FUNCTIONALIZED INORGANIC NANOSTRUCTURES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Nanomaterials differ significantly from other materials due to two factors: increased surface area and quantum size effects. These factors can enhance properties such as reactivity, strength and physical characteristics. Due to these properties, the coupling of nanomaterials to biomolecular entities has the potential to revolutionize many fields of science and technology. Our main goal is to synthesize tunable functionalized nanostructures and to explore their use in applications such as (bio)sensing, diagnostics, imaging, and treatment. To allow a full exploration, these nanostructures need to be developed at the crossroads of chemistry, biology and engineering. IMEC, one of Europe's leading independent research center in the field of microelectronics and nanotechnology, is carrying out controlled interactions of biomolecules with various nanostructures that might be important for modem bioelectronics and life sciences.