The last student visit to JRC – nanomaterials interactions with microorganisms

24.10.2022

During the period 01.08.2022 to 21.10.2022, PhD student Valentina Vorona from the Laboratory of Soil Microbiology at the Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology and National Center for Materials Study and Testing, UTM, had a visit to Joint Research Center in Ispra, Italy where she continued the previous investigations on nanoparticles - cell bacteria interaction.

During the visit at Joint Research Center, Ispra, in Nanobiotechnology Laboratory, a variety of instruments were learned to use for characterization of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles like Fe3O4/PVP, CoFe2O4/PVP, CoFe2O4/PEG, MgFe2O4/PVP, and MgFe2O4/PEG were investigated for size distribution, morphology, structural properties and chemical analysis.

The interaction of magnetic ferrites nanoparticles with bacterial cells based on in vitro biocompatibility studies was investigated using techniques like TEM, SEM, CLM, AFM and characterize the adsorption of nanoparticles on the bacteria surface.

Valentina also studied the toxicity of the nanocomposites on different concentration for  rodococci bacteria. In the last day of stay in Ispra, Valentina presented her results at the online Unit meeting, where the obtained results were discussed.