Real-time Protein Aggregation Monitoring with Bloch Surface Waves
© 2015 EPFL
Your are welcome to join the next 'Pizza-optics-beer' (POB) seminar on September 3rd, 2014 in Neuchâtel (room MC B1 273). This month Sara Santi will give us some insights in her field of expertise. Her presentation is entitled "Real-time Protein Aggregation Monitoring with a Bloch Surface Wave-based Approach".
Abstract: We propose the use of an optical method for real-time monitoring protein aggregation dynamics. A one-dimensional photonic crystal made of a periodic stack of silicon oxide and silicon nitride layers is used to excite a Bloch surface wave, which is sensitive to variation of the refractive index of an aqueous solution. The aim is to detect the early dynamic events of aggregation and fibrillogenesis of the amyloid-beta peptide Aβ42, which plays a central role in the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease. The detection principle relies on the refractive index changes caused by the depletion of the Aβ42 monomer concentration during oligomerization and fibrillization.