BrainMap

Cosmin-Adrian Farcău

CSI Dr.

Scientific Researcher I - INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Other affiliations

Researcher - UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (Romania)

Researcher

My scientific interests include: self-assembly of nano- and micro-colloids, as means to obtain two-dimensional periodic patterns; colloidal photonic crystals and periodically structured noble-metal films, as materials with properties determined by surface plasmons; optical spectroscopies (Raman scattering, IR absorbtion, luminescence) as techniques to explore plasmon-molecule interactions and exploit these in optical sensing.

Web of Science ResearcherID: https://publons.com/researcher/1326735/cosmin-farcau/

Expertise & keywords

Active tuning of plasmon resonances in gold nanoparticle arrays on elastomeric substrates for ultrasensitive dual MEF/SERS biosensing Call name: P 4 - Proiecte de Cercetare Exploratorie, 2020
PN-III-P4-ID-PCE-2020-1607 2022 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/optigap/

Abstract:

The project titled Active tuning of plasmon resonances in gold nanoparticle arrays on elastomeric substrates for ultrasensitive dual MEF/SERS biosensing (OPTiGAP) aims to develop a disruptive approach to dual Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence (MEF)/ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) biosensing: plasmonic nanostructures will be designed such that both MEF and SERS can be excited by a single laser source, based on active tuning of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) favouring either MEF or SERS process. The dual MEF/SERS molecular sensing platform will exploit real-time mechanical tuning of LSPRs in designed gold nanoparticle arrays, allowing to modulate the electromagnetic field enhancements in nano-gaps such that the fingerprint-like SERS signal can be collected despite the overwhelming MEF intensity. After careful design based on electromagnetic simulations, gold nanoparticle arrays will be fabricated and characterized. Their plasmonic properties will be investigated and understood, in order to apply them for dual MEF/SERS detection of specific biomarkers as are membrane proteins used to differentiate/ classify various metastatic cancer cells (EGFR or EpCAM). The OPTiGAP project can contribute to expanding the use of MEF and SERS beyond proof-of-concepts studies into viable real-life applications, by developing biosensing protocols exploiting a fluorescence read-out for fast imaging and Raman fingerprinting for multiplexed molecular identification.

Gold nanourchin (GNU)-based SERS microfluidic immunosensor for the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) relevant biomarkers Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente - TE-2021
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2021-0234 2022 - 2024

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation:

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/aldibisensers/home

Abstract:

This project focuses on the development of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based microfluidic sensor that makes use of the unique physical properties of gold nanourchins (GNUs) as efficient SERS-amplifiers, induced due to their spiky geometry. The specificity of the system is ensured by the employment of antibodies as molecular recognition moieties, which have the inherent property of binding the target antigen with high affinity. Herein, we aim to detect and quantify Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) specific biomarkers at concentrations that are relevant for early (pre-symptomatic) diagnosis, from biological samples that can be collected non-invasively, such as saliva, urine, or plasma. The miniaturisation of such a detection device through implementation in a microfluidics platform can offer advantages like low sample volume, short reaction time, robustness, reliability, and portability, with the potential for implementation as point-of-care devices.

Nanostructured microfluidic analytical platform for dual SERS-electrochemical detection of emerging environmental pollutants Call name: EEA Grants - Proiecte Colaborative de Cercetare
RO-NO-2019-0517 2020 - 2024

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO); SINTEF AS (NO); NANOM MEMS SRL (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/polsens/

Abstract:

Environmental contamination with pesticides causes negative impact on soil, water, and whole ecosystems. Studies evidenced links between pesticides and diseases such as Parkinson’s, prostate cancer, immune depression, allergies, and others in population groups heavily exposed to pesticides. Chronic exposure to low levels of pesticides also raises toxicity concerns. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a class of very dangerous pollutants, capable of long-range transport, bio-accumulation in human and animal tissue, and bio-magnification in food chains. In such an exposed environment almost everyone has POPs in their body, including newborns or even embryos. Highly accessible analytical platforms for fast, selective and decentralized detection of dangerous chemicals are therefore of very high demand.

