Fiche de : Lionel MAURIZI

2007-2010: After a chemical engineering diploma from the University of Technology of Compiegne (UTC), I started a PhD in physical chemistry at the ICB Laboratory on the Elaboration of functionalized nanoparticles: applications as MRI contrast agent. My research was focused on the syntheses of magnetic nanparticles via soft chemistry or hydrothermal and continuous methods with an accurate control of the physicochemical properties and in depth characterizations. Nanoparticles’ surfaces were also modified and functionalized for a better biocompatibility, less toxicity and targeting behviors in order to be used as a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) contrast agent.

2011-2015: I worked for 4 years in Pr. H. Hofmann’s team at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) on a FP7 European project (Nanodiara) on the development of novel nanotechnology based diagnostic and therapeutic systems for arthritic diseases. My research was centered on one part on the reproducibility and scale-up of the syntheses and methods to face biomedical challenges. On another part, I studied the interactions between nanoparticles and proteins in order to better understand their biological behaviors. This scientific area is commonly called: the « Protein Corona« .

2015-2016: After these projects, I continued my research at Dublin City University (Pr. Dermot Brougham) on a FP7 European project (UNION). Then at Basel University (Pr. Cornelia Palivan) I worked on a Swiss project NCCR (National Centres of Competence in Research). These two projects were focused on the development of physicochemical solutions for biomedical applications such as  « nano-flowers » or « nano-vesicles ».

Since the end of 2016: I got a CNRS Researcher (CR) permanent position at Pr. Nadine Millot’s team from the nanosciences department of the ICB laboratory to continue working on my thematic focused on  the development of nanomedical solutions and on the understanding of their biological behaviors.

Description du projet:

Project description:

This NCCR project was pooling multidisciplinary areas from the physics and chemistry to the biology, the biostatistics and the computer sciences.

The main objctive of the « Molecular Systems Engineering » project was to create complex molecular layouts to mimic cellular reactions. Such systems can be use as organic molecules (enzymes for example) industrial productions or to control cellular systemps for applications in health.

The NCCR project pooled 9 Swiss partners from academic and industrail fields:

1. ETH Zürich
2. EPFL
3. Friedrich Miescher Institute
4. IBM Research Zurich
5. Paul Scherrer Institute
6. University of Basel
7. University of Bern
8. University of Geneva
9. University of Zürich

The Molecular Systems Egineering project was divided into 4 Work Packages (more details).

• WP 1: Molecular modules
• WP 2: Molecular systems
• WP 3: Molecular factories
• WP 4: Cellular systems

Role during the project:

As a scientist in the WP 2 of University of Basel, my role was to develop stimulo-sensitive membranes made from the assembly of polymeric vesicles (polymersomes) and inorganic nanoparticles functionalized with DNA. These membranes shoul induce cascade reactions between the vesicles and catalyzed by the chosen nanoparticles (more details).

Project description:

Although treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has improved in the last years, there is still no disease modifying treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). For treatments to be effective it is considered extremely important to detect and treat these diseases early and then be able to monitor treatment efficacy early on (within weeks or months) after its initiation rather than waiting up to a year for RA and 18 months for OA. RA is a chronic inflammatory joint disease that involves acute and chronic synovial (joint lining) inflammation causing the erosive destruction of articular cartilages, ligaments and subchondral bone. It develops in about 1% of the population. OA, currently the main cause of disability among the middle age and elderly populations, is a degenerative arthritis involving much less synovial inflammation in most patients, with a prevalence of about 12% of the population.

Nanodiara pooled 15 European partners from academic and industrial fields:

1. Coordinator: Europäische Akademie GmbH, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany
2. Scientific coordinator: MatSearch Consulting Hofmann, Lausanne, Switzerland
3. Charité Universitätsmedizin (team 1 et team 2), Berlin, Germany
4. EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
5. University of Lund, Sweden
6. Merck® Serono, Darmastadt, Germany
7. AnaMar AB, Lund, Sweden
8. Arrayon Biotechnology, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
9. CSEM SA, Neuchâtel, Switzerland
10. Merck Estapor/OEM-Diagnostic/Merck-Millipore, Pithiviers, France
11. PMU Salzburg, Austria
12. University of Fribourg, Switzerland
13. University of Geneva, Switzerland
14. University of Nijmegen, Netherlands
15. University of Tartu, Estonia

Role during the project:

As a scientist and WP leader at EPFL, my role was pivotal and consisted in bringing nanotechnological solutions to our biological, industrial and medical partners. As main responsibles of the WP 1, we worked in close collaborations with all the scientific WP to develop specific nanoparticles for arthritic pathologies with industrial requirements such as biocompatibility and upscalable methods to have enough quantity of materials for pharmacokinetic studies. We also studied in depth the biological behaviors of our nanohybrids (toxicity, internalization, biodistribution or Protein Corona).

Nanoparticles in the Lung:
Environmental Exposure and Drug Delivery
Edited by Akira Tsuda and Peter Gehr

Section VI:Special Issues
Chapter 16: Physicochemical, Colloidal, and Transport Properties
(pages 251-266)

Heinrich Hofmann, Lionel Maurizi, Marie-Gabrielle Beuzelin, Usawadee Sakulkhu and Vianney Bernau

December 19, 2014 by CRC Press – 403 Pages
ISBN 9781439892794 – CAT# K14165

Unraveling the Safety Profile of Nanoscale Particles and Materials –
From Biomedical to Environmental Applications
Edited by Andreia C. Gomes and Marisa P. Sarria

Chapter 2
Toxicological Risk Assessment of Emerging Nanomaterials: Cytotoxicity, Cellular Uptake, Effects on Biogenesis and Cell Organelle Activity, Acute Toxicity and Biodistribution of Oxide Nanoparticles
(pages 17-36)

Lionel Maurizi, Anne-Laure Papa, Julien Boudon, Sruthi Sudhakaran, Benoit Pruvost, David Vandroux, Johanna Chluba, Gerard Lizard and Nadine Millot

March, 2018 by InTech – 172 Pages
ISBN 9789535139409