The Department of Biophysical Chemistry cordially invites you the following guest lecture:
Dr. Aurore Van de Walle; Physics of Cells and Cancer Unit, Institut Curie, Paris
“Magnetic nanoparticles for tissue engineering: functional uses and insights into their in cellulo biotransformations”
Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles offer powerful possibilities for guiding and organizing living cells, which opens perspectives in tissue engineering and biofabrication. Following their internalization by cells, magnetic forces can be used to position and assemble the magnetized cells, promote the formation of three-dimensional structures, and support the development of innovative approaches for creating biological tissues without relying on traditional scaffolds. For any future biomedical or clinical use, it is essential to understand how magnetic nanoparticles evolve inside the cellular environment. Once internalized, they are exposed to conditions that can modify their composition and structure. Processes such as their degradation and the biomineralization of new magnetic nanoparticles can occur and influence both their biological behavior and their functional performance. A comprehensive understanding of these intracellular biotransformations is therefore a pre-requisite for designing magnetic nanoparticles that are safe, reliable and effective for medical applications, and for ensuring the long-term viability of their use in tissue engineering.