My group's interests span three major areas: bioanalytical sciences with emphasis on clinical diagnostics, biophysics and integrated structures (lab-on-chip). The first area is concerned with the design of novel clinical assays based on acoustic wave devices for the detection of multiple proteins in patients' samples (e.g., for cardiovascular risk assessment), or genetic markers during hybridization assays (single nucleotide polymorphism detection in genetic diseases). Concerning the second area, a key finding in our biophysical studies is that acoustic waves can probe the structure of biomolecules attached to a surface. We are interested in the structural characterization of surface-bound DNA and protein molecules as well as DNA/protein complexes and DNA nanomachines switching between distinct conformational states. Biophysical studies also include the study of cellular membrane interactions. Finally, part of the work is concerned with the design and development of acoustic biosensors and integrated micro-systems; these versatile lab-on-chip platforms are coupled with our bioanalytical assays towards the development of simple, versatile and sensitive diagnostic tools.

The work is highly multidisciplinary bringing together areas at the interface of biology, biophysics, nanotechnology, surface chemistry and microengineering.

Selected Publications

K. Mitsakakis, E. Gizeli, (2011) “Detection of multiple cardiac markers with an integrated acoustic platform for cardiovascular risk assessment”. Analytical Chimica Acta 699:1-5 (selected for the cover page as “featured article”).

G. Papadakis, A. Tsortos, E. Gizeli, (2010) “Acoustic Characterization of Nanoswitch Structures: Application to the DNA Holliday Junction”. Nano Letters 10:5093-5097.

G. Papadakis, A. Tsortos, K. Mitsakakis, E. Gizeli , (2010) “Characterization of DNA-Hv1 histone interactions; discrimination of DNA size and shape”. FEBS Letters 584:935-940.

A. Tsortos, G. Papadakis, K. Mitsakakis, K.A. Melzak, E. Gizeli, (2008) “Quantitative determination of size and shape of surface-bound DNA using an acoustic wave sensor”. Biophysical Journal 94:2706-2715.

M. Saitakis, A. Dellaporta, E. Gizeli , (2008) “Measurement of 2D binding constants between cell bound MHC and immobilized antibodies with an acoustic biosensor”. Biophysical Journal 95:4963-4971.