Training and Research

Teranostica: dai materiali ai dispositivi  (2025/2026)

Academic staff

Nicola Daldosso , Guilherme C. Concas

Referent

Nicola Daldosso

Credits

3

Language

english

Class attendance

Free Choice

Location

VERONA

MoodleMoodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

This course unravels the interdisciplinary domain of theranostics, focusing on the seamless integration of materials and devices for advanced diagnostics and therapy. Participants will delve into the synthesis and engineering of multifunctional materials designed to serve both in diagnosis and treatment. Cutting-edge developments in nanomedicine, molecular imaging, and targeted drug delivery will be explored to understand the synergy between diagnostic and therapeutic functionalities. The course emphasizes the translation of these materials into practical devices, covering the design and fabrication of theranostics platforms.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Understand the fundamental principles of theranostics and nanomedicine
• Explain the physical principles underlying plasmonic and magnetic nanomaterials
• Evaluate the use of nanostructures in diagnostic and therapeutic applications
• Analyze advanced techniques such as SERS, photothermal therapy, and magnetic hyperthermia
• Describe the basic principles of photonics and optical biosensors for biomedical applications

Prerequisites and basic notions

Knowledge of basics of electronic devices, analytical chemistry, nanotechnology and advanced biomaterials.

Program

Lecture 1: Introduction to Theranostics
Overview of theranostics, an emerging field that integrates diagnosis and therapy into a single platform. The role of nanomaterials in modern medicine and their evolution toward multifunctional systems.
Lecture 2: Metals and Plasmonics
Electronic and optical properties of metals, with emphasis on plasmonic phenomena relevant to theranostic applications.
Lecture 3: Plasmonic-Based Theranostic Techniques
Advanced spectroscopic techniques for biological sensing and diagnostics. Application of plasmonic nanomaterials in cancer therapy.
Lecture 4: Magnetism and Its Applications in Diagnostics and Therapy
Introduction to magnetic phenomena and their use in biomedical applications
Lecture 5: Principles of Photonics
Introduction to photonics as a foundation for optical sensing technologies.
Lecture 6: Optical Biosensors
Exploration of advanced optical sensing platforms for biomedical applications.

Bibliography

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Didactic methods

Frontal teaching in seminar format (concentrated in 2-3 weeks) during April.
The contents will be presented using a presentation prepared by the teacher and delivered to the students so that they can follow the lessons.
Some examples of nano-materials and devices will also be shown.

Cà Vignal 3 – Cyberphysic Lab and zoom link https://univr.zoom.us/j/9824598493?omn=97516680550
ID riunione: 982 459 8493

Learning assessment procedures

There is no final exam

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE

Assessment

None

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

no vote is foreseen

Scheduled Lessons

When Classroom Teacher topics
Friday 10 April 2026
11:30 - 13:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso Cà Vignal 3 – Cyberphysic Lab and zoom link https://univr.zoom.us/j/9824598493?omn=97516680550 ID riunione: 982 459 8493 Lecture 1: Introduction to Theranostics This lecture provides an overview of theranostics, an emerging field that integrates diagnosis and therapy into a single platform. The role of nanomaterials in modern medicine and their evolution toward multifunctional systems will be discussed. • Definition and historical development of theranostics • Fundamentals of nanomedicine: current state and future perspectives • Design and synthesis of multifunctional materials • Organic and inorganic nanoparticles: physical, chemical, and optical properties • Applications in oncology: imaging, targeted drug delivery, and therapy
Tuesday 14 April 2026
10:30 - 12:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso
Guilherme C. Concas 		Lecture 2: Metals and Plasmonics This lecture focuses on the electronic and optical properties of metals, with emphasis on plasmonic phenomena relevant to theranostic applications. • Interaction with static electric fields: polarization and electrical conduction • Light–matter interaction: reflection, refraction, and absorption • Chemical properties of metals at the nanoscale • Fundamentals of plasmons • Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) in thin films • Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) in metallic nanoparticles • Optical extinction and UV–Vis spectroscopy of nanoparticles
Lecture 2: Metals and Plasmonics This lecture focuses on the electronic and optical properties of metals, with emphasis on plasmonic phenomena relevant to theranostic applications. • Interaction with static electric fields: polarization and electrical conduction • Light–matter interaction: reflection, refraction, and absorption • Chemical properties of metals at the nanoscale • Fundamentals of plasmons • Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) in thin films • Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) in metallic nanoparticles • Optical extinction and UV–Vis spectroscopy of nanoparticles
Thursday 16 April 2026
08:30 - 10:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso
Guilherme C. Concas 		Lecture 3: Plasmonic-Based Theranostic Techniques Part 1: Biological Applications of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Advanced spectroscopic techniques for biological sensing and diagnostics. Part 2: Photothermal Therapy (PTT) Application of plasmonic nanomaterials in cancer therapy.
Lecture 3: Plasmonic-Based Theranostic Techniques Part 1: Biological Applications of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Advanced spectroscopic techniques for biological sensing and diagnostics. Part 2: Photothermal Therapy (PTT) Application of plasmonic nanomaterials in cancer therapy.
Tuesday 21 April 2026
10:30 - 12:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso
Guilherme C. Concas 		Introduction to magnetic phenomena and their use in biomedical applications. • Fundamental concepts of magnetism • Nanomagnetism: electron spin, magnetic domains, and domain walls • Magnetic regimes: diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism • Size- and morphology-dependent effects: superparamagnetism and magnetic vortices • Magnetic hyperthermia: mechanisms of electromagnetic-to-thermal energy conversion
Introduction to magnetic phenomena and their use in biomedical applications. • Fundamental concepts of magnetism • Nanomagnetism: electron spin, magnetic domains, and domain walls • Magnetic regimes: diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism • Size- and morphology-dependent effects: superparamagnetism and magnetic vortices • Magnetic hyperthermia: mechanisms of electromagnetic-to-thermal energy conversion
Thursday 23 April 2026
08:30 - 10:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso Lecture 5: Principles of Photonics Introduction to photonics as a foundation for optical sensing technologies. • Fundamentals of photonics and light generation • Light amplification and modulation techniques • Light propagation in optical fibers and waveguides • Principles of light detection • Key components of optical sensors • Emerging photonic structures in integrated optics
Tuesday 28 April 2026
10:30 - 12:30
Duration: 2:00 AM 		Ca' Vignal 3 - Laboratorio Ciberfisico [103 - ] Nicola Daldosso Lecture 6: Optical Biosensors Exploration of advanced optical sensing platforms for biomedical applications. • Principles of optical biosensing • Integrated photonic devices for sensing applications - label free biosensors Fluorescence biosensors • Resonators and their sensing capabilities

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