Integration of nanoparticles into complex sensors for diagnosis and biodetection

Besides direct approaches in the evaluation of components in a given sample, other powerful approaches include indirect detection by taking advantage of the spectroscopic properties of certain molecular systems. The fabrication of hybrid systems based on nanoparticles is taking prominence as a method for the fabrication of complex sensor elements based on recognition events (key-and-lock sensors) or indirect interactions (cross-reactive arrays). In this research line, we investigate new sensing technologies by using SPR and SERS with applications in high-throughput screening and real time analysis.  

An example of an ambitious project has been the ERC Advanced Grant PLASMAQUO, which aimed at the development of novel nanostructured materials based on crystalline assemblies of anisotropic plasmonic nanoparticles, to be used for the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of quorum sensing (QS) signalign molecules, and to the demonstration of applications of such materials to monitor population kinetics in bacterial colonies and the determination of the interaction mechanisms between mixed colonies and their manipulation through external parameters.  

Within a second ERC Advanced Grant 4DbioSERS, we have implemented the fabrication of nanostructured hybrid materials by 3D printing, with applications to SERS monitoring of tumor growth. We are developing an in vitro high-throughput production system, which reproduces the environment and behavior of real tumors in humans and can be applied to early cancer diagnosis and drug discovery with minimized use of animal experimentation.