Gold nanoparticles for the development of cancer vaccines

We are pleased to announce the seminar:

GOLD NANOPARTICLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CANCER VACCINES

Roberto Fiammengo
Department of Biotechnology
University of Verona

ABSTRACT
Therapeutic cancer vaccines hold significant promise for achieving long-lasting remission in various forms of advanced stage and/or refractory cancers. Nanoparticle-based vaccine formulations are expected to play a key role in this field. In fact, nanoparticles may considerably improve the presentation of tumor-associated self-antigens or neoantigens to the immune system. Nanoparticles –typically 10–100 nm in diameter– are effectively internalized by antigen presenting cells and can reach  draining lymph nodes, allowing a  more effective stimulation of the immune system, as recently demonstrated by the COVID vaccines.
Our work focuses on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), a nanomaterial that can be prepared reproducibly with excellent control over its physicochemical properties. We are interested in understanding how the organic coating of AuNPs influences their interaction with cells of the immune system. In this seminar I will present the strategies developed by our group to coat the surface of AuNPs, including the development of polyglycerol-based coatings. I will also present the preparation of vaccine formulations by immobilization of peptide antigens and antigen mimics on their surface, and finally discuss some results of the vaccination campaigns we conducted so far.

WHEN: Thursday 18th May 2023, 16:00-17:00

WHERE: Sala del Consiglio, Building C11, Main Campus, University of Trieste