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SUMMARY:3D nanostructures for biosensing in living tissues - Dr. Francesco
  De Angelis\, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia 
DTSTART:20190523T093000Z
DTEND:20190523T103000Z
UID:TALK121723@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lingtao Kong
DESCRIPTION:The ability to interact with neuronal cells and to monitor the
 ir status plays a pivotal role in neuroscience\, pharmacology and cell bio
 logy. Despite the efforts of a very large community\, progresses in this f
 ield remain slow because of a dense multi-scale dynamics involving signali
 ng at the molecular\, cellular and large network levels. Therefore\, obser
 ving cell signaling within large networks is a major challenge that can re
 volutionize our capability of studying the brain and its physio-pathologic
 al functions\, as well as of deriving bio-inspired concepts to implement a
 rtificial systems based on neuronal circuits.\n\nIn the last years\, we de
 eply investigated both theoretically and experimentally the interactions o
 f 3D nanostructured sensors with living cells such as human neurons and ca
 rdiomyocytes [1]. The aim is to make an effective interface between living
  tissues and different classes of nano-sensors hence enabling multiscale a
 nd multivariable observation of cell dynamics. In particular\, we develope
 d a method for opening transient nanopores into the cell membrane that is 
 in close proximity with the nanosensor (see figure). After the membrane po
 ration the tip of the sensor is in direct contact with the intracellular c
 ompartment thus enabling intracellular investigations which include Raman 
 traces of biomolecules [2]\, electrical recording of action potentials of 
 human neurons and cardiomyocytes [3]\, and controlled delivery of single n
 anoparticles into selected cells [4]. We demonstrated the possibility of n
 on-invasively testing the effect of relevant drugs on human cells with par
 ticular regards to cardio- toxicity\, that is a fundamental step before th
 e clinical trials. Due to its robustness and ease of use\, we expect the m
 ethod will be rapidly adopted by the scientific community and by pharmaceu
 tical companies. In fact\, the field suffers the lack of reliable approach
 es for pharmacological screening of drugs devoted to the central nervous s
 ystem.\n\nAlso\, we will take this opportunity to give a short overview of
  different types of optical and plasmonic biosensors we are currently deve
 loping. The latter includes single molecule Raman Sensors\, DNA detection\
 , and Protein sequencing.
LOCATION:Unilever Lecture Theatre\, Department of Chemistry\, Lensfield Ro
 ad\, Cambridge
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