BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:Icfo X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P1W BEGIN:VEVENT UID:69d4afce299fd DTSTART:20240913T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE LOCATION:Auditorium SUMMARY:ICFO | EDIZ KAAN HERKERT CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:The ability to study the dynamics of individual biomolecules is crucial to understanding the complex organization of biological systems b eyond what can be learned from ensemble averages. These single-molecule dy namics often occur at high micro- to millimolar concentrations\, where con ventional optical techniques cannot isolate single molecules anymore due t o fundamental physical laws. This thesis explores the design\, fabrication \, and application of advanced nanoantenna platforms to detect individual fluorescent molecules at such high concentrations with increased sensitivi ty.\nHere\, the theoretical groundwork is provided to understand the inter actions between fluorescent molecules and nanoantennas. It is discussed ho w the single-molecule detection sensitivity of nanoantenna platforms can b e quantitatively assessed through analytical models and numerical simulati ons. Based on these quantitative models\, antenna-in-box platforms are ide ntified to provide superior sensing performance and suitable lithography p rocesses for their fabrication are established.\nBoth computational and ex perimental evidence are presented that cleverly combining materials in hyb rid antenna-in-box platforms enhances single-molecule detection sensitivit y at micromolar concentrations. This improvement is attributed to decrease d background signals and the use of previously unexplored coupling mechani sms inherent in the antenna-in-box architecture. Furthermore\, hexagonal c lose-packed antenna-inbox platforms are introduced to enable highly parall elized single-molecule detection at micromolar concentrations. Notably\, t hese hexagonally ordered platforms constitute the first demonstration of a ntenna-in-box platforms capable of single-molecule detection across the vi sible spectral range. Lastly\, a correlative approach is presented that co mbines nonlinear fluorescence and vibrational spectroscopy to study the or ganization of receptor proteins in the cell membrane of living cells using nanoantennas. Measures to protect both the nanoantennas and the living ce lls are discussed and their effectiveness is validated. Overall\, this the sis presents novel approaches for studying single-molecule dynamics at hig h concentrations with enhanced sensitivity. The development of these appro aches was enabled through analytical and numerical modeling\, the creation of new fabrication processes\, and the use of appropriate experimental me thods.\nThese advancements promise to offer previously inaccessible insigh ts into dynamics within biological systems.\n \;\nFriday September 13\ , 10:00 h. ICFO Auditorium\nThesis Director: Prof. Dr. Marí\;a Garc& iacute\;a-Parajo DTSTAMP:20260407T071838Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR