Merkoçi Research Group

🗞️ NEW SCIENCE UPDATE❗ 🤔 Have you heard of #plasmonic nanoparticles? Thanks to their excellent #OpticalProperties, these types of particles are a promising option for next-generation sensors. 📄 The latest ICN2 review article on this topic has been selected for the 10th Anniversary Regional Spotlight Collection of Nanoscale Horizons! In the paper, ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi and Dr Daniel Quesada González (from the Merkoçi Research Group) explore current progress, key challenges, and future prospects in this field. 📖 Interested? Dive in for all the details! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dEBRVRwY #OpticalSensors

In beautiful Braga, Portugal for an EU workshop and a visit to the amazing INL - International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory During this week will be learning about new projects, sharing ideas, and meeting great people in the world of science and nanotech! Excited to see the future being built here! "The INL International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, located in Braga (North of Portugal), was founded by the governments of Portugal and Spain under an international legal framework to perform interdisciplinary research and deploy and articulate nanotechnology for the benefit of society. INL aims to become the worldwide hub for nanotechnology addressing society’s grand challenges" Read more about INL at: https://inl.int/ #Braga #Portugal #INL #Nanotech #Science #Innovation #EUWorkshop #TechFuture #Research 🇵🇹✨🔬🌍🤝🇪🇺

🚀 The 2D-BioPAD team gathered in Olomouc, Czechia to drive forward our mission: developing a fast & affordable system for early Alzheimer’s detection. 🧠 Experts in #diagnostics, #nanotechnology, and #biosensors shared breakthroughs on key biomarkers, sensor tech, and aptamer research. 🔬 We explored market opportunities, regulatory pathways, and future collaborations to bring this innovation to real-world use. 🌍 With a clear roadmap, we’re on track to deliver our first working prototype by September 2025! 📅 Curious to learn more? Read our press release here: https://lnkd.in/dSv7d46r #2dbiopadproject #horizoneurope #alzheimerdisease #innovation #graphene #nanomaterials #IVD #invitrodiagnostics Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci | Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute | RCPTM - Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials | Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL | Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2) | Grapheal | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) | NOVAPTECH | University of Eastern Finland | Alzheimer Hellas (Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders) | Evnia | Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit | CeADAR Ireland | Graphene Flagship

I'm thrilled to continue my research at Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), hosted by Arben Merkoçi, thanks to the support of Fundación ”la Caixa”

🎉🎉🎉Dr Marianna Rossetti, postdoctoral researcher in the ICN2 NanoBioelectronics and Biosensors Group, has been awarded the prestigious Postdoctoral Junior Leader fellowship by ”la Caixa“ Foundation. This programme aims to promote scientific excellence by supporting researchers who wish to continue their careers in the STEM fields in Spain or Portugal. With this fellowship, Dr Rossetti will lead the project ”CRISPR-Enhanced Graphene-Based Electrochemical Nano-Arrays for Reliable, Non-Invasive and Low-Cost HPV Screening and Cancer Prevention“. Learn about more about from here：https://lnkd.in/dpyb7Eja. #icn2 #caixa #fellowship #biosensor 

🗞️ NEW UPDATE❗ 💧 The SUSNANO Project Spring School 2025, co-organised by ICN2, was recently held and it concluded with success! The project focuses on developing advanced sensor technologies for detecting #environmental pollutants such as pesticides, #antibiotics and heavy metals. The assistance of the Merkoçi Research Group, represented by ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi, Massimo Urban,  Marianna Rossetti, Isabella Sampaio do Nascimento and Ronaldo Challhua highlighted our institute's commitment in this area. 🤝 University of Tirana & Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute  🔎 Find out what role ICN2 researchers had at the event! 👉 https://bit.ly/4hYjekp #ScientificCollaboration #ScienceEvent

📢 Our group from Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2) at the 4th EU Project Meeting of @2DBioPad in Olomouc! Our team from ICN2 participated in the 4th Project Meeting of 2D-BioPAD EU Project in Olomouc, where we strengthened our collaborative efforts with our European partners. This meeting was a key moment in shaping the next steps for the development of our innovative point-of-care diagnostic platform. We are committed to advancing next-generation biosensors for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, bringing cutting-edge 2D materials technology closer to real-world applications. Stay tuned for more updates as we push forward in this exciting journey! #2DBioPAD #ICN2 #Biosensors #Neurodegeneration #Innovation RCPTM - Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Regionální centrum pokročilých technologií a materiálů Graphene Flagship Merkoçi Research Group

