ABOUT
The main goal of the Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization group is to develop a multiscale approach to Bioelectricity, covering from the nano- to the microscale. To this end the group combines methods and techniques from Scanning Probe Microscopy, Organic Electronics and Big Data. The main objective is to contribute to develop new label-free biological nanoscale characterization methods and new electronic biosensors.
The group performs research on Scanning Dielectric Microscopy, a set of Scanning Probe Microscopy techniques and methods to measure the local dielectric properties of samples. Over the years, implementations of Scanning Dielectric Microscopy in current sensing, force sensing and at microwave frequencies have been developed. In the case of the force sensing mode, operation in air and liquid environments have been implemented.
At present, the group is centered in developing advanced force volume modes for Scanning Dielectric Microscopy coupled to big data computational and processing techniques.
The objective is to obtain fast functional dielectric maps of complex samples (e.g. cells) with nanoscale spatial resolution and with sensitivity to the subsurface properties.
With the Scanning Dielectric Microscope, we investigate the passive dielectric properties of Biological samples. Among others, we have determined the dielectric constant of lipid bilayers, supramolecular protein structures like virus capsids and tails, bacterial flagella and protein layers, and of DNA. Moreover, the dielectric properties of single viruses, bacterial cells and bacterial endospores have been measured, and we analyzed the effect of environmental humidity in their dielectric response. Finally, we have investigated the dielectric properties of confined water, finding an anomalous low dielectric constant value.
At present, applications are focused in determining the dielectric properties of heterogeneous lipid bilayers, liposomes and eukaryotic cells, all of the in the liquid environment. The objective is to develop a nanoscopic technique able to map the composition of complex biological systems without the use of exogeneous labels.
The Scanning Dielectric Microscopy is also used to investigate the electrical properties of the so-called bacterial nanowires, nanoscale structures produced by electrogenic bacterial cells, which enable the exchange of electrons extracellularly at long distances from the bacterial cell body. Current research is focused in the study of the electric properties of outer membrane cell extensions from Shewanella Oneidensis MR-1 and of protein fibers from the so-called cable bacteria cells.
The group also performs research in the application of Electrolyte Gated Field Effect Transistors as biosensors to record the electrical activity of excitable cells. We have demonstrated the potential of these transistors to record the electrical activity of clusters of cardiomyocyte cells over long periods of time (weeks), and, currently, we are investigating its potential application to other cell types (e.g. neurons) and cell structures (e.g. organoids).
Finally, the group is working in the integration of nanoscale and microscale electrical recording techniques for Biology in a single instrument. We have already demonstrated the possibility to integrate the in-liquid Scanning Dielectric Microscope with the Electrolyte Gated Field Effect Transistor, and, currently, we are working in using this platform to perform multiscale electrical recordings on electrically excitable cells with the objective to correlate nano- and microscopic electrical cell activity.
