Superfluidity and magnetism characterize a wealth of interacting fermion systems encompassing solid-state, nuclear and quark matter environments. From the interplay of these phenomena, the two following issues have been raised: Can superfluid pairing bear a mismatch in the two Fermi surfaces? Can a homogeneous fermion system become ferromagnetic via a zero-ranged interparticle repulsion? Despite decades of interdisciplinary investigations, such questions have not gotten undisputed answers so far. Here, I will experimentally address these problems with a new model system composed of ultracold fermionic Chromium and Lithium atoms with resonant interactions. The two species will mimic electrons of different spins, or quarks of different colours, but exhibiting the high degree of control of an atomic quantum simulator. In particular, two features make this system stand far beyond any other available one: the peculiar Chromium-Lithium mass ratio enables a resonant control of three-body elastic interactions on top of the usual two-body ones, together with an extraordinary suppression of atom recombination into paired states in the regime of strong interspecies repulsion. The first property greatly enhances the observability of elusive polarized superfluid regimes, such as the Fulde-Ferrel-Larkin-Ovchinnikov phase, where pairs condense in nonzero momentum states, and the Sarma or “breached pair” phase, where a homogeneous gapless superfluid coexists with unbound particles. The second makes such mixture a prime platform for the quantum simulation of Stoner’s model for itinerant ferromagnetism, whose study has been denied in nowadays experiments, where pairing instability plagues the formation of sizeable magnetic domains. I will use high-resolution imaging of the system and state-of-the-art spectroscopy schemes for disclosing such exotic phases via a thorough investigation of the phase diagrams of Fermi-Fermi mixtures with attractive or repulsive interactions.

Prostate cancer (PC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. PC often presents in its Multidrug resistant form leaving the patient few survival chances. New approaches are required to overcome resistance-related problems in PC and nanomedicine holds a lot of premises to effectively contribute in this battle. In this frame POLAR STAR aims at the implementation of combination therapy to treat castrate-resistant PC. Our strategy is to exploit innovative nanotechnology to administer contemporarily different therapeutic agents that synergically exert their activity across multiple oncogenic pathways. We plan to use new mixed polymers based on biocompatible cyclodextrins as these building blocks are already FDA approved. Simple organic chemistry is pursued to implement target selectivity and in vivo tracking of the polymeric nanocarrier. The design is guided by the final goal, the future clinical application of nanocarriers to improve PC treatment, keeping in mind upgrade of the nanocarrier systems to large scale production. We will focus on the latest PC drugs suffering from side effects and emerging resistance as multiple cargo to be loaded. Full chemico-physical characterization of the systems is planned as well as assessment of the efficacy of loaded nanocarriers in cell cultures with different drug responsivity profiles. In order to reduce animal experiments POLAR STAR will take full advantage of 3D prostate tissue models for biological tests, an apporach at the forefront in drug design. We plan to reach our goal bringing together the expertise of the fellow and the supervisor supported by the private and academic teams hosting the fellow during secondments. POLAR STAR creates a multidisciplinary environment where all actors, public and private, will benefit from reciprocal transfer of knowledge. During the project the fellow will have the possibility to become a complete researcher improving also complementary skills.

Novel encapsulation approaches to create alternative delivery options for nutraceuticals are emerging as a promising strategy to enhance the bioavailability of poorly absorbed active food ingredients. In this context, nanoTOM aims to exploit edible plant derived nanovesicles and use them as vehicles for the encapsulation, protection, release and bioavailability enhancement of selected nutraceuticals. Plant cells secret phospholipid membrane-surrounded vesicles morphologically similar to mammalian extracellular vesicles. Exploitation of plant nanovesicles is promising although hampered by i) their difficult isolation and ii) the lack of knowledge of their biogenesis, molecular architecture, uptake and biological effects. The experienced researcher is a chemist with strong academic and pharmaceutical background in the isolation and analysis of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants who team-up with the Institute of Biosciences and BioResources (IBBR) with considerable expertise in extracellular vesicle research to realize a uniquely interdisciplinary research program. The research proposed here will realize the following concrete objectives: 1. Set-up an integrated analytical pipeline for the isolation, characterization, encapsulation, uptake and toxicological profiling of plant nanovesicles. 2. Use the pipeline to exploit different Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) nanovesicle populations regarding secretion mechanism, heterogeneity, biocargo composition, nutraceutical and encapsulation properties. Neither of these objectives have been addressed before and both have high potential to expand the knowledge in the field and to drive the research activity towards industrialization. The research objectives are integrated with concerted training objectives in plant, cellular and molecular biology and omics, outreach program, dissemination events and considerable knowledge transfer in the isolation and use of herbal nutraceuticals from the researcher to the IBBR host group.