New Challenges of Research and Technology

	TOF-SIMS: time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometer, manufacturer: ION-TOF, Muenster, Germany

Nanobioanalytics can be defined as follows: Morphological, chemical and functional nanoscale characterization of bio-relevant samples by proximity, electron, ion and laser probes, mass spectrometry, and other appropriate techniques.

The objectives of the group will be:

• to define new areas (challenges) of research and technology in nanobioanalytics,
• to evaluate new R&D priorities in nanobioanalytics,
• to invent novel techniques in nanobioanalytics,
• to combine or/and integrate existing and new techniques in common projects and into new devices,
• to optimize/extend limits of existing techniques in biological projects and of combined techniques by improving sample preparation of biological material,
• to identify present/new markets for nanobioanalytics,
• to extend a number of participating groups.

Collaborations and Initiatives

The group already started a number of scientific collaborations. One of the first initiatives is a nanobioanalytics-based integrated project on virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria. Different techniques were applied in a very interdisciplinary way: FT-ICR mass spectrometry was combined with immunochemical detection to describe molecular targets and their localization in cells. Confocal and 4Pi fluorescence microscopy were used for the subcellular localization of a receptor. Endothelial cells and changes of the cellular shape were investigated by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Finally modular digital holographic microscopy highlighted long term in vivo investigations of dynamic changes in cells. The integrated nanotechnology-based approach reveals a strategy for analyzing molecular structure and morphology changes of cells to provide new insights into the virulence factors of pathogenic bacteria on one hand and to test the limits of instrumentation in nanobioanalytics on the other hand. Furthermore the clinical proofs of receptor analogues for preventing systemic toxemic complications can be designed.

Database of Equipment and Methods

A second initiative generates a data base on equipment and methods as a part of a bionanoanalytics platform: the instrumentation and methods are described and incorporated in an internet-database, which will be used to find new applications within N2L and beyond. The instrumentation which can be detected here span mass spectrometry, novelty filter microscopes as well as single- and multiphoton confocal laser scanning microscopes and live cell imaging microscopes.

 

The major goal is the representation of the most important nanoanalytical techniques in this field at a very high scientific and technological level to be regarded as an European reference group in nanobioanalytics. To reach this goal it is necessary to get more input from potential users of nanobioanalytical techniques in N2L by close interaction with SRPA groups, but also with European experts/scientists who are not integrated in N2L yet.