Performing Bio-Sensing Devices

	Molecular structure of a bio-chip nano-coating

One of the major challenges for the development of the new generation of bio-analytical devices consists in the design and fabrication of surfaces with advanced properties for interacting properly with the biological world. For instance, the adhesion of cells on synthetic surfaces is required in many biological assays.

 

For example, well engineered synthetic surfaces have already shown drastic potential to direct cell viability, proliferation and differentiation by activating various intracellular signaling pathways through the surface itself. Besides, performing bio-sensing devices require well designed transducer surfaces with a high binding capacity of active biomolecules. Surface functionalisation and nanopatterning of surfaces offers many opportunities for the control of bio-interaction and bio event - detection at molecular scale.

Multi-Purpose Techniques of Worldwide Usage

SEM picture of AG donuts deposited onto an ITO site

This SRP group gathers the expertises present in N2L to address the bottlenecks commonly defined with the application driven groups. The expertise of N2L partners in this domain covers most techniques of surface functionalisation and
nanopatterning available worldwide: self assembled monolayers, plasma polymers, polymer matrix, photolithography, e-beam lithography, ion beam, bio-functionalisation (Protein, DNA...) by soft lithography, dip pen lithography.

 

Potential contributions have been identified in 3 intersection projects: novel technology platforms for in vitro cytotoxicity testing (together with M. Whelan, JRC, Italy), novel technologies to promote optic nerve regeneration (with A. Barzilai, TAU, Israel) and cell surface interactions for cancer diagnostic (with J. Schnekenburger, Muenster University, Germany).