Within this project we propose to develop sensing platforms able to detect environmental pollutants by simultaneous optical spectroscopy and electrochemistry. A nanostructured plasmonic chip will be the core of the spectro-electrochemical sensor combining the advantages of highly specific and sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to the versatility, portability, and low costs of electrochemical (EC) sensing. The dual SERS-EC sensing platform will be integrated in a microfluidic system, in order to benefit from reproducible measurements due to highly defined environment, easy handling of small sample volumes, high throughput detection, and even sample preparation and mixing procedures in continuous flow. Additionally, a second dual sensing cell based on common spectrophotometer cuvettes, for ml-scale sample volumes will be developed. The proof of concept will be demonstrated on organohalide pesticide endosulfan, an emerging pollutant (EP) selected from the new POPs list of the Stockholm Convention and the JRC Watch List. Extending the adaptability of the proposed sensing platform to the detection of other environmental pollutants (e.g. lamda-cyhalotrin, thiabendazole) will be also pursued. Our research aims to provide sensing platforms by which these substances can be detected in surface waters samples and also to contribute to the scientific data regarding POPs accumulation and distribution. The design and experimental development of the SERS-electrochemical sensor aims for device portability for field (in-situ) applications, such as monitoring EPs in surface waters at critical sites (e.g. in the vicinity of a possible pollution source).

To overcome the involved scientific and technical challenges and achieve the proposed objectives, a diverse range of expertise, skills and infrastructure capacities are combined: optical simulations and experiments, nanofabrication, microsystems technologies and microfluidics, advanced characterisation tools, plasmonics, surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, DFT calculations, electrochemistry, gas chromatography, chemometric tools. The proposed consortium is a highly trained and experienced one, relatively young, and with a very good gender balance. No ethical issues implying human or animal testing are raised by the implementation of this project.

Nanostructured plasmonic platform for dual electrochemical/SERS detection of environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants Call name: P 2 - SP 2.1 - Proiect experimental - demonstrativ
PN-III-P2-2.1-PED-2019-5473 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO); UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE "IULIU HATIEGANU" (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://www.itim-cj.ro/PNCDI/pharmexer

Abstract:

Pollution caused by pharmaceuticals is an emerging problem with evidence of risks to the environment and, even to human health. This project, titled 'Nanostructured plasmonic platform for dual electrochemical/SERS detection of environmentally persistent pharmaceutical pollutants' (acronym PharmExER) proposes to develop a metallic nanostructured sensing platform that is capable to function simultaneously as a surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate and as an electrode for electrochemical (EC) sensing. By joining the two techniques on a single platform several benefits will by achieved: SERS will benefit from the possibility of trapping (capturing) molecular analytes by electrochemical surface processes; EC sensing will benefit from the increased surface area of the nanostructured metallic patterns; a mutual benefit yields from the possibility to provide Raman fingerprinting during the EC analysis, providing valuable information on fundamental molecular processes involved. Both an experimental demonstrator model enabling analysis of liquid samples, and the method for efficiently performing experiments will be provided. The experimental demonstrator will be integrable with current state-of-the-art spectro-electrochemistry equipment, making it a prospective product that could potentially target a broad market. By starting at TRL 2 we aim to achieve the higher technological maturity level TRL 4. We also aim to contribute to increasing the capacity of our institutions to generate laboratory-validated solutions for new products in the field of environmental sensors, stimulating the interest of economical agents with academic or industrial profile or environmental agencies.

Photoinduced ultrafast dynamics in hybrid metal-ZnO nanomaterials designed for amplified fluorescence and SERS performance Call name: P 1 - SP 1.1 - Proiecte de cercetare pentru stimularea tinerelor echipe independente
PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2019-1141 2020 - 2022

Role in this project: Key expert

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/view/znofluosers/home

Abstract:

The combination of noble metal with ZnO NPs has attracted a great interest for the development of nanosensing and optoelectronic devices due to their unique properties. These hybrid nanomaterials show new and enhanced optical properties that were not available for the single component NPs, boosting the performance of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) applications. The aim of this research project is to assess the optical properties of noble metal - ZnO composite NPs by investigating their steady-state and time dependent optical properties following ultrafast laser excitation. We will employ a simple chemical synthesis and deposition method to obtain composite core-shell nanomaterials and thin film heterostructures, avoiding thus two of the major disadvantages of these types of hybrid nanomaterials: the complicated, expensive fabrication methods and the low reproducibility of the signals due to NPs aggregation. The spectroscopic investigations will be employed at each stage of fabrication to evaluate the optical properties and the photoinduced ultrafast dynamics in the single component NPs, the composite NPs, and nanostructured films induced by the size, shape, and morphology of the nanomaterials. The nanosurfaces will be functionalized with fluorophore molecules, taking into account the system properties that need to be fulfilled to ensure efficient signal enhancement, such as chemical adsorption of fluorophore molecules and the presence of hot spots in the case of SERS, as well as the optimum distance and spectral overlap between the fluorophore molecules and the composite NPs, in the case of SEF. Ultrafast spectroscopic techniques will be used to determine the energy transfer efficiency from the metallic to the semiconductor NPs and the decay rates of fluorophore molecules in the presence of the composite nanomaterials. SERS and SEF enhancement factors will be assessed.

