Our Research
Synthesis Lab
Synthesis and functionalization of different types of Nanoparticles
Semiconductor Nanoparticles:
One main objective of the MatNaBio Group is the synthesis of novel semiconductor nanoparticles that exhibit unique optical properties, emitting in the near-infrared (NIR) region. We are mainly working on the synthesis and functionalization of Ag2S, PbS, BiS CdSe@ZnS nanoparticles. Besides their synthesis, we developed various ligand exchange protocols, achieving semiconductor nanoparticles with colloidal stability under physiological conditions as well as maintained optical properties in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, we are able to introduce specific targetting ligands onto the nanoparticles´ surfaces, such as small drugs, peptides or antibodies.
ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12, (11), 12500–12509
Nat. Commun. 2020, 11, (1), 1-12
Upconverting Nanoparticles:
The group has developed a line focused on the synthesis of upconverting nanoparticles for biomedical applications with fine-tuned chemical composition, shape, size and surface properties thereby fine-tuning their optical features. One of our strategies to chemically modify the surface of the nanoparticles is by coating them with a thin shell of silica which consequently allows for the immobilization of any kind of surface ligands. This method permits to control the thickness of the SiO2 shell from 1 nm to 50 nm.
J. Phys. Chem. C 2018, 122, (32), 18751–18758
Applications
Bioimaging
In the MatNaBio group, we are working on novel ways for non-invasive visualization of specific tissues or even biological processes in real-time. Therefore, we are aiming to exploit the unique optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles, detecting, for example, accumulated NIR-emitting nanoparticles at wavelengths at which tissue show low absorbance, scattering, and negligible autofluorescence (biological optical transparency windows) or lanthanide-doped (upconverting) nanoparticles, making use of their anti-stokes emission or fluorescent lifetimes (time-resolved detection, phosphorescence / fluorescence-lifetime imaging microscopy). To achieve an accumulation of the nanoparticles in a specific tissue, we are able to functionalize their surfaces with specific targeting ligands.
Nano Res. 2019, 12, (4), 749-757
Sensors and Biosensors
One of the aims of the group is the development of miRNA sensors and biosensors based on colloidal materials such as photoluminescent polymers, quantum dots or upconverting nanoparticles. We study both homogeneous (colloidal) and heterogeneous (solid support) assays and we are especially interested in new sensing strategies, such as nucleic acid (target)-templated ligation reactions. In addition, the group has developed and patented different methods to encapsulate enzymes within microgels yielding catalytic colloids that can be used in the design of biosensors.