Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Overview
Dr. Dalila Iannotta obtained her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology in 2022. Her goal is to contribute to nanomedicine by developing new delivery systems that decrease side effects and increase the therapeutic activity of medicines.
She has over eight years of research experience in various areas, such as extracellular vesicles, synthetic nanoparticles, and disease models (wounds and neurological conditions). Her research has resulted in nine publications, including in journals such as the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (IF: 21.22) and Nano Today (IF: 18.96).
She has mentored 14 Master’s degree students and five undergraduate students at various institutions, including at Mayo Clinic (USA) (ranked best hospital in the world, Newsweek), D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara (Italy), and University of L’Aquila (Italy). She has also taken an active role in the “Young Scientists” program for high school students.
Main research fields:
- Hybrid delivery systems: design new hybrid nanosystems consisting of synthetic nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles for a best-of-both worlds approach that enables delivery of therapeutic peptides.
- Advanced purification methods for extracellular vesicles: develop improved purification methods for extracellular vesicles derived from biofluids, such as plasma.
Research Impacts
Dr. Iannotta’s research contributes to scientific knowledge and health, through the development of new systems that improve the efficiency and targeting of drugs. Additionally, her research on extracellular vesicles provides valuable contribution to this emerging and exponentially growing field.
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Molecular Biotechnology
- Masters (Research) of Molecular Biotechnology
Publications
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Journal Article: Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation
Iannotta, Dalila, A, Amruta, Kijas, Amanda W., Rowan, Alan E. and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation. Nature Nanotechnology, 19 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41565-023-01522-z
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Journal Article: Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification
Iannotta, Dalila, Amruta A., Lai, Andrew, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Koifman, Na'ama, Lappas, Martha, Salomon, Carlos and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification. Small 2307240, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/smll.202307240
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Journal Article: Transforming undergraduate laboratory courses with interlinked real-world challenges
Iannotta, Dalila, Goncalves, Jenifer P., Ghebosu, Raluca E., Gopalakrishnan, Aswathi, Cooper-White, Justin and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Transforming undergraduate laboratory courses with interlinked real-world challenges. Trends in Biotechnology, 42 (1), 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.10.006
Grants
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(2023–2024) SARTORIUS STEDIM AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD
Available Projects
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Development of hybrid nanosystem libraries
Liposomes are self-assembling lipid-based nanoparticles that enclose an aqueous core. An advantage of liposomes is versatility in terms of efficient loading of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutics. Liposomes represent the largest category of clinically approved nanoparticles, but they have simple surfaces that display limited biointerfacing properties.
In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have captured considerable interest due to their involvement in multiple physiological and pathological processes. EVs are cell-released nanoparticles that display complex surfaces with organotropic features, making them attractive as drug delivery systems. However, EVs also display disadvantages, such as reduced drug loading efficiency compared to synthetic counterparts.
In this project, a library of hybrid nanosystems with various liposome and EV components will be developed. The hybrid nanosystems will be characterized and assessed in terms of loading efficiency (therapeutic peptides) and organotropism.
Publications
Journal Article
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Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation
Iannotta, Dalila, A, Amruta, Kijas, Amanda W., Rowan, Alan E. and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Entry and exit of extracellular vesicles to and from the blood circulation. Nature Nanotechnology, 19 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41565-023-01522-z
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Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification
Iannotta, Dalila, Amruta A., Lai, Andrew, Nair, Soumyalekshmi, Koifman, Na'ama, Lappas, Martha, Salomon, Carlos and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Chemically‐Induced Lipoprotein Breakdown for Improved Extracellular Vesicle Purification. Small 2307240, 1-14. doi: 10.1002/smll.202307240
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Transforming undergraduate laboratory courses with interlinked real-world challenges
Iannotta, Dalila, Goncalves, Jenifer P., Ghebosu, Raluca E., Gopalakrishnan, Aswathi, Cooper-White, Justin and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Transforming undergraduate laboratory courses with interlinked real-world challenges. Trends in Biotechnology, 42 (1), 1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.10.006
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Vasculature organotropism in drug delivery
Amruta, A., Iannotta, Dalila, Cheetham, Seth W., Lammers, Twan and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Vasculature organotropism in drug delivery. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 201 115054, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115054
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Extracellular vesicle lipids in cancer immunoevasion
Chen, Siyu, Iannotta, Dalila, O'Mara, Megan L., Goncalves, Jenifer Pendiuk and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Extracellular vesicle lipids in cancer immunoevasion. Trends in Cancer, 9 (11), 883-886. doi: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.08.006
