BrainMap

Szilveszter Gaspar

Senior Researcher Grade I - CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA

Researcher | Scientific reviewer

Web of Science ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/B-2590-2010

Expertise & keywords

Electro-Plasmonics for the analysis of the dynamics of cellular processes and biomolecular interactions - BioScope Call name: Complex Exploratory Research Projects - PCCE-2011 call
PN-II-ID-PCCE-2011-2-0075 2012 - 2016

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA

Project partners: CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO); SC INSTITUTUL DE OPTOELECTRONICA SA (RO); CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO); Universitatea din Bucuresti (RO); CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO)

Affiliation: CENTRUL INTERNATIONAL DE BIODINAMICA (RO)

Project website: http://www.biodyn.ro/php/biodyn.php?act=Projects&idm=5&idsm=11&locale=en

Abstract:

Whereas experiments on processes at single cell level are highly demanded by biomedical industry they currently raise serious technical challenges. Therefore, BioScope project advances the State of the Art by proposing creation of the Electro-Plasmonic Analysis System (EPAS), an innovative engineered system integrating advanced optics and electronics that will reveal the dynamics of electrical and morphological properties of relevant intracellular structures and biointerfaces with an unprecedented temporal (1 ms) and spatial (200 nm) resolution.

A multidisciplinary consortium will develop EPAS by harnessing Surface Plasmon Resonance, SPR, Magnetism (to increase SPR and thus overall sensitivity), Optogenetics (to control cell properties through light for calibration purposes), Modelling (to reveal details of how cells in electric field affect SPR), Bioinformatics (for the analysis of data) and Biochemistry (to validate/substantiate the results).

Novel analytic capabilities of EPAS to perform fast, noninvasively and label free, thorough in situ measurements for gaining new insights into cellular processes (such as changes in adherence, conformation, and organelle distribution, swelling / shrinking, exo- and endocytosis, neurotransmitter release, electrical spiking, etc.) at single cell level will be explored.

BioScope results will facilitate creation of the next generation of (single)cell-based analytical platforms likely to support breakthrough applications spanning from quality control of food and aquatic media to bio-medical ones coping with analysis of interaction mechanisms between selected cells and various stimuli (including those fostering new pharmacological products), cell assays as alternatives to animal (preclinical) testing, or last but not least, supporting cutting-edge cell-based “Disease in a Dish” approaches.

Sensing using the electrochemically-triggered motion of catalytic nanomotors (SENSMOTION) Call name: Projects for Young Research Teams - TE-2011 call
PN-II-RU-TE-2011-3-0237 2011 - 2014

Role in this project:

Coordinating institution: Centrul International de Biodinamica

Project partners: Centrul International de Biodinamica (RO)

Affiliation: Centrul International de Biodinamica (RO)

Project website: http://www.biodyn.ro/PROJECTS/SENSMOTION/sensmotion%20prez.pdf

Abstract:

Catalytic nanomotors are nanometer-sized objects which turn chemical reactions occurring at their surface into movement when suspended into solution. Although greeted with high expectations at their appearance, such catalytic nanomotors have seldom found applications. Therefore, SENSMOTION is set out to develop novel catalytic nanomotors which can be used for sensing low concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with increased temporal and spatial resolution. The following advances are proposed relative to the state of the art:

1.) Catalytic nanomotors which propel themselves in the presence of low concentrations of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide; Determination of the concentration of the selected ROS in the sample will be possible by recording the velocity of the nanomotors.

2.) An electrochemical method to record changes in nanomotor velocity, which can advantageously complete the commonly used analysis of optical images;

3.) A thorough understanding of the mechanism behind the motion of the novel catalytic nanomotors;

4.) A microarray of oxidases that can be used in combination with the developed nanomotors to sense the substrates of the oxidases; Detection of the substrates will be possible because oxidases use molecular oxygen as electron acceptor and produce hydrogen peroxide and / or superoxide in the presence of their main substrate.

While pursuing the ambitious research goals of SENSMOTION, a young research team will be assembled and will gain maturity.

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