blank spaceblank spaceNational Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canadablank spaceGovernment of Canada
Skip all menus (access key: 2)Skip first menu (access key: 1)Menu (access key: M) Français Contact us Help Search Canada Site
BRI blank space Home Health Sector Bioprocess Sector Environment Sector NRC Site
Services Business Laboratory Space Publications Careers
Banner - Environment Sector
blank space Environment Sector Environmental Genetics Environmental Microbiology Environmental Bioengineering Environmental and Analytical Chemistry Biosensors & Nanobiotechnology Research Activities Partnership Opportunities Applied Ecotoxicology Bioconversion / Sustainable Development blank space

Biosensors & Nanobiotechnology


  Group Leader

Photo Dr. John Luong

Dr. John Luong
Tel.: (514) 496-6175
Fax: (514) 496-6265
E-mail: john.luong@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
biography

Group Fact Sheet (pdf)

  Group Overview

The Biosensors and Nanobiotechnology group develops innovative technologies to fabricate nanostructures and couple biological elements, electronics and architectures at the atomic and molecular levels. These nanoscale tools (from atomic dimensions to ~100 nm) make it possible to detect pathogens, heavy metals and biological important molecules, in the environment, health and food industries. The group's emerging biosensor technologies have applications related to drug screening and the toxicological effects of toxic materials; the detection of viruses, microorganisms and their components in water, air, soil and food; and the speedy detection of biological warfare agents. The core programs of the group focus on three biosensing technologies. Sensors based on electrochemical sensing have been developed for the detection of environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorophenols, explosives and heavy metals. Sensors based on optical detection use the fluroescence properties of gold nanorods in order to detect DNA hybridization events. Sensors based on impedance sensing, including electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS), have been constructed for the detection of DNA hybridization events, as well as cell behavior phenomena in mammals, insects and microorganisms. ECIS sensors have also been used in cytoxicity assessment, to measure the cell-damaging or cell-killing properties of particular substances.

  Scientific Highlights

Li CZ, Male KB, Hrapovic S, Luong JH (2005) Fluorescence Properties of Gold Nanorods and their Application for DNA Biosensing. Chem. Comm. 31: 3924-3926.

Wiyaratn W, Hrapovic S, Liu Y, Surareungchai W, Luong JH (2005) Light-assisted Synthesis of Pt-Zn Porphyrin Nanocomposites and their Use for Electrochemical Detection of Organohalides. Anal. Chem. 77: 5742-5749.

Majid E, Hrapovic S, Liu Y, Male KB, Luong JH (2006) Electrochemical Determination of Arsenite using a Gold Nanoparticle Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and Flow Analysis. Anal. Chem. 78: 762-769.

Please use the publications search engine to view complete listings
blank spaceFooter Line
Date Modified: 2006-07-11
 Top of page
Important Notices