Simone Pani is a PhD student in the PhD programme “Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences” at the University of Cagliari (UNICA), under the supervision of Professor Carla Caddeo. He is studying the application of nanotechnology to improve the use of natural compounds in therapy. He was one of UNICA’s winners of the EDUC-WIDE’s First Access Call to Research Infrastructures of Widening partners (University of Pécs-UPECS-, Masaryk University-MUNI- and Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University-PNU-). His project “Ultrastructural investigation of nanosized therapeutic systems” asked access to the Cryo-electron microscopy and tomography core facility (CEMCOF) at MUNI.
Dear Simone, can you share your experience with us?
The research project focuses on the use of nanotechnologies, particularly liposomes, as a drug delivery system. Liposomes are phospholipid vesicles on the nanometer scale, that can deliver both hydrophilic or lipophilic active compounds, whether of natural or synthetic origin, with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of the active compounds and reducing their side effects. A fundamental aspect in liposome formulation is the morphological characterization, which allows us to assess the actual shape of the vesicles, their ultrastructure, and lamellarity. Cryo-TEM is the most accurate method to get precise imaging structure of liposomes in their native state, thanks to the rapid freezing process. Cryo-TEM allows direct visualization of internal structures and dynamic morphological changes, such as those that occur upon drug entrapment. To carry out these investigations, I visited the Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Tomography Core Facility (CEMCOF) at Masaryk University.
I organized a four-day trip, including two full working days at the host institution and two days dedicated to travel. The hosting center was highly advanced, equipped with the most recent instrumentation and staffed by professionals who were always available to support us, answer questions, and share their expertise.
Each day of work with the cryo-TEM was divided into two main phases: sample preparation and image analysis. The preparation phase consists of taking an aliquot of the sample and rapidly freezing it. This step is critical, as the success of the imaging largely depends on it. By adjusting the parameters that govern the freezing process, it is possible to improve the quality of the results. These parameters were adjusted as a function of the characteristics of the liposomal formulation, since the samples were prepared by using different components and different bioactive compounds. Once frozen, the samples were inserted into the transmission electron microscope for observation, where specific areas of interest were identified and imaged. The analyses performed by cryo-TEM allowed a direct visualization of the aggregation structure of the vesicles, their average size, shape, and lamellarity. We were able to screen a high number of micrographs, gain insights into the morphology of liposomes, with a particular focus on the correlations between morphological changes and the different material used for the preparation, allowing us to identify a composition-structure relationship.
EDUC-WIDE contributes to the evolution of the EDUC long-term research agenda, which identifies 11 common research areas of cooperation in research and innovation. To which topic is related your project proposal?
Lifelong Health and Wellbeing: Liposomes are the most established and widely used nanosized drug delivery systems. They enhance therapies by stabilizing drugs, improving tissue uptake, and ensuring targeted delivery, especially in conditions like cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. A key advantage is their ability to reduce drug toxicity and allow controlled release, making them ideal for chronic treatments and vulnerable patient groups. Overall, liposomes support lifelong health and wellbeing by improving the safety, efficacy, and precision of medical treatments.
How is this mobility going to benefit your research?
This mobility gave me access to specialized resources and facilities to carry out specific measurements and analyses. Additionally, it facilitated scientific exchange and direct contact with international researchers, which will open up new opportunities for joint publications and future collaborations. By giving me access to specialized facilities and equipment, this mobility allowed me to conduct advance analyses in order to get more reliable, strong and signigicant data to support the golas of my current project.
Would you encourage your colleagues to benefit from the next access call foreseen under the EDUC-WIDE project?
Yes, I would strongly encourage my colleagues to benefit from the next access call under the EDUC-WIDE project. It represents a good opportunity to strengthen research collaboration, access new infrastructures across partner institutions, and develop international networks and interdisciplinary projects.