Recent Research Projects

Upconversion Nanoparticles (UCNP)

  • Tuning emissions to access different wavelength channels for multiplexing
  • Photocleavage of cargo from UCNPs
  • Bioassays based on Luminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (LRET)
  • Decoration with multiple selective agents for targeted spatial localization, sensing, and drug delivery
  • Polymer decoration for cargo capacity and as stealth coating in biosystems
  • Cell penetration and intracellular targeting
  • Tuning of size to achieve monodispersity, and <10 nm diameter
  • Optical pumping using metal nanoparticle plasmonics
  • Control of microfluidic channel access using short wavelength emission from UCNPs to destroy polymer barriers

Quantum Dots (QD)

  • Understanding signal enhancement from immobilized layers of QDs
  • Using UCNPs to pump QD emission
  • Hybrid coatings of protein and nucleic acids for cell delivery and function

Metal NPs

  • Enhancement of FRET/LRET using plasmonics

Fluidics

  • Droplet microfluidics for production of decorated NPs; production of Janus NPs using solid state synthesis
  • Diagnostic platform strategies for reaction speed and to control background
  • Applications using isothermal oligonucleotide amplification on paper and polymer platforms

Paper-Based Assays

  • Use of iPad/cell phone cameras for signal acquisition
  • Integrated sampling, sample processing and detection
  • Blood and serum samples; moving to practical applications

Cells

  • Introduction of QDs and UCNPs onto/into cells
  • Strategies for sensing; enzymes, receptors, oligonucelotides
  • Strategies for theranostics

Selectivity

  • Intrinsically fluorescent nucleotides – avoiding the labeling of targets
  • Aptamers and molecular beacon analogues
  • Artificial nucleotides to improve stability of hybrids and avoid enzyme cleavage
  • Combining proteins/peptides/oligonucleotides on a single NP for
  • Multifunctionalization (targeting, signaling, therapeutic action)

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