Ultra-broadband dielectric spectroscopy of biomolecules
Phase 1
The radio-frequency properties of biomolecules like proteins and DNA are investigated up to the upper GHz range. The results will be exploited for the development of novel sensors for medicine and environmental monitoring. Above that, they give insight into structure and function of biomolecules and help understanding the influence of electromagnetic radiation on living systems.
Participating Institutions:
Fraunhofer-Institut IZI-BB, Abt. Biosystemintegration und Automatisierung, AG Biomolekulare Nanostrukturen und Messtechnik, Am Mühlenberg 13, 14476 Potsdam-Golm
Research Team:
PD Dr. Ralph Hölzel
Dr. rer. nat. Eva-Maria Laux
Dr. rer. nat. Elena Ermilova
M.Sc. Sandra Stanke
M.Sc. Jessica Gibbons
B.Sc. Daniel Pannwitz
Objectives
Overall aim:
Determination of the radio frequency properties of biologically relevant molecules for sensing applications and for the investigation of biomolecular function.
1. Improving the electronic parameters of the measurement system, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio, frequency range covered, resolution bandwidth, temporal resolution.
2. Minimisation of sample consumption for extending the method to a wider range of biomedically relevant substances.
3. Investigation of both structure and function of biologically active molecules, and a deeper understanding of their interaction mechanisms with electromagnetic fields.
Abstract
The dielectric properties of several types of biomolecules are determined over the extremely wide frequency range between 10 MHz and 110 GHz. The data are acquired as a function of temperature and sample concentration. Oligonucleotides and DNA as well as aminoacids, peptides and proteins are studied. Digestion and synthesis of DNA is dielectrically monitored. A systematic variation of peptide length is carried out. Systematic errors are determined by simulation calculations. The system's accuracy is improved by electronic means.
Publications
E.-M. Laux, X. Knigge, F. F. Bier, C. Wenger, R. Hölzel. „Aligned immobilization of proteins using AC electric fields“ Small 12, 1514-1520 (2016).
E. Laux, J. Gibbons, E. Ermilova, F. Bier, R. Hölzel. „Broadband dielectric spectroscopy of bovine serum albumin in the GHz range“ Eur. Biophys. J. 46, S347 (2017)
X. Knigge, C. Wenger, F. F. Bier, R. Hölzel. „AC electrokinetic immobilisation of nanoobjects as individual singles in regular arrays“ Eur. Biophys. J. 46, S187 (2017)
E.-M. Laux, X. Knigge, C. Wenger, F. F. Bier, R. Hölzel. „AC electrokinetic manipulation of nanoparticles and molecules“ Eur. Biophys. J. 46, S189 (2017)
E.-M. Laux, A. Docoslis, C. Wenger, F. F. Bier, R. Hölzel. „Combination of dielectrophoresis and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy for bacteria detection and characterization“ Eur. Biophys. J. 46, S331 (2017)
S. Stanke, C. Wenger, F. F. Bier, R. Hölzel. „Dielectrophoretic functionalization of nanoelectrode arrays for the detection of influenza viruses“ Eur. Biophys. J. 46, S337 (2017)