Surface Enhanced Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (SECARS) on Hybrid Colloidal Photonic-Plasmonic Crystals Call name:
2019 / #396 / 63 2019 - 2019

Role in this project: Partner team leader

Coordinating institution: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M

Project partners: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M (); JINR Dubna ()

Affiliation: INSTITUTUL NATIONAL DE CERCETARE DEZVOLTARE PENTRU TEHNOLOGII IZOTOPICE SI MOLECULARE I N C D T I M ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Nano-Gap Arrays Fabricated on Large Areas as Plasmonic Platforms for Controlling Light Emission Processes Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - RUTE -2014 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2639 2015 - 2017

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/glanceprojectubb/

Abstract:

This project, titled Nano-Gap Arrays Fabricated on Large Areas as Plasmonic Platforms for Controlling Light Emission Processes (acronym GLANCE), proposes to develop some reliable procedures for fabricating large area noble metal nanostructures that exhibit a high density of uniform nano-gaps, the thorough investigation of their optical / plasmonic properties, and advanced studies of photoluminescence of quantum dots placed at the nano-gaps. The final aim is achieving control over the spontaneous emission through surface plasmon engineering. The expected results of this project can generate both new knowledge at fundamental level, relevant for Plasmonics and NanoPhotonics, and experimental procedures with an important potential application in new light emitting devices, future photonic integrated circuits or optical (bio)sensors. The project will also contribute to the personal development of its young members, who will be involved in tackling hot topics, in a competitive and productive scientific environment.

Carbon quantum dots: exploring a new concept for next generation optoelectronic devices. Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0069 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies IMT-Bucharest

Project partners: National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies IMT-Bucharest (RO); National Institute for Research and Development in Microtechnologies IMT-Bucharest (RO); Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University (RO); Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University (RO)

Affiliation: Faculty of Physics, Babes-Bolyai University (RO)

Project website: http://www.imt.ro/cqd_opto

Abstract:

Carbon nanodots (or Carbon quantum dots, CQDs) represent a newly discovered class of nanocarbon materials, inspiring the gradually expansion of research efforts due to the increasing number of identified favorable properties. In fact, in less than a decade (2004) since their first accidental identification in carbonaceous soot, surface-passivated CQDs are already rivaling the position of traditional semiconductor-based quantum dots as top-performance photoluminescent materials, while offering at the same time radical advantages in usability and production costs. Their immediate application in bioimaging is already ascertained, however scarce studies are employing these materials in non-biological fields, even though reports demonstrating the capacity for photo-induced electron-transfer behavior in CQD leads us to the conclusion that they may additionally hold compelling potential in photovoltaics and CQD-LEDs.

It is the goal of this project to demonstrate for the first time the functionality of optoelectronic devices – LEDs and PVs – based on CQDs by thoroughly understanding from experimental and theoretical point of views the electronic, optical and transport properties of the appropriately passivated CQDs.

Development of Dual Electrical/Optical NanoSensors on Flexible Substrates by Colloidal Self-Assembly Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0134 2011 - 2014

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: Universitatea Babes-Bolyai

Project partners: Universitatea Babes-Bolyai (RO)

Affiliation: Universitatea Babes-Bolyai (RO)

Project website: https://sites.google.com/site/farcaucosmin/research/deonos-project

Abstract:

The project titled Development of Dual Electrical/Optical NanoSensors on Flexible Substrates by Colloidal Self-Assembly proposes to develop highly efficient nanoparticle-based (bio)chemo-sensors with simultaneous optical and electrical readout. Colloidal gold nanoparticles (

NANOMANIPULATION OF BIOMOLECULES BY ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0312 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOTEHNOLOGII FIZICE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOMATERIALE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOFOTOBIOTICA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR MODELARE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR SIMULARI NUMERICE (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR NANOFOTOBIOTICA (RO)

Project website: http://granturi.ubbcluj.ro/idei_pcce2008

Abstract:

