Journal of Nanomedicine & Nanotechnology

Claudio Nastruzzi

Claudio Nastruzzi
Associate Professor, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology
University of Ferrara, Italy

Biography

Claudio Nastruzzi was born in Ferrara on March 29, 1958. 1983 - Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Ferrara, Department of Pharmaceutical Science. 1983-1984 - Fellow in the Department of Pharmaceutical Science of University of Ferrara, working on natural compound synthesis (prostaglandins and leukotriens) and characterization of isosazolic and isosazolinic nuclei reactivity. 1988 - Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science, with a dissertation on the syntesis, antitumor and antimetastatic activity of aromatic polyamidines. 1988-1990 - Post-doctoral position at the Institute for Polymers of the Eidgenissische Technische Hochschule, (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) (ETH), Zürich in the group of Prof. P.L. Luisi. 1990-1991 - Post-doctoral position at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Ferrara, having as main topic the production and characterization of liposomes especially designed for retinoids delivery. Biophysical studies and activity on in vitro cultured cell lines. 1991-1998 - Researcher position at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Ferrara, investigating the production of microspheres, liposomes and microemulsions for the controlled delivery of biological response modifiers. 1998-2009 - Associated Professor at the Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologia del Farmaco, of the University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. 2009-2012 - Associated Professor at the Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, of the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. 2012-Present - Associated Professor at the Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biotecnologie, of the University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.

Research Interest

In 2002, Claudio Nastruzzi started the activity of the Laboratory of Biomaterials & Encapsulation (BEL). The main goal of the Laboratory is an integrative concept of research and teaching in the fields of biomaterials, bioencapsulation, drug formulation and drug delivery. Currently are under investigation different formulations including, inorganic matrixes, liposomes, lipospheres, microparticles, nanocapsules, microemulsions and polymeric films. For the development of such delivery systems we are in close cooperation with other groups in the basic, engineering, medical sciences and pharmaceutical industry. Another important field of study of BEL is represented by cell encapsulation and transplantation using natural, synthetic and engineerized polymers. The research group focuses on the development of biomaterials and delivery systems for drugs, biological response modifiers, biotech products and cosmetics. Production and characterization of particulate delivery systems is investigated, including liposomes and microspheres for gene therapy. In particular, new formulations, have been designed and produced for Natural and Peptide (PNA) Nucleic Acids, based on cationic polymeric sub-micron particles constituted by Eudragit RS 100 plus different cationic surfactants such as dioctadecyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (DDAB18) and diisobutylphenoxyethyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (DEBDA). Moreover, the design and production of advanced cosmetic formulations has been accomplished, based on liquid crystals, microparticles in association with hydrophilic polymers and polymeric surfactants. The laboratory has also expertise in tissue engineering and cell encapsulation protocols (pancreatic islets, Sertoli cells, osteoblasts, etc.) and biocompatibility tests for the validation of biomaterials. The rapid prototyping section focuses on the design and development of small laboratory equipments for biotech applications and microencapsulation protocols. Finally, the laboratory know-how has expanded to the design, production and use of microfluidic chip for the production of nanoparticles and microparticles. Claudio Nastruzzi has published more than 180 papers (see attached list from ISI Web of knowledge) and presented more than 130 contributions to national and international conferences.