Dr. Andrey A. Lutich, Department for Physics, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU)

Description of work

Many important biological processes, including photosynthesis, endocytosis, ion transport and recognition occur at the cell membrane. Understanding and ability to manipulate these processes is in strong demand. Our approach is to use plasmonics as a platform to gain knowledge and to optically manipulate phospholipid membranes, which is a main constituent of the cell membrane. We have successfully used plasmonic properties of metal nanostructures for biological sensing, express analysis of DNA through optothermal melting and fine control of local membrane characteristics. Very recently we’ve made use of strong optical forces, provided by large absorption and scattering cross-sections at the plasmon frequency of gold nanoparticles, to optically perforate phospholipid membranes.
The successful candidate will explore a possibility of joint use of different plasmonic effects on planar lipid bilayers, artificial membranes of phospholipid vesicles and, as an ultimate goal, living cells.TechniquesBoth advanced optical spectroscopy techniques (steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, pump-and-probe transient absorption spectroscopy, optical and AFM microscopy) and basic theoretical modeling (rate equations) will be used in the project.

Techniques
Optical spectroscopy/microscopy techniques (dark-field Rayleigh scattering, fluorescence, Raman scattering), optical trapping of metal nanoparticles will be used in this project.

Requirements
The successful candidate is expected to be familiar with basic optical spectroscopy concepts.

Contact information
Prof. Dr. Jochen Feldmann               
Dr. Andrey A. Lutich                     
Photonics and Optoelectronics Group
Department of Physics and CeNS
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen
Amalienstr. 54 D-80799 Munich, Germany
Tel.:     +49-89-2180-1418
Fax:      +49-89-2180-3441

More information about the research group:
www.phog.physik.uni-muenchen.de/index.html