World-class research based on a distinctive, interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, social sciences, engineering and technology, and the arts and humanities.
The MU International Office is the first point of contact for international students applying for full-degree, Erasmus, Study Abroad, and Summer School programmes, and supports MU students who wish to study abroad.
Seminar Series: Towards the next generation of diagnostics based on advanced functional materials
Friday, December 3, 2021 - 13:00 to 14:00
Online: To attend, please contact elisa.fadda@mu.ie
Towards the next generation of diagnostics based on advanced functional materials
The unmet needs in point-of-care diagnostics are expected to be fulfilled with the next generation of tools based on highly versatile nanostructured electrochemical biosensing platforms. Tuning of the morphological features and electrochemical properties of the nanostructured material is key. Among the various materials available, porous silicon stands out due to its major advantages for electrochemical analysis, such as high surface-to-volume ratio, unique charge transport properties, control over morphological and electrical features, and ease of chemical surface modification. A new set of porous silicon-based nanostructures has been designed to unlock new sensing paradigms, enhance the sensor sensitivity and selectivity, and shorten the analysis time. Examples of the use of such nanostructured sensors are discussed highlighting their potential to solve specific health and environmental problems.
Biography
Dr Beatriz Prieto-Simón is an ICREA (Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies) Research Professor working at the University Rovira i Virgili (Spain). She also has an appointment as Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University (Australia). Her research in the multidisciplinary domain of bio-inspired nanotechnologies covers the design, micro- and nanofabrication, and surface chemistry of emerging nanostructures to be integrated into diagnostic devices fit-for-purpose. She is conducting research on Si-based nanotechnologies, such as the fabrication of arrays of parallel double-layered nanochannels with site-specifically displayed receptors, and tunable electrochemical features. Her key research interest lies in unveiling fundamental advances on synergies at the interface of nanostructured materials (multi-layered porous structures) and biological processes. Her research aims to lay the foundation for building smart platforms based on principles found in nature to strengthen the scientific and societal impact of their medical and environmental applications.
