Alessandro Bertucci

Real‐Time Monitoring of DNA Origami‐Cell Interactions via Single Particle Tracking This study utilizes single particle tracking (SPT) to capture real-time interactions between DNA origami nanorods (NRs) and cell surfaces. Functionalized NRs targeting EGFR-expressing cells exhibit s....

Excited to share our latest collaboration just out in Small!
We used single-particle tracking to see how DNA origami engage with protein receptors on live cell surfaces — one nanostructure at a time!
#DNAorigami #Nanotech #SingleCell

🔗 onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Synthetic CRISPR Networks Driven by Transcription Factors via Structure-Switching DNA Translators CRISPR-Cas systems have advanced many domains in life sciences, enabling diverse applications in gene editing, diagnostics, and biosensing. Here, we introduce a platform that leverages transcription f...

Our new paper is out in @jacs.acspublications.org 🥳🤩
We built DNA-based translators that let transcription factors control CRISPR-Cas12a, unlocking new ways to program synthetic biology circuits and link different Cas systems together. #DNAnanotech #SynBio #CRISPR pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

Rapid, Single-Step Monitoring of Monoclonal Antibody Bioavailability by Using a TNF-α-Based Multiepitope DNA Nanoswitch Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is increasingly valuable for tailoring personalized therapy, particularly in managing chronic inflammatory diseases where overtreatment can cause significant side effects. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), a primary therapeutic approach for these conditions, face challenges from antidrug antibodies (ADAs), which can reduce mAb bioavailability and efficacy. To address these issues, we utilized Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α) as a binding moiety in a fluorescence-based programmable nanosensor within the NanoHYBRID (NH) platform developed by Ulisse Biomed S.p.A. By directly conjugating TNF-α to DNA probes, we developed a rapid, homogeneous, affinity-based assay capable of detecting multiple mAbs targeting distinct epitopes on the same protein. This NH platform effectively detected therapeutic concentrations of clinically relevant mAbs, such as Infliximab, Adalimumab, and Golimumab, in blood serum samples in a one-step process, bypassing the need for time-intensive washing steps. Moreover, the NH sensor exhibited heightened sensitivity to the presence of ADA, which impacted drug quantification, indicating its utility for monitoring bioavailable mAb levels. Compared to ELISA, the NH platform demonstrated superior sensitivity to ADAs, suggesting its potential as a highly specific, modular solution for TDM. This modular design allows the NH platform to create multiepitope nanosensors capable of measuring bioavailable mAbs in a single step.

I'm excited to launch our presence here with our latest publication in Analytical Chemistry @pubs.acs.org
A multiepitope #DNA nanoswitch to monitor monoclonal #antibody bioavailability — spun out from a collaboration with our industrial partner Ulisse Biomed. #sensing
pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/...

🚨 PhD Position Available in our group! 🚨
We are looking for candidates to join the Bertucci Lab for a PhD in DNA nanotech & CRISPR assays at the interface of synthetic biology, diagnostics & biosensors.

🗓️ Start: Nov 2025 – Jan 2026.
📩 Email me for further information and to drop your candidature!