Study visit to the Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München

Izabela Kamińska, a member of a Photochemistry and Spectroscopy Department (IPC), visited the Ludwig Maximilians-Universität München . The major aim of the research visit in the group of Prof. Tinnefeld was further development of the biosensor based on DNA origami and graphene for viral DNA detection, as well as first test measurements with the DNA nanostructure immobilized on graphene for the investigation of the properties of DNA double helix using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

During the visit, Izabela has prepared DNA origami nanostructures (folding and purification) and graphene substrates (graphene transfer and cleaning) and carried measurements on two fluorescence confocal microscopes.

Thanks to the previous studies on the biosensor and many optimization steps, scientists managed to solve the problem of DNA origami orientation on graphene. Izabela has performed measurements to demonstrate the detection of the single viral DNA in various configurations of the biosensor. Experiments have also been prepared to monitor the behavior of DNA double helix, taking advantage of the strong distance-dependent interactions between single dye molecules and graphene. The main challenge of these experiments was to find appropriate experimental conditions, among others, the density of the solvent, which can strongly influence the movability of DNA. This part of the project is in progress and will be continued during the next research visits.

Dates

Jul. 25 – Aug. 9, 2020

Location

München, Germany

Participant

Izabela Kamińska