Project

Microscopy and Nanospectroscopy of Biomolecular Systems

The growing awareness that biological processes are regulated by heterogeneous molecular interactions raised the demand for analytical tools able to perform nanoscale chemical analysis. A promising route to this purpose is offered by infrared (IR) nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) technique, which combines the high spatial resolution of atomic force microscopy (AFM) with the chemical identification power of IR Spectroscopy. Within the research framework of the Nanoscale Microscopy and Spectroscopy group, my project aims at improving current sensitivity and resolution limits of AFM-IR to enable new insights into single-molecule physical-chemical analysis. We will take advantage of these enhanced AFM-IR performances to investigate heterogeneous biomolecular systems such as protein-DNA complexes and liquid-liquid phase separated protein condensates. Spatially resolved chemical analysis of these biomolecular systems is paramount to disclose the complex interactions taking place between the involved molecular players, helping us to unravel concealed mechanisms of key biological processes and ultimately design disease therapies.