Research Lab

Bionano

29662

Lab Members

Research Interests

Development of nanostructures and nanostructured materials functionalized with DNA, antibodies or proteins for application in nano-biodiagnostics and biosensors. Two different lines of Research:

1. Gold nanoparticle-based molecular detection of metabolic diseases. Presently working on an easy and rapid method for SNP related to lactose intolerance

2. Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) of plasmonic and nanostructured (bio) systems for the development of highly sensitive and disposable detection platforms. Presently working on a highly sensitive SERSbased immunosensor on a disposable platform.

Research Highlights

Development of bionanosensors for ultra-sensitive detection of biomarkers from important diseases

We are developing new efficient, quick, non-invasive and unexpensive biosensors for diagnosis and follow-up of important diseases. We use Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) due to their unique physical, chemical, and optical properties:

1) Star-shaped AuNPs are used in a Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)-based immunoassay, for extremely sensitive detection of malaria antigens. Adaptation to a microfluidics format is envisaged;
2) Large spherical AuNPs are used on a strip lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA). The LFIA can detect antibodies against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PcP) in the sera of
infected patients, opening the possibility of PcP serodiagnosis at point-of-care.

Representative Projects

“NANOMODE - Gold nanoparticle-based molecular detection of metabolic diseases”, FCT-MCTES, Total funding: €232,149, Unit funding: €123,828, Ricardo Franco (PI).
“DISERTOX - Disposable SERS microfluidic platforms for food toxin detection”, FCT-MCTES, Total funding: €189,987, Unit funding: €34,560, Ricardo Franco (PI).

Selected Publications

Silveira, CM; Zumpano, R; Moreira, M; de Almeida, MP; Oliveira, MJ; Bento, M; Montez, C; Paixao, I; Franco, R; Pereira, E; Almeida, MG. 2019. Star-Shaped Gold Nanoparticles as Friendly Interfaces for Protein Electrochemistry: the Case Study of Cytochrome c. ChemElectroChem, 6, DOI: 10.1002/celc.201901393

Oliveira, Maria João; Peixoto de Almeida, Miguel; Nunes, Daniela; Fortunato, Elvira; Martins, Rodrigo; Pereira, Eulália; JByrne, Hugh; Águas, Hugo; Franco, Ricardo. 2019. Design and Simple Assembly of Gold Nanostar Bioconjugates for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Immunoassays. Nanomaterials, 9(11), DOI: 10.3390/nano9111561

de Almeida, MP; Leopold, N; Franco, R; Pereiral, E. 2019. Expedite SERS Fingerprinting of Portuguese White Wines Using Plasmonic Silver Nanostars. Frontiers in Chemistry, 7, DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00368

Tomas, AL; Pinto, M; Cardoso, F; de Almeida, MP; de Sousa, B; Pereira, E; Franco, R; Matos, O. 2019. Application of synthetic recombinant multi-epitope antigens and gold nanoparticles for a Pneumocystis pneumonia rapid diagnostic test. ANNALS OF MEDICINE, 51, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2018.1561853

Peitinho, DJ; de Almeida, MP; Pereira, E; Krippahl, L; Franco, R. 2019. Interaction between gold nanoparticles and blood proteins to define disease states. ANNALS OF MEDICINE, 51, DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2018.1561803