The Nano-Bio Integrated Systems group (www.nanotech.dtu.dk/nabis) utilizes micro- and nanostructures as tools for biological sciences. We are working with peptide-based nanostructures and investigating their use in sensor applications. These structures have already been proven positively affect the surface properties of electrochemical sensors for the detection of neurotransmitters for cells.[1,2]

The goal of this project is to find suitable functionalization protocols for these biological structures which will increase their applicability as sensor modification material. Preliminary results show that these nanostructures can be decorated with biomolecules to increase sensor specificity as well as conducting polymers to make them conductive. This project aims at expanding the already existing basic results and therefore increasing the functionalization possibilities of the peptide nanostructures. The results of this project are expected to be widely used by other researchers in the group working in the same field.

 References

1.        W.E. Svendsen, J. Castillo-León, J.M. Lange, L. Sasso, M.H. Olsen, M. Abaddi, L. Andresen, S. Levinsen, P. Shah, I. Vedarethinam, M. Dimaki, Micro and nano-platforms for biological cell analysis, Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical, Vol. 172 (1), 54-60, 2011.

2.        L. Sasso, I. Vedarethinam, J. Emnéus, W.E. Svendsen, J. Castillo-León, Self-Assembled Diphenylalanine Nanowires for Cellular Studies and Sensor Applications, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Vol. 12, 1-7, 2012.