
Full Professor
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS)
- Member Comitato Etico per la Ricerca
- Member of Interdepartmental Center PolitoBIOMed Lab - Biomedical Engineering Lab
Profile
Research interests
Biography
Valeria Chiono has a Master Degree cum laude in Chemical Engineering and a PhD in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Pisa, Italy. She is currently Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of Politecnico di Torino, Italy. Her research is aimed at the design of innovative bioengineering approaches to solve key problems in regenerative medicine and nanomedicine, and includes the development of bioactive materials and interfaces, tissue engineering, materials characterization, in vitro tissue models, drug delivery and non-viral gene therapy. One main research topic is cardiac tissue engineering. She has been the coordinator of several research projects, including STARIGEN FIRB2010 project, financed by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, on the preparation of biomimetic scaffolds for cardiac regeneration. In 2017 she has been granted the ERC Consolidator project BIORECAR (contract number: 772168; http://www.biorecar.polito.it/) on advanced strategies for cardiac regeneration by direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes by an injectable hydrogel releasing miRNA-loaded nanoparticles. In BIORECAR in vitro models of fibrotic human cardiac tissue are also developed for preclinical investigation. Furthermore, she manages BIORECAR Cell Laboratory at Politecnico di Torino. She is the main lecturer of the following courses at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at Politecnico di Torino: “Engineering for regenerative medicine”, “Cell and tissue engineering” and “Laboratory of Tissues and Physiological Processes' Models”. In 2021, she has been appointed Vice-Director of Centro 3R. She is in the editorial board of journals such as Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology and Biomedical Materials. She is author of 122 scientific publications (H-index/citations: 31/4617 Scopus; 36/6253 Google Scholar) and 5 patents in the field of biomaterials, tissue engineering and nanomedicine.
Curriculum
Research topics
- Preparation of systems for drug release by green technologies, making use of polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation on by-products of the food industry, or derived from waste products from agricolture, and avoiding or minimizing the use of organic solvents.
- Direct cell reprogramming applied to cardiac regeneration: preparation of nanoparticles for oligonucleotide release and injectable hydrogels for an in situ therapy of infarcted cardiac tissue.
- Non-viral gene therapy: lipid and/or polymer nanoparticles for the release of oligonucleotide agents (e.g., siRNAs and miRNAs)
- Drug releasing hydrogels: preparation of hydrogels based on synthetic and/or natural polymers encapsulating drugs for a controlled and sustained release.
- In vitro tissue models: blood brain barrier and blood vessels on a chip; engineered cardiac fibrotic tissue; healthy and pathological (mimicking chronic wounds) skin tissue
- Antimicrobial coatings based on bacterial biosurfactants or biomimetic strategies
- Cardiac tissue engineering: design of biomimetic scaffolds for a stem cells-based therapy in cardiac regeneration
- Design of biomimetic materials by the preparation of bioartificial blends or surface functionalization of synthetic polymer scaffolds with bioactive molecules.
Skills
ERC sectors
SDG
Awards and Honors
- BioPmed Award 2014 - Gold conferred by BioPmed (2014)
- Back Cover in Advanced Healthcare Materials conferred by Advanced Healthcare Materials - Wiley (2020)
Fellowships
- Founding partner - ERC in ITALY, Italia (2021-)
- Steering Committe member - Centro Interuniversitario per la Promozione dei Principi delle 3R nella Didattica e nella Ricerca (Centro 3R), Italia (2019-)
- Founding partner - Gruppo Nazionale di Bioingegneria, Italia (2019-)
- Effective member - European Society of Cardiology (ESC), Europeo (2018-)
- Effective member - European Society for Biomaterials, ESB, Europeo (2018-)
- Effective member - TERMIS-EU, Europeo (2012-)
Editorial boards
- MICRO (2021-), Editorial board member
- FRONTIERS IN BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE (2021-), Other editorial activities
- FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY (2021-), Other editorial activities
- BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS (2020-), Editorial board member
- FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE (2020-), Other editorial activities
- FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (2018-), Associate Editor of magazine or editorial series
- 4 OPEN (2018-), Editorial board member
- BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (2016-), Director
Conferences
- III Convegno Annuale "L'era delle 3R: modelli in silico, in vitro e in vivo per promuovere la ricerca traslazionale" (30/9/2021-1/10/2021), Chairman of the organizing committee
