Biointerfaces and Interaction of Biosystems

Multidisciplinary research in which physics plays a crucial role is a focus of the group. Interfaces and their properties are important in both living organisms and in sensors and diagnostics where we need to interact with biological systems. Sophisticated, non-invasive sensing methods are required for detecting small concentrations of biomolecules and processes in the body.

This research program consists of the following projects:

• Platform technologies for the surface immobilization of functional biomolecules;
• Proactive surfaces for implantable medical devices;
• Optical sensing methods for detection of protein on surfaces;
• Scintillation dosimetry; and
• Radiobiology

AFM images showing the physical adsorption and aggregation of anzymes on an untreated polystyrene surface (left) compared with the covalent coupling of a stable monolayer of enzymes on a surface treated by our energetic ion based method (right). Enzymes on the treated surface were shown to be much more active.