Planning & Schedule

WP title	WP task	*Deliverables (D), Milestones (M), Secondments (S)*
WP1 Integration & Training	Activities for the integration of the fellow at the host institute; training on laboratory instrumentation; bibliographic research; scientific and soft skill courses.	D1.1 bibliographic report; D1.2 scientific training report; D1.3 soft skills training report; M1.1 end of training and integration.
WP2 Synchrotron radiation computed microtomography	Acquisition of phase-contrast CµT at European large scale facilities; analysis of the acquired data.	D2.1, D2.2 experimental proposal submitted to large scale facility; D2.3, D2.4 experiment and data analysis reports. M2.1, M2.2 experiments at large scale facilities.
WP3 Synchrotron radiation fluomicrotomography	Acquisition of phase-contrast FµT at European large scale facilities; analysis of the acquired data.	D3.1, D3.2 experimental proposal submitted to large scale facility; D3.3, D3.4 experiment and data analysis reports. M3.1, M3.2 experiments at large scale facilities.
WP4 Synchrotron radiation microdiffraction	Acquisition of µXRD data at European large scale facilities; analysis of the acquired data.	D4.1, D4.2 experimental proposal submitted to large scale facility; D4.3, D4.4 experiment and data analysis reports. M4.1, M4.2 experiments at large scale facilities.
WP5 High Resolution TEM and Electron Diffraction	Development of a procedure to prepare the samples for TEM; TEM training; acquisition of TEM images and electron diffraction patterns.	S5.1, S5.2 reports on TEM training and measurements; D5.1 report on TEM data analysis; M5.1 end of TEM training; M5.2 end of experimental work and secondment.
WP6 Laboratory experiments	Preparation of the samples for CµT, FµT, µXRD, and TEM experiments; Execution of the adsorption isotherms.	D6.1 report on samples’ preparation for experiments at large scale facilities; S6.1, S6.2 reports on TEM samples’ preparation and acquisition; S6.3 report on adsorption isotherms. M6.1 end of laboratory work.
WP7 Dissemination & Outreach	Participation in international conferences; writing and submission of scientific publications; seminars; outreach activities.	D7.1, D7.5, D7.8, D7.11 end of semester progress seminars; D7.4, D7.7, D7.10 contributions to international conferences; D7.2, D7.5 Marie-Curie open days; D7.3, D7.5 student visits at large scale facilities; M7.1 submission of scientific papers.
WP8 Management	Progress meetings and project reporting.	D8.1 and D8.2 end of 1st and 3rd semester reports; M8.1 and M8.2 midterm and final reports.

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.

Project plan

Proposed Gantt chart

Updated Gantt chart