Bio-PhysNano – Biophysics and Nanosystems Group
Margarida Godinho
The main goal of the BioPhysics and Nanosystems Group is to develop specific strategies to improve biosystems description and understanding using physical approaches and tools.
The group is organized in 2 sub-groups :
* MagNano (Magnetism & Nanosystems) a team with a large experience in magnetism and atomic physics studies and in the development of nanotechnology methods and techniques, recently focused on biological systems and applications
* PBS (Physics of Biological Systems) a group that pioneered in Portugal the physical study of biological systems which has protein physics as one of its major topical themes. PBS research activities rely heavily on the development and use of analytic and computer simulation methods rooted in statistical physics.
Each team has independent scientific aims sharing the common basis of physics to tackle relevant issues and innovative applications in biology and life sciences. MagNano team develops experimental/theoretical research centred in the study of electronic properties of nanostructured systems, and nanoscale experiments using atomic force microscopy related techniques. At PBS, innovative methods are developed for a theoretical, physics based approach that provides a unique contribution to the understanding of biological systems.
Recent research topics include studies of, nanostructured magnetic systems with potential applications in biomedicine and sensors technology, protein physics (protein folding, misfolding and aggregation), dynamics and electronic structure of complex systems, and development of innovative atomic force microscopy methodologies targeting the study of biological systems.
Bio-PhysNano is the core group of the BioPhysics thematic line, but its researchers are involved in all other thematic lines, either through joint projects or sharing of facilities.
The MagNano group is comprised of 14 PhD physicists, with a research focus on the study of magnetic, electrical and optical properties of nanostructured systems targeting the design of new materials with different functionalities and practical applications.
The group is organized along the 3 research teams: ‘Magnetic systems’, ‘Electronic structure calculations’ and ‘Atomic force microscopy related techniques’ that bring together the major research approaches developed (experimental studies on magnetic systems, electronic structure calculations, and atomic force microscopy related techniques development and applications).
The MagNano research activity has a strong experimental basis, relying crucially on the preparation of high quality systems and on the assessment of their physical properties using high resolution techniques. It is supported by various in house high resolution experimental techniques (SQUID magnetometry, magneto-transport measurements, Mössbauer spectroscopy, magneto-optic Kerr effect, Atomic Force and Force Feedback Microscopy) together with other facilities available through the established collaborations.
Specific lines of research in BioISI include: 1) optimization of magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) for biological/biomedical applications; 2) Development of Force Feedback Microscope (FFM) studies in biological systems; 3) Study of 3d magnetic centre complexes with thermal spin transitions & spin crossover transition metal complexes with potential applications in catalysis, nanomedicine & sensors technology; and 4) Development/study of films and heterostructures based on Fe & Co oxides/nitrides and artificial multiferroics assembling ferromagnetic/ferroelectric materials, to accomplish integration in magnetic tunnel junctions and biosensors
The contribution of MagNano within BioISI strategic project is assembled in the Condensed Matter & Biological Physics thematic line (TL) strong interactions with the Biomedicine, and Biotechnology & Biofoods TLs.
Team
PI’s: Margarida Godinho | Ana Nunes | Benedito Cabral | J. Pires Marques | M. Margarida Cruz | Patrícia Faísca | Liliana Ferreira | Mário Rodrigues
Other integrated members: Margarida Pires | Thomas Gasche | António Casaca | M. Estrela Jorge
Post- Docs: Ana Carapeto | Jules Morand
PhD Students: Rui Loureiro (BioSYS | João Pedro Santos (BioSYS – with BTR) | Miguel Vitorino (DAEPHYS) | Rodrigo Antunes
MSc Students: Arthur Vieira (Physics Engineering) | Joao Especial (Physics) | Elsa Teixeira (Physics) | Gabriel Martins (Chemistry)
Recent Publications
J. Loureiro, D. Vila-Viçosa, M. Machuqueiro, E. I. Shakhnovich, P.N. Faísca, “A tail of two tails: The importance of unstructured termini in the aggregation pathway of beta-2 microglobulin”, Proteins: Structure, Function and Bioinformatics 85, 2045 (2017)
M. Cruz, L. P. Ferreira, J. Ramos, S. G. Mendo, A. F. Alves, M. Godinho and M. D. Carvalho, “Enhanced magnetic hyperthermia of CoFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 nanoparticles”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 703, 370 (2017)
Alichandra Castro, Jacobo Morère, Albertina Cabañas, Liliana P. Ferreira, Margarida Godinho, Paula Ferreira and Paula M. Vilarinho, “Designing nanocomposites using supercritical CO2 to insert Ni nanoparticles into the pores of nanopatterned BaTiO3 thin films”, J. Mater. Chem. C 5, 1083 (2017)
Wilhelm, E. Gruber, J. Schwestka, R. Kozubek, T.I. Madeira, J. P. Marques, J. Kobus, A.V. Krasheninnikov, M. Schleberger, and F. Aumayr, “Highly charged ion neutralization and de-excitation driven by multiple interatomic coulombic decay”, Phys. Rev. Lett 119, 103401 (2017)
Miguel V. Vitorino, A. Vieira, Mário S Rodrigues, “Effect of sliding friction in harmonic oscillators”, Scientific Reports, 7:3726 (2017)
J. Cabral, “Dynamics, magnetic properties, and electron binding energies of H2O2 in water”, J. Chem. Phys., 146, 234502 (2017)