Description

The Biosensing research team aims at developing novel multifunctional optical sensors enabling for smart applications in chemical and biological sensing through the molecular screening of samples with improved sensitivity towards selective analytes. Currently, the optical targeting of pathological biomarkers, highly diluted either in biofluids or in biopsies, represents the main topic of experimental work with great potential as diagnostic tools. To this end, the biosensing research is focused on the synergetic coupling of fiber-based spectroscopic techniques, mainly surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), with (micro-) nano-structured platforms engineered to handle small volume of samples and to perform multiple analysis in parallel avoiding cross contamination. Polymeric devices are realized by combining traditional and advanced manufacturing techniques (e.g. laser-based 3D printing technologies) enabling for high design flexibility. SERS-active devices are then realized through selective immobilization of metal nanoparticles whose resonant and chemical properties can be tailored to achieve the highest signal enhancement from the target analytes. To date, the work is mainly focused on the selective targeting of biomolecules diluted in the cerebrospinal fluid and recognized as early-stage pathological biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases.

INO Staff

Cicchi Riccardo
Credi Caterina (Contact Person)