
Four presentations and Isabella Scarpa received the AutoOrg-2024 prize
November 2024
Our group is delighted to announce that four of our members presented their research at AutoOrg-2024, a prestigious event that brings together experts and researchers in the field of organized systems and self-assembly. The poster presentations were delivered by Carol Ezequiel, Juliana Carvalho, Aline Pereira, and Isabella Scarpa, each representing a distinct and important aspect of our ongoing synchrotron-based research. Their presentations were met with significant interest from the audience, sparking discussions and drawing attention to the innovative approaches and findings of our group.
We are especially proud that Isabella Scarpa received the Best Poster Award at AutoOrg-2024. Her work stood out among many remarkable contributions, earning her a monetary prize and a book on rheology, recognizing the quality and impact of her research on X-ray nano-tomography. This achievement highlights the strength and dedication of our team, as well as the importance of our contributions to the scientific community. Congratulations to Isabella for this well-deserved recognition, and to the entire team for representing our group with excellence.
Mateus Cardoso in Argentina
November 2024
Mateus Cardoso recently attended the prestigious Argentinian Biophysics Society Meeting to showcase the cutting-edge capabilities of the Sirius synchrotron. In his presentation, Cardoso provided a comprehensive overview of all Sirius beamlines dedicated to studying soft and biological matter. Highlighting the state-of-the-art instrumentation and advanced experimental techniques, he demonstrated how Sirius is uniquely equipped to explore the complex interactions between biological systems and soft materials. In addition to presenting the facilities, Mateus Cardoso shared exciting research findings on nano-bio interactions probed using synchrotron-based methods. His talk focused on the behaviors of nanostructures in biological environments, showcasing examples where synchrotron light was mandatory in unraveling structural and dynamic properties at the molecular scale. These results underline the growing impact of synchrotron radiation in advancing nanobiotechnology and its applications in medicine and materials science.
Three presentations during LNLS Users Metting
November 2024
Three presentations from our group were featured at the Users Metting from the Brazilian Synchrotron Laboratory (LNLS-Sirius), highlighting our latest advancements in nanoparticle characterization and environmental research.
First, Carol Ezequiel (upper image) delivered a presentation based on our recent Nano Letters paper, demonstrating how XPCS can effectively discriminate between protein coronas and nanoparticle aggregates. This breakthrough showcases the power of XPCS in unraveling complex biomolecular interactions at the nanoscale.
Next, Aline Pereira (center image) presented her work utilizing the nano-IR technique to molecularly detect pollutants on the surface of polystyrene samples. Her study sheds light on the potential of nano-IR in addressing environmental challenges by providing detailed molecular insights.
Finally, Isabella Scarpa (bottom image) highlighted the application of cryo-SXT to track nanoparticles inside cells in a near-native state individually. Her presentation underscored the capability of cryo-SXT in visualizing and understanding nanoparticle-cell interactions with unprecedented resolution.
These presentations reflect the diversity and impact of our group’s research across multiple fields, from advanced characterization techniques to environmental and biological applications. We congratulate them for their outstanding presentations!
Our work on Nano Letters cover
October 2024
Nanoparticles, which hold incredible potential for medicine, can interact with our body’s biomolecules, sometimes forming a "protein corona"—a coating that can change their behavior and cause them to clump together. Understanding how these particles behave in real biological environments, like inside the human body, is key to unlocking their medical potential. Traditionally, the scientific community studies nanoparticles in simple, controlled environments that don’t fully reflect real biological complexity. However, using a cutting-edge technique called X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS), we can now observe how these particles move and interact in various biological fluids, from simple to complex environements.

Our group at SBPMat-Santos
September 2024
Mateus Cardoso was one of the invited speakers at SBPMat, which was held in Santos/SP. During his talk, Mateus Cardoso highlighted how synchrotron-based techniques can unveil nano-bio interfaces. Juliana Carvalho and Isabella Scarpa were also selected for oral presentations. Juliana Carvalho showed how synchrotron-based SAXS experiments can be used to understand non-specific protein adsorption on nanoparticles. In contrast, Isabella Scarpa showed the audience cryo-SXT capabilities to localize nanoparticles inside cells near the native state. We congratulate Juliana Carvalho and Isabella Scarpa for their outstanding presentations!

Mateus Cardoso talk at UFABC
July 2024
Mateus Cardoso was invited to give a talk at the Federal University of ABC, focusing on how synchrotron techniques can unveil nano-bio interfaces. His presentation highlighted the advanced capabilities of SAXS, nano-IR, and nano-tomography techniques in this field. Additionally, it was a great pleasure to reconnect with our former PhD student Gabriela Mondo and Prof. Fernando Giacomelli, a long-term collaborator.

