Visit to the Institute of Photonic Sciences and Ludwig Maximilians-Universität

Izabela Kamińska took part in the competition "Lab visits under the CREATE project”. Her application was awarded to support the visit in the group of Prof. Valerio Pruneri in the Institute of Photonic Sciences and Prof. Tinnefeld in Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München.

A visit to the group of Prof. Valerio Pruneri in ICFO was very fruitful for many reasons. First of all, Izabela has learned how to transfer, clean, and characterize CVD (chemical vapor deposition) graphene on any selected substrate. A full protocol for a transfer of a single layer of CVD graphene lasts 3 days and the prepared samples were further used for measurements on a fluorescence confocal microscope. Apart from the main topic of graphene transfer and graphene-based electrode preparation, interesting topics for further collaboration were discussed.

The main goal of the next two visits in the group of Prof. Tinnefeld was the development of an optical sensor for single viral DNA detection. Izabela has investigated several DNA origami structures and their potential application to construct biosensors. In the end, it was decided to design a new shape of DNA origami, with dimensions and the location of the sensor active part with regard to graphene, which ensure the highest sensitivity of the device. The initial measurements of a new DNA origami structure proved that the designed dynamic part works properly and is ready for further investigation as a viral DNA biosensor. In parallel, the measurements were carried out with pillar-shaped DNA origami with two dye molecules, immobilized on graphene. It has been demonstrated that by measuring fluorescence intensity and lifetime in presence of graphene, the accuracy of the axial localization of single nanometers can be ensured. It shows that graphene might become the substrate of choice for superresolution microscopy involving fluorescence lifetime measurement for determining the z-position of dyes. The new structures and obtained results clearly show that we are on the right way towards developing sensitive and reliable sensors and biological assays based on graphene by using DNA nanotechnology.

Visitor

Izabela Kamińska

Dates

Apr., May, July, Aug. 2019

Location

The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona, Spain

Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München, Germany