I am 3rd year PhD student at Leiden University in the group of Thijs J. Aartsma. In my research, we focus on development an ultrasensitive biosensor by exploiting the FluRedox principle. Unlike typical electrochemical sensors, FluRedox biosensors are based on a novel concept, monitoring the redox events in vitro and in vivo by fluorescence detection using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), with potential for detection of electron turnover at the single-molecule level. Therefore, we apply this detection method to the redox state of proteins, combining FRET-based fluorescence/confocal microscopy on dye-labeled protein with cyclic voltammetry. By using these combined techniques, electron transfer processes can be monitored from protein to electrode or from redox enzyme to substrate. In a later stage, the method will be applied to enzymes of interest for biosensor development.
Gordon Conference on Single-Molecule Approaches to Biology focused on cutting-edge research in single-molecule and was a great opportunity to meet with leading scientists on the area. Topics were quite diverse, such as singlemolecule sequencing, DNA/RNA/protein interactions, folding machines, cellular biophysics, synthetic biology and bioengineering, force spectroscopy, new method developments, superresolution imaging in cells, and novel probes for single-molecule imaging were on the program.
It was a great experience to be in the Gordon conference which was related with my current PhD research. I would like to thank the VvB&BMT for the substantial financial contribution.