ICN2 Was the Co-Organiser of the NANOBIOSENSORS SUSNANO Spring School, Successfully Concluded in Olomouc, Czechia The SUSNANO Spring School, held in Olomouc from March 25-27, marked the third and final training school of the project. Hosted by CATRIN, this event followed the successful editions organized by the University of Tirana and ICN2. Bringing together high-level scientists, invited speakers, and young researchers, the school provided an excellent platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration. A special thanks to Michal Otyepka for his warm welcome and outstanding organization of the event, as well as to Petr Jakubec and Jana Markova for their invaluable support in ensuring the smooth execution of the program. SUSNANO is a project coordinated by the University of Tirana, under the leadership of Prof. Majlinda Vasjari. It brings together key partners, including ICREA Prof. Arben Merkoçi head of Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors group from ICN2 and Michal Otyepka head of RCPTM from CATRIN. The project focuses on the development of advanced sensor technologies for detecting environmental pollutants, such as heavy metals, pesticides, and antibiotics. By integrating cutting-edge nanomaterials and sensor platforms, SUSNANO aims to enhance environmental monitoring capabilities, contributing to more sustainable and safer ecosystems. ICN2 actively participated in this event, with presentations by Massimo Urban and Dr. Marianna Rossetti, as well as a live demonstration of our latest technologies by Dr. Ruslan Alvarez. Additionally, our group was represented by Isabella Sanpaio and Ronaldo Challhua, highlighting our ongoing dedication to research in this area The SUSNANO Spring School in Olomouc was a resounding success, strengthening collaborations and paving the way for future advancements in nanotechnology-based environmental sensing. We are eager to keep contributing and learning from the progress made in this project. #2DBioPAD #ICN2 #ElectrochemicalBiosensor #Nanotechnology #BiomedicalResearch

📢 ICN2 at the 4th Project Meeting of 2D-BioPAD in Olomouc! Over the past six months (October 2024 - March 2025), the 2D-BioPAD project has made significant strides in the development of new diagnostic prototypes, and preparations for clinical studies. These advancements were showcased during the 4th project meeting in Olomouc, where ICN2 actively participated. Our team—comprising Marianna, Ronaldo, Isabella, Ruslan, Massimo, and Arben—presented the latest results in a dedicated workshop titled “Collaboration towards the Joint Development of the 2D-BioPAD Electrochemical Biosensor.” The workshop focused on: 🔹 Time plan, challenges, and collaborative efforts to develop all components of the electrochemical biosensor. 🔹 Current biosensor results 🔹 Collaboration with partners to overcome implementation challenges and barriers. 🔹 A detailed timeline for delivering the first prototype, expected to be ready for testing in September 2025. This meeting strengthened our collaborative efforts and paved the way for the next critical steps in the development of this innovative point-of-care diagnostic platform. Stay tuned for more updates! #2DBioPAD #ICN2 #ElectrochemicalBiosensor #Nanotechnology #BiomedicalResearch

I am incredibly honored to be awarded as one of the Junior Leader Fellows of Fundación ”la Caixa”! 🎉 This fellowship will allow me to develop an innovative CRISPR-powered electrochemical nano-array for rapid, affordable, and highly sensitive HPV detection, aiming to improve early screening and prevention of HPV-related cancers. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has shaped me into the scientist I am today. A special thanks to Prof. Alessandro Porchetta and Francesco Ricci for introducing me to the amazing world of DNA nanotechnology, and to Arben Merkoçi for guiding me into the fascinating field of 2D materials. This project represents the culmination of everything I have learned throughout my PhD, my postdoc as an Fondazione Umberto Veronesi ETS Fellow at Università di Roma Tor Vergata, and my journey as a Marie Curie Fellow at Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2). It is an exciting step forward in my scientific journey. Excited for what’s to come! 🚀 #laCaixaFoundation #Fellows #HPVDetection #CRISPR #DNATechnology #2DMaterials #Nanobiosensors #NextStep