Development and optimization of analytical and bioanalytical methods and biosensors based on optical detection systems (colorimetric, bio- and chemiluminescent) and biorecognition elements (e.g., enzymes, nanobodies, bacteria, yeast, human cell lines, cell-free transcription-translation systems) for applications in the environmental, clinical, food, and forensic fields.
Development of portable analytical devices, including those based on the use of smartphones and prototyping through 3D printing, for point-of-care and point-of-need analysis. Some examples include:
- Development of biosensors on paper and other sustainable supports with bio-chemiluminescent detection interfaced with smartphones for monitoring contaminants and target analytes in water, environmental and clinical matrices (e.g., endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, microbial contamination, clinical biomarkers in saliva, breath, and sweat)
- Development of bioluminescent cell biosensors also based on 3D cell models to monitor the activation of membrane and nuclear receptors and molecular pathways (e.g., inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity) and protein-protein interactions using reporter gene technology, Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET), and split complementation assays
- Development of novel luminescent materials based on nanomaterials and novel bioluminescent proteins obtained by mutagenesis (random, site-directed and saturation) of luciferases and photoproteins for bioanalytical applications
