Dr. Arben Merkoçi
ICREA Research Professor and Group Leader
Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group
ICREA & Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)

Development of novel biosensing tools with interest for point of care applications represents one of the main research fields for the nanobiotechnology. Either brand new devices or improvement of existing ones are being developed thanks to the use of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies. Between the various devices biosensing systems based on electrical and electrochemical transducing schemes are overall in the focus of interest given the simplicity and cost efficiency of detection. Among the various biosensing system performance requirements  the high sensitivity and selectivity of the response are crucial for applications in clinical diagnostics. The amplification of the detection of biorecognition events (ex. DNA hybridization reactions etc) are the most important objectives of the current bioanalytical chemistry. In this context integration of the catalytic properties of some biomolecules with those of nanomaterials is appearing to be a promising way to enhance the sensitivity of the bioassays. Examples related to various clinical biomarkers as well as contaminants detection will be shown. The developed devices and strategies are intended to be of low cost while offering high analytical performance in screening scenarios beside other applications. Special emphasis will be given to lab-on-a-chip platforms with integrated electrochemical detection with interest for various applications. In addition simple paper-based platforms that operate in lateral flow formats with interest for various detections also will be shown.The shown examples are with interest for water quality analysis, food safety as well as other applications. The future applications of the developed tools in real industrial scenarios is highly dependent on further technological development that would require further integration of the sampling system with detection beside reading (signal treatment) that would allow these devices to be easy to be used even by non-professional users in the field.

Arben Merkoçi is currently ICREA Professor and director of the Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group at Institut Català de Nanociencia i Nanotecnologia (ICN), situated at Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) campus (Bellaterra, Barcelona). After his PhD (1991) at Tirana University, in the topic of Ion-Selective-Electrodes (ISEs) designs and applications in clinical and environmental analysis, Dr. Merkoçi worked as  postdoc at  other European research centres and USA in the field of nanobiosensors and lab-on-a-chip technologies. His postdoc periods were followed by leading positions in several laboratories: (1997-2006) at Autonomous University of Barcelona and since 2006 in ICN2. Prof. Merkoçi research is focused on the design and application of cutting edge nanotechnology and nanoscience based biosensors. These nanobiosensors are based on the integration of biological molecules (DNA, antibodies, cells and enzymes) and other (bio)receptors with micro- and nanostructures and applied in diagnostics, environmental monitoring or safety and security. He has published around 220 peer review research papers. Prof. Merkoçi is Editor of Biosensors and Bioelectronics, the principal international journal devoted to research, design development and application of biosensors and bioelectronics, member of editorial board of Electroanalysis,  Microchimica Acta and other journals. He is also involved in teaching PhD courses in field of nanomaterials based biosensors in several Spanish and international centres.  He has got several national and international grants related to nanomaterials application in biosensors and his group is collaborating with several worldwide leading labs in the field of nanobiosensors. Prof. Merkoçi has been awarded the IAAM Medal 2011 and Nano Award-2013 for outstanding research in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology by the International Association of Advanced Materials. He has supervised around 20 PhD students besides several national & international postdoctoral and other researchers. Prof.  Merkoçi serves also as scientific evaluator and member of panels of experts of various international governmental and nongovernmental agencies, member of scientific committee of various international congresses, director of several workshops and other scientific events and have been invited to give plenary lectures and keynote speeches in around 100 occasions in various countries.