The research activity of the Atomic and Molecular Biospectroscopy Group is focused on the applications of the advanced spectroscopic methods in investigation of elemental (XRF microscopy, TXRF spectroscopy) and biochemical changes (FTIR and Raman microspectroscopy) occurring in cells, tissues and organs, as a result of physiological and pathological processes of different ethology. The conducted research concerns, among others, processes underlying seizure activity in different animal models of epilepsy, assessment of the neuroprotective/antiepileptic mechanisms of ketogenic diet action, determination of the biomolecular markers of glioblastoma multiforme development in brain tissue and finally the potential toxicity of the iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (commercial available and dedicated) both under in vivo and in vitro conditions.
group head: dr hab. inż. Joanna Chwiej, prof. AGH
Mikroskop FTIR Nicolet™ iN10 MX Thermo Scientific™ (acquired in 2018)
NicoletTM iN10 MX microscope is designed for imaging in mid-IR range. It is equipped with ceramic IR source and three detectors: DTGS, MCT-A and an array of 16 MCT-A detectors. The equipment allows registration of absorption spectra in the wavenumber range of 600-4000 cm-1. Chemical mapping can be performed with the spatial resolution of 25x25 µm2, or using special conditions even 6.25x6.25 µm2.
The most common use of the setup is two-dimensional imaging of the distribution of biomolecules (proteins, lipids, compounds containing phosphate and carbonyl groups, creatine) and their structural changes (changes in the secondary structure of proteins, the level of saturation and unsaturation of fats, the length of lipid chains) in tissues. The microscope is equipped with an ultra-fast mapping system. Relatively short measurement time allows for the analysis of large areas and sets of samples, which improves case statistics crucial for reliable biomedical research.
Confocal Raman microscope alpha300 R WITec (acquired in 2020)
The alpha300 R confocal Raman microscope is equipped with 2 laser sources with a wavelength of 488 and 532 nm and a maximum power of 30 mW. Microscope optic system consists of four objectives with magnification of 100x, 50x, 10x and 63x. The last, immersion objective, allows to perform measurements in liquids what improves S/N ratio due to the possibility of higher laser power use. The system includes a CCD detector and supports the recording of Raman spectra for the wavenumber range 90-4000 cm-1 with a spatial resolution below 1 µm2.
Representative applications of the system include two- and three-dimensional imaging of the distribution of biomolecules and their structural changes in single cells and tissue fragments, identification of microplastics, analysis of air dusts and other environmental samples.
Multi-angle dynamic light scattering (MADLS) Malvern Zetasizer Ultra Red equipped with titrator
The Malvern Zetasizer Ultra Red system is provided with a He-Ne 632.8 nm laser with a constant power of 10 mW and an avalanche photodiode. The system allows to measure the size and zeta potential of particles, alongside their concentration. Using the MADLS system, the hydrodynamic diameter and concentration of particles can be determined in the range from 0.3 nm to 15 µm and 108 to 1012 particles per mL, respectively.
Standard applications of the system include the analysis of the above-mentioned parameters for nanoparticles, nanoplastics and other nanomaterials suspended in solutions. Equipment of the system with a titrator, allows to conduct measurements as a function of the variable pH of the solutions.