Department Bionanoscience
Principal investigator Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam
E-mail address m.e.aubin-tam@tudelft.nl
Website https://aubintamlab.tudelft.nl
Investigating THz-Wave Induced Changes in Phospholipid Bilayer Hydration Using Fluorescence Microscopy
Supervisor: Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam, m.e.aubin-tam@tudelft.nl
In this project, we will explore how electromagnetic radiation influences water molecule organization at phospholipid bilayer interfaces. We will prepare free-standing phospholipid bilayers in a microfluidic device and probe their hydration level using polarity-sensitive fluorescent probes. The bilayers will be exposed to electromagnetic waves in the frequency range of 0.04 – 2.7 THz, where excitations of water-phospholipid hydrogen bonds and collective motion of (charged) phospholipids occur. By systematically varying the irradiation frequency and experimental conditions, we will map the resulting changes in water organization at the membrane interface using fluorescence microscopy. The findings will advance our understanding of how electromagnetic waves in the THz frequency range modulate membrane organization and function under electromagnetic stress.
Techniques
- Microfluidics
- Microscopy
- Biochemistry
Further reading
Study the growth of microalgae in hydrogel towards responsive engineered living materials
Supervisor: Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam, m.e.aubin-tam@tudelft.nl
Engineered living materials are a novel class of functional materials that typically feature spatial confinement of living components within an inert polymer matrix to recreate biological functions. Microalgae-based living materials show great promise for generating bioelectricity, oxygenating mammalian tissues in biomedical applications, improving air and water quality, and granting photoresponsive/photoadaptive functions to materials. Understanding the growth and spatial configuration of cellular populations within a matrix is crucial to predicting and improving their responsive potential and functionality. This project will focus on this.
You will also explore whether the material can show photochromism properties.
Techniques
- microscopy
- 3D printing
- cell culture
- mechanical characterization
Further reading
Oh JJ, Ammu S, Vriend VD, Kieffer R, Kleiner FH, Balasubramanian S, Karana E, Masania K, Aubin-Tam ME. Growth, Distribution, and Photosynthesis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in 3D Hydrogels, Advanced Materials, 2305505, 2024.
Bioelectricity with microalgae
Supervisor: Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam, m.e.aubin-tam@tudelft.nl
Microalgae-based living materials show great promise for generating bioelectricity in a sustainable manner. Photoelectrons are produced by microalgae via excessive illumination during photosynthesis. However, the first attempts at using microalgae for electricity generation have not yet high level of efficiency. This project will focus on solving this by using microalgae encapsulated in polymeric hydrogels.
Techniques
- electrochemistry
- cell culture
- hydrogel
Further reading
Rewiring photosynthetic electron transport chains for solar energy conversion
Using bacterial spores to create responsive living materials
Supervisor: Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam, m.e.aubin-tam@tudelft.nl
Bacterial spores are ideal components to create responsive living materials that can be activated on demand. This project will study and engineer physical properties of bacterial spores, such that those can be leveraged to create responsive materials.
Techniques
- cloning
- microscopy
- material characterization
Further reading
Leveraging the versatile properties of bacterial spores in materials