A hybrid metal–dielectric zero mode waveguide for enhanced single molecule detection

in Chemical Communications (2019)

We fabricated hybrid metal–dielectric nanoslots and measured their optical response at three different wavelengths. The nanostructure is fabricated on a bilayer film formed by the sequential deposition of ... [more ▼]

We fabricated hybrid metal–dielectric nanoslots and measured their optical response at three different wavelengths. The nanostructure is fabricated on a bilayer film formed by the sequential deposition of silicon and gold on a transparent substrate. The optical characterization is done via fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. We characterized the fluorescence enhancement, as well as the lifetime and the detection volume reduction for each wavelength. We observe that the hybrid metal–dielectric nanoslots behave as enhanced zero mode waveguides in the near-infrared spectral region. Their detection volume is such that they can perform enhanced single-molecule detection at tens of μM. We compared their behavior with that of a golden ZMW, and we demonstrated that the dielectric silicon layer improves both the optical performance and the stability of the device. [less ▲]

Betti reaction enables efficient synthesis of 8-hydroxyquinoline inhibitors of 2-oxoglutarate oxygenases.

in Chemical Communications (2015), 51(84), 15458-61

There is interest in developing potent, selective, and cell-permeable inhibitors of human ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) oxygenases for use in functional and target validation studies. The 3 ... [more ▼]

There is interest in developing potent, selective, and cell-permeable inhibitors of human ferrous iron and 2-oxoglutarate (2OG) oxygenases for use in functional and target validation studies. The 3-component Betti reaction enables efficient one-step C-7 functionalisation of modified 8-hydroxyquinolines (8HQs) to produce cell-active inhibitors of KDM4 histone demethylases and other 2OG oxygenases; the work exemplifies how a template-based metallo-enzyme inhibitor approach can be used to give biologically active compounds. [less ▲]

Tailor-designed polyphilic promotors for stabilizing dispersions of carbon nanotubes in liquid crystals

in Chemical Communications (2010), (46), 6989-6991

We present a potent multifunctional molecular design concept for promoting the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs), making CNT-in-LC dispersions of unprecedented ... [more ▼]

We present a potent multifunctional molecular design concept for promoting the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in thermotropic liquid crystals (LCs), making CNT-in-LC dispersions of unprecedented stability possible and broadening the scope of potential applications. [less ▲]