Biotechnology and Human Enhancement

Luciano De Sio is an Associate Professor at the Sapienza University of Rome - Italy. He leads a young and highly motivated research group in biotechnology, liquid crystals, nanotechnology, optics, and bio-photonics. Luciano spent more than five years in the United States as a senior research scientist at the Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Company (Orlando, Fl), collaborating closely with several relevant agencies. Luciano possesses extensive experience in photo-thermal therapy and reusable biosensors. He has co-authored 120 ISI-JCR publications in physics and biotechnology, several book chapters, 18 issued international patents, and delivered more than 50 scientific communications at conferences. Luciano has coordinated several projects of the European Office of Aerospace Research & Development (EOARD), supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). He is also the Project Director of an international Multi-Year Project supported by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme, aiming to realize a nanotechnology-inspired biosensor with photo-responsive liquid crystals. Eyup Kuntay Turmus is currently advisor and programme manager for the Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme at the NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division. His main responsibility is the development and management of research and capacity-building activities for practical cooperation with NATO’s partners under the SPS Programme. These activities address key priorities such as emerging and disruptive technologies, explosives management and defence against CBRN agents. He joined NATO following a 12-year career in the defence industry sector. In this capacity, he managed major national and international armaments programmes, involving industry, universities and research organizations.Eyup holds a PhD in technology management, a MSc in Management and Organisation and a BSc in Political Science and International Relations.

Estimating and Augmenting Human-Systems Performance.- The Evolving Landscape of Biotechnology Research: Challenges and Opportunities in Acquisitions, Funding, Education, and Workforce Development for a Productive Bioeconomy.- Live probiotics-loaded delivery systems for the treatment of infected wounds.- Multifunctional Polymeric Microspheres for Targeted Delivery and NIR-Light Stimulated Release of the Therapeutic Molecule Avastin at Human Retina Level.- Investigation of the reproducibility and repeatability of commercial SERS substrates.- Development of energy autonomous nanosensors.- Enhancing Bacteria Inactivation: Computational Insights Into the Use of Laser-Irradiated Gold Nanoparticles.- Azobenzene-containing materials for optical control of cell-materials interactions.- Liquid Crystal Materials in Biotechnology.