Inicio 9 Research topics 9 TweeTERS:Hybridization of optical tweezers with tip-enhanced-Raman spectroscopy to study supramolecular dynamics at the single-molecule level

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES

P1: Organic nanosystems for light harvesting and energy conversion

RESEARCH SUPERVISOR(S)

Dr Borja Ibarra
Research Group website: https://nanociencia.imdea.org/molecular-motors-manipulations-lab/group-home // https://www.borjaibarralab.com

Dr. Natalia Martín Sabanés

Dr Emilio Pérez Álvarez
Research Group website: https://nanociencia.imdea.org/chemistry-of-low-dimensional-materials/home

RESEARCH TOPIC DESCRIPTION

The aim of TweeTERS is to develop a novel hybrid setup that combines optical tweezers (OT) with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS). OT allows measuring and manipulating the real-time kinetics of individual molecular constructs such as synthetic (supra)molecular systems, while TERS provides simultaneous information on the inter- and intra- molecular chemical interactions with single-molecule sensitivity. This unique setup will reveal the intricate relation between mechanical, conformational and non-covalent chemical properties that govern the operation of (supra)molecular systems with single-molecule sensitivity. The setup is currently under development in a close collaboration between groups of Borja Ibarra (molecular motors manipulation lab) and Emilio Pérez (Chemistry of low dimensional materials) at IMDEA nanoscience. The fellow is expected to contribute to the building process and its application to investigate the operation of biological and synthetic molecular motors. 

The goals of the project include:

– To develop the hardware and software needed to build and operate the described instrument

– To design and optimize experimental routines.

– To perform proof-of-principle experiments demonstrating the viability and potential of the novel technique.

– To investigate the role of non-covalent interactions on the dynamics of synthetic and biological molecular machines.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The candidate should hold a PhD in Physics or Chemistry with a strong background in optics and spectroscopy. He/she must have experience in optical tweezers and/or tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Experience in optical setup development, nearfield spectroscopy and (bio)chemical laboratory skills will be highly valued. The candidate needs to have excellent English skills, as well as a cooperative and collaborative attitude in an interdisciplinary and international team.

PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

The candidate will work in close collaboration with national and international research groups that have expertise in different aspects of the project. These include the groups of Prof F. Ritort (Universidad Barcelona) and Prof. J.M Parrondo (Universidad Complutense Madrid), who will provide theoretical and experimental support to study the thermodynamics and nonequilibrium behaviour of the systems under study. The group of Prof. D. Leigh (University of Manchester) will also be involved in developing strategies and methods to synthesize synthetic molecular ratchets. The group of Katrin Domke at University of Duisburg-Essen, expert in nearfield Raman and TERS at electrochemical interfaces is also a possible collaborator and host for a secondment.