Our mission: to perform excellent research and to develop appropriate tools to probe and influence biosystems using an electromagnetic field at the biomolecular level.
Our vision: to discover approaches for novel electromagnetic methods using advanced electromagnetic tools, micro/nanotechnology enabled tools and computational tools for biotechnology and medicine so that they are gentler and more efficient
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 and label-free diagnostics in biomedicine. Our activities cover experimental and theoretical work, together with the development of experimental equipment.
Radiofrequency and microwave biosensors are a platform for dielectric/impedance spectroscopy which makes possible label-free sensing of biomolecules and cells. Biochip structures also enable us to perform 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 vibration modes within radiofrequency range. The knowledge of these fundamental electric and electrodynamic properties is important for assessing the function and properties of biomolecules and the effects of external electromagnetic fields, such as those of mobile phones or ultra-short electric pulses, on 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 takes place without 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 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.