STAFF
Staff members:
Former members:
Harishankar Balakrishnan | PhD Student
Maria Chiara Biagi | PhD Student
Marti Checa | PhD Student
Now: Pots-doc at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA)
Dr. Martin Edwards | Postdoc
Now: Research Assistant Professor, University of Utah (USA)
Daniel Esteban Ferrer | PhD Student
Dr. Laura Fumagalli | Senior Researcher
Now: Lecturer, School of Physics and Astronomy – Condensed Matter Physics, University of Manchester (UK)
Georg Gramse | PhD Student
Now: Senior Researcher, Johannes Kepler University of Linz (Austria)
Larisa Huetter | PhD Student
Dr. Adrica Kyndiah | PostdocNow: Senior Scientist at Instituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy)
Helena Lozano | PhD Student
Martina di Muzzio | PhD Student
Dr. Jordi Otero | Postdoc
Now: Postdoc, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
Marc Van der Hofstadt | PhD Student
PROJECTS
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
BORGES · Biosensing with ORGanic ElectronicS (2019-2022) | Marie Curie Skłodowska European Training Network (MSCA-ITN-ETN) | Gabriel Gomila |
PRINGLE · Protein Based Next Generation Electronics (2022-2026) | European Commission, PathFinder Open | Gabriel Gomila |
NATIONAL PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
ICREA Academia Award (2023-2027) | Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) / Generalitat de Catalunya | Gabriel Gomila |
BIGDATASPM · Métodos de datos masivos aplicados a la Microscopía de Sonda de Barrido para estudios eléctricos funcionales en ciencias de la vida (2020-2023) | MINECO, Generación Conocimiento: Proyectos I+D | Gabriel Gomila |
FINISHED PROJECTS | FINANCER | PI |
---|---|---|
SGR Grups de recerca consolidats (2017-2020) | AGAUR / SGR | Gabriel Gomila |
SPM2.0 · Scanning probe microscopies for nanoscale fast, tomographic and composition imaging (2017-2020) | Marie Curie Skłodowska European Training Network (MSCA-ITN-ETN) | Gabriel Gomila (Project Coordinator) |
NANOMICROWAVE · Microwave Nanotechnology for Semiconductor and Life Sciences (2013-2016) | MARIE CURIE – ITN | Gabriel Gomila |
V-SMMART Nano · Volumetric Scanning Microwave Microscopy Analytical and Research Tool for Nanotechnology (2012-2016) | NMP – SME | Gabriel Gomila |
AFM4NanoMed&Bio · European network on applications of Atomic Force Microscopy to Nanomedicine and Life Sciences | EU COST Action TD1002 | Gabriel Gomila (Management Committee Substitute Member) |
BIOWIRESENSE · Plataforma universal para la detección de biomarcadores basada en nanocables bacterianos conductores (2017-2019) | MINECO, Explora Ciencia | Gabriel Gomila |
NANOELECTOMOGRAPHY· Electrical nanotomography based on scanning probe microscopy for nanomaterials and biological samples (2014-2016) | MINECO (TEC2013-48344-C2-1-P) | Gabriel Gomila |
NANOELECTROPHYS · Scanning Electric Force Microscope for Electrophysological Recordings at the Nanoscale (2016-2019) | MINECO (TEC2016-79156-P) | Gabriel Gomila |
ICREA Academia Award (2015-2019) | Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA) / Generalitat de Catalunya | Gabriel Gomila |
PUBLICATIONS
EQUIPMENT
- Cypher Atomic Force Microscope (Asylum Research)
- Nanowizard 4 Bio-Atomic Force Microscope (JPK)
- Cervantes Atomic Force Microscope (Nanotec Electronica)
- Easy Scan 2 Atomic Force Microscope (Nanosurf)
- AxioImager A1m Reflection Optical Microscope (Zeiss) equipped with a AxioCam ERc5s (Zeiss)
- CompactStat portable electrochemical interface and impedance analyzer (Ivium Technologies)
- Palmsens 4, 8 channel Potentiostat (Palmens)
- 2 eLockIn204 4-phase Lock-In amplifiers (Anfatec)
- Keithley 6430 sub-femtoAmp remote sourcemeter
- Keysight B2912A precision Source/Measure Unit, 2 channels
- Keysight N9310A RF Signal Generator 9 kHz to 3.0 GHz
COLLABORATIONS
- Dra. Laura Fumagalli
University of Manchester, United Kingdom - Dr. Ferry Kienberger
Agilent Technologies Austria, Linz, Austria - Prof. Marco Sampietro
Politecnico di Milano, Italy - Dr. Jordi Borrell
University of Barcelona, Spain - Prof. Antonio Juárez
University of Barcelona, Spain - Dr. Manel Puig
University of Barcelona, Spain - Dr. Filip Meysman
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium - Prof. Fabio Biscarini
Universita di Modena e Regio Emilia, Italy - Dra. Marta Mas-Torrents
Institut de Ciències de Materials de Barcelona, Spain - Dra. Adrica Kyndiah
Italian Institute of Technology, Italy
NEWS
Two projects with IBEC participation selected in the MSCA call for PhD networks
IBEC will coordinate SPM4.0 and participate as a partner in ENTRY-DM, two of the projects selected in the 2023 call for PhD networks within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Thanks to these two projects, IBEC will add three new PhD students to its staff.
