Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2017-50332-0: STM-AFM Raman SNOM analysis system

• Grant number: 18/19240-5
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Duration: November 01, 2018 - October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Anderson Zanardi de Freitas
• Grantee: Anderson Zanardi de Freitas
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50332-0 - Scientific, technological and infrastructure qualification in radiopharmaceuticals, radiation and entrepreneurship for health purposes (PDIp), AP.PDIP
• EMU web page: https://www.sites.google.com/site/ipencla/multiusuario/sistemas-fapesp/snom
• Type of equipment: Caracterização de Materiais - Imageamento - Infravermelho, Raman (fNIRS); Caracterização de Materiais - Análises de Superficies - Microscopia de sonda (AFM, STM); Caracterização e Análises de Amostras - Medidas óticas - Imageamento de alta resolução
• Manufacturer: Horiba
• Model: LabRAM HR UV-VIS-NIR (220 nm - 2200 nm).

Abstract

SNOM or NSNOM (Near Field Scanning Optical Microscopy) is the only optical method (and therefore non-invasive) with super-resolution that allows resolving the interior of a molecule with nanoscale resolution. Because SNOM captures the near-field light distribution, the images do not present any out-of-focus light contributions, as in other optical imaging methods. A SNOM correlates the topography of the sample with spectral light analysis. SNOM is essential for several fields of research, such as plasmonics, photonic waveguides, micro and nanolasers, photovoltaics, photoconductors, cellular biological phenomena, fluorescence of zeptoliters and correlation spectroscopy. Because it is a non-invasive technique, SNOM is extremely important in the mapping of living cells. We will use the SNOM technique for IPEN's radiopharmaceutical efficacy tests and their preclinical tests, among them, namely: a) we will study the cellular organization in the interior or in the plasma membrane, for example in the study of the growth hormone influencing the bone structure of mice with hereditary pathology that results in bone fragility; in the study of the interaction of nanoparticles with cells; in the effect of antitumor drugs and, mainly, of radiopharmaceuticals on the tumor cells or cells of healthy tissue; (b) we will prepare and characterize the morphology of magnetic nanoparticles (oxides) coated with organic biocompatible material by MO-SNOM (MFM) or MFM (magnetic force microscopy using AFM tips covered with cobalt); c) we will analyze scaffolds prepared with biocompatible materials to be used as dermal substitutes, more specifically, we will check the adhesion of different skin cells in these frameworks; d) we will work with dielectric metal nanocomposites where suitable distances between rare earth ions and metallic nanoparticles vary between 5 and 20 nm so that said processes occur; e) graphene films in contact with waveguides will be analyzed, as they are used in pocket laboratories, where they are necessary for modulation of intensity in the waveguides; the Raman-SNOM measures allow to identify the behavior of the D, G and 2 D bands that vary according to the material being formed (amorphous carbon, graphite, graphene and so on); f) make the structural and molecular characterization of bioaerosols, harmful to health, to create a spectroscopic database for use in remote sensing with lasers; g) the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides and their formation of pores in the membrane will be investigated; h) genotoxicity and apoptosis in cells will be analyzed by observing nucleus fragmentation; i) the possibility of nanoscale observation of the interaction of proteins with the cell surface will be studied; the study of this ligand-receptor interaction is fundamental to elucidate mechanisms of drug action in the pharmacology of biomolecules and radiopharmaceuticals. (AU)