Scansetti Centre

The Interdepartmental Centre Scansetti for the Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulate of the University of Torino, promotes multidisciplinary research projects, conferences, workshops, schools and seminars about health and environmental issues raised by respirable toxic particulates. The main tasks of the Centre are the quantification, identification, and characterization of natural and artificial particles, and the investigation of the molecular mechanisms of their possible toxicity. The Centre is involved in a number of projects on nanotoxicology and nanosafety and collaborates with researchers from 13 departments of the University of Torino, from the Politecnico of Torino, the University of Piemonte Orientale, and from 10 non-academic institutions. The centre offer a mix of interdisciplinary competences, top laboratory instrumentation, and long-term experience in the fields relevant for the present project. Dr. Elena Belluso is currently the head of the Scansetti Centre.

A new paper containing the latest results of combined nano-X-ray Diffraction (nXRD) and nano-X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy data has been published. The results of the new measurements, which were performed on single asbestos bodies using synchrotron radiation, demonstrated that these latter are mainly composed by a co-presence of two iron oxyhydroxides (ferrihydrite and goethite). The result is in line with the formation mechanism of the asbestos bodies: when the alveolar macrophages attempt fibers phagocytosis the start depositing ferritin, which contains ferrihydrite, on asbestos. Ferrhydrite is a metastable biomineral that can evolve to goethite at acidic pH (4 - 5). The phagolysosomes contained in the macrophages have pH values in the same range (4 - 5). Therefore, a reasonable scenario is that the acidic pH induces the transfrmation of ferrihydrite to goethite. More researches are needed to generalize the proposed mechanism.

April 5-11, 2018

A talk on advanced synchrotron-based tomography techniques applied to biological samples was given by the fellow at the International School of Nanomedicine (3rd Course: “Nanofluidics, Nanoimaging and Nanomanipulation”, held in Erice (Italy) the 5-11 of April. The course focuses on the state-of-the-art techniques and advanced biophysical methods related to Nanomedicin. Results of phase-contrast and fluorescence tomographic data acquired at the European synchrotron were presented as a case study during the talk. More at Dissemination.

An experiment was performed at the nano-imaging beamline (ID16A) at the European synchrotron in Grenoble (ESRF). This experiment was the continuation of an experiment done about one year before that was aimed to the acquisition of fluorescence and phase contrast tomographic data on asbestos bodies in human lung tissues. The continuation was necessary to acquire more data on a larger set of samples. The experiment drawn the attention of the press staff of the ESRF and the fellow and his collaborators have been interviewed during the experiment. The press release can be found at this link.

A lecture on advanced synchrotron-based tomography techniques was given by the fellow at the European Mineralogical Union (EMU) School that took place in Modena (Italy) in June 19-23. The school focused on the crystallographic and physical-chemical properties of mineral fibres, and on their biologocal interaction and toxicity. During the lecture, preliminary results of phase-contrast and fluorescence tomographic data acquired at the European synchrotron were presented. More at Dissemination.

Secondment Institution