Education Profile

• ​​​​​​​Ph.D., University of Pavia, Italy, 2004
  
• M.Sc., University of Pavia, Italy, 2000

Research Interests

Prof. Liberale's research interests are focused on developing and applying label-free chemical imaging techniques based on vibrational spectroscopy (Infrared and Raman micro-spectroscopy) and multi-photon processes (Coherent Raman Microscopy, SHG). One of the main aims of this research activity is to unveil specific bio-chemical signatures of cancer stem cells, with a particular focus on understanding the dysregulation of their lipid metabolism.

He is also interested on using high-resolution 3D printing based on Direct Laser Writing for the fabrication of novel micro-optics, towards the miniaturization of complex optical systems, and of smart micro-/nano-structures to be used as a probe in nanoscale imaging. This research activity takes advantage from an integrated approach that combines design, micro/nanofabrication and optical techniques.​

Selected Publications

• ​L. Tirinato, C. Liberale, S. Di Franco, P. Candeloro, A. Benfante, R. La Rocca, L. Potze, R. Marotta, R. Ruffilli, V. Rajamanickam, M. Malerba, F. De Angelis, A. Falqui, E. Carbone, M. Todaro, J. P. Medema, G. Stassi, E. Di Fabrizio, "Lipid droplets: A New Player in Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells Unveiled by Spectroscopic Imaging", Stem Cells, DOI: 10.1002/stem.1837 (2014).
  
• A. Antonini, C. Liberale, T. Fellin, "Fluorescent layers for characterization of sectioning microscopy with coverslip-uncorrected and water immersion objectives", Optics Express, 22, 14293-14304 (2014).
• S. Bianchi, V.P. Rajamanickam, L. Ferrara, E. Di Fabrizio, C. Liberale, R. Di Leonardo, "Focusing and imaging with increased numerical apertures through multimode fibers with micro-fabricated optics", Optics Letters, 38, 4935-4938 (2013).
• C. Liberale, G. Cojoc, F. Bragheri, P. Minzioni, G. Perozziello, R. La Rocca, L. Ferrara, V. Rajamanickam, E. Di Fabrizio, I. Cristiani, "Integrated microfluidic device for single-cell trapping and spectroscopy", Scientific Reports, 3, 1258 (2013).
• C. Liberale, P. Minzioni, F. Bragheri, F. De Angelis, E. Di Fabrizio, I. Cristiani, "Miniaturized all-fibre probe for three-dimensional optical trapping and manipulation", Nature Photonics, 1, 723-727 (2007).