Nanobiophotonics

Our team focuses on the research of novel optical (plasmonic) effects on metal and hybrid nanostructures. Plasmonics – “optics on the nanoscale” – is currently one of the fastest developing sciences within nanotechnology. Macroscopically visible effects of conductive nanoscopic objects arising from an induced collective oscillation of conduction electrons are at the center of this research branch. The “nanophotonics” department concentrates on the manufacture and study of plasmonically active metal nanostructures, in particular nanoparticles made of precious metals. Through the purposeful synthesis of these particles it becomes possible to exactly determine material properties, size, and shape in advance and thus precisely adjust the optical properties in the desired wavelength range (see figure). In addition, using biomolecular components the particles may be transformed into complexes with novel properties and integrated into technical environments (top-down structures). Self-organization of the biomolecules plays a central role in this process. The molecular (bottom up) approach makes it possible to implement innovative, nano-sized functional elements in nanophotonics. Applications of plasmonic constructs in bioanalytics can be found in the potential development of highly sensitive and optically readable detection principles and novel approaches in analytical sensor technology. In modern biomedicine as well these complexes have the potential to contribute to the develop of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The development of microfluidic and microsystemically technical components and methods enables additional systems solutions to be developed for miniaturized analytics and diagnostics.

Molecular plasmonics: Fundamental development of particle-based molecular constructs, novel sensors, and plasmonic biomarkers for diagnostics and nanobiomanipulation

Molecular nanotechnology: Development of hybrid nanostructures through biomolecular self-organization and nano/microintegration

Biochip technologies: Array-based biochip technologies for on-site application

Microfluidics: Microfluidic chip elements for the control and analysis of molecular processes in microcompartments; the linking of lab-on-a-chip technology with photonic technologies

Microsystem technologies: Development of novel, powerful integrated systems solutions