New Methodology for Studying Organic Transistors in Operation with Applications in Bioelectronics
A study led by IBEC has successfully mapped the local electrical potential along the structure of organic transistors used in bioelectronics, enabling a detailed assessment of bottlenecks in charge transport. The goal of this study is to deepen the understanding of the properties of charge transport in materials used in organic electronics when in contact with liquid media, aiming to enhance their applications in biosensors or bioelectrical recordings.
Elisabeth Engel and Gabriel Gomila receive the ICREA Acadèmia grant
IBEC researchers Elisabeth Engel and Gabriel Gomila have been awarded the “ICREA Acadèmia” distinction by the Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA). Engel and Gomila, who lead their … Read more
Research Assistant at the Nanoscale bioelectrical characterization group
Introduction to the vacant position: The Nanobioelec Group/Unit is looking for Research Assistant. The contract will be within the framework of the European Project PRINGLE, whose objective is to develop … Read more
Researchers uncover the reason for “Living wires” extraordinary electrical properties
An international study co-authored by IBEC’s researchers has identified nickel as a key conductive component in the wires found in cable bacteria. This ground-breaking finding, obtained by combining high-resolution microscopy, spectroscopy and chemical imaging, has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications.
Machine learning applied to microscopy accelerates image processing
IBEC researchers were able to drastically reduce the microscopy images processing time using machine learning tools. By using this new technique, they obtained, in only few seconds, a map of the cellular biochemical composition.
Machine learning reduces microscope data processing time from months to just seconds
With a new method that combines high-powered scanning force microscopes and machine learning, IBEC researchers have drastically reduced the processing time required to achieve nanoscale biochemical compositions map from electric images of eukaryotic cells in just seconds. Using earlier computation methods, processing one image could take even months.
Two IBEC researchers receive a Beatriu de Pinós fellowship
Aurora Dols and Zaida Álvarez, researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), receive the prestigious fellowships Beatriu de Pinós, awarded by the Catalan Government for the incorporation of highly qualified postdoctoral researchers into the Catalan research system.
Electric forces to characterize future biocompatible organic electronic devices
A joint collaboration between the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB) and The University of Manchester has succeeded in mapping the electrical properties of organic biosensor/electrolyte interfaces at the nanoscale by measuring local electric forces. Electronic biosensors based on organic materials could make soon a reality the dream of low-cost, disposable, flexible and biocompatible electronic devices for the interaction with biological systems .
A research team develop biotransistors able to hear small beats of live
Researchers at IBEC and ICMAB develop a flexible, cheap and biocompatible transistor platform able to record an electrocardiogram of cells and micro-tissues during long periods of time. The platform, based on organic transistor technology (EGOFET), can also measure the effect of drugs on beating cells, as cardiomyocytes, opening the door to several applications such as implantable devices for health.
JOBS
Senior Laboratory Technician at the Nanoscale Bioelectric Characterization Research Group (Ref SRT_GG)
Ref: SRT_GG // Deadline: 20/06/2024
Post-doctoral researcher at the Nanobioelec Research Group (PD_GG)
Ref: PD_GG // Deadline: 15/01/2024
Predoctoral researcher at the Nanoscale Bioelectrical Characterization Research Group
Ref: FPI_GG /Deadline: 31/10/2023
Post-doctoral researcher at the Nanobioelec Research Group (PD_GG)
Ref: PD_GG // Deadline: 21/07/2023
Pre-doctoral researcher at the Nanobioelec Research Group (Phd_GG)
Ref: Phd_GG // Deadline 30/06/2023
Post-doctoral researcher at the Nanobioelec Research Group (Pd_GG)
Ref: Pd_GG // Deadline: 26/11/2023
Predoctoral researcher at the Nanoscale bioelectrical characterization group (PHD_GG)
Reference: PhD-GG / Deadline: 15/03/2023