Nanomaterials, biosensors and medical diagnostics (NBD)
Research Description
The laboratories of Nanomaterials, Biosensors and Medical Diagnostics Team are located at the Faculty of Chemistry, Warsaw University of Technology, in the Department of Medical Biotechnology. The research conducted by the Team members concerns the development of analytical devices intended for clinical, biomedical and environmental applications. The projects implemented by Team members are primarily related to the development of chemical sensors and biosensors based on electrochemical, mass, and optical techniques. For this aim, receptor layers composed of nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and enzymes or based on polymer membranes are utilized. Team’s works also focus on the synthesis and modification of various nanoparticles, including nanozymes that can be used in bioanalysis and therapies. Typically, nanoparticles synthesized by Team members are characterized by unique optical, catalytic and magnetic properties and stabilized using various compounds including polymers of polyphenols.
Group Members
- Prof. Mariusz Pietrzak, D.Sc. Ph.D. Eng. – group leader
- Prof. Łukasz Górski, D.Sc. Ph.D. Eng.
- Prof. Robert Ziółkowski, D.Sc. Ph.D. Eng.
- Marta Jarczewska, D.Sc. Ph.D. Eng.
- Marcin Drozd, Ph.D. Eng.
- Justyna Kosmala, Ph.D. Eng.
- Anna Szymczyk – Drozd, Ph.D. Eng.
- Julia Kuczak, MSc. Eng.
Ph.D. Students:
- Jan Górniaszek
- Julia Kuczak
- Monika Maciejewska
- Karolina Porycka
- Aleksandra Reluga
- Aleksandra Skiba
- Paweł Stańczak
- Monika Śmigielska
- Izabela Zaraś
Equipment
- Potentiostats (CHI Instruments, Palmsens) allowing for amperometric, voltammetric, impedance measurements
- Multi-channel potentiometric stations (Lawson Labs) for the development of ion-selective and reference electrodes
- Devices for mass-sensitive biosensing SPRi (Horiba) and QCM (Quantum Design)
- Equipment for optical characterization of various samples (spectrophotometers, microplate readers)
- Multi-parameter protein stability characterization platform Prometheus Panta (NanoTemper)
Collaboration
- University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB, prof. Kevin Plaxco)
- Medical University of Warsaw (D.Sc. Janusz Szyndler), The Institute of Psychology and Neurology (dr Natalia Chmielewska)
- Jagiellonian University (prof. Stefan Chłopicki, prof. Szczepan Zapotoczny)
- National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene (prof. Aleksandra Zasada)
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology (prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyń)
Offered research services
- Development of biosensors for clinical diagnostics and environmental analysis
- Development of miniaturized ion-selective electrodes and reference electrodes
- Execution of analyses using amperometric, voltammetric, impedance techniques
- Synthesis and surface modification of metal-based nanoparticles characterized with unique optical, catalytic and magnetic properties, e.g. anisotropic or core/shell one.
- Conducting comprehensive analyses of the thermal, conformational, and colloidal stability of proteins using nanoDSF, DLS, SLS, and backreflection techniques, including the investigation of denaturation, aggregation, and intermolecular interactions. Evaluating the effects of environmental conditions, buffer composition, and ligands on protein properties, as well as optimizing protein storage and formulation conditions.
Patents
- Patent application no. P.428242: Flow microsystem for performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
- Patent application no. P.448520: DNA aptamer sequence, its use for selective detection of selenium ions, method of producing an electrochemical aptamer sensor and a method of measurement using the same, and an electrochemical aptamer sensor comprising an oligonucleotide DNA aptamer sequence
- Patent application no. P.446262: Aptamer, aptasensor containing aptamer and aptamer application for selective detection of manganese ions
- Patent application no. P.441669: Electrode system for measuring pH of animal tissues, probe containing such system and kit containing said probe
- Patent application no. P.446371: Ion-selective membrane composition, ion-selective electrode containing it and device for determining lactate ions
- Patent application no. P.449634: Device for monitoring metabolic markers in sweat and a method for its manufacturing
- Patent application no. P.447839: Multifunctional microflow system for immunosorbent assays with magnetic analyte separation

