Nonometric objects have the ability to interact with organs and tissues at a cellular/molecular level.

Owing to this peculiar ability, nanomaterials may be used to broadcast active signals to target molecular sensors or cells.

This would be particularly useful in several biomedical application in which high spatial resolution is required such as in diagnostics, by developing probes for imaging or molecular sensors, or as carriers for delivering highly specific drugs or genes.

However, the mechanisms through which cells interact with nanomaterials and the possible effects they may elicit are largely obscure. It is largely agreed that a better understanding of the mechanism involved in cellular uptake is required both to assess the real efficiency of nanometric devices and of course to design and functional carriers.

The project aims at the definition the optimal chemical-physical and morphometrical parameters for designing and creating safe nanometric carriers that are able to cross part to part the cell membrane. The intended goal is produce novel devices to efficiently cross the blood brain barrier and deliver drugs in a controlled fashion.