This year we have devoted a series of lessons to the analysis of interfaces between nanoparticles (NPs) and biocomponents, and to the study of methodologies for optimizing these interfaces and "camouflaging" bio-nano-objects in order to optimize their efficacy in therapeutic or cosmetic treatments. Based on both structural and physico-chemical characterizations of nanoparticles and their in vitro and in vivo activity, a detailed analysis of the toxicity or biocompatibility of metal oxide and silica NPs was presented.
A second set of lessons was devoted to the study of diatoms, phytoplanktonic algae whose extraordinarily beautiful forms amaze artists and scientists alike. Their structural description, the study of biomineralization processes and the presentation of their many properties, which are sources of applications in the fields of functional materials, energy and the environment, were the subject of the last two lessons. These last two lessons inaugurate a lecture on biominerals, their formation process and properties, which will be continued next year. The titles of the six lessons are
- The biology-nano-objects interface
- Camouflage and hybrid therapeutic vectors
- Metal oxides and oxidative stress
- SiO2 in biological media: let's take stock
- Diatoms: beautiful and useful
- Diatoms: from dynamite to photonic crystal