THE STRONG POINT OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IS THE NANOMANIPULATION: THE ABILITY TO HANDLE AND EXPLORE THE NANOSCALE OBJECTS. ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM) IS A POWERFUL IMAGING TECHNIQUE THAT CAN VISUALIZE SINGLE MOLECULES BOTH IN AIR AND SOLUTION. USING THE AFM TIP AS AN END-EFFECTOR, AN ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPE CAN BE MODIFIED INTO A NANOROBOT. THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF OUR RESEARCH PROJECT IS TO DEVELOP AN AUTOMATED AFM NANOMANIPULATION SYSTEM WITH VIRTUAL REALITY INTERFACE, WHICH CAN PROVIDE THE OPERATOR WITH REAL-TIME FORCE FEEDBACK AND REAL-TIME VISUAL DISPLAY DURING HANDLING. THIS AFM-BASED NANOROBOTIC SYSTEM WILL ENABLE US TO SIMULTANEOUSLY CONDUCT IN SITU IMAGING, SENSING, AND NANOMANIPULATION, AND WILL OPEN A PROMISING WAY TO INDIVIDUALLY STUDY THE DIFFERENT LIVE CELLS AND THE STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIPS OF SOME BIOMOLECULES: DNA, PROTEINS, GLYCOPROTEINS. THE RELIABLE AND PRECISE NANOMANIPULATIONS WILL RENDER POSSIBLE THE SINGLE RECEPTOR RECOGNITION AND MONITORING THE RECEPTOR BEHAVIOR ON LIVING CELL SURFACE, AND THE DIRECT INVESTIGATIONS OF THE LIGAND-RECEPTOR INTERACTIONS BOTH IN VIVO AND IN VITRO. OUR NANOMANIPULATION SYSTEM WILL BE ALSO USED FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSEMBLY OF NANOSTRUCTURES: FUNCTIONALIZED SILICATE MICROSPHERES AND GOLD NANOPARTICLES. IN THIS PROJECT A SERIES OF BOTTOM-UP AND TOP-DOWN NANOSTRUCTURATION METHODS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED TO ALLOW THE CONTROL OVER SIZE, SHAPE AND GEOMETRY OF NANOPARTICLES. THREE-DIMENSIONAL NANOPARTICLE ARRAYS WILL REPRESENT THE FOUNDATION OF FUTURE OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC MATERIALS. A PROMISING WAY TO ASSEMBLE THEM IS THROUGH THE TRANSIENT PAIRINGS OF COMPLEMENTARY DNA STRANDS. DNA MEDIATED CRYSTALLIZATION APPROACH WILL FACILITATE BOTH THE CREATION OF NEW CLASSES OF ORDERED MULTICOMPONENT METAMATERIALS AND THE EXPLORATION OF THE PHASE BEHAVIOR OF HYBRID SYSTEMS WITH ADDRESSABLE INTERACTIONS. IN THE SAME TIME, THE MESOSCOPIC SCALE MODELING AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS OF AFM-BASED NANOMANIPULATIONS WILL BE DONE.

BIOFUNCTIONAL NANOPARTICLES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW METHODS OF IMAGING, SENSING, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY IN BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT (NANOBIOFUN) Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2008 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2008-0129 2010 - 2013

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIOLOGIE MOLECULARA (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE MATERIALE AVANSATE SI TEHNOLOGII (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE STRUCTURI MOLECULARE SI MODELLING (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE BIONANOSTRUCTURI SI SISTEME MOLECULARE COMPLEXE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE MODELARE COMPUTATIONALA A SISTEMELOR NANOSTRUCTURATE (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE NANO-ALOTROPI AI CARBONULUI (RO); UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, LABORATOR DE ELECTROCHIMIE SI CHIMIE SUPRAMOLECULARA (RO)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES-BOLYAI DIN CLUJ-NAPOCA, CENTRUL DE NANOSTIINTE SI NANOTEHNOLOGII (RO)

Project website: http://www.phys.ubbcluj.ro/~dana.maniu/Web_ID_PCCE/

Abstract:

