Center for Nanotechnologies (CNT)
under the aegis of Romanian Academy

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L9: Laboratory for Molecular Nanotechnology

Laboratory Head: Dr. Radu Popa (radu.popa@imt.ro)

Mission: Interdisciplinary laboratory established in 2009, relying on state of the art equipment (belonging to various labs). We work on functional integration of biological components, such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, nucleotides, DNA fragments, etc., with micro-nano processed and patterned inorganic structures, targeting various micro-nano-bio-info applications. We combine substrate preparation and processing, micro-nano scale lithography and controlled molecular deposition, adsorption and manipulation of biomolecules, nanoscale microscopy techniques, and quantum mechanics analysis, aiming at developing unified experimental+theoretical frameworks for the study of functional properties obtained from the interaction of biomolecules with nano/micro objects. Controlling and investigating the chemical and physical properties of new nanomaterials is another key research orientation. Current research addresses health and environmental applications, focusing on developing advanced solutions for biosensors, biosensor arrays, and physical DNA sequencing technologies.

Main areas of expertise: 

  • Electrochemistry:
    • investigation of redox mechanisms
    • design and development of electrochemical sensors, electrochemical biosensors, immunosensors, DNA sensors, etc
  • Analytical investigations and characterizations (UV-Vis, fluorescence, HPLC, FT-IR, etc.).
  • Nanoscale microscopy and patterning (SPM, dip-pen nanolithography).
  • Substrate preparation and processing for molecular nanotechnology applications (micro-nanolithography, metal deposition, plasma etching, annealing).
  • ELISA based techniques for the detection of food toxins (domoic acid, ochratoxins, mycotoxins, etc.).
  • Modeling and simulation (DFT-based quantum mechanics simulations, coupled field analyses).

Current focus: theoretical and experimental studies towards physical DNA sequencing technologies:
(i) optimal surface immobilization and chemical modification of DNA single-strand molecules in view of STM/STS-based analysis of  nucleobase detectability/identification;
(ii) optical-electrical manipulation of DNA strands and controlled presentation to 1D sensing nanostructures (nanotubes, nanowires)

Main Tools

  • Modeling and simulation:
    • SIESTA: package for ab-initio molecular dynamics and electronic structure calculations (molecules and solids)
    • CoventorWare, ANSYS: multiphysics analysis for MEMS
  •  Processing and characterization available in various IMT-Bucharest laboratories.

Research team 3 senior researchers

Recent results:

SIESTA computed charge density isosurface (1.0|e|/Å3) for Guanin

STM, Human serum albumine covalently immobilised on Au(111)/mica by SAMs technique

Confocal microscopy:
a) ADN+RodB, 50x50 μm;
b) ADN+RodB, 10x10 μm;
c) ADN+RodB, 5x5 μm; 128x128, λex.=532nm;
       alpha 300 SNOM, WITec.

 

Relevant publications

1) L. Micheli, A. Radoi, R. Guarrina, R. Massaud, C. Bala, D. Moscone, G. Palleschi, Disposable immunosensor for the determination of domoic acid in shellfish, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 20 (2004) 190.
2) A. Radoi, D. Compagnone, E. Devic, G. Palleschi, Low potential detectin of NADH with Prussian Blue bulk modified screen-printed electrodes and recombinant NADH oxidase from Thermus thermophilus, Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical, 121 (2007) 501.
3) A. Radoi, D. Compagnone, M. Batič, J. Klinčar, Lo Gorton and G. Palleschi, NADH screen-printed electrodes modified with zirconium phosphate, Meldola blue, and Reinecke salt. Application to the detection of glycerol by FIA, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 3 (2007) 1049.
4) A. Arvinte, F. Valentini, A. Radoi, F. Arduini, E. Tamburri, L. Rotariu, G. Palleschi, C. Bala, The NADH electrochemical detection performed at carbon nanofibers modified glassy carbon electrode, Electroanalysis, 19 (2007) 1455.
5) A. Radoi, D. Compagnone, M.A. Valcarcel, P. Placidi, D. Moscone and G. Palleschi, Detection of NADH via electrocatalytic oxidation at single-walled carbon nanotubes modified with Variamine blue, Electrochimica Acta, 53 (2008) 2161.
6) A. Radoi, M. Targa, B. Prieto-Simon, J.-L. Marty, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) based on superparamagnetic nanoparticles for aflatoxin M1 detection, Talanta, 77 (2008) 138.
7) A. Vig, A. Radoi, X. Muñoz-Berbel, G. Gyemant, J.-L. Marty, Impedimetric aflatoxin M1 immunosensor based on colloidal gold and silver electrodeposition, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 138 (2009), 214.
8) A. Vig, A. Radoi, X. Muñoz-Berbel, A. Radoi, C. Cortina-Puig, J.-L. Marty, Characterization of the gold-catalyzed deposition of silver on graphite screen-printed electrodes and their application to the development of impedimetric immunosensors, Talanta, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, (2009).
9) A. Radoi, L. Dumitru, L. Barthelmebs, J-L. Marty, Ochratoxin A in Some French Wines: Application of a Direct Competitive ELISA Based on an OTA-HRP Conjugate, Analytical Letters 42 (2009), 1187.
10) A. Radoi, D. Compagnone, Recent advances in NADH electrochemical sensing design, Bioelectrochemistry, 76 (2009), 126.
11) S. Breit, R. Bouali-Benazzouz, R.C. Popa, T. Gasser, A. Benabid, A. Benazzouz, Effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced severe or partial lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway on the neuronal activity of pallido-subthalamic network in the rat, Experimental Neurology, 205 (2007), 36.
12) S. Breit, L. Lessmann, D. Unterbrink, R. C. Popa, T. Gasser and J. B. Schulz, Lesion of the pedunculopontine nucleus reverses hyperactivity of the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata in a 6-hydroxydopamine rat model, Eur J Neurosci. 2006 Oct;24(8):2275-82.

 

 

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Last update: December, 2009