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OPTICAL SENSORS AND BIOSENSORS
We pursue development of novel optical concepts for sensitive detection of chemical and biological species. Both affinity and fingerprinting-based routes to specific detection of target analytes are followed in configurations that are suitable for continuous monitoring as well as for rapid analysis. Through the implementation of optical and enzymatic amplification strategies, ultrasensitive detection with ultimate sensitivity at single molecule level is achieved with the readout techniques including surface plasmon resonance (SPR), plasmon-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (PEF), and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In collaboration with organic chemists and engineers, we tailor polymer-based sensing architectures for direct detection formats in complex liquid samples.
ACTIVE OPTICAL NANOMATERIALS
We investigate metallic nanostructures that allow for tight confinement of electromagnetic field through the resonant excitation of surface plasmons. This coupling is accompanied with the strong enhancement of optical field intensity and increased local density of optical states, which provides efficient means for the amplification of weak optical spectroscopy signals. We are interested in a sub-class of metallic nanostructures assembled to geometries that can be reconfigured on demand, thus exhibit tuneable optical properties. In particular, these materials are prepared with the use of responsive polymer networks forming hydrogels and we explore them for actuation driven by an external stimulus. Among others, thermo-responsive hydrogels in combination with plasmonic heating are researched to function in miniature micro and nano-machines that can perform locomotion in conjunction with sensing functionality.
SUPPORT:
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2022-2025 |
Austrian Science Fund - FWF (Austria), Plasmonic Nanostructures with Addressable Hotspot - TP-MOF-O (ESP 93-NBL, mentor of postdoc, 240 k€) |
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2022-2026 |
H2020 European Commission, HORIZON-MSCA-2021 - PF-01-01, Rapid Nanofluidics Valves for Single-Molecule Imaging - RAVASI (101068106, mentor of postdoc, 166 k€) |
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2022-2026 |
H2020 European Commission, HORIZON-EIC-2021-PATHFINDEROPEN-01, Versatile Amplification Method for Single-Molecule Detection in Liquid Biopsy - Versilib (101046217, WP leader, 502 k€). |
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2022-2025 |
Czech Science Foundation, Advanced Plasmonic Biosensor for Continuous Monitoring of Low Molecular Weight Analytes - APLOMA (22-30456J, PI, 358 k€). |
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2022-2024 |
Gesellschaft für Forschung Förderung Niederösterreich - GFF-NOE, ASPIS (LS20-014, PI, 198 k€) |
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2021-2024 |
Austrian Science Fund - FWF (Austria), DIPLAB (I 5119- B, PI on the Austrian side, 250 k€). |
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2021-2023 |
Austrian Science Fund - FWF (Austria), Plasmonic Nanostructures with Addressable Hotspot - PLAHOSA (M 2925, postdoc supervisor, 160 k€) |
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2020-2023 |
FFG Produktion der Zukunft, Roll to roll-feasible plasmonic filters - Easifil (877420, partner, 70 k€) |
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2019-2021 |
Gesellschaft für Forschung Förderung Niederösterreich - GFF-NOE EFRE/Athanoe, Immobilisierung von Kameloidantikoerper fuer therapeutische Apheresis und fuer die Unterstuetzung von Dialyse (partner, 160 k€) |
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2018-2021 |
Austrian Research Promotion Agency - FFG / ERANET, Advanced plasmonic biosensors for rapid analysis of nucleic acid biomarkers - PLABAN (PI for Austrian part of the project, JD group share of 150 k€). |
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2015-2018 |
Marie Curie Network - European Commission, Engineering of responsive and biomimetic hydrogels for therapeutic and diagnostic applications - BIOGEL (supervisor of two ESRs, 390 k€). |
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2015-2018 |
H2020 European Commission, Ultrasensitive plasmonic devices for early cancer diagnostics - ULTRAPLACAD (WP leader, 530 k€). |
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2013-2016 |
Austrian Science Fund - FWF (Austria), PLASMOSOL - Plasmonic Organic Solar Cell. With NanoTecCenter Weiz Forschungsgesellschaft mbH. (PI, total budget 323 k€, JD group share of 155 k€). |
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2013-2016 |
Austrian Science Fund - FWF (Austria), ACTIPLAS - Active Plasmonics with Responsive Hydrogels (PI, 170 k€). |
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2012-2017 |
International Graduate School (IGS), support of three students within the framework of joint program between University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences (Austria) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), (3 PhD theses supervisor ~ 300 k€). |
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2012 |
Nitto Denko Singapore Ltd., contract project HISAUR on hydrogel improved stability for assays in urine (PI, 160 k€). |
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2011-2014 |
Austrian Research Promotion Agency - FFG (Austria) project NILPlasmonics supported through the cluster NILAustria. In cooperation with Joanneum GmbH and Onkotek GmbH (activity leader, budget of 126 k€). |