MEET: Metal Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Technology

PRIN 2022 PNRR [11/2023 - 11/2025] Code: P2022E5YSK

Abstract

The MEET project aims to develop an advanced electrochemiluminescence (ECL) technology for detecting biomarkers at ultra-low concentrations (i.e. picomolar or below) and enhancing ECL-based microscopy for single-cell imaging. ECL, an electrochemically induced emission, offers high signal-to-noise ratios but is limited by radical stability and emission efficiency. MEET will enhance ECL through Metal Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence Technology, using noble metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au) to amplify luminophore interactions via surface plasmons. Optimization of nanoparticle properties and radical lifetime control will refine the ECL-active layer, improving spatial resolution and enabling the first ECL-based super-resolution microscope. This breakthrough will lead to novel biomarker quantification methods and next-generation biosensors, supported by a multidisciplinary research team.

Scientific coordinator for the Department

Prof. Giovanni Valenti

Partnership

Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna (Italy) [Leader]
Universitò degli Studi di Padova (Italy)