(Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology ICN2, CSIC and The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Campus UAB, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain; ICREA – Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain.)
Topic: Sensing and biosensing using graphene-based materials
Graphene-related materials (GRM) such as graphene oxide (GO) and graphene quantum dots (GQDs) display advantageous characteristics with interest for building innovative biosensing platforms and even smart devices such as nano/micromotors for a myriad of uses including sensing. Quenching of the fluorescence induced by GO or photoluminescence of GQDs can easily operate in synergy with various other nanomaterials and platforms opening the way to several unprecedented biosensing strategies and unique nanomotor technologies. Taking advantage of GRMs we are developing simple, sensitive, selective and rapid biosensing platforms that include: a) GO – based microarray & laterals flow technologies taking advantages of high quenching efficiency of GO. A “turn ON by a pathogen” device will be shown as a highly sensitive detection system using plastics or paper/nanopaper substrates; b) GQDs–based sensors for contaminants detection based on the use of multifunctional composite materials that enable rapid, simple and sensitive platforms in connection to smartphone; c) electroluminescent-based approaches d) A water activated GO transfer technology using wax printed membranes for fast patterning of a touch sensitive device with interest for electronic devices including sensing as well as for a cost-efficient nanomotor building technology for several applications. This work is supported by EU (Graphene Flagship), CERCA Programme / Generalitat de Catalunya.
Summary Background
Arben Merkoçi is currently ICREA Professor and director of the Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group at Institut Català de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), a BIST centre situated at Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) campus (Bellaterra, Barcelona). After his PhD (1991) at Tirana University, in the topic of Ion-Selective-Electrodes (ISEs) designs and applications in clinical and environmental analysis, Dr. Merkoçi worked as postdoc at other European research centres and USA in the field of nanobiosensors and lab-on-a-chip technologies. His postdoc periods were followed by leading positions in several laboratories: (1997-2006) at Autonomous University of Barcelona and since 2006 in ICN2.
Prof. Merkoçi research is focused on the design and application of cutting edge nanotechnology and nanoscience-based biosensors with interest for diagnostics. These nanobiosensors are based on the integration of biological molecules (DNA, antibodies, cells and enzymes) and other (bio)receptors with micro- and nanostructures and applied in diagnostics, environmental monitoring or safety and security. He has published around 300 peer review research papers, is editor of books (“Nanomaterials Based Biosensing Systems, by Wiley; “Electrochemical Sensor Analysis”, of Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry series by Elsevier etc.), book chapters and special journals issues (Lab on a Chip, Electroanalysis, Microchimica Acta) dedicated to the field of nanomaterials integration and applications in biosensors.
Prof. Merkoçi is Editor of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the principal international journal devoted to research, design development and application of biosensors and bioelectronics, member of editorial board of Electroanalysis, Microchimica Acta and other journals.
He is also involved in teaching PhD courses in field of nanomaterials based biosensors in several Spanish and international centres, has been member of commission for establishing of the new Nanoscience and Nanotechnology undergraduate academic curricula at UAB, the first one in Spain started during the academic year 2010-2011. He is currently member of the Academics Working Group of BIST. Prof. Merkoçi has supervised 30 PhD students besides several national & international postdoctoral and other researchers in his lab and has been member or head of more than 30 PhD panels in various countries. He has got several national and international grants related to nanomaterials application in biosensors and his group is collaborating with several worldwide leading labs in the field of nanobiosensors. Prof. Merkoçi serves also as scientific evaluator and member of panels of experts of various international governmental and nongovernmental agencies (FP EU, USA, various EU and other countries), member of scientific committee of various international congresses, director of several workshops and other scientific events and have been invited to plenary lectures, keynote and invited speeches in more than 200 occasions in various countries. He is co-founder of two spin off companies PaperDrop and GraphenicaLab.