The development of new biosensors is essential to ferry current diagnostics towards a less invasive, more informative and therefore more predictive approach for patients. In this perspective, the study and development of biosensors for liquid biopsy, and those integrated into wearable devices, functional for monitoring parameters for health care and sports, are included.
MP4MNT focuses research on several promising technologies such as:
- bioelectronics based on organic transistors. In particular, Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) based on high-conductivity polymers such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate PEDOT:PSS.
- growth of new nanomaterials and 2D materials, such as graphene, in order to obtain innovative and higher-performance devices.
- sensor systems based on molecular recognition, developing the technology of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), also through 3D printing.
- Lateral flow tests (LFT) mainly based on the use of functionalized nanoparticles and the implementation of ad hoc biochemical strategies for the detection of biomarkers of interest.
- Nanophotonics imaging based on scanning probes, such as AFM combined with Raman spectroscopy and hot electrons generated through the phenomenon of plasmonic amplification and the adiabatic compression of the related plasmons of surface. This activity is accompanied by TEM imaging of cell membranes, prepared with super-hydrophobic sample substrates.