Two consecutive Cateretê beamtimes
July 2024
Our research group recently had the opportunity to conduct two consecutive beamtimes at the Cateretê beamline, focusing on different aspects of nanoparticle behavior and properties. Caroline Ezequiel led the experiments utilizing X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS) during the first session. This advanced technique allowed us to address the dynamic behavior of nanoparticles within complex biological media, specifically environments such as serum and plasma. By observing the interactions and movements of nanoparticles in these fluids, we aimed to gain deeper insights into their stability, distribution, and potential biological impacts. In the second session, Juliana Carvalho took the lead to explore another critical aspect of nanoparticle research. She employed Ultra-Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (USAXS) to investigate the colloidal properties of surface-modified nanoparticles. This technique is particularly powerful in analyzing nanoparticles' structural and aggregation characteristics at very small angles, providing high-resolution data on particle size, shape, and distribution. Juliana's measurements focused on how different surface modifications influence nanoparticles' colloidal stability and interactions while crossing the gastrointestinal tract.

President Lula at SIRIUS
July 2024
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with Minister of Health Nísia Trindade Lima and Minister of Science and Technology, recently visited Sirius. During their visit, they took the time to tour our laboratory, which was a fortunate and significant occasion for our team. The visit was marked by a major announcement: the beginning of the construction of a biocontained level 4 laboratory. This state-of-the-art facility will be connected to three Sirius beamlines, specifically dedicated to advanced imaging of cells, tissues, and small animals. This development represents a significant advancement in our capabilities, enabling cutting-edge research and breakthroughs in biomedical science. The new laboratory will enhance our ability to study infectious agents and other hazardous biological materials in a highly controlled environment, fostering innovation and collaboration in the scientific community..

Aline Pereira at the Imbuia beamline (Nano-IR experiments)
June 2024
Aline Pereira has recently performed a series of nano-IR spectroscopy experiments. Her focus was on identifying pollutants present on the surface of microplastics. These measurements were carried out at the Imbuia beamline of Sirius. The precision and capabilities of the Imbuia beamline have enabled us to gather detailed spectral data, which is crucial for understanding the composition and impact of these pollutants. Over the next few days, we will thoroughly analyze the results obtained from these measurements. The left of this text shows an image of the screen displaying the preliminary data, highlighting the real-time capabilities and advanced imaging techniques employed during the experiments.

Clara Fidelis in Grenoble - France
June 2024
Clara Fidelis is now in Grenoble, France, where she has joined the esteemed Institute Néel to work with Dr. Xavier Cattoën. Clara's research focuses on the cutting-edge field of carbohydrate surface functionalization. Her goal is to develop systems that are exceptionally effective in targeting Gram-negative bacteria. This work is of critical importance, as Gram-negative bacteria are known for their resistance to many antibiotics and pose a significant challenge in the treatment of infections. By advancing carbohydrate surface functionalization techniques, Clara aims to create highly specific and efficient targeting mechanisms that can overcome these challenges.

Our work featured on the Langmuir cover
May 2020
Our work is featured on the Langmuir cover!
Zwitterionic coatings are a highly effective strategy for preventing biomolecule adsorption and enhancing nanoparticle stability in solution due to their electroneutral and hydrophilic nature. Among various zwitterions, short sulfobetaines are particularly effective in preventing protein adsorption and improving colloidal stability. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of zwitterionic sulfobetaine-functionalized silica nanoparticles, including detailed functionalization procedures, characterization approaches, and advanced modeling of their surface properties. Colloidal stability tests under various pH and ionic strength conditions revealed that these particles are more stable at higher ionic strengths, likely due to interactions between ZS and salt ions preventing nanoparticle aggregation.
Read the full paper clicking here

Mateus Cardoso delivers a seminar at CBPF - Rio de Janeiro
May 2024
Mateus Cardoso recently delivered an insightful seminar at CBPF in Rio de Janeiro, where he discussed the powerful role of synchrotron techniques in unveiling nano-bio interactions. During his talk, Mateus placed specific emphasis on the use of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to reveal the protein corona, a crucial aspect of understanding how nanoparticles interact with biological systems. Additionally, he highlighted the capabilities of cryo-soft X-ray tomography (cryo-SXT) in localizing individual nanoparticles inside cells. This advanced imaging technique allows researchers to visualize the precise location of nanoparticles within cellular environments, providing valuable insights into their biological impact and potential applications

Welcome to Juliana Carvalho!
March 2024
We are thrilled to have Juliana Carvalho joining our group, especially with her focus on the fascinating field of protein corona on nanoparticles. Her journey into understanding the subtle interactions between nanoparticles and biological systems with synchrotron techniques (mainly small-angle X-ray scattering and circular dichroism) promises to be both challenging and rewarding. The insights she will uncover undoubtedly contribute significantly to advancements in nanomedicine and biotechnology.

Welcome to Aline Pereira!
March 2024
We are happy to announce that Aline Pereira is joining our group. Her focus is on the physical-chemical properties of model polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics. She will work to understand the environmental impact of these materials over time, particularly through photodegradation with synchrotron techniques. Additionally, her investigation into their interactions with pollutants, microorganisms, and cellular systems will provide significant insights into environmental science.