RESEARCH
Read more about SMALL Lab research interests
SELF-ASSEMBLING AND SUPRAMOLECULAR SYSTEMS
Self-assembly is a process where molecules and nanoparticles self-organize into an ordered system due to local interactions. It is an efficient, molecularly controlled and cost-effective way to fabricate complex nanostructures with long range ordering. By taking advantage of the molecular descriptors offered by molecular dynamics and coarse-grained simulations we explore the properties of self-assembling monolayers on metal nanoparticles, the structural organization of self-sorting short peptides for drug delivery, and the ability of self-assembling amphiphilic molecules as drug and gene carriers, just to name a few examples. SMALL Lab is also interested in studying the self-assembling of hybrid organic-inorganic nanoscale architectures like metall-organic supramolecular cages for applications in drug delivery or catalysis.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Spotting Local Environments in Self-Assembled Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles. Gabellini, C.; Şologan, M.; Pellizzoni, E.; Marson, D.; Daka, M.; Franchi, P.; Bignardi, L.; Franchi, S.; Posel, Z.; Baraldi, A.; Pengo, P.; Lucarini, M.; Pasquato, L.; Posocco, P. ACS Nano 2022, 16, 20902.
Mixed Fluorinated/Hydrogenated Self-Assembled Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles: In Silico and In Vitro Behavior. Marson, D., Guida, F., Şologan, M., Boccardo, S., Pengo, P., Perissinotto, F., Iacuzzi, V., Pellizzoni, E., Polizzi, S., Casalis, L., Pasquato, L., Pacor, S., Tossi, A., Posocco, P. Small 2019, 15, 1900323.
Quantitative 3D determination of self-assembled structures on nanoparticles using small angle neutron scattering. Luo, Z.; Marson, D.; Ony, Q.; Loiudice, A.; Kohlbrecher, J.; Radulescu, A.; Krause-Heuer, A.; Darwish, T.; Balog, S.; Buonsanti, R.; Svergun, D.; Posocco, P.; Stellacci, F. Nature Communications 2018, 9, 1343.
Mastering Dendrimer Self‐Assembly for Efficient siRNA Delivery: From Conceptual Design to In Vivo Efficient Gene Silencing. Chen, C.; Posocco, P.; Liu, X.; Cheng, Q.; Laurini, E.; Zhou, J.; Liu, C.; Wang, Y.; Tang, J.; Col, V. D.; Yu, T.; Giorgio, S.; Fermeglia, M.; Qu, F.; Liang, Z.; Rossi, J. J.; Liu, M.; Rocchi, P.; Pricl, S.; Peng, L. Small 2016, 12, 3667.
Supramolecular Tripeptide Hydrogel Assembly with 5-Fluorouracil. Parisi, E.; Garcia, A. M.; Marson, D.; Posocco, P.; ; Marchesan, S. Gels 2019, 5, 5.
NANOMATERIALS
The complex and intriguing properties of 0D/1D/2D nanomaterials, originating from multiple spatial and temporal scales, call for advanced multiscale computational techniques. This allow a throughout investigation of how the properties of nanomaterials can be manipulated at different molecular scale, thus uncovering structure-properties relationships that foster the design of advanced functional nanomaterials.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Graphene oxide as a 2D platform for complexation and intracellular delivery of siRNA. De Lázaro, I.; Vranic, S.; Marson, D.; Rodrigues, A. F.; Buggio, M.; Esteban-Arranz, A.; Mazza, M.; Posocco, P.; Kostarelos, K. Nanoscale 2019, 11, 13863.
Phase behavior of gradient copolymer melts with different gradient strengths revealed by mesoscale simulations. Beránek, P.; Posocco, P.; Posel, Z., Polymers 2020, 12, 2462.
Modeling hierarchically structured nanoparticle/diblock copolymer systems. Posel, Z.; Posocco, P.; Fermeglia, M.; Lísal, M.; Pricl, S. Soft Matter 2013, 9, 2936.
Mix and Match: Coassembly of Amphiphilic Dendrimers and Phospholipids Creates Robust, Modular, and Controllable Interfaces. Hinman, S.S.; Ruiz, C. J.; Cao, Y.; Ma, M. C.; Tang, J.; Laurini, E.; Posocco, P.; Giorgio, S.; Pricl, S.; Peng, L.; Cheng, Q. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 2017, 9, 1029.
RESPONSIVE SURFACES AND INTERFACES
Surfaces/interfaces that respond to external stimuli, such as pH, salt, temperature, photo and electric field, represent one of the most active and emerging scientific research areas. This evolving research field faces lots of exciting challenges regarding the design, fabrication and engineering. Recently we have started investigating these smart systems and their ability to interact with small molecules and biological compounds for applications as antifouling coatings, (bio)sensors, and delivery systems.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Molecular Features for Probing Small Amphiphilic Molecules with Self-Assembled Monolayer-Protected Nanoparticles. Marson, D.; Posel, Z.; Posocco, P. Langmuir 2020, 36, 5671.
Effects of primary amine-based coatings on microglia internalization of nanogels. Mauri, E.; Veglianese,P.; Papa, S.; Rossetti, A.; De Paola, M.; Mariani, A.; Posel, Z.; Posocco, P.; Sacchetti, A.; Rossi, F. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces 2020, 185, 110574.
Tuning the properties of nanogel surfaces by grafting charged alkylamine brushes. Posel, Z.; Posocco, P. Nanomaterials 2019, 9, 1514.
Chiral recognition at self-assembled multivalent (SAMul) nanoscale interfaces–enantioselectivity in polyanion binding. Chan, C. W.; Laurini, E.; Posocco, P.; Pricl, S.; Smith, D. K. Chemical Communications 2016, 52, 10540.