COLOMBO MIRIAM

Role
Associate professor  
Academic disciplines
Biochimica clinica e biologia molecolare clinica (BIO/12)
Office phone
Room:
  • U04, Floor: 5, Room: 5010

Biography

My research work contributed to the recent advances of the emerging research field of nanomedicine. In 2020 I have been appointed to lead nanoformulation and nanocosmetic platform within the interdepartmental infrastructure “Nanotechnology for precision medicine and personalized beauty and Healthcare” NanoCosPha. In 2019, I was awarded with the first prize of the “Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Premio Giovani Talenti dell'Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca”.

1) I developed novel nanoconstructs based on nanoparticles functionalized with peptides, monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments, as innovative tools for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Moreover, in the last few years my research interest has been focused on the investigation of new nanoparticles administration routes alternative to the intravenous one, in particular oral, topical and intranasal delivery (Morelli et al. Pharmaceutics, 2019; Musazzi et al.J. Nanobiotechnol.;2017; Salvioni et al.Pharmacol. Res.,2016).

2) I contributed to the invention related to a Patent (WO2014013473-A1) describing the development of a multifunctional nanoconstruct useful for therapeutic purposes with potential in the preclinical and clinical treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

3) Several high-impact publications reporting on the development of new methodologies for the synthesis, loading and bioconjugation of nanoparticles as drug delivery systems. I developed a new platform for tailoring the surface of nanoparticles. (Colombo et al. Nat. Commun.;2016).

4) I am author of 108 publications: 14 as first author and 24 as corresponding author with an IF of 34;(Scopus).

5) I have been the Principal Investigator of a My First AIRC Grant 2014 and AIRC Investigator Grant in 2022. These grant allowed me to establish and consolidate a new independent laboratory to conduct my research in nanomedical field and to develop a new targeted nanobased-tool.

Research

1. TUMOR DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT

Development of novel hybrid drug-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) for selective cancer cells targeting:

-NPs synthesis, characterization and functionalization with biomolecules 

-In vitro studies in cells (viability and internalization) 

-In vivo studies on tumor bearing mice.

2. INNOVATIVE WAYS TO DELIVER NPS ALTERNATIVE TO THE TRADITIONAL INTRAVENOUS ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION 

In vivo investigation of topical, oral and inhalatory administration as promising non-invasive delivery options especially for a regional and/or local effect, ameliorating the patient compliance, improving the pharmacokinetics of degradable peptides and proteins, and reducing the frequently. 

3. COSMETIC APPLICATION 

Development of semisolid formulations (creams, gels…) including nanoparticles loaded with natural or synthetic compounds for cosmetic applications.

4. ANTIVIRAL THERAPEUTICS. 

HOT TOPIC

a) Drug-loaded biomimetic nanoparticles administered by inhalation for Covid-19 local treatment. 

b) development of predictive, diagnostic and prognostic methods for Covid-19 clinical investigation.

c) Innovative protein-based therapy for pulmonary diseases including Covid-19. 

Nanotechnology for HIV treatment by two approaches: 1) improving the pharmacokinetic properties of antiretroviral drugs, and 2) assisting drugs to cross the biological barriers (e.g., the blood brain barrier) to target the virus reservoirs.

5. INFLAMMATORY DISEASES. 

Bioengineered nanoparticles can be developed to localize, monitor and quantify the early stages of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), particularly Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis inflammatory diseases, and to treat aggressive inflammatory disorders including IBDs, rheumatoid arthritis, transplant rejection, edema, sepsis, and other inflammatory conditions.

Publications

  • Del Nero, M., Colombo, A., Garbujo, S., Baioni, C., Barbieri, L., Innocenti, M., et al. (2023). Advanced Cell Culture Models Illuminate the Interplay between Mammary Tumor Cells and Activated Fibroblasts. CANCERS, 15(9) [10.3390/cancers15092498]. Detail

  • Rotem, R., Bertolini, J., Salvioni, L., Barbieri, L., Rizzuto, M., Tinelli, V., et al. (2023). Direct quantification of cytosolic delivery of drug nanocarriers using FlAsH-EDT2. NANOMEDICINE, 47(January 2023) [10.1016/j.nano.2022.102626]. Detail

  • Rotem, R., Giustra, M., Arrigoni, F., Bertolini, J., Garbujo, S., Rizzuto, M., et al. (2023). Conjugation of gold nanoparticles with multidentate surfactants for enhanced stability and biological properties. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY. B, 11(1), 61-71 [10.1039/d2tb01528e]. Detail

  • Colombo, E., Coppini, D., Maculan, S., Seneci, P., Santini, B., Testa, F., et al. (2022). Folic acid functionalization for targeting self-assembled paclitaxel-based nanoparticles. RSC ADVANCES, 12(54), 35484-35493 [10.1039/d2ra06306a]. Detail

  • Giustra, M., Cerri, F., Anadol, Y., Salvioni, L., Antonelli Abella, T., Prosperi, D., et al. (2022). Eco-luxury: Making sustainable drugs and cosmetics with Prosopis cineraria natural extracts. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABILITY, 3 [10.3389/frsus.2022.1047218]. Detail

Research projects

Advanced Nanotechnology to Assist Keeping the tumor microenvironment Involved in cancer Neutralization (ANAKIN) - III annualità
Year: 2023
Grantors: FONDAZIONE AIRC
Advanced Nanotechnology to Assist Keeping the tumor microenvironment Involved in cancer Neutralization (ANAKIN) - II annualità
Year: 2022
Grantors: FONDAZIONE AIRC
PNRR per la Missione 4, componente 2 Investimento 1.1- Avviso 104/2022 | Decoding bio-nanovesicle surfaceome: towards synthetic biomimetic nanoparticles in precision nanomedicine
Year: 2022
Call: Bando PRIN 2022
Grantors: MINISTERO DELL'UNIVERSITA' E DELLA RICERCA (MUR)
Advanced Nanotechnology to Assist Keeping the tumor microenvironment Involved in cancer Neutralization (ANAKIN) - I annualità
Year: 2021
Call: Investigator Grant - IG 2021
Grantors: FONDAZIONE AIRC
COLOMBO-Fondo per il finanziamento delle attività base di ricerca
Year: 2017
Call: FFABR 2017
Grantors: M.I.U.R. - MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE, DELL'UNIVERSITA' E DELLA RICERCA - UFFICIO I - Bilancio e Contabilita'. Coordinamento staff della Direzione

Further links