinator.
  4. AIRC: Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul cancro. Investigator Grant (IG-2019). Development of innovative drug-loaded and aptamer targeted nanosystems for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. Principal Investigator Laura Cerchia (CNR Napoli). Gennaio 2020-Dicembre 2024. Local coordinator.
  5. H2020-FET-OPEN-1-2016-2017 Funding scheme: Research and Innovation ActionsRIA. (2018-2022). Title: Novel precision technological platforms to promote non-invasive early diagnosis, eradication and prevention of cancer relapse: proof of concept in the bladder carcinoma. Acronym: EDIT. For the period: October 2018-September 2022. Local coordinator.
  6. Funded by Fondazione Dal Monte. Title: “Nanomedicine approaches for Glioblastoma treatment”. Principal Investigator. 2017.
  7. Joint Research Projects within the executive programme of scientific and technological cooperation between the italian republic and the socialist republic of Vietnam. 2014-2016. Progetti di Grande Rilevanza: Biotechnology and Medicine. Funded by MINISTERO AFFARI ESTERI (MAE). Title: Synthesis of hybrid magnetic nanocarriers for drug delivery innanomedicine. Imaging and therapy against brain tumors.
  8. Seventh Framework Programme Theme 4 – NMP - Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production Technologies. Call identifier:FP7-NMP-2010-LARGE-4. Title: A Modular Nanosystems Platform for Advanced Cancer Management: Nano-vehicles; Tumor Targeting and Penetration Agents; Molecular Imaging, Degradome based Therapy. Acronym: Save-Me. For the period: March 2011-February 2015. Local coordinator.
  9. Seventh Framework Programme. Theme NMP-2007. NMP-2007-4.0-4. Substantial innovation in the European medical industry: development of nanotechnology-based systems for in-vivo diagnosis and therapy. Title: Integration of Novel NANOparticle based technology for THERapeutics and diagnosis of different type of cancer. Acronym: NANOTHER. For the period: October 2008-September2012. Local coordinator.
  10. COST D-12 “Enantiospecific synthesis of the carbon-heteroatom bonds”, (2001-2004). TRM Project:Design, Analysis and Computation for Catalytic Organic Reactions (Contract HPRN-CT-2001-00172). Participant.
  11. PRIN (Project of National Interest) 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007. Participant.

EVALUATION ACTITIVITY

Referee for the principal journals edited by ACS, Royal Chemical Society, Wiley ed Elsevier

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

• External evaluator for EU programmes. 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF).
• PhD thesis: Siena (Italy, 2010, 2018, 2020, 2024), Firenze (Italy, 2011), Liverpool (United Kingdom, 2013), Lubiana (Slovenia 2024).
• FIRB (Futuro in Ricerca): 2012 (one project) and 2013 (two projects)
• SIR (Scientific Independence of young Researchers) 2014: 10 projects.
• Agency for Science, Research and Technology, Singapore (1 project, 2013).
• Internal member for a RTD-B position CHIM06 (2015, 2022 and 2023).
• EXITO (Enhance Cross-disciplinary Infrastructure Training at Oregon) Pilot Project Grant Program, Portland State University (USA), one project (2016).
• Newton International Fellowships application The Royal Society, Inghilterra. One project (2016).
• Evaluator for Israeli Ministry Innovation, 2022 Science and Technology, topic of Drug and pharmaceutical development. Call for the submission of proposals for 2022 in the field of Health and Medicine

OTHER ACCADEMIC ACTIVITIES

Head of the Faenza (Ravenna) Organizational Unit (UOS) of the “Toso Montanari” Department of Industrial Chemistry (1-11-2022-present).

Delegate for the research activities of the Department and related relationship with the Pro-Rector (2013-2016, 2021-2022).

Member of the Panel 03 (Chemical Sciences) for the evaluation of the research of the University of Bologna (2010-2016).

Coordinator of the emergency team (2010-2018).