RESEARCH OVERVIEW:
Fluorescence is widely used as a sensitive detection technique for diagnostic platforms. In this programme, strategies are investigated in order to enhance the fluorescence of biosensors and array biochips to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and hence produce improved analyte sensitivity and lower limits of detection.

Key programme elements:

Signal Enhancement strategies under development include:

• Micro-fabricated sensor platforms for enhanced single analyte and array-based detection.
• High Brightness Nanoparticle (HBNP) labels for improved bioassay performance
• Exploitation of metal nanostructure –based plasmonic enhancement for improved assays

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

• YUK JONG SEOL, MCDONAGH COLETTE, MACCRAITH BRIAN D. “Demonstration of a surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE)-based immunoassay in the absence of a spacer layer!, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, online first 24th  July 2010
  
  
• NOONEY, ROBERT   CLIFFORD, ANDREW, LEGUEVEL, XAVIER, STRANIK, ONDREJ, MCDONAGH, COLETTE, MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. ”Enhancing the analytical performance of immunoassays that employ  metal-enhanced fluorescence” ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRYSN 1618-2642, FEB 2010, VL 396, IS 3, BP 1127, EP 1134, DI 10.1007/s00216-009-3357-9 UT ISI:000273845200018 EF
  
  
• YUK, JONG SEOL. TRNAVSKY, MICHAL, MCDONAGH, COLETTE MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. “Surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE)-based immunoassay using a novel paraboloid array biochip” BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. SN 0956-5663PD FEB 152010 VL 25IS 6BP 1344 EP 1349 DI 10.1016/j.bios.2009.10.026  ISI:000274868800015
  
  
• STRANIK, ONDREJ, IACOPINO, DANIELA, NOONEY, ROBERT, MCDONAGH, COLETTE, MACCRAITH, BRIAN D. “Optical Properties of Micro-patterned Silver Nanoparticle Substrates” JOURNAL OF FLUORESCENCE.  SN 1053-0509 JAN 2010 VL 20, IS 1 BP 215, EP 223 DI 10.1007/s10895-009-0541-4. ISI:000274401600025
  
  
• J.S. YUK, J.H. JIN, E.C. ALOCILJA, AND J.B. ROSE, “Performance enhancement of polyaniline-based polymeric wire biosensor”, Biosens. Bioelectron. 24, 1348-1352 (2009).

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:

• Intellectual Property information is available here.

 

 

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
Prof. Colette McDonagh, Professor of Physics, Dublin City University

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Professor Colette McDonagh studied undergraduate physics at the National University of Ireland in Galway and was awarded a Ph.D. in Physics from Trinity College, Dublin. After postdoctoral work at Trinity College and at the Department of Applied Science at the University of California, Davis, she took up an academic position in the School of Physical Sciences at Dublin City University in 1986. 

She currently holds the position of Associate Professor. Prof. McDonagh is Director of the Optical Sensors Laboratory (OSL) in the School of Physical Sciences at DCU. She is a member of the National Centre for Sensor Research (NCSR) and of the Biomedical Diagnostics Institute (BDI). Funding for research comes from a variety of sources including industry, EU and national funding bodies.