We develop nucleic acid sensors based on DNA nanopores. These nanostructures can insert into lipid membranes, making quite stable holes. Their size can be modulated by the presence of specific oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA). The associated change in conductance can be measured at the level of single nanopores. We currently develop microfluidic approaches to make this detection robust and adapted to point-of-care diagnostics. We are also interested in expanding the detection possibilities by the use of aptamers.

The development of strategies for tuning surface properties within short time scales may lead to a paradigm change in the way we think about them. They may become active responsive elements having multiple functionalities, which may find use in applications like sensors or actuators. Anchoring macromolecules at solid surfaces is an efficient way to modify their interfacial properties. The M2SD team at CRPP has recently shown that the conformation of polyelectrolyte coatings can be manipulated by using an external electric field, as a consequence of the ionic charge of the polyions. By dynamically tuning the conformation of the polyelectrolyte, local wettability, adhesion, and lubrication can be actively manipulated. This project is inspired by concepts of surface responsiveness for the generation of smart polymer-based materials. The goal is to achieve active control of surface properties, aiming for directed material transport under confinement over sizable distances of a few cm. We want to explore new methods of drops or particle guidance by the combination of designed material microstructure and a controlled application of a complementary stimulus.

The remarkable lubrication properties of mammalian articular joints are widely recognized. However, there is no consensus yet about the mechanism(s) responsible for that ultra-low friction property. While numerous studies have attempted to link the lubrication of joints to the composition of the synovial fluid, less effort has been devoted to investigating the influence of cartilage. The vast majority of studies have studied the operation of synovial fluid components confined between hard, essentially non-deformable walls. However, cartilages are soft, with a complex organized structure. As the shearing of the confined synovial fluid can generate large pressures, substantial deformations of the surfaces can materialize, suggesting that elastohydrodynamic effects have to be considered to understand the frictional contact behavior of these compliant surfaces under shear. The main goal of the project is to establish the relationship between the elastic properties of the substrates, the molecular structures of the lubricant boundary layers, and the behaviors of two compliant surfaces under compression and shear. This knowledge may lead to new strategies for engineering soft surfaces as smart, frictionless bearing components (e.g. novel strategies for the optimization of joint prosthesis)