- XL Scuola Annuale di Bioingegneria 2021 “Biofabrication: an integrated bioengineering approach for the automated fabrication of biological structures for clinical and research applications” (13/9/2021-16/9/2021), Participation to the organizing committee
- CANCERTO - "Nanoscience in Cancer Immunotherapy" (9/3/2021-11/3/2021), Participation to the organizing committee
- Workshop “Biology and bioengineering tools in the treatment of H2020 age-related diseases”, Chairman of the organizing committee
- Workshop "Engineered Biomaterials and Biomedical Devices in the Regenerative Medicine of the Nervous System" (19/11/2015-20/11/2015), Chairman of the organizing committee
- CONGRESSO SOCIETÀ ITALIANA BIOMATERIALI 2013 (3/6/2013-5/6/2013), Participation to the organizing committee
Other titles
- Membro della Giunta DIMEAS 2019-2023 (2019-)
- Referente di Ateneo per l'Azione del PNRR: Centro Nazionale 3 "Sviluppo di terapia genica e farmaci con tecnologia a RNA" (2021-)
- Valutazione carriere per studenti che accedono alla Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Biomedica - Politecnico di Torino (2021-)
- Commissario per l'Abilitazione Scientifica Nazionale (ASN) - Settore Concorsuale 09/G2 - Bioingegneria (2021-)
- Tutor accademico di studenti Erasmus Incoming - Facoltà di Ingegneria Biomedica, Politecnico di Torino (2016-2021)
Research networks
Roles as evaluator or expert
- First Call of the ADMIRE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action COFUND in Advanced Materials Research.. 2021
TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN - REMOTE REVIEW ERC GRANTS. 2021
ERC - EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE AGENCY - REMOTE REVIEW ERC GRANTS. 2020
ERC - EUROPEAN RESEARCH COUNCIL - EXECUTIVE AGENCY
Non-commercial collaboration agreements
- Adesione al Centro Interuniversitario per la Promozione dei Principi delle 3R nella didattica e nella ricerca - CENTRO 3R, (2019-2023) - Responsabile Scientifico
Inter-university centres
Teaching
PhD Boards
- BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2021/2022 (38. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2020/2021 (37. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2019/2020 (36. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2018/2019 (35. ciclo)
Università degli Studi di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2017/2018 (34. ciclo)
Università degli Studi di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2016/2017 (33. ciclo)
Università degli Studi di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2015/2016 (32. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2014/2015 (31. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO - BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE, 2013/2014 (30. ciclo)
Politecnico di TORINO
Courses of Study Boards
- Collegio di Ingegneria Biomedica. Componente
Teachings
PhD
- Molecular Regulation of Biomaterial, Cell/Tissue Interactions, Mechanisms to Prevent Implant Failure (didattica di eccellenza). A.A. 2022/23, BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE. Main teacher
- Terapie avanzate (nanomedicina, terapia genica e cellulare) in chirurgia. A.A. 2017/18, BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE. Teaching assistant
- Terapie avanzate (nanomedicina, terapia genica e cellulare) in chirurgia. A.A. 2018/19, BIOINGEGNERIA E SCIENZE MEDICO-CHIRURGICHE. Teaching assistant
Master of Science
- Scuola GNB. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Scuola GNB. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2018/19, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Sistemi biomimetici. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa/Bioreattori (modulo di Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa). A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa/Bioreattori (modulo di Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa). A.A. 2018/19, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa/Bioreattori (modulo di Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa). A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa/Bioreattori (modulo di Ingegneria per la medicina rigenerativa). A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Frontiers in Bioengineering enabling nanotechnologies. A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Frontiers in Bioengineering enabling nanotechnologies. A.A. 2018/19, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Formazione pratica in nanotecnologie biomediche e terapie avanzate. A.A. 2018/19, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Formazione pratica in nanotecnologie biomediche e terapie avanzate. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Formazione pratica in nanotecnologie biomediche e terapie avanzate. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- New advances in alternative preclinical trials. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- New advances in alternative preclinical trials. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Laboratory of Tissues and Physiological Processes' Models. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Laboratory of Tissues and Physiological Processes' Models. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Bionanotecnologie. A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
