Uptake and intracellular trafficking of nanoparticles for potential medical use

My PhD project has been focused on the characterization of the in vitro behavior of engineered Nanoparticles (NPs), especially concerning the first phases of interaction with barriers of different nature present in the body : a model of air-blood barrier , e.g. alveolar epithelial A30 cell line and an immunological barrier represented by the activation of the complement system. In light of these considerations, I have first compared the mechanism of cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of Solid Lipid NPs and Iron Oxide NPs over time. Then, I have studied the likely molecular basis of in vitro complement activation by NPs, as it can be strongly associated to acute pseudoallergic reactions in sensitive individuals within minutes of NPs infusion.