Laboratory of Applied Biomolecular Research

Our research is focused on experimental studies of Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA); we are interested in the mechanism of PNA interactions with other nucleic acids, various PNA-DNA structures and their affect on DNA functioning within the cell. We are designing novel approaches for sequence-specific recognition of duplex DNA using PNA molecules.

We developed an approach to extend FISH analyses to the detection of very short DNA sequences on morphologically preserved whole cells. Our objective is to launch a radically new technology for rapid, specific and very sensitive detection of short unique sequences (20-30 nucleotides) within genomic DNA in its native, double-stranded form.

We are also interested in developing sensitive systems to monitor the expression of specific cell markers. We demonstrated that by merging the single-molecule detection power of the Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) with a highly specific antigen-antibody recognition process the identification of specific low-abundance protein markers can be achieved.

Most recently, we have been exploring DNA/RNA aptamers and their applications for the detection of proteins and nucleic acids. Nucleic acid aptamers are optimal tools for bio-detection and diagnostic applications due to their small size, ease of discovery and synthesis, and chemical and thermal stability. Our research is focused on the application of aptamers for target recognition and signal readout.