THE NANOBIOFUN PROJECT BRINGS TOGETHER EXPERTISES FROM 8 RESEARCH CENTERS IN PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY TO ADDRESS THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE METHODS OF MOLECULAR SENSING, IMAGING, DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY IN BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS BY COMBINING THE UNIQUE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF NOBLE-METAL NANOPARTICLES (NPS) WITH THEIR CHEMICAL SPECIFICITY AND EASY WAY OF BIOFUNCTIONALIZATION. KEY SCIENTIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT ARE (1) TO PROVIDE A BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION ( CELL TARGETING) TO AN ARTIFICIAL NANO-OBJECT IN ORDER TO TACKLE A SPECIFIC BIOLOGICAL ISSUE, AND (2) TO FABRICATE TAILORED NANO-OBJECTS ABLE TO TRANSFER / INDUCE A PHYSICAL SIGNAL ( LIGHT OR ELECTRIC CURRENT) TO A BIOLOGICAL ENTITY (BIOMOLECULE AND CELL) IN ORDER TO PROBE ITS STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES IN A CONTROLLED MANNER. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROJECT ADDRESSES THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLASMON-RESONANT NPS AS NEW OPTICAL LABELS FOR BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES, MEMBRANE AND CELLS AS WELL AS MULTIFUNCTIONAL AGENTS FOR CANCER DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPY. THE PROJECT WILL TARGET THE FABRICATION OF GOLD NPS AND HYBRID METAL/POLYMER/SILICA/ STRUCTURES OF SPECIFIC SHAPE, SIZE (2-200 NM) AND DESIRED OPTICAL PROPERTIES AND REALIZE THEIR CONJUGATION WITH RELEVANT (BIO)MOLECULES / PROTEINS / DNA / BIOPOLYMERS. AS A MAJOR RESULT OF THIS PROJECT WILL TO DEMONSTRATE AN ORIGINAL APPROACH IN CANCER THERAPY GIVEN BY THE ABILITY OF GOLD NANOPARTICLES TO MEDIATE HYPERTHERMIA INDUCTION TO KILL CANCER CELLS UPON LASER IRRADIATION, THEREBY FUNCTIONING AS SELECTIVE THERMAL NANO-SCALPELS. THE PROJECT WILL CONTRIBUTE ON THE INVESTIGATION OF BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BIOCONJUGATED GOLD NANOPARTICLES ON VARIOUS NORMAL AND TUMOR CELLS CULTURES.AN IMPORTANT OUTCOME OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE THE PRODUCTION OF COST EFFECTIVE, ULTRA SENSITIVE, REPRODUCIBLE AND STABLE NANOSTRUCTURED SUBSTRATES FOR SURFACE-ENHANCED SPECTROSCOPY AND ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSORS. BESIDES THE SCIENTIFIC GOALS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION WILL BE ALSO KEY RESULTS OF THE PROJECT.

Preparation, characterisation and testing of periodic metallic nanostructures on solid substrate for applications in nanophotonics, bio-plasmonics and Raman scattering based molecular detection Call name:
TD 261/2007 2007 - 2008

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI ()

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI ()

Project website:

Abstract:

Spectrally selective enhancement and directionality of spontaneous emission in anisotropic plasmo-photonic nanostructures Call name: Programul de actiuni Integrate Romania-Franta (bilaterale)
PN-II-CT-RO-FR-2014-2-0052 2014 -

Role in this project: Project coordinator

Coordinating institution: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI

Project partners: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO); Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS UPR8641 (FR)

Affiliation: UNIVERSITATEA BABES BOLYAI (RO)

Project website:

Abstract:

The bilateral StEPhAN project proposes to design, manufacture and investigate some noble metal nanostructures with anisotropic morphology, and study their effect on the spontaneous emission of nearby fluorophores. We expect to highlight some fundamentally relevant phenomena related to the modulation of fluorescence properties (selective spectral amplification, polarization and directionality control, change of lifetime of the excited state) owing to anisotropic plasmonic effects of the nanostructures. These latter will be designed such as to exhibit an anisotropic optical response, with distinct surface plasmon modes selectively excited by controlling the polarization of the incident light. Both the fabricated structures and the proposed studies offer opportunities to acquire new fundamental knowledge on processes of plasmon enhanced fluorescence, knowledge that may lead to the development of sensing applications based on molecular fluorescence with utility in bio-chemistry, medicine, pharmacy, or food safety. Moreover, we anticipate that fundamental understanding of emission enhancement and surface plasmon interactions in linear micro/nanostructures can be of considerable importance for the development of new nanophotonic devices such as plasmonic waveguides or switches. The complementary infrastructure and expertise of the two teams will contribute to developing the skills of the young researchers (5 out of 8 members, under 35 years) involved in the project.

FILE DESCRIPTION	DOCUMENT
List of research grants as project coordinator or partner team leader
Significant R&D projects for enterprises, as project manager
R&D activities in enterprises
Peer-review activity for international programs/projects