2010
Objective 1. The optimization of preparation methods of nanostructures/micro-structures/ based on noble metal or hybrid with potentially applications in biological field (P1, P3, P8)
Activity 1.1. Production through different synthesis methods of stabilized nanoparticles/microparticles, with shapes and sizes suitable, in solutions and/or in biopolimerics thin films and/or self-assembled on solid substrates
Activity 1.2. Spectroscopical, optical, morphological, structural, compositional and electrochemical characterization of obtained nanostructures and microstructure.
Objective 2. Demonstration of some applications of biodetection, senzoristics and bactericide activity of plasmonics nanostructures (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5)
Activity 2.1. Characterization of (bio)molecule-nanoparticle links formation through various experimental methods (spectroscopy, UV-Vis, IR, Raman, fluorescence, XPS, etc., optical microscopy, AFM, TEM, morphological, structural, compositional determinations) and computational methods
Activity 2.2. Testing of molecules (rhodamine, crystal violet, para-aminothiophenol, etc.) as markers and SERS sensors, with or without the presence of biomolecules/biopolimers to the nanoparticles surface
Activity 2.3. Growing of specific cell cultures . Establish a base line for citotoxicity evaluation
Activity 2.4. Citotoxicity measurements of unconjugated nanoparticles (bactericide, bacteriostatic effect) to different strains of bacterial cells using the microdiluted method
Objective 3. The simulation of some nanostructures and molecular structures relevant for the project (will continue next years) (P4,P5, P6, P7)
Activity 3.1. IR and Raman spectra calculation of some free or adsorbed on nanostructures molecules.
Activity 3.2. Simulation of flowing through nanotubes
Activity 3.3. Design and theoretical characterization of some functionalized nanostructures or with possible bio-functionalizing.
2011
Objective 1. Designing new physical and chemical methods for the fabrication, manipulation and assembly of active nano/microstructures (P1, P2, P3, P8)
Activity 1.1. The production of nano/microparticles (metallic, semiconductor, oxide, hybride etc.) through different physical and chemical methods.
Activity 1.2. The fabrication of nano-perforations in metallic films or arrays of nanoparticles for multifunctional detection applications through different spectroscopic methods ( SERS/fluorescence/SEIRA/LSPR).
Activity 1.3. The design and characterizations of biofunctionalized microstructures for biological applications required in the implementation of electrochemical sensors/biosensors.
Activity 1.4. The nanomanipulation (assembly) of nanoparticles on solid substrates using AFM.
Objective 2. The implementation of new theoretical methods and models for the study of the biological structures and physical and chemical properties of the nanostructures used in the project (P4-P7)
Activity 2.1. Molecular/supramolecular structure and dynamic calculations.
Activity 2.2. The calculation of the optical/electromagnetic response of nanoparticles in laser field using different methods (Mie, DDA sau FDTD).
Activity 2.3. Experimental results modeling.
Objective 3. The synthesis of bioconjugates, molecule-nanoparticles/nanostructures/micro-structures required in the study of biological interactions and processes (1st part) (P1, P2, P3, P4 , P8)
Activity 3.1. The biofunctionalization of gold/silver nanoparticles with different biologically relevant biomolecules (aptamers, peptides, proteins).
Activity 3.2. Surface chemistry studies and characterization of bioconjugates through physical and chemical methods.
Activity 3.3. The biofunctionalization of gold/silver nano – microparticles through self-assembly based on chemical and electrostatic interactions.
Objective 4. The evaluation of nanoparticles and bioconjugates citotoxicity on different types of cells (P1, P2)
Activity 4.1. Citotoxicity measurements in logarithmic and stationary growth - phases of unconjugated eucariota cells – nanoparticles.
Activity 4.2. Citotoxicity measurements in logarithmic and stationary growth - phases of bioconjugated eucariota cells – nanoparticles.
2012
Objective 1. Specific biofunctionalization and targeted nanoparticles/nanostructures (P1, P2, P3, P4, P8),
Activity 1.1. Biofunctionalization of Au/Ag nanoparticles with antibody, DNA and reporters
Activity 1.2. Methods for characterization of nanoparticle biofunctionalization
Activity 1.3. Electrochemical characterization of gold/silver surface after their biofunctionalization via covalent bonding
Objective 2. Elucidation of intermolecular and molecule-nanostructure interaction via theoretical investigation (P4-P7),
Activity 2.1. Simulation of water dynamics onto the surface of Au nanoparticles.
Activity 2.2. Study of antibody- antigen interaction.
Objective 3. Assessment of nanoparticle and bioconjugate cytotoxicity (P2),
Activity 3.1 Cell cultures. Assessments during proliferation and latent state.
Activity 3.2. Citotoxicity measurements in logarithmic and state-state growing phase
Objective 4. Development of ultrasensitive optical, spectroscopic and electrochemical sensors based on gold nanostructures(P1-P8),
Activity 4.1. Previously fabricated nanostructres will be functionalized and implemented in the development of electrochemical transducers.
Activity 4.2. Fabrication of highly organized micro- and macro-porous gold electrodes.
2013
Objective 1. Providing theoretical models for the experimental results obtained in the study of physical-chemical and biological processes. (P1, P3-P7)
Activity 1.1. Correlation between experimental and theoretical results regarding the local field distribution of surface plasmon resonances.
Activity 1.2. Computation of vibrational spectra of molecular groups involved in antibody-antigen interaction.
Activity 1.3. Design and theoretical characterization of specific functionalized nanostructures
Objective 2. Testing the therapeutic effectiveness of targeted gold nanoparticles against cancer cells under laser irradiation (P1,P2)
Activity 2.1. Cell imaging by optical, fluorescence and dark field microscopy combined with micro-spectroscopy with micro-spectrometer Ocean Optics
Activity 2.2. Cell incubation with targeted gold nanoparticles/anti-EGFR and their study under laser irradiation (TiSa laser) at 800-900 nm
Activity 2.3. Up-take and viability study of laser exposed cells.
Objective 3. Development of new applications of molecular biodetection and sensing (P1, P5, P8)
Activity 3.1. Time-resolved confocal fluorescence and fluorescence life-time imaging (FLIM) studies on chromophores, various biomolecules and markers.
Activity 3.2. Using micro and macro-porous electrodes for electrochemical biosensing
Permanent objectives: Monitoring, coordination and raporting; dissemination of new knowledge; management. (P1-P8)
Permanent activities: The website update with information available to scientific community and general public; publications. Organizing of two scientific workshops "Plasmonic nanoparticles in biological environments."