Jerome Wenger NanoBioPhotonics

PSA detection in protein buffer solution, here's the match:

On the left side: PhOCCS, single mixing step, no washing, 60 min incubation, single readout, 20 pg/mL limit of detection

On the right side: ELISA, three washing and rinsing steps, >3h total process duration, >100 pg/mL limit of detection

Let the figure speak by themselves. Simple sensing. No headache. No complex analysis tricks.

Label-free molecular biosensors featuring a high sensitivity together a simple manipulation and low operation costs remain a major technological challenge. We introduce a novel technique for high sensitivity specific DNA sensing in a single step homogeneous solution phase in our recent open access article Single-Step DNA Detection Assay Monitoring Dual Color Light Scattering from Individual Metal Nanoparticles Aggregates. Our groundbreaking technology features several distinctive advantages: it is fast, simple and accurate.

Learn more about the PhOCCS technology on our institutional webpage and in pdf presentation slides.

Significance:

- The dual-color scattering analysis allows to reach a sub picomolar sensitivity and is 10x more sensitive than a single-color counterpart. It also enables to maintain a concentration of probe nanoparticles high enough to reach fast read-out kinetics in a single mixing step.

- Our technique is demonstrated to be sensitive and specific enough to detect single nucleotide deletion and mismatch, even for recognition sequences that are twice longer than typically used in this field.

Good period to take some distance from our daily routine and think about ourselves. But who are we by the way? True individuals or mirrors of somebody else? Think of it, and til next time, live like a nanopirate!

Warning: the video below is giving the hard truth, and it may hit hard. Sensitive readers, fasten your seatbelts.

The Jean Jerphagnon prize aims to promote a young researcher with an innovative project of high scientific and/or industrial interest. This year, Jerome went with a project on "label-free molecular biosensor using dual-color photon cross correlation spectroscopy" following the promising results of his ERC Proof-of-Concept grant PhoCCS. Out of a total of 18 candidates, Jerome is one of the 6 nominees. The winner's name should be disclosed by the end of February.

Congratulations Juan for the successful PhD defense on nanophotonic control of Förster resonance energy transfer!