Abstract: In the past decade, the synthesis of nanostructures of various geometries, chemical and physical behaviour has been intensively developed not only for its fundamental scientific interest but also for many technological, biosensing and medical applications, such as contrast increase of MRI, in bioaffinity assays, and targeted drug delivery. These structures have also unusual optical, electrical and catalytic properties, which allow for their potential and exciting applications in the above areas. In this respect we will focus on two types of representatives of such structures, namely: the magnetic ferrite nanoparticles and hollow polymeric nanocapsules. For the first type of nanostructures, we will discuss on the attachment of monomolecular adlayers to the surface of various types of nanoferrites for the purpose of their stabilisation, changing the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance or to provide their surface with suitable functional groups ready for further modifications and tailoring, e.g., for targeted drug delivery. Especially, we will discuss the covalent adlayer growth, which can be easily adapted to allow for the formation of hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions stacked at predetermined distance from the magnetic core, providing also the colloidal nanoferrites with functional groups capable of further modifications with, e.g. drug molecules. For the case of the second type of nanostructures, a considerable stress is laid on synthesis and characterization of hollow polymeric structures in which different molecules or particles can be entrapped or encapsulated. We have recently developed several new methods of preparation of polymeric micro- and nanocapsules using gaseous, liquid or solid particles that template growth of 3D structures The role of the capsule is to provide the proper environment for the molecules and nanoparticles and to protect them from degradation when they travel through the tissues to the targeted site. Moreover, the capsules allow much higher loading densities of the drug molecules when compared to e.g. covalent grafting on nanoparticle surface. Additionally, polymer shells influence the antifouling characteristics of the nanoparticles and also contribute to their effective hydrodynamic size, one of the key factor in avoiding the response by the ReticuloEndothelial System (RES).

Brief Biography of the Speaker:
Prof. Pawel Krysinski is a Professor of Chemistry in the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Warsaw, Poland, since 2004. His scientific career is bound with his Alma Mater from 1979, when he received his PhD and later, in 1991 – habilitation. His research interest covers the area of charge transfer, energy transduction and molecular electronics in molecular film assemblies, including cell membranes, self-assembled monolayers on a conducting support, hybrid alkanethiol/phospholipid bilayers, bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) and phospholipid bilayers tethered to a conducting support. Later on he became involved in synthesis and surface functionalisation of magnetic nanoparticles and hollow polymeric nanostructures. The goal is to design, characterize and demonstrate specialized interfacial structures where a number of biomolecules (e.g., transmembrane proteins) can be incorporated or attached to, while retaining their biological activity. Such interfacial structures can be tailored to serve both as matrices for the immobilization of biomolecules and as stable and electronically conducting molecular junctions contacting these biomolecules with conducting supports. He has published more than 50 high-impact journal papers, reviews and monographs. He has served as coordinator in national and international research grants and received several honors and awards for scientific achievements.