Our long term mission is to explore novel paths to future electrodynamic and electronic therapeutic and diagnostic methods in biotechnology and medicine. To achieve our mission we develop computational methods and nanotechnology enabled experimental tools to analyze both active and passive electromagnetic properties of biomaterials from the level of molecules to tissues.
Specifically, we develop high frequency planar sensors and chips for electromagnetic analysis and manipulation of biomolecular nanostructures and cells. Protein nanostructures with the focus on cellular fibers – microtubules – are of our main interest due to their essential biological role in cell division and motility and medical relevance in cancer treatment strategies. Furthermore we research endogenous luminescence from organisms for novel non-invasive label-free diagnostics in biomedicine. Our activities cover experimental and theoretical work, together with a development of experimental equipment.
Radiofrequency and microwave biosensors are a platform for dielectric/impedance spectroscopy which enables label-free sensing of biomolecules and cells. Biochip structures also enable microscopic electrical manipulation of single cells and biomolecular structures. We use advanced computational tools for the design and micro/nanofabrication techniques for the production of planar structures which can serve as biochips for label-free sensing of cell viability or molecular interactions with potential applications in biomedical diagnostics. See our papers for more information:
Electronic, electric and electrodynamic properties of molecules are essential for their interaction and biological function. Our team develops methods for the characterization of protein electrodynamic properties and examines their role in biological processes and use in biotechnological applications. As a model protein structure the team uses microtubules, polymer fibers from cell skeleton, which have extraordinary electric properties and vibrations modes within radio frequency range. Knowledge of these fundamental electric and electrodynamic properties is important for assessing the function and properties of biomolecules and for the effects of external electromagnetic fields, such as those of mobile phones or ultra-short electric pulses, on the living organisms. The research opens up new avenues in bioelectronic medicine with possible applications in cancer treatment and neuroscience. See our papers for more information:
Ultra-weak photon emission is an endogenous chemiluminescence from biological systems where electronically excited species are formed during oxidative processes. This phenomenon does not require any external stimuli or additionally applied external luminophores. We develop our own application specific ultra-sensitive photonic measurement systems to study biophysical mechanisms which generate ultra-weak photon emission in organisms. Our ultra-weak photon emission based techniques enable non-invasive, label-free and almost real-time monitoring of oxidative stress in organisms with potential applications in biomedicine, biotechnology, agriculture and food chemistry. See our papers for more information:
IPE carries out fundamental and applied research in the scientific fields of photonics, optoelectronics and electronics. In these fields, IPE generates new knowledge and develops new technologies.