Bachelor of Science
- Bioingegneria chimica/Bioingegneria meccanica (modulo di Bioingegneria chimica). A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Collaboratore del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2017/18, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2018/19, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
- Ingegneria delle cellule e dei tessuti. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA BIOMEDICA. Titolare del corso
Research
Research groups
Research projects
Projects funded by competitive calls
- Plasma-ACtivated hydroGEL: new frontiers solutions in cardiac regenerative medicine, (2023-2025) - Responsabile Scientifico
UE-funded research - HE - Excellent Science - MSCA - Development of a therapeutic strategy to suppress LSD1 and PRMT6-mediated toxic gain of function in SBMA, (2023-2025) - Responsabile Scientifico
Non-EU international research - Nanoparticelle polimeriche ibride per una nuova generazione di vettori non virali per terapia genica nella rigenerazione cardiaca (POLHYGENTH)., (2022-2023) - Responsabile Scientifico
Corporate-funded and donor-funded research - Visco3DCell- Sviluppo di una Metodologia non-Invasiva per lo studio delle proprietà Viscoelastiche di Colture Cellulari 3D., (2021-2022) - Responsabile Scientifico
Corporate-funded and donor-funded research - Direct cell reprogramming therapy in myocardial regeneration through an engineered multifunctional platform integrating biochemical instructive cues, (2018-2023) - Responsabile Scientifico
UE-funded research - H2020 - Excellent Science - ERC - MATERIALI BIOARTIFICIALI E SCAFFOLD BIOMIMETICI PER LA TERAPIA A BASE DI CELLULE STAMINALI NELLA RIGENERAZIONE DEL MIOCARDIO, (2012-2015) - Responsabile Scientifico
Nationally funded research - FIRB
Projects funded by commercial contracts
- Convenzione di ricerca ex art. 15 L. 241/1990 tra il Politecnico di Torino – Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica e Aerospaziale (DIMEAS) e l’Università degli Studi di Torino – Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche (DSC) e Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche (DSM), (periodo sconosciuto) - Responsabile Scientifico
Departmental agreements
Supervised PhD students
- Giovanni Paolo Stola. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 38, 2022-in progress)
- Daniele Testore. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 37, 2021-in progress)
- Francesca Tivano. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 37, 2022-in progress)
- Letizia Nicoletti. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 36, 2020-in progress)
- Gerardina Ruocco. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 36, 2020-in progress)
- Mattia Spedicati. Programme in Bioingegneria E Scienze Medico-chirurgiche (cycle 36, 2020-in progress)
Other activities and projects related to research
COORDINATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS
1. PROJECT ERC-CoG 2017: BIORECAR (contract number: 772168) “Direct cell reprogramming therapy in myocardial regeneration through an engineered multifunctional platform integrating biochemical instructive cues” (2018-2023). www.biorecar.polito.it
2. Project BIOMODE “In Vitro Experimental Models for Biomaterials-Mediated Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System” - Compagnia di San Paolo (2017-2021). In collaboration with Prof. R.D. Kamm, Massachussets – MIT.
3. Project “Proof of concepts” Compagnia di San Paolo: “Method for the preparation of cellularised constructs based on thermosensitive hydrogels” (2017).
4. Project PAD-INJ “Smart Injectable Drug-Delivery systems for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment”- Compagnia di San Paolo (2014-2016). In collaboration with Prof. M.G. Spillantini, University of Cambridge (UK).
5. Project FIRB 2010: STARIGEN “Bioartificial materials and biomimetic scaffolds for a stem cells-based therapy for myocardial regeneration” (2012-2015). Overall budget: €1.062.600 (financed grant: € 835.620).
6. Project MITOR - Compagnia di San Paolo: NANOCAB “In Vitro Modelling of Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System by a Microfluidic Platform Mimicking the Biological Barriers” (2016-2017).
7. Project of Finalized Sanitary Research – 2008 bis, PIEDMONT REGION: “Nano-structured biomimetic coatings for regenerative medicine” (2008-2009)
8. Project of Finalized Sanitary Research – 2009, PIEDMONT REGION: “Multifunctional nano-coatings for medical devices with improved anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties” (2009-2011).
PARTICIPATION TO RESEARCH PROJECTS
1. PROJECT CRT Visco3DCell (2021-2023). Budget: € 33.000. Role: Collaborator.
2. 2020-NMBP-TR-IND-2018 - Project EVPRO (2019-2022); € 500.000. Role: Task Leader. http://www.evpro-implant.eu/
