IIT researchers develop multifunctional organic nanotubes for nanomedicine

Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), led by Gianni Ciofani, have developed multifunctional organic nanoparticles that could advance treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Published in the journal ACS Nano, the study details the creation of 500-nanometer nanotubes made from polydopamine.

These nanotubes are unique because they combine three distinct therapeutic properties in a single structure: they are photothermal, meaning they can heat up when exposed to infrared light; piezoelectric, allowing them to produce electricity when stimulated by ultrasound; and antioxidant, capable of releasing substances to combat cellular stress.

The research was a collaborative effort involving the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa and the National Institute of Metrology (INRiM) in Turin. These multifunctional particles are being positioned as versatile tools for nanomedicine, with potential applications in oncology, regenerative medicine, neurostimulation, and the development of bioelectronic devices.