We aim to develop wash-free mix & measure magnetic immunoassays for sensitive, rapid, and point-of-need detection of viruses and proteins. Through our journey, we address fundamental and technological questions on three essential aspects of magnetic assays. We explore novel colloidal synthesis methods to tune magnetic properties of magnetic markers to improve the assay sensitivity. We then design and synthesize different modular polymers to coat our nanoparticles with anti-fouling polymers in order to offer high binding capacity and assay specificity. Finally, we explore and develop novel antigen and DNA/RNA detection concepts based on both clustering and disassembly of magnetic nanoparticles upon binding to targeting analytes. Our immunoassays are generic, applicable to detection of both viral proteins and human antibodies, and thus have very broad impact in containing the ongoing Covid-19 and any new emerging pandemic.
Our ultimate mission is to tackle metrological aspects of magnetic immunoassays such as random and systematic measurement errors to establish quantitative assays and answer the very fundamental question of “to what extent metrology can be applied to biology”?
Dr. rer. nat. Aidin Lak
Nachwuchsgruppenleiter
a.lak@tu-braunschweig.de
+49 531 391-3874
Dr. Mohammad Suman Chowdhury
PostDoc
I am trying to fish antibody and/or antigen out from diagnostic samples using highly magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and the magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) technique within a couple of minutes. Towards this goal, I am synthesizing highly monodisperse MNPs using either Fe or a mixture of Fe and Zn or Fe and Co. Besides, I am synthesizing modular anti-fouling polymers with target specific functionalities to coat these MNPs. I am also aiming to quantitatively detect cell free DNA and micro-RNA from diagnostic samples using the combination of anti-fouling polymer coated MNPs and MPS.
Enja Laureen Rösch, M. Sc.
Doktorandin
I have studied Electrical Engineering (BSc) and Industrial Engineering (MSc) at the Technical University of Braunschweig. In 2019, I awarded the Walter-Kertz study award for my master thesis. In addition, I have gained intercultural experience during a semester abroad in China and an internship in India.
From 2020, I am a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Electrical Measurement Science and Fundamental Electrical Engineering. My research includes development of magnetic nanoparticle based detection of pathogen specific targets, such as antigens and nucleic acids. Moreover, I am involved in teaching and supervision of students.
Rabia Amin, M.Sc.
Doktorandin
Rabia Amin completed her bachelor in Chemistry from Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan. After her bachelor, she completed her MPhil in Chemistry from Foman Christian College, Lahore, Pakistan and was awarded with Cum Laude honor and published a research paper based on her Master´s thesis. Rabia joined the JRG Metrology4life in July 2022 to pursue her research on developing novel functional polymers for decoration and bio-labelling of magnetic nanomarkers to realize reproducible and specific magnetic immunoassays.
Rebecca Sack, B.Sc.
Masterstudentin
My master thesis is on the synthesis and characterization of DNA-based magnetic clusters that are responsive to target nucleic acids. To design such clusters, I investigate the influence of various synthesis parameters on the morphological and magnetic characteristics of clusters. I also perform magnetic analysis on magnetic nanoparticles and clusters. My ultimate goal is to exploit these adaptive clusters as magnetic biomarkers to develop specific detection assays for viruses and nucleic acids.
Yihao Wang, B.Sc.
Masterstudentin
My master thesis is about assembling magnetic nanoparticles on DNA origamis in order to build magnetic nanostructures with controlled properties. I will use microscopy and magnetic techniques to characterize their properties. My aim is to tune the overall magnetic properties of such structures by tuning the number and position of MNPs on origamis for biophysical applications.
Mayiz Zgheib, B.Sc.
Masterstudent
In my master thesis, I work on developing DNA based magnetic nanoclusters for magnetic immunoassays. I aim to optimize parameters such as cluster size and capture DNA surface density to improve the assay sensitivity. I apply a rational design of experiments approach to plan my experiments in order to address these questions. I will use different techniques e.g. DLS, ACS and MPS to characterize the magnetic nanoclusters and their building entities. My ultimate goal is to adapt our custom-designed single-core MNPs to our DNA detection assays.