3. H2020-MSCA ITN-2014 - Project HyMedPoly (2015-2018). Role: WP Leader. https://hymedpoly.eu/
4. BANDO ATENEO-CSP 2014 PROJECT -BIOSURF (2015-2017). Role: Unit Leader.
Publications
PoliTO co-authors
Last years publications
Publications by type
Latest publications View all publications in Porto@Iris
- Marcello, Elena; Chiono, Valeria (2023)
Biomaterials-Enhanced Intranasal Delivery of Drugs as a Direct Route for Brain Targeting. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES, vol. 24. ISSN 1422-0067
Contributo su Rivista - Paoletti, Camilla; Divieto, Carla; Chiono, Valeria (2023)
Direct Reprogramming of Adult Human Cardiac Fibroblasts into Induced Cardiomyocytes Using miRcombo. In: Cardiac Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols / S.N., S.L., Springer Nature, pp. 31-40. ISBN: 978-1-0716-2707-5
Contributo in Volume - Laurano, Rossella; Boffito, Monica; Cassino, Claudio; Midei, Ludovica; Pappalardo, ... (2023)
Thiol-Ene Photo-Click Hydrogels with Tunable Mechanical Properties Resulting from the Exposure of Different -Ene Moieties through a Green Chemistry. In: MATERIALS, vol. 16. ISSN 1996-1944
Contributo su Rivista - Laurano, Rossella; Boffito, Monica; Cassino, Claudio; Liberti, Francesco; Ciardelli, ... (2023)
Design of Injectable Bioartificial Hydrogels by Green Chemistry for Mini-Invasive Applications in the Biomedical or Aesthetic Medicine Fields.. In: GELS, vol. 9, pp. 1-23. ISSN 2310-2861
Contributo su Rivista - Ciofani, Gianni; Campisi, Marco; Mattu, Clara; D Kamm, Roger; Chiono, Valeria; ... (2022)
Roadmap on Nanomedicine for the Central Nervous System - Section 2: Microphysiological systems for preclinical testing of drug-loaded nanoparticle transport across the human blood-brain barrier. In: JPHYS MATERIALS, pp. 5-10. ISSN 2515-7639
Contributo su Rivista - Neuhaus, W.; Reininger-Gutmann, B.; Rinner, B.; Plasenzotti, R.; Wilflingseder, D.; De ... (2022)
The Rise of Three Rs Centres and Platforms in Europe*. In: ATLA. ALTERNATIVES TO LABORATORY ANIMALS, vol. 50, pp. 90-120. ISSN 2632-3559
Contributo su Rivista - Neuhaus, W.; Reininger-Gutmann, B.; Rinner, B.; Plasenzotti, R.; Wilflingseder, D.; De ... (2022)
The Current Status and Work of Three Rs Centres and Platforms in Europe*. In: ATLA. ALTERNATIVES TO LABORATORY ANIMALS, vol. 50, pp. 381-413. ISSN 2632-3559
Contributo su Rivista - Chiono, Valeria; Farè, Silvia; Netti, Paolo A.; Vozzi, Giovanni (2021)
Biofabrication: an integrated bioengineering approach for the automated fabrication of biological structures for clinical and research applications. Bologna, Pàtron editore, P. 404. ISBN: 9788855535281
Libro - Spedicati, Mattia; Carmagnola, Irene; Zoso, Alice; Ruocco, Gerardina; Chiono, Valeria (2021)
3D In Vitro Model of Early-Stage Human Cardiac Fibrosis Based on Bioartificial Scaffold. In: Cell-Matrix Interaction and Mechanobiology in Regenerative Medicine, BRNO (CZ), 10-11 giugno 2021, pp. 36-36
Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding) - Spedicati, Mattia; Carmagnola, Irene; Zoso, Alice; Ruocco, Gerardina; Chiono, Valeria (2021)
3D IN VITRO MODELS OF EARLY AND LATE HUMAN CARDIAC FIBROSIS BY TUNING 3D ARCHITECTURE OF BIOARTIFICIAL SCAFFOLDS. In: Termis 6th world congress, Maastricht (NL), 15-19 novembre 2021, pp. 140-140
Contributo in Atti di Convegno (Proceeding)
Society and Enterprise
Patents and other intellectual properties
- Metodo per la preparazione di nanoparticelle polimeriche ibride per il rilascio di farmaci oligonucleotidici nella terapie farmacologiche a scopo rigenerativo, curativo e preventivo.. national Patent - Responsabile Scientifico
Departmental agreements - Metodo per la preparazione di costrutti cellularizzati a base di idrogeli termosensibili tramite tecnica di protitipazione rapida. national and international Patent - Responsabile Scientifico
Departmental agreements - Cementi polimerici biomimetici e biodegradabili per la riparazione di lesioni osteoporotiche vertebrali. national and international Patent - Responsabile Scientifico
Departmental agreements - Rivestimento antiaderenziale per dispositivi impiantabili e metodo di fabbricazione. national and international Patent - Responsabile Scientifico
Departmental agreements