Carcatérisation physico-chimique des interactions entre nanoparticules et macromolécules biologiques [Physico-chemical investigation of the interaction of nanoparticles with biological macromolecules.]
The rapid expansion of nanomaterial production and use in numerous products such as cosmetics, automotive parts or food packaging, raises concerns about their safety and/or toxicity for living organisms. These materials may be defined as materials which have structural with dimensions in the 1 to 100 nm range and can be metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, fullerenes or carbon nanotubes. Several studies have shown that nanoparticles, as gold or titanium dioxyde, can pass through the various protective barriers of living organisms and that inhaled nanoparticles can end up in the bloodstream and be distributed to various organs, including the brain, where they can accumulate at specific sites. These properties could lead to new interesting approaches in the medical field (NanoMedicine) but could also be the source of health hazards if the nanomaterials interfere with biological processes. It is therefore crucial to evaluate the toxicity of these materials both at the molecular and cellular level. The aim of this project is to undertake a thorough investigation of the interactions between different types of nanomaterials (gold, silver and titanium dioxyde nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes) and biological (macro)molecules (proteins, lipids, sugars, nucleic acids). The fate of these nanomaterials in living cells will also be characterized. In all, very little is known about the interactions between nanomaterials and biomolecules. It has however been shown that proteins can associate with inorganic nanoparticles and form an organic corona around the inorganic core. The quantity and structuring of these proteins in the corona are thought to have an effect on the fate and behaviour of the nanoparticles in cells / organisms. We plan to study, using state of the art physico-chemical techniques, nanocalorimetry and NMR spectroscopy, the interactions between biological macromolecules (proteins, lipids, sugars, nucleic acids) and nanoparticles of different nature, which are frequently encountered due to their use for biomedical or antibacterial purposes, or in photovoltaic applications. [The rapid expansion of nanomaterial production and use in numerous products such as cosmetics, automotive parts or food packaging, raises concerns about their safety and/or toxicity for living organisms. These materials may be defined as materials which have structural with dimensions in the 1 to 100 nm range and can be metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, fullerenes or carbon nanotubes. Several studies have shown that nanoparticles, as gold or titanium dioxyde, can pass through the various protective barriers of living organisms and that inhaled nanoparticles can end up in the bloodstream and be distributed to various organs, including the brain, where they can accumulate at specific sites. These properties could lead to new interesting approaches in the medical field (NanoMedicine) but could also be the source of health hazards if the nanomaterials interfere with biological processes. It is therefore crucial to evaluate the toxicity of these materials both at the molecular and cellular level. The aim of this project is to undertake a thorough investigation of the interactions between different types of nanomaterials (gold, silver and titanium dioxyde nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes) and biological (macro)molecules (proteins, lipids, sugars, nucleic acids). The fate of these nanomaterials in living cells will also be characterized. In all, very little is known about the interactions between nanomaterials and biomolecules. It has however been shown that proteins can associate with inorganic nanoparticles and form an organic corona around the inorganic core. The quantity and structuring of these proteins in the corona are thought to have an effect on the fate and behaviour of the nanoparticles in cells / organisms. We plan to study, using state of the art physico-chemical techniques, nanocalorimetry and NMR spectroscopy, the interactions between biological macromolecules (proteins, lipids, sugars, nucleic acids) and nanoparticles of different nature, which are frequently encountered due to their use for biomedical or antibacterial purposes, or in photovoltaic applications. ]

Conception, préparation et caractérisation de nanoparticules hybrides organiques-inorganiques [Design, preparation and characterization of hybrid organic-inorganic nanoparticles]
Des nanoparticules de matériaux céramiques qui encapsulent des molécules organiques constituent des capteurs spécifiques qui offrent des applications diverses dans le domaine environnemental. La maîtrise de leur conception et de leur préparation, en particulier de leur taille et porosité, permet de leur conférer des propriétés adaptées à l'application visée. Cette activité met en jeu diverses compétences du service Matériaux et Matériaux : l'ingénierie moléculaire, la réalisation de couches minces et de poudres nanométriques ainsi que la caractérisation fine des matériaux. [Specific sensors based on ceramic nanoparticles encapsulating organic molecules have many environmental applications. Being able to design and prepare these sensors with specific size, porosity and surface chemistry allows a fine tuning to a defined application. This research takes advantage of the various skills and proficiencies available in the ''Matières et Matériaux'' laboratory of the Faculty of Applied Sciences: molecular engineering, thin film and nanometric powder synthesis, as well as high level characterization of the materials.]

Solvay Awards (Mémoire de Fin d'Etudes), 2012