Lab equipments & facilities
Atomic force microscopy, neutron scattering and computer simulations are the three major techniques in use in the Lab along with several cell biology approaches. A series of complementary techniques are also in use, including: static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, optical and electron microscopies, Raman and infrared spectroscopies and a palette of different biochemical tools.
Atomic force microscopy:
We are currently acquiring a new-generation bio-Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) mounted on an inverted optical epi-fluorescence microscope for correlative studies. It will come with a series of accessories and software including, for example, Petri-dishes holder, fluid cell, temperature and CO2 controllers, extended z-range, fast scan capability, advance force spectroscopy and cell mechanics software packages. We have also access to a wide range of commercial AFMs that can achieve sub-nanometer vertical resolution under liquid conditions and can be combined with various extension kits allowing temperature control and in situ fluid exchange. Recently, we used AFM to determine the effect of ionic liquids on cell membrane viscoelasticity. Alterations in cell membrane viscoelasticity were observed in several pathological conditions and are relevant in bacteria and virus dissemination. As a results, being able to act on cell viscoelasticity with ionic liquids can lead to high-impact applications in drug-delivery, pharmacology, bio-medicine and, more in general, bio-nanotechnology.
We are currently acquiring a new-generation bio-Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) mounted on an inverted optical epi-fluorescence microscope for correlative studies. It will come with a series of accessories and software including, for example, Petri-dishes holder, fluid cell, temperature and CO2 controllers, extended z-range, fast scan capability, advance force spectroscopy and cell mechanics software packages. We have also access to a wide range of commercial AFMs that can achieve sub-nanometer vertical resolution under liquid conditions and can be combined with various extension kits allowing temperature control and in situ fluid exchange. Recently, we used AFM to determine the effect of ionic liquids on cell membrane viscoelasticity. Alterations in cell membrane viscoelasticity were observed in several pathological conditions and are relevant in bacteria and virus dissemination. As a results, being able to act on cell viscoelasticity with ionic liquids can lead to high-impact applications in drug-delivery, pharmacology, bio-medicine and, more in general, bio-nanotechnology.
A new-generation bio-AFM mounted on an epi-fluorescence optical microscope is currently under acquisition.
MFP-3D AFM (Asylum Research) combined with an Olympus IX71 for phase contrast/brightfield correlative imaging.
MFP-3D AFM (Asylum Research) combined with a Nikon Ti/E for epi-fluorescence correlative imaging.
NanoWizard II bio-AFM (JPK) combined with a Nikon Ti/E for epi-fluorescence correlative imaging.
MFP-3D stand alone AFM (Asylum Research).
Cypher AFM (Asylum Research).
Dimension ICON XR AFM (Bruker).
Dimension ICON AFM (Bruker).
Neutron scattering:
Neutron scattering is used to probe both the structure and dynamics of the systems of interest as, for example, lipid vesicles or hydrated proteins. Among neutron scattering approaches, we currently use neutron reflectivity, small-angle neutron scattering, neutron spin-echo, and elastic & quasi-elastic neutron scattering. The neutron scattering investigations are carried out at the largest neutron scattering facilities worldwide, including the National Institute of Standards & Technology (USA), the Oak-Ridge National Laboratory (USA), the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), the Institute Laue-Langevin (France), the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK), the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (Germany) and the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (Australia).
Neutron scattering is used to probe both the structure and dynamics of the systems of interest as, for example, lipid vesicles or hydrated proteins. Among neutron scattering approaches, we currently use neutron reflectivity, small-angle neutron scattering, neutron spin-echo, and elastic & quasi-elastic neutron scattering. The neutron scattering investigations are carried out at the largest neutron scattering facilities worldwide, including the National Institute of Standards & Technology (USA), the Oak-Ridge National Laboratory (USA), the Paul Scherrer Institute (Switzerland), the Institute Laue-Langevin (France), the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (UK), the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (Germany) and the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering (Australia).
Neutron reflectometry is one of the many neutron scattering techniques that we routinely use in our research. The instrument pictured in the figure is MAGIK, one of the neutron reflectometers installed at the Centre for Neutron Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Maryland, USA (link), which we recently used to measure ionic liquid absorption in supported lipid bilayer. Along with MAGIK, we use the neutron reflectometer FIGARO installed at the Institute Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France (link).
Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is another neutron technique that we routinely use in our research. The instrument pictured in the figure is one of the SANS machines installed at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Maryland, USA (link), which we recently used to determine the partitioning of ionic liquid (IL) cations between lipid vesicles and their aqueous solvent. The knowledge of IL-partitioning is necessary for the development of IL-based applications in pharmacology, bio-medicine and bio-nanotechnology.
Elastic & quasi-elastic neutron scattering is one of the many neutron scattering techniques that we routinely use. The instrument pictured in the top figure is the IN16B spectrometer installed at the Institute Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France (link), which we recently used to measure dynamics in hydrated proteins and to test our new neutron spectroscopy method for dynamics. Along with IN16B, we routinely use other QENS spectrometers in many large-scale facilities worldwide, including: HFBS at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Maryland, USA (link), pictured in the bottom figure, BASIS at the Oak-Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee, USA (link), IRIS at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the Oxfordshire, UK (link); FOCUS at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland (link); SPHERES at the Heinz-Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, Munich, Germany (link).
Neutron spin-echo spectroscopy is one of the many neutron scattering techniques that we routinely use. The instrument pictured in the figure is the Neutron Spin-Echo spectrometer installed at the Centre for Neutron Research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Maryland, USA (link), which we have recently used to measure how ionic liquids alter the bending elasticity of lipid vesicles that are now well known to the general public for their use as nano-carriers in the mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine formulations.
Computer simulations:
Classical atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and ab-initio computations are routinely employed in our investigations via the use of well-established packages like Gromacs and CPMD running supercomputers of a number of different worldwide high-computing centres like ICHEC (IE) and CSCS (CH), respectively, pictured in the left and right figures. Recently, we used MD simulations to study the interaction between two phosphonium-based ionic liquids, a mono- and di-cation, with a phospholipid bilayer, with the aim to shed a light on the marked antibacterial effect of the di-cation in comparison to the mono-cation.
Classical atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and ab-initio computations are routinely employed in our investigations via the use of well-established packages like Gromacs and CPMD running supercomputers of a number of different worldwide high-computing centres like ICHEC (IE) and CSCS (CH), respectively, pictured in the left and right figures. Recently, we used MD simulations to study the interaction between two phosphonium-based ionic liquids, a mono- and di-cation, with a phospholipid bilayer, with the aim to shed a light on the marked antibacterial effect of the di-cation in comparison to the mono-cation.
Cell biology approaches:
Several cell biology approaches are routinely used in our investigations including, for example, cell survival assays (e.g., MTT), flow cytometry, western blotting of key/targeted proteins, flow cytometry, cell migration, scattering and invasion assays. We have access to a fully equipped wet laboratory facility for biological sample preparation including, fume hoods, centrifuges, balances, temperature controlled storage areas etc. We have also access to a shared tissue culture facility that houses all equipment needed for the growth, maintenance, and analysis of cells. Laminar flow hoods for the sterile handling of cells, as well as several atmosphere-controlled incubators for growing cells are available. Phase-contrast, fluorescence and standard bright-field microscopes are accessible for cell analysis. A highly purified water supply, fridges, freezer and cryopreservation system are available for media preparation and storage.
Several cell biology approaches are routinely used in our investigations including, for example, cell survival assays (e.g., MTT), flow cytometry, western blotting of key/targeted proteins, flow cytometry, cell migration, scattering and invasion assays. We have access to a fully equipped wet laboratory facility for biological sample preparation including, fume hoods, centrifuges, balances, temperature controlled storage areas etc. We have also access to a shared tissue culture facility that houses all equipment needed for the growth, maintenance, and analysis of cells. Laminar flow hoods for the sterile handling of cells, as well as several atmosphere-controlled incubators for growing cells are available. Phase-contrast, fluorescence and standard bright-field microscopes are accessible for cell analysis. A highly purified water supply, fridges, freezer and cryopreservation system are available for media preparation and storage.
Complementary approaches:
A series of complementary approaches are also used, which include static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, optical and electron microscopies, Raman and infrared spectroscopies and a palette of different biochemical methods.
A series of complementary approaches are also used, which include static and dynamic light scattering, calorimetry, optical and electron microscopies, Raman and infrared spectroscopies and a palette of different biochemical methods.