Recent advancements in 3D drug design and nanotechnology have opened new avenues
for targeted therapy and precision medicine. Functionalized nanoparticles (NPs) offer enhanced
specificity, controlled drug release, and the potential for theranostic applications. This presentation
explores three cutting-edge approaches leveraging nanotechnology for drug delivery and antiviral
strategies. First, allele-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) therapy, delivered via human
recombinant ferritin nanoparticles, demonstrates a promising strategy to selectively silence mutant
FGFR2 in Crouzon syndrome, mitigating pathological osteogenic differentiation. Second, Nano-
Immuno-Probes (NIPs), a novel biotechnological device based on polymeric NPs conjugated with
antibody fragments, show potential for early detection and treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus 2.
Finally, a groundbreaking strategy against SARS-CoV-2 utilizes PLGA-based nanoparticles
functionalized with the PDZ2 domain of the ZO-1 protein, effectively acting as intracellular molecular
sponges to sequester viral E-proteins and disrupt viral pathogenesis. These studies highlight the
transformative potential of nanoparticle-based platforms in both therapeutic and diagnostic
applications, paving the way for more effective, personalized, and minimally invasive treatments.
06/06/2025 Aula Luciani - CU027 ore 14.00 Prof. Alessandro Arcovito, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma