Elvira De Giglio

Biography

Elvira De Giglio: born in 1968, graduated in Chemistry –magna cum laude- in 1993 at the University of Bari, where in 1997 she received her PhD in Chemical Sciences. She is currently Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry at the University of Bari, where she was already Assistant Professor since 1996.
RESEARCH TOPICS:
The main research interests focus on the development and characterisation of new hydrogel-based biomaterials, proposed as advanced tools to face the unmet needs of bone and cartilage pathologies. Two main research topics are carried out:
- DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF ELECTROSYNTHESIZED POLYMERS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
This research activity is aimed at the development and analytical characterization of electrosynthesized polymeric coatings for applications in the biomedical field. This activity is absolutely innovative within the international biomaterial research scene, which is obviously characterized by the interdisciplinarity between chemical-analytical skills, in the phases preparation, modification and characterization of the material, and biological skills to investigate tissue response.
All stages of biocompatible interface preparation were studied by different analytical techniques: surface spectroscopies, electroanalytical techniques, morphological analyses, quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), ICP-MS and HPLC. Particular attention was addressed to the study of the investigated materials by XPS since the first, and often the only part, of the material that interfaces with the biological systems is its surface. Therefore, the study of its chemical composition allows to predict the performance of the biomaterial. After materials development and characterization, as a next step, these systems were subjected to "in vitro" tests with cell or bacterial cultures to estimate their bioactivity.
- DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF COMPOSITE HYDROGELS FOR TISSUE ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS
This research topic is related to the study of new composite hydrogels. On the basis of the scientific literature, a selection was made between the most promising biopolymers and inorganic fillers. Subsequently, the selected polymeric and inorganic materials were combined to obtain new composite hydrogels. An accurate chemico-physical characterization was carried out, which allowed to optimize the composition of the biomaterials in order to improve their mechanical properties and cytocompatibility. New hydrogels have been obtained using an alternative molecular spacer, able to add antibacterial properties to the composite and, simultaneously, to improve its mechanical performances. Furthermore, the hydrogels cross-linking phase has been exploited to study the effects of different divalent ions on the characteristics of the obtained composites.
Furthermore, the experience acquired in the field of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D), has also been used for the development of different research topics in collaboration with research groups of Italian and foreign universities:
- XPS and QCM-D characterization of polymers for tissue engineering applications
- XPS characterization of catalysts
- XPS and QCM-D characterization of chitosan nanoparticles of biomedical interest
- XPS characterization of titanium coatings obtained by Anodic Spark Deposition

Starting from the 2001-2002 academic year, she has held different teachings in the Analytical Chemistry field.
Elvira De Giglio is the PI of different industrial research projects, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.
The research activity of Elvira De Giglio is documented by more than 90 research articles published in international journals and more than 120 lectures at national and international conferences.
Elvira De Giglio married in 1993, is mother of Angelo, born in 1999 and Elisabetta, 2001.