Nano-bio Physics
(opens in a new window)NanoBioPhysics Lab Research focuses on the interaction of ionic liquids - a vast class of organic electrolytes - with the building blocks of living matter, including lipid bilayers and biomembranes, proteins and amyloids, and live cells, towards basic science and the development of applications in pharmacology, nano-bio medicine and nano-bio technology. Neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy and computer simulations are the three major techniques which are combined with a number of complementary approaches, including cell-biology assays. The Lab runs a new-generation bio atomic force microscope (DriveAFM, Nanosurf) coupled with a fluorescence optical microscope (Axis Observer 7, Zeiss) for correlative studies and equipped with a number of capabilities and accessories including: piezo and photothermal cantilever activations, Petri-dish sample holder, 150 micro-meter Z-actuator, heating-cooling stage, FuidFM and scanning ion conductance microscopy. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Antonio Benedetto.
Advanced Optical Imaging Research centres on advanced optical imaging techniques and applications to bio-imaging down to the nanoscale. In particular, techniques for ultra-high resolution imaging by use of novel contrast mechanisms. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Brian Vohnsen.
Plasmonics and Ultrafast NanoOptics Research includes fundamental physical research to applications in the biological and medical sectors. The overall research goal is to develop optical and spectroscopic "imaging" methods capable of sensitivity to both primary and secondary structural properties of proteins embedded in biological samples. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Dominic Zerulla.
Computational Nanobio Research includes theoretical and computational nanoscience, biophysics and chemical physics, statistical mechanics and molecular dynamics of biomolecular systems, structural bioinformatics/cheminformatics and multi-scale modeling of biomolecules and complex fluids. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Nicolae-Viorel Buchete.
(opens in a new window)Nanoscale Function Measuring electrostatic interactions and electromechanical coupling in biological systems at the molecular and cellular levels and in connective tissues with an emphasis on understanding biological structure and function. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Brian Rodriguez.
Nano Photonics Research centres on studying processes that occur on the nanoscale, specifically understanding optical processes that exist on the nanometre length scale and developing and applying emerging nano-imaging techniques. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)James Rice.
Soft Matter Modelling We use mesoscopic computer simulation methods to model dynamics of biomolecules, colloids, and biointerfaces. Topics of current interest include modelling protective function of endothelium and similar biomimetic surfaces and self-propulsion of microorganisms and artificial microswimmers. For more information, please contact (opens in a new window)Vladimir Lobaskin.