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Hyaluronic acid: An overlooked extracellular vesicle contaminant
Goncalves, Jenifer P., Ghebosu, Raluca E., Tan, Xuan Ning Sharon, Iannotta, Dalila, Koifman, Na'ama and Wolfram, Joy (2023). Hyaluronic acid: An overlooked extracellular vesicle contaminant. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 12 (9) 12362, e12362. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12362
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Scurti, Elena, Martins, João Pedro, Celia, Christian, Palumbo, Paola, Lombardi, Francesca, Iannotta, Dalila, Di Marzio, Luisa, Santos, Hélder A. and Viitala, Tapani (2023). In vitro characterization and real-time label-free assessment of the interaction of chitosan-coated niosomes with intestinal cellular monolayers. Langmuir, 39 (23), 8255-8266. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c00728
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Considerations for extracellular vesicle and lipoprotein interactions in cell culture assays
Busatto, Sara, Yang, Yubo, Iannotta, Dalila, Davidovich, Irina, Talmon, Yeshayahu and Wolfram, Joy (2022). Considerations for extracellular vesicle and lipoprotein interactions in cell culture assays. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 11 (4) e12202, e12202. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12202
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Wang, Xinghua, Pham, Anthony, Kang, Lu, Walker, Sierra A., Davidovich, Irina, Iannotta, Dalila, Terkonda, Sarvam P., Shapiro, Shane, Talmon, Yeshayahu, Pham, Si and Wolfram, Joy (2022). Effects of adipose-derived biogenic nanoparticle-associated microrna-451a on toll-like receptor 4-induced cytokines. Pharmaceutics, 14 (1) 16, 16. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14010016
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Extracellular vesicle therapeutics from plasma and adipose tissue
Iannotta, Dalila, Yang, Man, Celia, Christian, Di Marzio, Luisa and Wolfram, Joy (2021). Extracellular vesicle therapeutics from plasma and adipose tissue. Nano Today, 39 101159, 101159. doi: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101159
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A simple and quick method for loading proteins in extracellular vesicles
Busatto, Sara, Iannotta, Dalila, Walker, Sierra A., Di Marzio, Luisa and Wolfram, Joy (2021). A simple and quick method for loading proteins in extracellular vesicles. Pharmaceuticals, 14 (4) 356, 356. doi: 10.3390/ph14040356
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Conventional nanosized drug delivery systems for cancer applications
Vergallo, Cristian, Hafeez, Muhammad Nadeem, Iannotta, Dalila, Santos, Helder A., D'Avanzo, Nicola, Dini, Luciana, Cilurzo, Felisa, Fresta, Massimo, Di Marzio, Luisa and Christian, Celia (2021). Conventional nanosized drug delivery systems for cancer applications. Bio-Nanomedicine for Cancer Therapy, 1295, 3-27. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-58174-9_1
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Barone, Antonella, Cristiano, Maria Chiara, Cilurzo, Felisa, Locatelli, Marcello, Iannotta, Dalila, Di Marzio, Luisa, Celia, Christian and Paolino, Donatella (2020). Ammonium glycyrrhizate skin delivery from ultradeformable liposomes: A novel use as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical drug delivery. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 193 111152, 111152. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2020.111152
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PPARs and energy metabolism adaptation during neurogenesis and neuronal maturation
D'Angelo, Michele, Antonosante, Andrea, Castelli, Vanessa, Catanesi, Mariano, Moorthy, NandhaKumar, Iannotta, Dalila, Cimini, Annamaria and Benedetti, Elisabetta (2018). PPARs and energy metabolism adaptation during neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19 (7) 1869, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071869
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The involvement of PPARs in the peculiar energetic metabolism of tumor cells
Antonosante, Andrea, d'Angelo, Michele, Castelli, Vanessa, Catanesi, Mariano, Iannotta, Dalila, Giordano, Antonio, Ippoliti, Rodolfo, Benedetti, Elisabetta and Cimini, Annamaria (2018). The involvement of PPARs in the peculiar energetic metabolism of tumor cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19 (7) 1907, 1-30. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071907
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Probiotic DSF counteracts chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain
Castelli, Vanessa, Palumbo, Paola, d'Angelo, Michele, Moorthy, Nandha Kumar, Antonosante, Andrea, Catanesi, Mariano, Lombardi, Francesca, Iannotta, Dalila, Cinque, Benedetta, Benedetti, Elisabetta, Ippoliti, Rodolfo, Cifone, Maria Grazia and Cimini, Annamaria (2018). Probiotic DSF counteracts chemotherapy induced neuropathic pain. OncoTarget, 9 (46), 27998-28008. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.25524
Grants (Administered at UQ)
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(2023–2024) SARTORIUS STEDIM AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD
Possible Research Projects
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
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Development of hybrid nanosystem libraries
Liposomes are self-assembling lipid-based nanoparticles that enclose an aqueous core. An advantage of liposomes is versatility in terms of efficient loading of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutics. Liposomes represent the largest category of clinically approved nanoparticles, but they have simple surfaces that display limited biointerfacing properties.
In recent years, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have captured considerable interest due to their involvement in multiple physiological and pathological processes. EVs are cell-released nanoparticles that display complex surfaces with organotropic features, making them attractive as drug delivery systems. However, EVs also display disadvantages, such as reduced drug loading efficiency compared to synthetic counterparts.
In this project, a library of hybrid nanosystems with various liposome and EV components will be developed. The hybrid nanosystems will be characterized and assessed in terms of loading efficiency (therapeutic peptides) and organotropism.
