Biophotonics

Coordinator: Csilla GERGELY

The BioPhotonics team conducts research located at the interface between physics and life sciences. Our experimental physical approach to study complex biological systems is based on monitoring interaction of light with biological material through microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.

We develop and employ various (non)linear photonic and biomechanical approaches for applications in life sciences to study molecular assemblies, living cells and tissues. The group holds its own « BioImaging » user facility comporting the following technologies: Optical-fluorescence microscope, Atomic Force Microscopy, Multiphoton microscopy in two-photon excited and second harmonic generation modes, Broadband Coherent Raman Spectroscopy imaging, and Hyper Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) spectroscopy.

Our multimodal approach enables measuring relevant physical (non-linear optics and nanomechanical) signals underlying various pathologies to support with new knowledge and better understand the biological modifications, the objective being to assess the relevant structural, morphological and spectral signature as well as the biomechanical behavior of diseased versus healthy tissues, cells or biofluids. The combination of advanced imaging techniques with molecular detection afforded by photonic sensors is the strengths

Experimental approaches :

• Multiphoton microscopy
• Second harmonic Rayleigh scattering (HRS)
• Broadband Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman scattering (BCARS)
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• Optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS)

Research fields :

• Photonic biosensors
• Photonic imaging, biomechanics
• Hyper Rayleigh Scattering

Intrumentation :

The Bioimaging facility of the Biophotonics team includes the following techniques:

• Optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS) – custom made
• Inverted optical microscope (Nikon-TE2000) also working in epi-fluorescence and differential interference (Nomarski) contrast mode
• Atomic Force microscopy (MFP3D-Asylum Research) mounted on an inverted optical microscope (Olympus) also working in epi-fluorescence and phase contrast
• Multiphoton microscope mounted on an upright scanning microscope (SliceScope, Scientifica Ltd) equipped with a galvanometer scan head, working in two-photon excited fluorescence and second harmonic generation – custom made
• Hyper Rayleigh Scattering (HRS) spectroscopy – custom made
• Broadband Coherent Raman Spectroscopy (BCARS) imaging mounted on a Olympus IX73 inverted microscope – custom made

Recent theses :

• MANESCO Clara (2019-2023)
• ROBERT Bruno (2018-2021)