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RESEARCH IN THE BEE LAB

Our efforts are aimed at exploiting the huge potential of micro and nanoelectronic systems for diagnostic applications in the agro-food chain as well as fundamental research in health-nutrition relationship.

 

We focus on the study and development of:

  • Carbon nanotube field-effect transistors

  • Electrochemical biosensors

  • Electrochemical imaging

  • Nanobiotechnology

  • BioMEMS

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Study host-bacterial interactions by a real-time 3D mapping with electrochemical imaging 
  • A real-time study of the effect of dietary compounds and host metabolites on gut microbiome

  • Study the effect of herbal extracts on gut epithelial differentiation with electrochemical imaging

Detection of protein and genetic biomarkers using electrochemical biosensors​
  • Detection of phytopathogenic genetic and protein biomarkers

  • Detection of food pathogenic biomarkers

Develop new micro- and nanoelectronic biosensors based on FET (Field-effect Transistor) devices using carbon nanotubes​
  • Develop bioelectronic nanoscale devices for VOC detection

  • Investigation of biomolecular interaction kinetics and structural dynamics 

Cell mechanobiology​
  • Study of cell elasticity as a pathological marker using unique MEMS devices​

Nanobiotechnology​
  • Generation of nanohybrids composed of biomolecules (e.g., enzymes) and metals â€‹

Electrochemical modulation of conformational behavior and biomolecular interactions
  • Characterization of enzymatic activities and binding affinities at bio-functionalized conductive surfaces​

Bioelectronic devices

All-electronic platforms transduce biomolecular interactions, such as binding or conformational changes directly to electrons, resulting in high signal levels (and high sensitivities).

Such devices can be miniaturized to the nanoscale and their potential as biosensors or as tools to study structural dynamics is huge.

A field-effect transistor configuration (FET) is very attractive for biosensing applications and the use of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as  channel materials is particularly promising.

Bioelectronic devices in the form of CNT-FETs were demonstrated, for example, in a single-molecule kinetic study of DNA hybridization. Kinetics were strongly affected by electrical potential allowing for electrostatic modulation and enabling the detection of single base mismatches by simply applying potential. 

Research -bioelectronic deices

Electrochemical biosensors

Electrochemical biosensors play a vital role in modern bioanalytic assays with notable applications in the diagnostics arena. These biosensors are devices with user-friendly operation and high-throughput, perfectly suited for the current trend of rapid, on-site diagnostics. Their applications range  from biomedical and clinical to food industry, agriculture and environment. We have previously developed, for example, a bioelectrochemical platform that  simultaneously  detected multiple biomarkers from a tissue sample (biopsy) and a cell sample. Enzymatic activity of an intestinal epithelial differentiation marker was detected directly from biopsies. The same biochip was utilized in an electrochemical immunoassay to map a unique expression pattern of multiple secreted cancer biomarkers and an additional over expressed receptor from a cell culture sample. 

Research - EC biosensors

Nanobiotechnology

The production of nanohybrids comprising active biomolecules and electrically conductive materials (metals or carbon based), results in complex hybrids demonstrating novel properties. These hybrids can be integrated in devices providing them with the desired functionality. For example, effective wiring of enzyme-metal hybrids to electrodes was attained by coating a soluble oxidase with different metals using electroless deposition method. This form of directed metallization is unique since it retains enzymatic activity. Functional hybrids can also be generated by targeting biomolecules to CNT sidewalls using diazonium coupling.

Research-Nanobiotechnology

BioMEMS

Cells generate, sense, resist and respond to mechanical forces. Differences in mechanical properties of cells correlate with pathophysiological states in human diseases. On-chip single cell analysis offers accurate representation of cell variations. MEMS-based actutaors are particularly promising in this field. MEMS technology can integrate both microsensors and microactuators in a single chip used for biological applications. An electrostatic MEMS chip, the 'Bio-RAM', was applied in the mechanical characterization of cancer cell elasticity. The device integrated a microfluidic channel with a special 'comb-drive' configured actoator allowing for a single cell capture and analysis.  

Research BioMEMS
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