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Post-doctoral Research and PhD positions available
Two positions will be shortly available. Contact Prof. Mauro Comes Franchini if you are interested
mauro.comesfranchini@unibo.it
- Fellowship lasting 12 months (plus additional 12+12) starting from 01-Sept-2023. (Holding a PhD title is mandatory)
- PhD position lasting 3 years starting from 01-Nov-2023
TITLE: Gold Nanorods synthesis and scale-up for photoacoustic theranostic nanomedicine approach against bladder cancer
Key words: Synthesis of nanostructures, Organic coating with biomolecules, Nanomedicine, Industrial scale-up, bladder cancer
Despite years of awareness, as of today, there is no screening program for the early detection of bladder cancer (BCa). The unmet clinical needs in the management of BCa are the prevention of tumor onset, relapse and progression, and therapy of the aggressive bladder carcinoma in situ (Cis), requiring frequent and endless follow-up and weekly treatments, with a consequent poor quality of life and the highest cost per patient among all cancers. In this european funded (PHIRE) project we propose an advanced transformative technology combining a novel high-resolution photoacoustic imaging on the bladder instilled with targeted plasmonic gold nanosensors.
Activities in charge to the fellowship and to the Phd holder: The synthesis and characterization of functionalized Gold nanorods (GNRs) for photoacoustic imaging applications, scaling up to 20 litres the whole process including GNRs functionalization with specific biomolecules to target bladder cancer. Shipment to the San Raffaele Hospital (Milano) where in vivo experiments will be carried out.
Collaborations with a European/United States company to run the scale-up under GMP (Good Manufacturing Process) up to 20 L conditions is also a key step of the project.
Another important task will be the definition of the GMP regulatory requirements for the manufacturing, in collaboration with the company, and the definition of a Master Batch Record for the GMP process according to the requirements for clinical trials. The Master Batch Record will contain all information required to manufacture the product in GMP conditions. Final functionalized GNRs produced in 20L reactor under GMP requirements will be supplied to partners for effectiveness evaluation and for pre-clinical tests after having performed analytical tests for the certification ISO 21363:2020.
Final goal is to be ready for future clinical trials.
Published on: March 11 2023
